Captains log; Days one two and three

After the rocky start of Chris forgetting his wallet, the rest of our trip to Florida went fairly smoothly. We flew from Las Vegas to Atlanta where we had a two hour layover, then we headed to Orlando. The port was about 45 min from the airport and I have to give praise to my brother Brian because he drove while the rest of tried, but failed, to stay awake after our all night flight. After we boarded I tried to collapse into a deep sleep, but Chris is kind of a hard core vacationer. If he's paying for something, there is no time for sleeping. He is compelled to go, see, do ,taste and smell everything regardless of his physical or mental health. He can not "waste time sleeping" (his words). I have known this about him for a long time, so I don't know why it surprises me, but it still does. So we explored the ship for a little bit, but I really needed a nap,so I left and he found more to do. After dinner there was a welcome aboard show, but I could not stay awake so I went to bed at what was 6:00 pm Nevada time. I know I am a wuss. The next day was a very lovely day at sea but I realized that I am a girl who has been surrounded by mountains her whole life, so looking out and seeing nothing but ocean kind of weirded me out.

Our ship, the Carnival Glory

Monday brought us to Cozumel Mexico, and the adventure of the Race Fantastique. It was advertised as comparable to the Amazing Race but really it wasn't nearly that extreme. We ran (okay it was more like power walking) all over the city gathering clues and one of them even took Chris and Brian snorkeling in the ocean to find the name of a sunken ship. When Chris originally told me I wasn't very enthusiastic about it because I thought there was no way we could win, but we did! Whoo Hoo! I think that is the main reason I thought it was so fun. After we were done with the race we did some shopping, then headed back to the ship about hour and a half before we absolutely had to, much to Chris's disappointment.

Waiting for the race to start.

One of the tasks was mini golf. Brian was showing us how it was done.

Cheers to us!

Winner winner chicken dinner! We are #1!
You can't really tell but the shirts say winner on them.

You gotta watch out for those land sharks, they'll get you every time!

Cruise Fiasco Diverted

So our cruise almost ended before it even began. After checking in with the airline, I went to grab my wallet to go through security. Was it there? Of course not, that would be to easy. I immediately went into panic mode and had to start calling my Kristen's parents to see if I left it at their house. We had stopped by McDonald's for dinner on the way to their house and I chose to use our debit card rather than the cash that Kristen wanted to use. What a big mistake. Fortunately they found it sitting in our mini-van and rushed it to the airport right in time. I was frantic the whole time and very nervous we wouldn't even get out of town. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lowell, Susan and Austin for saving our trip.

more cruising fun to be continued..... hopefully

Cruisin'

Tomorrow Chris and I leave for a one week cruise to the western Caribbean. We are going with my brother Brian and his wife Natalie. I've been forcing myself not to think about it, but now it is upon us and we are really excited. We have four stops, Cozumel Mexico, Roatan Honduras, Belieze and Freeport Bahamas. Not that I write very often anyway, but there will be a break for a while. I'm sure there will be many stories to share when we get back.
The kids are going to stay with my parents and tonight I asked Aiden if he was going to be good while he was there. He said, "I don't know." Me, "What do you mean I don't know?" Aiden, "Well I'll have to see what the day is like."

It's a lot of work to make art...

In an effort to make my house more sellable (I really want a new house), we are getting carpet installed and painting the bedrooms a more neutral color. While I painted, Aiden was making artwork and Dalin was telling me what a mess Aiden was making, (Aiden mess mommy, Aiden mess). Aiden was pretty exhausted by the time he was done because he paints the same way he plays the Wii, fast and furious.

This is Aiden's masterpiece. I think it started out as a potato, but he added a stem and called it an apple.

Dalin took all of the shoes out of his basket and used it as his very own "critics corner"

Simple Pleasures

A little while ago Kaylee did a project or game or something involving cups. Before to long the kids were building pyramids and fighting over who had more cups, so I bought them each their own package of cups. Who needs toys? Here are some of their creations. (Ignore the mess, I always do)

That's Entertainment?

Okay, I know that there was a strike and all, but are the viewers of America so desperate for entertainment that we need a reality show about pest control? Seriously! I was watching "How It's Made" (a favorite in our home) when I saw a commercial for a show called "Verminators." This is a blurb from the press release:

"Verminators follows CEO Michael Masterston and his elite team of pest-busters to the front lines of their never-ending battle against infestations of all kinds. Rats, roaches, killer bees, bats. Black widow spiders, termites, bedbugs. Flies, fleas and fire ants. As they crisscross Los Angeles, the Verminators track their prey through warehouses, hotels and houses, and with the help of remote cameras, inside walls and plumbing systems."

It kind of makes my skin crawl just thinking about it, but at least it's an elite team. I appreciate that there are people out there who will do this work so I don't have to, but come on , really? Next thing you know there will be a competition reality show about the drama of dog grooming. Oh wait, the Animal Planet channel already snatched that one up. (No offense to you vermin and grooming fans.)

Conversations

I know this is an old picture, but it is my favorite of the boys.

I think kids in general are just plain funny. They have this trusting innocence and honesty that just make them hilarious. These are a few conversations I've had with the boys that make me smile just thinking about them.

Aiden: "Mom how long is just a second in adult time?"

Me (kidding): "About five minutes."

Aiden (a little dejected, but completely believing): "Oh."
-----
Aiden: "MOM!!! DALIN IS HITTING MEEEE!!!"

Me: "Dalin do not hit."

Dalin: (While swinging at Aiden ) "Hit?"

Me: "No hitting, it is not okay!"

Dalin (raising his arm in a hitting fashion): "Hit?"

Me: "Da-lin! No hitting!"

Dalin: "Ooooooooh." (as if to say why didn't you say it that way before?)

I do my little turn on the catwalk

We went to dinner at a restaurant in the mall, and Dalin was flirting with most of the staff. It was kind of funny. When we were done Chris wanted to walk around the mall. There must have been a fashion show or something because there was a catwalk on the first floor. Dalin decided climb up to strut his stuff. He would wait for Chris to introduce him then he would walk down bobbing his head as he went. It was hilarious.
We are in our last few days of track break, and this week just turned out that all of the cousins in school were out so we decided to have a picnic. All but one of the kids Henderson cousins were there, and a couple of my cousins and their kids were there as well. The kids played, the moms visited, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. It is so much fun to have so much family in town.