Spring 2023 Carribbean Cruise

 We got up at 2:30AM to catch our Uber to the airport. He took us to the wrong side of the airport so by the time we got to the check in, Shannon and family had already checked in and headed to the gate.   For us it took at least 20 minutes later to accomplish the same thing. 

Once we arrived in Houston, Shannon and Brian's family took off in their Uber to the airport. Ours pulled up and said "I can't take you to the pier. It's too far and not enough money." So we waited for the next Uber. We had added a sister in law to Phil Drees to our car so when the lady pulled up she said we had to all squeeze in the back. It was a nice Lexus, but still crowded in the back and her trunk wasn't big enough for our luggage. She was willing to let us put the extra suitcase in her front seat. 

We made it to the Port in Galveston and getting through security, check in was a wiz. 
No problem there. 

It was several hours before we could get in our cabin. We have never boarded so early.
When we got to our cabin, this plate of chocolate dipped strawberries was sitting on the desk. 
Fred had ordered them for me for our anniversary. 
That was super sweet. He does things like that.

Here are the kids on the climbing wall.

Kids coming out of the huge water slide.

This is the view of the promenade. 

We headed to the dining room at 5:30 and found ourselves at a table for eight. 

The entire cruise, there were only the six of us.

These two other couples were just right. It was a very good match. 

Of course, there were no last names shared which is too bad because the other two couples cruise ALL THE TIME. Sounds like they are matching up on their next cruise.

The first port was Costa Maya. We didn't sign up for an excursion. 

There weren't any that really caught our eye. I did, however, buy this hat. 

I didn't bring any of the three I have at home. 

Fred bought his souvineer hat.

This is what you see as you walk toward the port.

Shannon and family did sign up for an excursion. They did a much better job at seeing things. 

They did get sunburned. 

They did choose this excursion not attached to Royal Carribbean. 

We could have done the same, but it was a lot like our excursion in Cozumel. 

It would have been too much sun.

The next day was Cozumel. A pretty little port.

Here is our ship. We sailed with Royal Carribbean for the first time. Unfortunately, the ship was overdue for a reburbishment. It definitely needed it. 

We booked an excursion that included a buffet and unlimited drinks. I finally got my fill of Diet Coke. 

We got free loungers and umbrellas and also offered were kayaks and big tricycles to peddle in the ocean. Fred bought us snorkel gear, but I didn't want to do it. I didn't feel like the beach and water was very conducive for it. Fred, however, did get out and snorkel. 

There were all this floaty toys for everyone. I did get in the water and swim and bob around with Fred.

This picture was taken from the covered area where we could eat. The food was good.

This was taken on our way back to the ship.

On board was an ice skating rink. Again, I opted out because I no longer 

do things that are a threat to bodily harm. Fred was game. 

This was at the very front of the boat. Like Jack and Rose.

One of the shows we went to was an ice production. Here we are. The other boys didn't want to come.

This is a pretty good picture of the main dining room. It was the same on three floors. The staircase had an opening that connected all three floors. 

We did have a very nice time. We ate dinner with Shannon's family one evening. 

That was a nice change. 

We enjoyed all of the shows. A comedian, and a juggler who was also a comedian.

Two different dance productions. 

The food was very good. I felt a bit like a fuddy duddy this cruise. I just didn't want to do much.

I'm feeling old so I didn't want many pictures taken of us with me in it. 

I'll post pictures and talk about the next part of our trip together. In another week. 

I didn't want to do it in one huge post. 

Corinne and Richard's visit

I don't remember the occasion that the three of us are in Shannon's car, but this was taken on a Sunday. 

Maybe we stayed after church for something???

We took this picture at the game night we had at our house. These are my two new friends. Gale Couch is in the middle and Angie Erickson is on the end. Fred and I have found these two other couples and we get together to play games and eat food. We are all planning to go on a cruise together in 2024. 

It's so fun to have new friends to get together with.

Angie got me started on the app BeReal. I'm only connected with Gale, Angie, Scott & Jess. It's still kind of fun. I don't have a whole lot of variety to my pictures. Most of the the time when I get the notification to take a picture, we are sitting in our recliners or many times on I'm on the toilet. 

I'm not taking a picture in there. 

We received an Amazon package with this book in it. I showed the book to Fred and asked if he had ordered it. We both were puzzled. Then I look through the receipts and found the note that it was sent by Evan and Graham. It was hilarious! What a fun surprise!!!

Corinne and Richard flew into town for about four days. Corinne wanted Richard to have a flying experience before he flies to Michigan for his mission. On the first day, we all split up into a girl group and a boy group. We girls went to Olive Garden for lunch and then to the International BYU dancers performance. The boys went to Cafe Rio and Top Golf.

This was Sunday after church. Corinne was so good to play games with Marissa. I made a big spaghetti dinner for everyone. We ate that spaghetti every day after that. It was a very handy leftover. 

On Monday, Shannon drove us all down to Colorado Springs to the Michael Garman Museum. A very unique place. We had a very good time there. Unexpected. Each of us were given a little scavenger hunt page with four items to find. It took all of us helping each other to find our items. 

The prize was a miniature candy. 

Fred's Bar 

Corinne, Richard, Fred and I were able to go to the Temple to perform sealings with our family names. Afterward, we stopped by the Deseret Book store. They have a map there for missionaries to pin their mission locations. Richard got to to that. 

This picture was taken just before Corinne and Richard left for the airport. 

My pictures got out of date order, but it's too much work to fix it. So here are the pictures we took outside of the Denver Temple.  

  Corinne should come every year with just one child for a visit.

She thought that was a good idea. 

This was a very nice time to spend with Richard one on one before he leaves on his mission.

I'm so glad Corinne made that happen. We enjoyed our time so very much!

So far this new year

 Today we went to the rodeo with Shannon and the family. Brian was able to get free tickets from his work. That makes it extra nice to have a somewhat free activity. Minus gas and food. 

That's M's head there between Shannon and Brian.

They put on quite a show. Besides the competitions, they provide extra stuff. I remember a lot of this from last year when we attended. I'd like to someday stand next to a Clydesdale just to see how really big they are. 

It was Girl Scout Day at the rodeo. About 1,000 girl scouts attended. We met most of them in the line to the women's restroom after the rodeo.

The strangest thing. Fred and I applied for a PreTSA "permit" or whatever you call it. We went to the office to have fingerprints and our picture taken. Honestly, this was the motiff of the entire office. Not just the waiting room, but in the rooms and hallways. In the room we went into, there were two unicorn busts on the bookshelf. 

The pictures really don't do justice. 

There has been snow on the ground for a long time. I don't mind the snow when I don't have to go out in it. 

We went to the Denver Zoo last weekend. Fred and I went with Shannon and the kids. They were teasing me that this is my doppleganger. Ha

We took a break from walking to enjoy some sunshine. 

I finally tried out a recipe for white hot chocolate with the kids. Not a hit. 

But they did like my banana bread.

The whip cream made it all worth it. 

Shannon and I hit the stores a few days after Christmas. 

I bought these gingerbread houses for $3.80 each. 

This is usually B's face for pictures. He really isn't mad. Just being a 10 year old boy.

More Holidays Happenings

Last year we had a girl's night to the Nutcracker. 

This year Shannon bought tickets for Disney on Ice.

It was a great night.

M choose Chili's again for dinner.

Can't go wrong with their chips and salsa.

I wasn't expecting to be impressed, but I was.

It was very well done and not at all as I expected.

Wonderful music, skating and costumes.

 We were able to attend our ward Christmas party this year. Last year we were out of town. 

Our new  best buddies here - Angie and Brian Erickson.

I decorated this year all the way. It's been several years since I've done that. It has been very nice.

Fred was finally able to get the hanger on the door so I can start hanging wreaths. I've missed that.

We finally got some decent weather and roads to drive to Corinne's. 

It was awful between Price and Spanish Fork. I had to close my eyes for a lot of that part.

We had an early Christmas with them. I suggested that.

I thought it would be nice for a change to see the kids actually open our gifts.

We were able to attend school Christmas concerts for Garrett and Spencer. Haven't been to a school concert in so many years. Garrett's concert was especially fabulous. Lots of talent in his high school. 

This is the first time I think Fred and Richard were together to celebrate their birthdays. 

Nineteen years in fact.

Henry was happy with our gift. I was happy to see the little kids play with the toys. 

We gave gift cards to the three older boys. 

Had some fun moments with Clara. She is full of sass. Really a cutie.

We were able to meet up with Rick and Wendy Cloutier. We met as newlyweds in Bremerton. 

They were married a few weeks before us. We have managed to stay in touch over the years. 

This was a very nice time together. 

This is my most favorite moment from our time with Corinne. Richard smiled more than any other time we have had them visit. It was very nice to see. He has since received his mission call to Lansing, Michigan. He starts his at home MTC on February 27 and will enter the MTC in Provo on March 8.