Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Cruise With Knudsen's June 23-28, 2008

We set sail on the Carnival Elation from San Diego, California on Monday, June 23rd after a trip to the bookstore and a pedicure for the ladies....(this is where Koryn introduced me to the Twilight Saga--little did I know I would spend the next six weeks enthralled in the four book series!!!) Mike & Jeremy lounging on the deck chairs. It was actually very cool on the days we were at sea so we looked like four old retired people with our noses in a book and using towels as blankets out on the rear deck. Our first port day was in Cabo San Lucas. We headed out on a huge catamaran for a snorkel adventure. This is a photo of "Lovers Beach" that is well known just by the place where we dropped anchor and were ferried in on "tender" boats since there is no actual port for the ships to pull up to there. Koryn and Jeremy - hard to believe we have eight kids between the our two families! Well - were were just happily married, kid-free friends for a mere five days. So relaxing!!! Mike, Me, Koryn & Jeremy. We feel so blessed to have stayed in touch despite the 1400 mile distance between our current homes. I thought this was a cool shot with the ship between the rock formations.... Jer & KorynKoryn, Mike and Jeremy in their snorkel gear. I went out for about 30 minutes but I don't love snorkeling - just the thought of having all those creatures so close just freaks me out and I can't slow my breathing enough to breath through the snorkel mask thing so I went back on the boat and took the photos and had fun with the bartender attempting to get creative making me anything WITHOUT alcohol in it. Mike LOVES snorkeling - he was the last one back on the boat!....as usual : ) When we were heading back to the pier we were surrounded by a bunch of dolphins swimming right next to and around the boat. I wish I had my camera ready - this was all I could catch by the time I found it....we felt like we could have reached out and touched them - and there were bunches of them! Another day when we were playing Hand & Foot in the card room on board we saw a ton of whales out in the water - that was cool too but they were much farther away and we didn't ever take photos of playing cards even though we spent more time in the card room than anything else - maybe except for eating!!! Okay, we never took photos of that, either.This dolphin was literally just over the edge of the boat but was going so fast that the photo was a bit blurry.On the pier getting ready to tender back to the ship. This is our famous self photo - good thing we have long arms! Koryn & Jeremy....I highly recommend going on a cruise with fabulous friends - we'd cruised twice before but it wasn't nearly as much fun as this trip --we hope to do it again!Formal night.What a beautiful woman! Thanks for being such a great friend, Koryn!...and Jeremy, too !This is Ensenada in the distance from the deck of the ship after breakfast. We just walked around, had a snack and did a bit of shopping at this port. A street vendor made these bracelets for our kids - I really thought they'd like them better but haven't worn them since the day we gave them to them...oh well, it was cool to watch them being made! Of course the typical photo with the huge sombreros (is that how you spell it?) I was so grateful that my hair has grown enough to pull back in a clip - it was very humid! I sure miss that bright smile,Koryn -- we'll have to Skype more often so I can get my fill! On Carnival Cruises, every night when your room steward does the turn down service, they leave you a fun friend called "towel pals" - it's always fun to go back after being out for dinner and a show and see what friend has been created on your bed. Mike was a part of the show one night when he volunteered to be hypnotized and did some crazy funny things. Koryn, Jeremy and I were laughing so hard we could barely breathe! Maybe I can get some photos from Koryn to post at a later date! It was such a fabulous trip - wish it could have been longer....I highly recommend cruises - we just love them!!! And no, we aren't made of money, just like everything else, I am quite the bargain shopper! Mike just says I find too many bargains...ha ha...love you, hun!

10 comments:

Mama Mia said...

How fun to finally read a post! I loved seeing the Knudsons again as well! What a great vacation! Your kids are growing too! Say hi to everyone from the Bischoff's! Glad you like the books!!! At least you can read one after the other!!!

Jen Giorgis said...

I love the new blog backround! I also love that you put up a new post. I check frequently! Glad you had so much fun, It makes me want to be back on our cruise. Great pictures!!! P.S. I don't know if you have checked my blog lately, but I read the first 3 books of the series in 5 days, & then Breaking Dawn in a day and a half! Now I want to re-read them all. LOve them, we'll have to talk.

The Hearn Crew said...

Sounds like you had a blast on your cruise! Looks like it was a lot of fun. Traveling is fun. We like to get out and see the world too. We've just never been on a cruise yet. Someday...Oh, and cute background. I think it looks like you! Hope everyone is doing well and gearing up for school! :)

ashley said...

A trip without kids?!?! Sounds wonderful!! Glad to see you had fun.
And I check your blog so keep posting!

CrumpyLady said...

Lucky ducks...We haven't been on a cruise, so we loved hearing about your adventure! Maybe one day...

lisa forsyth said...

oh your cruise pictures look great! One day we'll get to go with y'all!

Jill said...

You lucky girl! Always taking fun vacations and coming back with a wonderful tan!
Glad you loved the Twilight series too. We'll have to discuss!

Wendy said...

Hey Sis - you were on the same ship we sailed on! Our trip was really cold too. :( So much for swimming!

Renee and Agua Family said...

Looks so fun!! I went on a singles cruise, can't wait to cruise with my honey!! :) You look great!!

Allison and Noah Riley said...

Also, couldn't get away without commenting on this post. It was so fun to see the pictures of your trip - I haven't seen these yet! You look gorgeous!