January 2013

We are already almost 1/4 of the way into the new year. CrAZy! I'm going back to start in January We started out with a bang! At least Jeff and I did with a Cruise to Mexico with all of Jeff's siblings and his parents to celebrate John and Barbara's 50th anniversary.
We had such a fun time! It was so nice to be together and try some new and fun activities and laugh and eat and eat and eat. It really seemed like we were eating all the time. We cruised on the Sapphire Princess for 7 days to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada from Los Angeles. 
*At Puerto Vallarta we all went zip lining and repeling. That was a new experience for us all. We went by zodiac around the island, then were taken up the mountain in an old truck to where we were outfitted with our gear. THen it was up the mountain further by mule(the 4 legged kind not the motorized ones) It was a little intimidating but a whole lot of fun once you started. OUr guides were wonderful and there was nothing to fear. Diana and Ashley even made it down the repel with their fear of heights. THey did great. 
*At Cabo we went Whale watching, and saw all kinds of marine life. IT was a fun experience. Only Jo and Trish ended up getting sea sick but Shane and I were getting really close. We saw humpback whales, Sea turtles, Sea lions and dolphins. We had the best fish tacos on the dock at a fun restaurant there.
* At Ensenada we went to do some authentic shopping about 30 min away at Le Bufadoro or the Blow Hole. I can say officially that one shopping place is pretty much like the next. But it was a fun day with family.
* The ship was very fun with lots to do. I liked doing zumba while the rest of the family had a basketball game most mornings. We tried our hand at bingo. Some liked the casino. Lots were great at the game shows and fabulous with the karaoke ( how do you spell it? Thank goodness for spell check). Nikki took runner up in the princess pop star contest. (She really should have gotten 1st place) I think all in all the family won 3 bottles of champagne which were quickly given away to other passengers. Shane didn't even want to touch his. 
Trisha was the entertainment of week. I think she will be remembered by many on the boat for her getting in trouble with the photographers for always trying to take pictures of her pictures so she wouldn't have to buy them, and for her unique pictures. Loved the one of her hugging the donkey that was sitting on her lap! And most memorably for her rendition of "I will survive" in the princess pop star contest. You are my hero! We will have so many wonderful memories of this trip and are so thankful to mom and dad for taking us all.

gotta make sure the life jackets fit

Who would have thought we'd be wraped in blankets in Los Angeles.

Getting ready for departure which was supposed to happen at 4.00pm

but didnt' happen till 7:30 

Checking out the ship and found a comfy spot.

Shane, Jason, Me Joanna, Trisha, Diana and Dave.

Jeff was taking the picture

One night at dinner

Giving mom and dad their anniversary gift.

Jo and Trisha did an amazing job on a book with letters from all their family and friends

Our ship 

Whale watching in Cabo

The sea lion rock

The famous arch at cabo

HAhahA! The only time you'll see me in a bikink bottom

GI Joe

A beautiful sunrise from our balcony

Bus ride to La Bufadora

Zoom in on Jeff and Jason

our entertainment at the blowhole

Nikki and I at the blowhole

I was so happy my hubby was giving me a kiss 

I didn't even notice anything else

Nikki, Joanna, Tricia, Trisha, & Diana

Waiting to get on the zodiak to take us to zip lining

with Diana and Dave

Bill, Dan, Shane, Jeff and Joanna

Our transport up the mountain in Puerto Vallarta

on our way to Zip lining and Repeling

Waiting for the boat to take us back to the ship after our adventure.

The water was up to the dock when we were dropped off in the morning.

January was also Stirling School Ski and Snowboard day at West Castle. I have taken the kids up the past three years but this year I decided to get up on ski's again after over 25 year.

BIG ACCPOMPLISHMENT!

It is a lot like riding a bike and I'm just as bad as I was 25 years ago, But it was fun. We rode up with Jody and Slade and Piper, and we skied together all day. We all made it up and down in one piece on the huckleberry. Slade took me out getting off the chair lift and I didn't ever think I was going to get up again. (I should have just popped off my ski's it would have been a lot easier) and I'm glad I had Piper to ski down the hill with. Maddi and Kaitlin were pro's on their snowboards. 

It was a really fun day!