SB 2010: Mazatlan

Our second day in Port was Mazatlan.

We took a water taxi to Isla de Piedra (Stone Island)

It was just our family and a bunch of locals on the water taxi.

Most of the tourists get to Stone Island by the

excursion boats. They bring loads of people there to snorkel

and then take them back to the marina.

JJ was brave enough to pose with these iguanas.

You couldn't have paid me to do this.

Gives me the willies just looking at them.

Montana got her hair braided by a nice Mexican lady on the beach

The beaches in Mazatlan were our favorite

sandy not rocky

We swam, body surfed, and snorkeled

By mid afternoon Reed had enough sun and

wanted to head back to the ship before the rest of us.

He took the water taxi back from Stone Island.

I think he was pretty pleased that he found the way by himself.

He missed out on the cab ride to the marina/plaza though.

He had to walk through town

because he didn't have any money with him.

The Salvation Army was outside singing to the passengers

as we boarded the ship after our day in Mazatlan.

The children hold buckets out to gather donations.

SB 2010--Cabo San Lucas

The kids waiting for Dad to exchange our American dollars for Pesos. 

We had fun swimming and snorkeling in Cabo.  Rather than taking the expensive excursions the cruiseline offers, we like to venture out on our own.  We took the public transportation (subercabo) to a more remote beach called Chileno Beach.  It wasn't crowded with tourists and there were no vendors coming by every few minutes to sell you their varied necklaces, baskets, dresses, purses, tatoos, bracelets, chimes, sculptures, etc.

We had an interesting experience after our day at Chileno beach.  We sat out by the highway waiting and waiting for the bus to take us back into town. The subercabo was supposed to come by every 20 minutes throughout the day.  It goes back and forth on the highway all day between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.  According to everything we read, we were supposed to sit out by the highway and just flag the bus down when it came by.  But it never came.  We waited and waited.  We started getting a little nervous about getting back to the pier in time to get back on the ship. After sitting there for about 45 minutes, we decided to have a prayer.  Shortly afterwards, a car stopped.  Hank went and talked to the nice young couple who had just arrived at Chileno beach to spend the rest of the afternoon. They asked what we were doing and then offered to give us a ride back into town, which was about a 20 minute drive.  They had a little car, but said we could all fit in.  Hank and Reed each held one of the girls on their lap and I sat in the middle.  They dropped us off a few blocks from the harbor and we made it back just in time.  Hank tried to pay them for their trouble, but they absolutely refused to accept any money.  They just wanted to help us out.  We were so thankful and couldn't belive they would go so far out of their way to help strangers.

Off

Hooray

Birthday Girl

Wearing the birthday girl badge

Sisters

Getting her ears pierced

The requested "Peace Sign" cake

Eating pizza and cake/ice cream before SPLASH

Opening presents

(pardon the posers)

Valentines 2010

Thanks, Margaret, for sharing this idea on your blog.

Valentines done.

Phew. 

Family Fun

The kids had Friday off from school

so we packed up and took off for Sunriver

for some family time

We played games

and played in the snow

yes, she is in her jammies

with no coat, hat, mittens, or boots

(sorry, mom)

The happy snow couple

We read and relaxed

and played more games

This is Hank's 'game face'

He takes his game playing very seriously

don't mess

The view outside our bedroom window

Godspeed

It's amazing how quickly they work their way into our hearts.

We only had these little ones for 6 days.

I transitioned them to their foster home today. It hurt my heart.

Because it hurt their hearts.

The baby had become quite attached and didn't want to leave.

He was clinging to me and crying.

The older one was trying so hard to be brave.

He had asked if he could stay here longer.

It will be their 4th home in just over a week.

Hopefully it will be a more permanent situation for them.

We love you guys and we'll be praying for you.

Happy New Year !!

Ski Trip to HooDoo

Will I ever get a normal picture of this kid?  He's such a poser, bless his heart.

Hank took the kids skiing for their first time yesterday.  I didn't go because of:  my knee, my back, and my fear of icy roads.  I stayed home and had some alone time...I did a little shopping, got my hair cut, watched a movie.  Fun times.
The kids had a blast on the slopes.  Well, except for JJ.  She didn't love it so much.  She got tired of falling down and not being able to get up.  She ended up sipping hot chocolate in the lodge, playing her DS.
Montana took to it like a duck to water.  Hank was planning on teaching her a few things before hand, but I guess she just put her skiis on and took off.  She and Reed had a GREAT time and can't wait to go again.

Christmas Morning 09

Waiting on the stairs to see if Santa came...they don't look too worried

Posing with their new penguins

Man Child