Acapulco

Today was Acapulco.

We took a tour in a small tour bus.

He drove us through a down town market. 

I didn't take pictures as we drove, but it was basically what you would imagine.

It's the part of Mexico that I don't like to see.

I can't imagine living in those conditions. 

 He drove us up to this high point so we could get some great pictures of the bay where our cruise ship was docked. 

 The tour included cliff diving which we were totally uninterested in seeing.

But we ended up really enjoying it.

A little bit more impressed than we expected.

They looked like boys, but I imagine they were in their mid to late 20s.

They are all very small in stature.

This is vantage point.

 Here is Fred hanging out.

 The divers actually have to scale the cliff to the top to dive.

 I think there were about a dozen divers.

 There were a couple teams divers who were totally in sync. It was impressive.

My camera is very lacking, but it gives you the idea.

 Here is another team.

 When the ships pull into port, the city skyline is so beautiful.

 There is a zipline across this lake area.

 The tour included what they called a botanical garden. It was kind of a joke. 

It was basically a nursery, but the plants were all lush and beautiful. 

Not any dead or dried out plants like we see back in the states in our nurseries.

 Who is this guy?

 Acapulco was a fun day. The weather was not too hot. We really lucked out on the weather.

 Fred is a master selfie photographer. 

 There was a grill and pub on board that we ate at a lot. 

We cruised on Norwegian this time. It seemed like Norwegian had more free food options on board.

This is the atrium where the Pub overlooks. This band performed a lot all week.

They were really good, but it was kind of distracting because they were not caucasian yet 

all this rock n roll, hip hop, pop and other genres were coming out - it just didn't match.

Panama Canal Cruise

Okay, let's get started. It was another early morning start. 3:30 AM.

We have a friend who is an UBER driver. He picked us up.

We rode the St. George Shuttle to the Las Vegas Airport.

An uneventful check in and flight to LAX.

Next we board this very nice luxury bus to the pier.

 Here is our home for the next 14 days.

 We are standing on our balcony here. Fred is looking out with his binoculars.

I'm taking a selfie. Let the fun begin.

 This is Day Two. Part of the cruise package we bought included four speciality dinners. 

This is the first one at Cagney's Steak House. 

 We didn't take pictures of any of our food this cruise. 

Not sure why.

My friend at work told me I definitely would need a hat for this cruise.

She said the sun this close to the equator is killer.

I broke down and bought this in the shop on board. 

It was a miracle worker. I figured out soon not to wear any hair product.

I would just put in mousse, blow dry my hair and go.

Most days I only wore brow pencil. eyeliner and Lip Sense.

I truly was on vacation. 

Our first Port was Cabo San Lucas. BEAUTIFUL!!!

 These photos were taken from our balcony as we came into port.

                                                    We had to take a tender into the pier. 

The story with this ring. Get a drink and snack and get comfortable - it's long.

I've been whining for years for more bling because the diamond on my wedding ring is pretty small. 

I'm pretty much into BIG BLING. Fred pretty much just harrumphs and continues on his way.

There is always a big Gem & Shopping Event on board and we attended. I won't completely bore you with all the details, but at the end we decided to go on this excursion and utilize his $250 discount and look at Crown of Light diamonds to replace my diamond or maybe a new ring in chocolate diamonds. Thinking maybe spending $500 or $600 plus the discount. Fred said he had actually been thinking of buying me something.
I WAS SURPRISED.

So anyway, we get to Diamond International and the Asst. Manager pulls out a Carat Crown of Light diamond.

I love it - It's BEAUTIFUL. $26,000.00

Ah - can we look at something smaller - $6,000.00

She asks what do you want to spend? We tell her. 

She takes us across to another counter. This is Tanzanite. We learned all about it at the Gem Event.

She pulls out a couple single tanzanite stones and then this one.

AH YES - THE BLING FACTOR. I'LL TAKE IT!!!!

I asked Fred what do we call it? You know like "Anniversary Band" or some other romantic gesture.
It's pretty much a "I'm spoiled and I get whatever I want ring."
Not really, but I was actually pretty surprised when he said he had been thinking of getting me something. I'm more than happy about it. It's not the greatest picture, but it really is beautiful and really BLINGY!!!
"I'm spoiled - I get whatever I want" 

We did have to rush it in the Jewelry Store. That purchase was made in under a 1/2 hour.

The jewelry store had a ridiculously decorated bell that the customer rings when they make a purchase. 

Of the 50 people on our excursion from the ship - I was the first to ring that bell.

I'm a fast shopper. I know what I want and I get right to it.

Okay - back to the day's activity. We actually already had a shore excursion planned for Parasailing.

We brought our swimming suits, but the people said we would not get wet.

I was relieved - I really did not want to hassle with changing. 

I know - all fuddy duddy.

Fred and I decided to go up separately. We wanted to take pictures of each other.

We didn't realize there was a photographer on board. 

 I let Fred go up first so I could see what to do.

They let you "sail" for 10 minutes.

Gorgeous Day/

If we ever go again, we will definitely go up together. Once you are up, it gets a little boring. It's beautiful, but it would have been so much more enjoyable if Fred would have been there with me. 

When we got back to the ship, it was time for ice cream on the deck. 

Fred went and got my ice cream for me. 

I just love going on vacation with Fred and by ourselves. It is such a great time to reconnect.

No distractions. 100% all about each other.

Good Night Cabo San Lucas.

Denver Christmas 2017

Last year we didn't go anywhere for Christmas and no one came to visit either. I said I didn't EVER want to do that again. Fred and I had made plans to drive to San Luis Obispo for Christmas to see old friends and visit our "beginning". But one day at work I just happened to look at Southwest flights to Denver and they were $44 to and $69 back. Well those San Luis Obispo plans went out the window.

I'm at work today trying to blog about our trip and feeling frustrated with the process so you are seeing our trip in reverse.

This is Sunday morning before church. Looking all cozy. It's because I've downloaded a game for Marissa on my Tablet. Don't be fooled, but she is definitely cozier with me than in years past which makes me so happy.

This is the Christmas dress I bought Marissa while we were in San Antonio with Scott and Jess. 

I just fell in love with it and had to buy it. 

 On Saturday we went to Cave of the Winds. It was actually warmer inside the caves. Fred and I just do not like the cold weather. Maybe we are just getting old. It was just as cold back in St. George while we at Shannon's. The deciding factor in purchasing this picture was Marissa.

We stopped at McDonalds after the Caves. 

 Happy Grandpa 

YUM YUM

 Fred is always on the floor with the kids. I'm always on the couch. I'm not sure what good I am. 

Oh I do wash all the dishes while I visit. 

Blake got all building toys for Christmas. 

We got Blake a big art set that he shared with Marissa.

Marissa got this great big doll house. 

Friday morning both kids went to school and preschool for parties.

This is the home where Marissa goes for daycare/preschool.

Marissa wanted to paint my toenails.

When Blake saw what was going on, he wanted in on the action.

Marissa didn't go to daycare on Thursday so she got to come with Shannon to pick us up at the airport. We stopped at Firehouse Subs for lunch. Look at that face. She is such a dolly!

My Happy Place ~ in the back seat of the car next to Marissa.

We had a wonderful time together. We feel very comfortable there. Brian always makes great food. He bakes us homemade bread, homemade brownies and buys us Blue Bell ice cream. Lots of it.

What more could we ask for? 

Shannon and I get to spend lots of time together. We talk a lot and I love that. 

She is not only my daughter, but one of my best friends.