The Baja Cruise

We had plans all year to go to Lake Powell with my two sisters and their 

families on their houseboat for the big summer vacation. 

We had never been there as a family, so everyone was really excited.  

We had child care all lined up for the three little ones and were primed 

for a week of fun minus 90% of the stress.

Landon had invited his girlfriend, McKell to come along as well. 

They were all so excited.  

Well, fate would have it that  a couple of weeks before, 

we were told there wasn't enough room for us after all. :( 

(A miscommunication issue where too many people had been invited. 

You know how that kind of thing goes...)

So, we had to come up with something equally as fun, that wouldn't require plane tickets or way too much $. After much deliberation, we ultimately decided to drive to Southern California (about 10 hours from here) and take a 4 day Carnival Cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

Can I just tell you how pleasant road trips are without kids under the age of 8?

We love them dearly, but sometimes, you've just gotta flee without them.

If you have three under "age 5" then you know what I'm talkin' about.

Eli got to stay with G&G Fillmore for the week

and Anya and Hazel stayed with some friends who love them. 

We didn't worry a single bit. It was wonderful for all.

We broke up the drive with an overnight stop in St. George on the way there and back. G&G Hinton

were nice to put us all up for the night on the way there, and on the way back, we stayed between

there and the Awerkamp's house.

We had some time before check-in to hang out at Seal Beach. We ate at our favorite little taco place where Landon and I ate back in February, then walked out on the pier in the cool breeze.

This is a record three times that we have been to Cali in one year, and it's still not enough. Can't get enough of that salty sea air. It just does something to you.

We took a cruise similar to this one, but with Royal Caribbean 8 years ago. (They don't do this cheap California one any more. Booo.) Only Landon and Sadie came that time. So this was a new experience for Max and Bennett. McKell had never been on a cruise either. We loved watching them experience the whole thing for the first time. It's the ultimate kid experience. A huge ship, entertainment for kids of all ages, and food, food and more food with no one telling you "no!"  Not something that a kid gets to experience much in life.

The 4 course meals were all incredible.

Our favorite desserts were the Creme Brule' and 

the Carnival Chocolate Melt Cake (or something like that.)

We set sail on Monday, August 11.

The next day, the port of call was Catalina Island. 

The prettiest little tourist Island off of the coast of California.

We decided we would just make it a beach day. 

After a couple hours of shopping, swimming and laying out, we rented some snorkeling gear.

and went on a walk to a snorkeling area. 

That night was formal night in the dining room.

Some of us brought nicer clothes and some didn't. 

That's ok. 

Except I didn't realize that this dress makes me look 8 mo. prego. 

Landon and McKell had so much fun getting all dressed up and enjoying some awesome dates for a few nights. Dinner with family, then time by themselves watching shows or dancing or just hanging out by the pool. They sure do like each other....probably not the best timing right before Landon's two- year mission, but what do you do? Kids will be kids. :)

One of the best parts of going on a cruise is seeing your food come out. Everything is so pretty and so yummy. Sadie, our foodie was in heaven. Haha!

Max was our most adventurous eater. He tried escargo, frog legs, alligator and duck

just to say he had eaten them.

His favorite was the creme brule' though. 

The girls had one cabin and the boys had another. 

As always, I was awake and ready to go by 8:00 in the morning, 

so I always put on some shorts and tennies and headed for the gym 

and the track on the top deck. 

My favorite time was standing at the balcony and meditating. 

There is nothing like looking out at the vast ocean, feeling the cool breeze, 

smelling the salty air and thinking about life. It was so rejuvenating!

On Wednesday, Bennett, Max and I stayed on the ship while Dad, Sadie, Landon and McKell went to see Ensendada.

I know, looks so relaxing, doesn't it?

How many people can you fit in a hot tub?

Gross!

That night, we spent some time by the pool shaking our booties. 

Jeremy and I haven't done that in a loooonnng time.

Thursday was a day at sea. 

That night we went to a Hasbro Family Game Show and a 

family-centered comedy show, then Jeremy, Bennett and I just hung out

while Max and Sadie went to their age-related "clubs" and Landon and McKell 

went to another show.

It's always fun to see what the room stewards are going to leave behind.

This monkey is my favorite.

We had a little time before heading back to Utah to do some sightseeing. 

The kids have always wanted to see Hollywood Blvd, so we took a detour.

It ended up slowing us way down because of traffic. Don't know if it was worth it. 

But they can all now cross that off their bucket lists. :)

Robin Williams committed suicide a few days before this. It was so sad to walk past his star.

He was so loved by everyone.

On our way home, we stopped in St. George to celebrate Landon's birthday at the Awerkamps.

Grandma and Grandpa got him a cake and Heidi decorated her dining area so that 

Landon would feel special. We had to make his big 18th birthday official!

Many awesome memories were made on this trip. We had so much fun!