Happy Valentine's Day and

Welcome Home!!

When James and I walked in the door we had a sweet little surprise! The kids had made us this cute little welcome home poster and tied yellow string all around the house, they were both so excited for us to come home. Then with the help of grandma they had made us a big plate of Valentine's cookies.

Maddi was pretty upset about us leaving and Kobe could of cared less he was exctied to sleep over @ his grams and play w/ his cousins. Maddi cried and cried she was worried we wouldn't come home. They stay w/ my parents for the first few days and then stayed w/ gp. and gm. Hales for the last week. I think over all they had a great time....and a very big thank you to our parents!

After we got the kids picked up we came home and got everything unloaded and put away then we took the kids to the "mexican" (a.k.a El Parral) for a Valentine's dinner. Then we headed to my parents for FHE and to exchange Valentine's w/ our cousin friends.

And just to let you know how much our kids missed us, niether one of them came home w/ us that night....Maddi went to aunt Kates and Kobe went to aunt B's:) lol

Day 10.....2/14/2010

Headed home..... :) :) ...... :(:(

Rise and shine folks! We were up and at the airport by 4:30 a.m. I was so excited to get home and see my kiddies! But on the other hand I hated for our vacation to come to an end:( James and I had the BEST time!!

I just wanted to say we had the BEST and I mean BEST travel agent EVER!! She did a wonderful job of getting everything and everyone lined up for a WONDERFUL time!

Thanks Miss!! I sure do love you!

Here are a few random pictures I thought needed to be added to "the blog" :)

Day 9.....2/13/2010

FREEZING in FLORIDA........

Today was the day we got off the ship and we all thought we'd head to the beach for a little more SUN!!.......NOT!! It was only 40 degrees, we were all freezing!! Our shuttle ride took for ever to pick us up, my toes were like ICE!! We had gotten off the ship a lot quicker than we had planned and we got back to the hotel before 10 a.m. We didn't think they'd let us check in so early but lucky for us they had rooms ready & available:)

We all doubled up in rooms and got all our stuff settled and got WARM!! Then we thought we'd rent a car and tour Florida, well a rental car was a lil to much $$. So Jerian and I talked to this guy at the hotel and he gave us a few maps and told us we could take the city bus for $2.00. So that's what we did and can I just say the ride to the mall wasn't to bad but the ride back was SCARY!!

us girls snugged up for a pic, while we froze our bums off waiting for the shuttle.

James & I freezing!! I'm laughing so that's why my tongue is out:)
the gang FREEZING!!

chillin in the hotel room and gettin warm!

and a few piuctures of the bus ride to the mall so we could go to Ron Jon's Surf Shop. I didn't think it was to bad on the way maybe cause it was daylight, but on the way back it was getting dark and the bus was packed and I was scared shitless!! I always tell James I wanna live in the big city but I think I might change my mind...this lil country girl was scared!!

Well I know you all think I'm the dork of the group....but here's a few pictures to show that my hubby is just as big of a dork!! He and Chris were trying on a few different hats @ Ron Jon's, they look so HOT!!

After the mall and Ron Jon's we meet up w/ Kody, Jo and Angie for dinner @ Chill's. I thought our waitress was a lil raunchy but we still had a good time. There was some guy going around making balloons he made me a motorcycle, Alisha a frog and Sue a pink poodle.


After dinner we headed back to the hotel and got our things ready so we could fly out @ 4:00a.m.

Day 8......2/12/2010

FuN DaY @ SeA.....

This was kind of a sad day, knowing our vacation was coming to an end:( James & I played a game of mini golf w/ Chris & Sue and then we all just kinda laid out & enjoyed the sun. We thought since it was our last day on the ship we needed to stay up late... so that we did! After dinner we went to the dancing show and then James thought he needed to have 1 last FREE ice cream before we got off the ship. So we headed up to the lido deck w/ Kody, Jo, Chris and Sue. I wasn't very humored by staying up so late....or maybe it's cause some times I'm a little blonde and I don't get half the stuff every ones talking about:) lol But I just laugh and pretend I do!!

Day 7.....2/11/2010

Costa Maya, Mexico....

In Costa Maya we split into a few different groups. We went to the Mayan Ruins w/ 4 other couples and the rest of the group went to the beach. I really wanted to go to the beach, but James really wanted to go to the ruins. So being the GREAT wife I am .....hee hee hee:) we went to the ruins. It wasn't exactly my cup of tea but it was pretty interesting & the company was great!!

Then when we got back on the ship it was our 2nd cruise elegant night. I wasn't feeling so well and had to call it an early night so I didn't get to many pics.

Day 6....2/10/2010

Belize.....

In Belize Jerian had arranged our excursion and it was AWESOME!! We did cave tubing & a zip line, I must say the zip line was my favorite part of the excursion......but my most favorite part was the ride getting to the excursion, it was so neat!! I love being able to visit other countries, and to see how they live. It really makes me stop & think about how truly blessed we are. All the little kids were on their way to school and were dressed in uniforms...super cute!! I wanted to get a picture, but our driver drove like a bat out of hell and I wasn't fast enough w/ my camera!! :)

After we were done with the excursion our driver dropped us off so we could do a little shopping....it was pretty damn scary!! But I did get a pretty cute bag/purse:)

Then on a side note just in case you notice in the pictures I look like I have a fat lip.....it's because I do! I don't know what happened but the 1st day I had ate and awhile after I felt like my throat was closing off so I took some benadryl and was fine the next day. Then when I woke up to get ready for Belize I couldn't even move my bottom lip it was so swollen, so I took more benadryl and it went down. (Thank You Jamie) I have never had any other allergies other than seasonal, so I'm wondering just what it is I'm allergic to???

Day 5....2/9/2010

Roatan, Honduras...

We had arranged to go to a private beach & snorkel.... it was BEAUTIFUL!! I loved the water it was so pretty & clear. I was pretty nervous about snorkeling but all went well and I was so glad I did it. I loved the corral and looking out over the reef.

We went out in 2 different groups, so while we were waiting for the 2nd group we just laid out and ate some pretty interesting nachos.

Jon, Alisha, Jerian and James all enjoyed a massage on the beach.

Day 4.....2/8/2010

Cozumel, Mexico...

We didn't have anything planned in Cozumel, we just wanted to find a beach & enjoy the SUN!! And being the bargain shopper I am I found us the BEST deal, the guy started @ $35 per person and I got him down to $15!! WOOOHOOO!! So we all loaded up in 2 big vans and went to a private beach that had the BEST chips & guacamole EVER!!

The $15 dollars included the trip to & from and access of the beach and snorkel gear. So James & I snorkeled for our 1st time, and it was AWESOME!! Then our drivers dropped us off down town Cozumel to do a lil shoppin.

And did I mention the chips & guacamole were OUTSTANDING!! (that's for you Chris B.) lol

Then when we got back on the ship it was time to get cleaned up for our first "fancy" dinner...which Carnival refers to as "Cruise Elegant Night"

Day 3....2/7/2010

FuN DaY at SeA.....

We just enjoyed the sun & watched the Super Bowl on the biggest screen I have ever seen.

Chris A., James, KC, and Jon

Alisha, Me, Jamie, and Jerian

James and I

Day 2....2/6/2010

We flew in to Orlando, Florida on Friday night and boarded the Carnival Dream Saturday early afternoon. We had 23 in our group, a mixture of friends and family... it was the BEST vacation EVER!!

James & I enjoying a free neck massage a few pictures of the ship

The BIG day!! 2/5/2010

So Jerian & I had the best plan.....so we thought:) We thought we'd get an airport hotel & stay over night in SLC the day before we flew out so we could get FREE parking while we were gone. Well we both are always looking for a DEAL so I booked our hotel on Priceline, well it turned out the hotel that we got didn't offer free parking. So so much for a deal right? We still left Thursday night & stayed in SLC and then on Friday before we flew out we did a lil last minute shopping.

Jerian & I in our matching outfits, that we got for a DEAL on black Friday!! The crew waiting to board the plane........

P.S. We did end up paying for parking.....but don't worry we worked a DEAL!! 9 days for the price of 7 :) :)