Mexican Riviera Cruise Nov. 2008

This past Thanksgiving, my parents took my entire extended family on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. For 7 days and 8 nights, we sailed the seas and had an amazing time. Here are a few highlights:

My parents made each of us matching shirts with our Family Name. There were 28 of us in all, so we became a Sea of Yellow. It was fun to have strangers call us by name as they read our shirts.

After waiting in a very long line, we were finally on board! And we were hungry! After the safety drill, we unpacked a few things, then went right up to the dining room. The best thing on the menu for Luke was a spoonful of ice. Luke hadn't napped all day, and Aunt Nat (mother of 6) ingeniously handed him spoonful after spoonful of ice. Luke forgot all about being tired!

Jake and Soren t00k the window seat for their first dinner on board. The kids thought they were dreaming when they heard their parents say things like, "Order anything you want." and "Have dessert too!" This cruise was gonna be great!

The sight of this took a little getting used to. My paranoid mind envisioned the glass breaking and all the kids tumbling into the shark infested waters. I wonder what the kids were thinking...
The kids were up early for their first breakfast at La Playa Grill.
Avery, Breanna, Nicole, Olivia and Luke.

Time to head up to the Lido Deck for a little swim. Jake's pretty sure that since the pool is filled with ocean water that there will be fish in it too. Hence the snorkeling gear.

Jer hangin out with the cousins.

Emily and Luke splashin around.

Zach, Olivia, Troy, Jake and Davin.

Cute Luke and Nicole playing a rousing game of peek-a-boo!

Luke and Jake on top bunk in the cabin.

Luke and Sawyer became sand buddies on the beaches of Acupulco.

Bree and Avers dry off on the shores of Acupulco in the gigantic Carnival beach towel made for two. Now who would have thought that these two little innocent girlies could be up to anything? We caught them riding down the glass elevators sticking their tongues out to an elevator full of boys next to them. Then a few evenings later, I returned to my room to find them there quietly talking. Little Angels. Seconds later, there was a knock at the door and I found myself face to face with Ship's Security. He informed me that there was a complaint about the noise in my cabin and asked if I could keep it down. Mysteriously enough, Breezy and Avers had no idea what he was talking about. Needless to say, Bree and Avery were no longer allowed in our cabin alone. That proved to be a real bummer as they had just been evicted from Avery's cabin by her parents. Something about a knife incident.... Oh well, I guess it's back to chasing boys up and down the glass elevators for these two!
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Our second port was Zihuatenajo/Ixtapa.
We're here on the ship waiting for our number to be called so we can take the ferry over.

Then we hitched a boat ride with some locals to a nearby island for some snorkeling.

Zihuatenajo had the most beautiful water. The kids got to snorkel for the first time and see lots of fish. The guys all got bit by something! OUCH! Here are Mindi, Jeff P., Natalie, and Amber with our ship in the background.

Our final port was Manzanillo. We got to see the city and do some shopping.

Hmmmm could these people be tourists? Getting ready to board the tour bus and head back to sea.

Olivia, Luke and Nicole boogied on the dance floor.

Breanna, Nicole, Avery waiting to eat dinner in the Napoleon Room.

Time for family pictures on the grand staircase.

Every minute of the cruise was fun and games for Luke. Look at what entertainment the ship's tablecloths provided during the formal dinner:

Anyone seen Luke? Who would have thought this tablecloth could be so useful? This game of peek-a-boo lasted the better part of dinner and Luke was laughing his head off the whole time.

The Guys: Jeff B., Dad, Quentin, Jeff P., Jer and Stan

The Girls: Deidre, Mindi, Natalie, Mom, Camie, Erica

Up to Deck 10 for Mini-golf.

Jake took golf lessons this fall, so he was ready to sink a hole in one.

Our last night of cruise...Mindi toasted mom and dad, (it was their anniversary and Thanksgiving)! Then we went out to the dance floor where Luke, Grandpa and Sawyer were tearin' it up. We all joined them and danced as the band played "Who Let the Dogs Out?" ad infinitum. We drew quite a crowd (okay so the crowd just also happened to be waiting to get into 8:00 dinner). Luke, Sawyer, Nicole Olivia, Cooper and Breezy stole the show. Then we put the kids to bed and went up to the Deck 9 for games. A perfect ending to the perfect cruise!! Thanks mom and dad for an amazing trip!!