Well, we just got back from our Disney cruise to the Mexican Riviera and we had an amazing time. I do have to caution that this post is a MAJOR picture overload. . . you've been warned! :)
The cruise was actually a family reunion with my Mom's side of the family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc). Not only was the cruise itself fun, but it was awesome to be able to see family that we rarely get to see. Here's a pic of all of us that went.
Our ship left on Sunday afternoon. Before we left Patton and Luke were so fascinated by all the machines loading up the boat with supplies. We couldn't pry them away from looking at the machines. They are such boys!
Luke fascinated with the machines
Once we went through all the safety procedures we had a Sail Away Party. They gave everyone streamers and we rocked out while we sailed away from the Port of LA.
Sam had other plans for his streamers. Yes, I married the odd one! LOL
Patton didn't quite know what to make of the party or all the people. He was pretty overwhelmed for the first few days on the cruise.
On Monday morning, we had breakfast with some of the Disney characters. Patton was completely unphased by the characters. I guess that means we need to go to Disneyland more often.
Although, he does have a slight obsession with Goofy. I think it's the floppy ears.
Our waitress made us all napkin hats. Sam was Peter Pan, Christi was Pocahantas, I was Minnie Mouse, and Emily was Goofy. Only on a Disney cruise. . .lol!
We spent Monday out at sea. So we ate lots of unhealthy food (um. . . an all you can eat ice cream station?! Yes please!) and we just lounged around with family.
Patton had fun practicing crawling in our tiny stateroom.
That night was formal night. It was fun to dress up!
Patton in his "Miami Vice" shirt. That's what Sam calls it.
Tuesday was also a day at sea. So we ate more unhealthy food (I lost track of how many ice cream cones I ate) and lounged around more. Patton was able to play in the splash pool, and Sam went swimming for a bit.
The curiosity of an 11 month old! :)
Cuddling with Mama after playing in the splash pool.
That afternoon, my family had a ship building competition. The rules were we had to create something that floated using only the things on the boat, obviously. 2 of our groups decided to geniously use our life preservers from our staterooms. We got in a bit of trouble from the crew for taking them out of the rooms (who knew it was a federal offense?), but it was worth it. . .they floated in the pool's spa!
Wednesday our ship docked at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sam, Patton and I went with my parents to a private beach called Las Caletas Hideaway. We had to take a tiny boat ride for an hour to get there. Patton looks like he's enjoying the boat ride!
Some of the "locals" came to say hello and pose in some pictures for us. It was a bit touristy, but I loved it! Look at the colors of those parrots! Sam and I love that Patton doesn't seem the slightest interested in this picture.
The Hideaway was incredibly beautiful! I never realized how tropical Puerto Vallarta is, but it is close to the Equator. . . well, closer than California is. :)
When we arrived at the beach, they even had a guitarist serenading us. Again a bit touristy, but I was eating it up!
The grounds of the beach were just beautiful! This is one of the dining areas.
Um. . . I could pretty much live in this spot forever. It's so tranquil! *sigh*
We had to walk a few minutes to the beach, but it was worth it. It was nice because they had various activities that you could do at your own leisure. Sam and I went swimming and kayaking and there were the most beautiful tropical fish in the water. Sam even let me get a professional massage at the hilltop spa. Talk about heavenly! It was the BEST massage I've ever had!
Patton wasn't so sure of the beach. He's been to the beach and lake a few times, but he was pretty terrified of the sand and water.
Yeah, that's pretty much the extent of his playing in the ocean!
So gorgeous!
A panorama shot of the beach
Patton had fun being held by Nana. He had a good time, which makes me happy!
While my Mom was watching Patton, Sam and I went for a little nature walk and we saw some monkeys! They were tiny monkeys, but they were still adorable!
They fed us an authentic Mexican lunch, and then we headed back to our cruise ship.
We're all pretty tired at this point. Isn't it funny how tired you can get just by relaxing on the beach? I tell you, sometimes life is hard!
This sums up how we were all feeling by the end of the day!
On Thursday our ship docked in Cabo San Lucas. Sam woke up with a really nasty stomach flu that morning. I had to take him to the ship's doctor and because it's so highly contagious they medically quarantined him to our stateroom until Friday at 4PM. Unfortunately, the doctor quarantined Patton and I OUT of our stateroom. By the time this had happened, all of our family were already in Cabo. So Patton and I spent the day with my cousins Lauren and Nick and their adorable twin babies on the boat. Patton and I also had to spend the night in my parents' stateroom. It was one of those "memorable experiences". LOL.
On Friday, Sam was still quarantined, so some of my cousins, Patton and I went into Cabo. We did a glass bottom boat tour of the area. I think this is called the porthole. It connects the Gulf of California to the Pacific Ocean, since Cabo is on a peninsula between the two waters.
We saw some sea lions just lounging on the rocks.
Some of the beautiful scenery surrounding Cabo.
More rocks.
Trevor trying to eat a jellyfish.
After our boat ride, we hung out at Lover's Beach. Luckily for us, this is the time for the migration of the gray whales. While we were sitting on the beach we could see full-sized gray whales leap out of the water and land flat on their backs. It was incredible to see!
Once again, Patton wanted nothing to do with sand or water. But he was perfectly content sitting in someone's lap, chatting away with them!
Hanging out with Lauren.
Trevor decided to ignore this "Not to Swim" sign. Well, he went swimming and got caught in a riptide. None of us could do anything to help him, which was obviously pretty terrifying. Luckily he didn't panic and knew exactly how to get out. So we had to take a pic of him next to this sign after his near death experience!
Looking at the Gulf of California.
Saturday was a day at sea and Sam was unquarantined. WOOHOO! We spent the day reading, swimming, lounging around the ship, and eating more ice cream.
Inside part of our cruise ship. Isn't the chandelier just beautiful?!
Sam and I also played some shuffleboard. That's a REALLY fun game, and I totally kicked Sam's butt in it! Who knew I was such a pro?!
Patton giggling in the wind.
Of course Sam had to do a "King of the world" picture in the front of the boat.
Patton and Sam playing Foosball. He kicked my trash in that game. Oh well!
That night it was time to pack up our stuff! Patton's "helping" us pack in this pic.
Patton had a HUGE obsession with our Hungarian waitress, Marianne. He would literally stare all over the room until she came over to our table. Then he's talk and talk to her and giggle away. We are so in trouble! A ladies man already! Haha. It's OK though because she was obsessed with him too. So we had to take a picture of the two "love birds".
On Sunday morning, we had a quick breakfast and then disembarked from the ship (which took forever). We had a good time on our cruise and it was awesome to see my family. I'm seriously going through withdrawals from everyone. Hopefully we'll get to see everyone soon!
I'm also anxious to see where our next Sam, Patton and Marcie travels will take us. The travel bug is starting to bite me again! :)
