Fun in the sun....

My mom and all her siblings/spouses had planned a cruise to the Mexican Riviera last fall and a few weeks ago my aunt found out that she was not going to be able to make it. I, of course, was more than happy to squeeze in and take her place. My work was gracious enough to allow me to start work a week later, so I headed to meet my family aboard a big ship.

Kylee and I polished off 3 ice cream cones just waiting

for the ship to take off

We went to Lover's Beach, got some serious sun,

snorkeled in Cabo

We visited the Predator set in the jungle in Puerto Vallarta

We also visited the zoo which was unlike any American zoo where they tell you not to touch or feed or hardly look at the animals! The animals were barely in cages and you could buy bags of peanuts and vegis and fruit to feed them. We got really up close and personal....it was almost scary how close we got to the lions and tigers if you ask me....Kylee and I jumped in fear a few times.

We enjoyed the beautiful sunsets....and crazy ginormous waves

and we ate a lot....really a lot. I tried all sorts of new food like lamb and duck and beef wellington. No wonder they say the average weight gain for a cruise is 6 pounds! On our second to last night on the ship, my cute Grandpa Stoddard told us how 63 years ago on that day he had asked my grandma to marry him. The waiters even surprised them with a cake and sang them "let me call you sweetheart". I am grateful for such a wonderful example of enduring love. It was really fun to hang out with my family and makes me think that living a little bit closer to them wouldn't be so bad!