To finish out September. . .

We trimmed the "oldgrowth" Rhody down to bare branches. It is still almost to the roofline!! This trimming didn't seem to bother the birdies at all. They still sit up in it to "sun" themselves. This picture was taken from inside the kitchen early in the morning. The birds will start flying south soon - but I've really, really enjoyed having them so close for the last few months :) Andl next, I helped to finish off the garage. It is now the same color as the house (well - almost!!:) I think it needs some sort of trim - but I'm leaving well enough alone - it gone done - and for that I'm thankful!! Robert also came over and put my "stepping stones" down the side of it - so now there is no excues for "walking in the grass that is trying to grow!! and it's still trying. There are still huge "bald spots" but the grass is growing!! I'm watching it!!!! Makes me laugh - just sittin' 'round watchin' the grass grow!! Well, that's what I'm doin'

My frines had a great time in Spokane and I spent a fun filled couple of hours listening to their recollections of their trip!! "to live vicariously" - as another friend would say. . but they had a good time and I am so glad!! Even the dogs were gentle and easy to take care of. They can be really rough - but they were really good for me!! Maybe it's my "no nonsense" sargeant like voice!! hehe

The last weekend of September, Sharen invited us over to Klamath Falls to visit while our Mom Judy was there. Mom's birthday treat was lunch at the Crater Lake Inn. Tim is here and Keith didn't want to go - so he suprised me with a rental car - and I got to go anyway. Keith is sooooo wonderful to me. God was smiling on me when he arranged that introduction!! But everyone already knows that!!

So on Friday, off I went. I stopped in MP again - I'm determined to see at-least-some-of the people that I knew during the many years I lived and worked there. . . Actually did see a couple more people. . got caught up on some of the "news and happenings", found out where a couple more people are working. . . I'll have to visit there before I leave for the winter. . . And finally decided I'd better get on the road. It was a beautiful drive. I just enjoyed every second of the scenery that is out there. I had rain, sleet, snow, sun, rain, sun, snow, sun, rain and even skunk. . . I was so intent on following my map directions - and didn't have my co-pilot - that I forgot to gas up before the last 1.5 hour leg - that is a little short on gas stations!!! I was about 50 miles or so from KFalls when I happened to look at the gauge. It was just barely north of the red line!!! At Lake of the Woods the sign says "GAS" and I was truly thankful. . . so I went about 3 miles off of 140, back to the most beautiful lake!! with snow all around and the setting sun reflecting off of it. . . Really gorgous!! With a little country store sitting down by the dock. . . And they were Closed for the season!!! So now I've wasted 6 miles of my precious fuel!! Back to 140 I go. . . really praying now. . . I am so far out in the boonies that my cell phone even says "No Service". So, I'd just have to wait for someone to miss me, try to decided which way I decided to thru the mountains . . . and then to decide to come looking for me. . . so I'm asking God for a gas station. Price was no obect. . . just the ability to fuel my chariot!!! and, walaaah, there was one. And it was OPEN.. . and someone came out and put gas in the car. . . I was so relieved, so blessed, so happy!! It was almost euphoria. . kind of hard to explain. . if you have never been in the middle of nowhere. . and from you own stupidity . . . put yourself into a situation like that. . . .

So I got my gas, got back on the road and made it to KFalls. It was back to being a beautiful drive. The road wound around the south side of the lake and not all of the birds were gone yet. . Relaxing. Made it to KFalls and my "mapquest map" had different street names than the ones posted on the corners (where there were names). . . I made a complete circle - and then called. . . . I was only about 9 blocks away - but headed in the wrong direction - so glad that I called. So I got turned around and made it. Couldn't have missed the driveway, Sharen, Mom, and Jack were all standing out there waving at me!!! And Jack had made Pazzoli for dinner. . And let the weekend start~~~ What fun. . . . . to spend time with family is a total blessing!!

click here for the Crater Lake Slideshow. . . Mike and Sharen took some really beautiful pictures. . .

and HERE is a link to the story of crater lake.

Weekend

So far this week: we (mostly Keith) put another coat of stain on the fence. It needs some more on the east end - but I think it's done for now. . The white bucket next to the Rhody is oyster shells from the BBQ. As soon as I have time - I'm going to crush them and put them around the flowers ~ or trees ~ or somewhere. They are really good fertilizer.

Then we picked up the boards we have been walking on and put down some pavers. Not the most professional job - but we aren't sure yet just what we will be doing with this space - wanted something decent to walk on but also wanted something portable ~ so this is it!!

I did this little project out of first day of school photos and some that I had left over from the cruise. This actually shows most of the family. Some of Keith's sisters and my siblings are missing - but the kids, grandkids, and Keith's Mom are all hanging on the wall now!!

THEN, this morning I forgot my camera when we went to the Myrtle Point Harvest Festival. It has sure grown since the little 3 block (if that much) clutch of booths it started with. We witnessed the Rooster Crowing Contest, walked thru the entire legnth of Main Street looking at the most awesome Antique Cars, watched a member of their Volunteer Fire Dept carve animals out of chunks of cedar (we bought raffle tickets for one of them but must not have won it LOL) and that was really an awesome show. It is totally a work of art - these animals are. . . We visited the skate park and watched some really talented kids (and some not-so-kids) compete for prizes there. I was amazed at how much talent some of them showed. And one little guy was already doing the big curve and I sure wish I had my camera!!! We saw restored military jeeps and tractors. . All kinds of really great crafts and so much more. . . . I actually only saw (and talked) to a few people that I knew and recognised a few that didn't remember me ~ so I left that alone. . . I saw Alfred, Ike (Few-Fingers), and Grandpa Ray. I talked with a few others that remember Mom and Dad - I haven't spent much time in Myrtle Point since Mom died. . It's just to hard. We also went into the Loggers Museum there and spent some time talking with the volunteers there. I have been there several times but they keep adding things and it just keeps getting better! We stayed until just after 1 and left when it clouded up. When we got home - the sun was shining - a beautiful afternoon!! And we ate a whole "organic blackberry pie" that Keith bought at the Festival while watching Rainman.

Tomorrow will be Church and our friends will be back from Spokane with stories to tell. So It's been full and it's been fun and it's been interesting. :)

There is Green!!

I limed the dirt

I fertilized the dirt

I planted little bitty seeds

I watered and waited

and

I waited and watered

and

I have grass!!!

Just little bitty tufts of green sticking out

of select spots in the huge brown dirt pit

but I HAVE GRASS!!

Like little tufts of soft hair on a baby's head

I HAVE GRASS!!

It's not long enough

or lush enough

or big enough

to even take a picture of it

BUT I HAVE GRASS!!

It's amazing the little things that make you feel good!!

It's UP!

If you look really closely, you can see my baby birdies. They are learning to fly already!! Keith knocked down the nest so they are sleeping on the crossbeam right above where it was. They are sooo cute!!

The guys work hard on getting this fence done!!

And then, finally, at last,

(actually only a couple of weeks)

Mission Accomplished!!

and even before lunch.

Time to celebrate with burritos and chips.

Great job guys!!

BTW - this is over 100' of fenceline -

now I get to go and stain it -

that should take longer than building it!!

I am trying really hard to post 2 video/stories that Jeremy's father wrote.

One is the "Tribute to Vietnam" which is very touching for those of you who remember those days. War is horrible - but so very different than it was.

Remember 9/11!!!

The other is closer to my heart. It is a song with video that he wrote for Jeremy. He and Jeremy didn't know each other - at one point Jeremy tried contacting him - and at another - Joe tried contacting him. But neither happened before Jeremy disappeared in August of 1986. This video is amazing and very a wonderful thing to listen to.

Please take this time to remember all of our Soldiers, past and present, the men-women-and children that were victims of the terrorists that tried to "take down America, and also say a prayer for all of mankind - from the person that mastermined the tradgedy that shocked the world all the way to the person who hasn't yet given information on the whereabout's of Jeremy. Pray for them all - they will need them. . .

Does it get any better? ? ?

Today Alice Faye is leaving to go back to her home. . She stayed with us last night and today we relaxed out in our yard. . nice weather, little wind, wonderful. . Friend Lucy also came by with her little grandson. .
Isn't he the cuttest little guy!!! He loved the baby birds (actually more interestedin the black and white mound on the floor under the nest) and generally explored the yard while we had a great visit.

Took Alice off to the airport and she called from Portland, she is thru 1/3 of her travel home!!

Here is the best invention ever!!! I never knew one even existed!! An apple peeler, corer, and slicer!!!! I had about 1/2 of a bucket of apples left over after doing the 2 Apple Betty's - so I tried my hand a the first actual fresh apple pie I've tried to make in about 30 years. . and if my memory serves me correctly. . . it was totally inedible!!! LOL But this one turned out really good - maybe following the recipe all the way works- ya think?

Babies and Fence

We have new additions to an old nest. Out in to toolshed!! I thought baby bird season was over - boy was I wrong!! We have this nest (that seems awfully full) and one on each side of the house!! We were talking about replacing (or installing) some new soffits around the house - but we didn't get that done in time :( Now we have to wait for the new families to flee the nests before we can do that project. . . .

Meanwhile out back. . Keith is busy working on the fence that came down with the duck (chicken) wire. This (as usual) turned into more of a mission than just putting up a fence. They had all sorts of setbacks in just getting the posts set tightly on top of the concrete wall. It was a challenging task. . . but they gotter done!! The hardest part of the fence is up now - they are actually working on the bottom part now. . .

Oh, and Clint stopped by with another gift from a wonderful friend. . . a dozen jars of home grown, home canned green beans from his dear wife. . . how she finds the time and energy . . I'll never, ever figure out. She makes me tired just watching her .. . and when I try to help . . . I just get in her way. . I'll figure something out. . .

Its BBQ time!

IMG_1024
Originally uploaded by Amah

Thanks to Clint's suggestion on Monday afternoon - we are having a BBQ on the Sunday before Labor Day. Here is Keith and Sallie deciding what the layout of their "stuff" is going to be. Clint spent 2 days hauling tables, chairs, bbq's, dishes, canopies, and even a firepit, and to much other stuff to even identify - over from thier garage and Sallie's "party box".

Sallie cooked a bushel of oysters and the salmon and bottomfish that Art and Lucy brought. Clint cooked the 3 dozen crab that they also brought with them (they had just spent 2 days fishing and crabbing in their new boat). Sallie raided her garden and brought a HUGE veggie tray and a hollowed out watermelon filled with melon balls, a 3 bean salad to die for., and I don't know how many homemade dips (both for the chips and for the fish) . . I fixed a potato and a macaroni salad, baked 2 apple crisps (from our apples), and I don't even remember what else, and Keith manned the other bbq with hot dogs, hot links, and hamburgers. Other than the meat and chips - everything we ate was home caught, home grown, or home made. . . it was fit for a King (several, matter of fact!!)

Our longtime friend, Alice Faye, just happened to be visiting from North Carolina, so we were really happy to see her here!! My Cousin Robin brought part of her family and I was truly excited to see her!! I've not seen her since she got married - somewhere near 25 years ago!! Aunt Nita got the days mixed up so they weren't here to enjoy our largess!! In the end run - we had about 25 people show up. Wwe had lots of friends here - and a really good time!! Can't beat that for a 5 day notice -

The weather cooperated wonderfully with a nice 79 high and just enough breeze to keep everyone cool!! Some played darts, the kids had fun with lawn darts and even got the croquet set up. It was just a wonderful day. The only way it could've been better would've been if our children lived close enough to visit us for times to share. . .

Hope your weekend was as wonderful!!

As usual: click here for the slideshow

Today's Soapbox

This weekend is all about our Country's Working People. Thank you all for working hard, contributing to Society, keeping the economy going, and paying the taxes on the wages you make. These taxes keep our Country running. . They keep the illegal immigrants in healthcare, roads for them to drive illegally on, schools for thier children to illegally attend. I wonder how "good" these things would be if they weren't overcrowded, abused, or overused by those who did not respect our County enough to follow OUR LAWS to come here. I feel for the children. . . and I feel for those who saved and planned and hopped thru the hoops to be here legally. . . and I've got nothing at all against the hard workers wanting better for thier families. . . and I've got nothing against immigration. . but I've got a whole lot against illegal. I do something illegal - I pay a fine, go to jail, pay higher insurance, etc. ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL . . as in NOT LEGAL.

This thought is prompted by the idea that our government has decided to allow the Mexican Businesses to even compete with our trucking and transportation systems. This is wrong!! In effect, our government is exporting more jobs - the truck drivers jobs!! And how "lawfully" will this take place? We already know that in San Diego - "drivers" with illegal cargo (usually people) drive the wrong way on freeways with their lights out to be unseen. Lawful? Now they will be able to do it by the truckloads. . and not just 20 miles (as the law stands now). . . all over the USA!!!!

Now, to my way of thinkin'~ there may be a way. . . let the Mexican Government hire American Workers to build thier own roads - and they can only use the roads that THIER taxpayers paid for. . . ya think that might slow things down? Or make it a provision that the Mexican Drivers have to be paid equal to American Drivers with a hefty road use tax on top of it. Something to make it profitable for the American PEOPLE (not corportations) instead of kissing a bunch more jobs goodbye!!

The Duck Pond has Disappeared!!

Here is our "Duck Pond" that was left to us so nicely by the previous owner. He liked his ducks, geese, goats, and anything else he happened to enjoy (or needed to keep the marshland to a minimum)LOL!! So anyhow, the back corner of the property has a natural underground spring, the neighbor has a french drain that empties onto the same area, and the street above the hill has no curb, so that water also ran onto the same area. Evidently, there was no problem until a subdivision was put in on the north side - it stopped all drainage from the back here. So..... he decided that he would have someone come in and "build" a stream complete with a big ditch and 2 little ponds. It made wonder nesting for mesquitos, and nasty looking green algae, as well as a nasty bog for a 50' x 50' area (which didn't include the "stream").

So.......we wondered, and we thought, and we called for an estimate, and we figured, and we waited, and finally got a bid, talked to him again about a different approach, and we waited, and waited, and finally got another one from him, and we called, and we got no answer, and we got no return call . . . .

So......Finally giving up on the first excavation company, another name was dropped by our good friends. . . a phone number was found. . . and Jerry Warbis Excavation came, he estimated, they started work the following Monday, they worked Tuesday, and by Wednesday afternoon, the backhoe was going bye-bye. They installed a drain field with a cistern, (btw, it already has water in it), piped the overflow clear down the property, tore up the road, laid pipe, tied into the strom drain, fixed the road, tore out a dozen or so tree stumps, used the backhoe to take several inched of dirt away from the house, did a great job of leveling (for using a backhoe!), fixed the grade on our driveway, rerocked the driveway and road in front of out house. . . all in less time than it took to get the first bid out of the other company!!!! I'm so glad that the first one didn't respond!!! The Lord was looking out for us on this one, for sure!!

I just wandered right behind them, watching Jerry with that huge piece of machinery was like watching an artist at work. He even pulled that old, old rosebush up so gently that it's roots came with it and we were able to replant it!! We've gotten the front all cleaned up and ready for the grass seed. . But not until after the Labor Day Party. The back section will just have to wait until after the fence that fell down when Tim took the "duck wire" down is back up. Then we will begin the chore of "leveling" (haha) it.

Tomorrow is my Sister's birthday - I hope she gets her gift in time. . . .

New!!

What a wonderful talented daughter I have!! She did my "new" blog for me. I love the little blue house!! And she got my Flickr badge back on it for me. Thank you S'te - it looks wonderful!! She actually did it for me in September - but I have to backdate this entry so I don't get my stories all messed up!!

The Big Tree!!

Lookee what the Good Fairy left us on our table!! Nothing better to show up for but homemade jellies. And 5 different kinds. Yummy!!! Thanks Sallie!! and Clint. Not only for the jelly - but for watching our house while we were gone!!

While we were gone the big tree next to the garage disappeared!! Well, not exactly disappeared. . it had to be cut down. Sorry we missed the event - there were people here that took the day off to see it. It was a really tricky deal - 120' tall, right between 2 garages and a fence, with power lines running on 2 sides, and a lean. Patrick Meyers Tree Services did excellent work. They cleaned up the other tree the same day. What a difference!! And they cleaned it all up - never even left a branch behind!! The front looks so much better and way less scary. And now we can get between the garage and fence on that side. Everyone is happy!!

Next on the agenda is the "duck pond". Lots of work to do - busy every day. Had a hard time getting a bid from the excavation service that we had contacted - to my way of thinkin' (yea - watch the smoke) if they show poor service just getting a bid out - what kind of work would they do once they have part of your money???

But anyway - back to the BIG TREE - this is the tree behind our garage and beside our neighbors. Here are a lot of pics and Sallie even recorded most of it for me - she said it was amazing. And BTW that handsome man and little girl - that is her son Joe and granddaughter Haley. Isn't she a cutie??

Time to go!!

We've been here another week.

The kids are back in school. Rod is in port. All is well here. So. . . It's time go head back to Oregon to see what changes have taken place while we were gone playing. . I know that the family gathering campout from my maternal side happened last Saturday. From the report over at RaeScape they had a wonderful Saturday. Unfortunately, it started having those drips fromt the sky - so everyone packed up first thing Sunday morning and went home to dry out. Literally!! It was to bad that the gathering had to be cut so short. . Hopefully I will be there next year.

It has been really warm here. . and I know it is cooler up North. . so I'm ready to make like a . .. . . .

American Legion Post 460 Picnic

American Legion Clown
Originally uploaded by Amah

Another full day!! The AIM Team has 2 presentations to do in the morning before coming to the picnic to present. It was awesome!! As always. It was good to see Tyreque out there. He has a presence that I've missed. It was a sad day for me when I found out he had to choose between the Team and sports. Ya just can't do it all. But anyhow, here is a link to those pictures.

And we really enjoyed showing off baby Cavelle and the rest of the family. Saw several people that I haven't seen in ages!! I managed to record the presentation down to the next-to-the-last song. One of these days I will get it right!!

The kids all ran, played, got prizes, ate, ate, and played somemore until time to pack up again and head out. It's been a very busy week for most of us. I think it was pretty quiet around there for a bit - but "we're back"!!

It's time for an early night. . . . but first, if you want to see the rest of our pictures. . . click here

Back to San Diego

We got back into San Diego after rising. I actually got to see us come into the bay and dock - from the balcony of our stateroom. I had to go wake kids up!!! First time all week - they've worn themselves completely out!!

Keith went down and said goodbye again to his Mom and Sis - and wheeled her chair off the ship. I watched for them to wave goodbye from the balcony. After seeing her to Customs, he came back over to reboard (to get us!) and they were having a problem letting him come back!!! I (from the balcony) asked if he was going to be able to come back and help with the kids. . . they let him come back. hehehe

We got our carryone stuff gathered - checked the rooms over again - and took our "stuff" up to the Lido Deck to have breakfast and wait our turn to disembark. I called S'te to let her know we were on the countdown time. Our turn finally came (I think we were last) and we headed for Deck 3 and the door. It was really quite an easy, quick moving line and no one seemed to be having any problems. S'te was on her way, Rick and April's color had already been called - so they should be out there waiting, our bags were there all together, Mom's chair was right there - we were good to gooooo!!

Then, here comes S'te. She pulls into the lot to pick us up and the others won't let us thru in time - the attendant makes her back up, pull out, and go back around - with us trying really hard to get to the parking space!! She told him we were "right there" and he made her do it anyway. Some people just shouldn't have any power at all!!

So, back in the same space, all the luggage loaded (and it fit!!), drop off for the rental, and we head out to the Elmores. Unload, all the kids had to show thier treasures, talk all at once, and we just sat down and laid back!!

April and family are off early in the morning to head back to Missouri. They are staying right across from one of the greatest mall areas in the San Diego area - and more shopping needs done - so we go to dinner at Carnitas Uropan - and call it a day. Back to pick up kids, say goodbyes, wish and pray for traveling mercies, and then again bid really fond farewells.

Ensenada

La Bufadora

Our last full day of cruising. Tomorrow morning we will pull back into San Diego. A full week, a fun week, and I am so happy!! We've all had such a good time bonding. Whoever said a cruise was the perfect reunion type thing was soooo right!!

Today we were in Ensenada. . They have a dock - and we didn't have to do water taxi's this time. We split up this morning with Keith and I staying with Mak, Brayanna, Jaleel, and Destini on board. I think they had a really fun morning in the pool (almost deserted again!) and waiting excitedly for thier afternoon excursion!! As were we.

The others took off on the shopping excursion where they were whisked by a guide thru several of the shopping areas. Elizabeth and Ginger got thier hair braided and everyone returned with more "treasure"!!

After a lunch of pizza, french fries, and (of course) ice cream, we headed for shore. We met the others just returning from thier shopping spree - April said next time - she would rather just go shopping - without the whizzing from center to center. She said she just didn't have enough time to look at everything before they were ready to go again!!

Now was time for the BIG treat. What they'd been waiting for!! The older kids went with April and Rick and went HORSEBACK RIDING!! April said her horse kept trying to sit down - we enjoyed thier stories over our last dinner on board. The kids really had a great time and had many stories even after they returned home.

Brennan and Makkiah went with us to se La Bufforadora. It is a natural phenomenon clear at the other end of the bay from the dock. Our bus got a late start, drove fast, for a long way (more than 30 minutes) to get us to see it. After walking about 1/2 mile downhill we finally rounded the right spot and could see it. It is truly amazing!! The tide was on it's way out so we didn't get to see it in all its splendor - but it was quite breathtaking anyhow. Of couse there are dozens of little shops there but we didn't have time to do much of anything. We had a 1/2 mile walk back uphill and it was rather warm out too. We did get tacos for the boys and a soda while walking back up to the bus. I saw some little flutes and wanted one for Taniyah - almost missed the bus getting it. . . Made it back - the driver flew around curves and made it a little scary getting back to the ship - but we were supposed to sail at 5 and were to be back on board by 4:30 and we were late... needless to say - we won't be taking that tour again. It needed at least another hour of time at La Bufadora - so that there was time to enjoy. The whole thing was rather rushed. The boys really didn't seem to mind much - they were in the front seats and everytime the driver took a curve - so did they - We arrived back at the ship as the next-to-the-last passengers to reboard. It was listed as a "handicap ok" excursion - but Keith's ankle sure took a beating on that up and downhill run. Mom was going to go with us but was tired from the mornings shopping - It was God's Will. He knew where we were going - and that it wasn't going to be easy!!

Ensenada has a partially sunken ship in thier bay - in case you look at the pics and don't know what that ship is there for. Keith really likes scenery pics. The faster we go - the faster he clicks!! I get really great photos to choose from this way.....

Tonight the kids all had thier farewell parties at Camp Carnival. Mak and Brennan got backpacks to remember thier trip by. The older kids got cd cases in Carnival Colors for their souvenier. Then they went to the arcade - and made it back for check-in. Just right!!

Elizabeth and Ginger had dinner in the dining room with us. We had our "Last Night" special of Baked Alaska - yum! Another fabulous meal - cappachino to top it off - and farewells for our Dining Steward and her Assistant. And many hugs and safe journeys to the family that will be disembarking early so they can fly up to visit with Aunt Jeanne and family before heading back to Indiana and Kentucky.

And yet new towel animals to amuse us (different ones for each child) with our bedtime mints. Ms. Millie sure does a great job of spoiling us!!

Now it's time to return the Game Boy, cash out our points at the Casino, complete customs forms, check the initial bill, complain that credit wasn't given for the return of the said Game Boy and about the internet that we paid for and couldn't connect to for long enough to do anything, pack everyone, and have our bags out in the hall!! Then check under beds, in closets, under desks, etc and stuff all those findings into the tops of those bags. I hope I've got it all!!

A wonderful time, wonderful people, great service, fantastic company. . . . what more could anyone ask for!

As usual: for the slideshow click here

Day 2 At Sea

Funship Freddy at the Talent Show

The pictures pretty much tell it all!! The kids spent the day in the pool and practicing for their Talent Show. It was great. Elizabeth did a dance number that was fantasitc. Makkiah did his 8 (or 9) step form from his Karate class. Brayanna, Jaleel, and Destini did thier 21 step forms. The other kids sang songs and did dances. They were all really fun to watch. I spent most of the day out on deck reading and just plain relaxing while I watched the kids play.

We had another utterly fantastic dinner, tonights' entertainment was the Macharana, and stopped by the Casino for a bit before picking Mak up from the Camper Room and the older kids were right on time checking in. We are having a lot of fun.

For the rest of the pics click here

Cabo San Lucas

Land and Sea Tour 0420
Originally uploaded by Amah

Day 3 of our cruise landed us in Cabo San Lucas. The kids started out by watching the ocean from the balcony of our stateroom. Then another unbelievable breakfast of everything you could possibly imagine!!

Cabo is fast becoming a city in itself. They don't have a dock for the Elation so we took water Taxi's from the ship to shore. That was really rather fun in itself. Keith and Mom got to sit up front so that they didn't have to do the steps. . . .. And the city isn't within walking distance (for Keith anyhow) from the pier - so I couldn't really tell just what it is like.

So anyway, again we split up for different tours. We all had morning call times tho'. Ric and April went on the Land and Sea (all day) Tour. They had lots of fun - saw lots of things that we didn't see. Had a tour around the end of the Baja at the "other" side of Cabo, then a jeep ride thru the desert and several villages, had a flat tire, ate lunch at a Palapa somewhere out there - then came back thru on the beach side. It sure sounded like they had fun. Brennan and Elizabeth were off with the other kids almost as soon as they got back - so I don't have any details = but the pictures are great.

The others of us just did the "Sea" part of that tour. We saw sea liions sunning themselves up on rocks, shear cliffs - and the kids saw a little tiny beach - totally cliff locked - with a cave in it - and want to know if we could go there to swim. Now - I'm not sure how they planned to get us there - or what would happen when the tide came in. . ..

We saw where the Americans are building thier new condos - on the Pacific side and where the yacht harbor is. We heard a lot about hte history of the area and really did see some great secenry. I would reccommend this for older people (like us) but the I don't think the kids thought it was too great - I'm sure they would've rather on one like the others did. Chalk it up to experience. . .. . We did a bit of shopping and then back to the Water Taxi for us. Customs consisted in looking at the whistle, little bitty guitar thing, a coffee cup, and a pair of shorts. No trouble there. We were back on board for lunch. . . .

The kids were back into thier suits and since most people were still ashore - they pretty much had the pools to themselves. I laid in a chair and read and watched. Keith got into the pool iwth Mak and they had a blast. Mak even tried out the hot tub and announced that it wasn't hot at all!!

The kids (except Ginger and Elizebeth) elected to return to Camp Carnival for dinner and activities - so our wonderful Stewards put a chair at the end of the table so that Keith and I wouldn't have to sit by ourselves at the other table - and we had another excellent - totally mind-numbing dinner. Then was the Macharana ChaCha - which April and Keith got up and did. It was great!!

I think that everyone else (except us to) went to that night's show - but I couldn't tell you for sure. I was beat, done, and ready to lay down. But we did stop into the Casino and managed to tie up 3 machines within just minutes. They have a neat new way to electronically track your points - so you don't have to haul the coin over to the cashiers window - and that would be embarrassing since I spent most of my time on the 2 cent machines. They also had penny ones but they were all full!! The sweethearts there at the Casino gave us a personal and private lessons on how to play - and we were off an running!!

I picked Kia up from Camp about 8:30 - thinking he must have been as exhausted a I was. The others had direction to return at 10. Kiah wanted to go back up "'cause they were having Harry Potter Night" - so back up the elevator we went. At 10 I picked them all up -- since they were all there. . . . And it was off to bed with our new litter of animals and fresh mints on our pillows. Ms Millie sure knows how to spoil a person~~

And for photos click here

Elation Day 2

Crew in the Hottub

Brayana called our cabin at 7:30 to see if they could watch TV! Kenny put a second seasick patch on - so he was rather tipsy all day, hehe. The kids picked out thier breakfasts from the buffets and even tho' it took 3 tables - we almost ate together!!

We spent the day at sea today. It was lots of fun for all of us. The bigger kds spent ALL DAY long running up the steps and going down the slide!! Makkiah decided that the water in the pools was to deep and I forgot his floatees so he and Brennan spent the day playing video games. Camp Carnival had games for rent so I rented one for him. He was getting a little close to Brennan. . .. Rick, April, Keith, and I hung out on deck and watched them. Dolores, Kenny, and Mom went in where it was cooler and did some reading and rested up for the big evening!! (And I think - to let lunch settle a little) hehe. The kids had lunch and then munched fries and ice cream all afternoon. Elizabeth and Destini found a new friend - She is 22 - so April and I kinda steered the together time a little - So that particular friendship didn't last long. Brayana made a friend from Las Vegas, and Jaleel just hung with all of these good lookin girls~~~~

Tonight was the Formal Dinner for both the Imagination Dining Room and for the Camp Carnival Diners. All the kids except Ginger elected to do the Camp Carnival Dinner - and from what I heard they had a blast!! I had given permission for the older 3 to sign themselves in and out of Camp - and they did great!! I didn't have to go and hunt them up even once.

After our Formal Dinners (and we were sooooo full of Lobster and Steak and Desserts - ooohhhhh) we went to the Mikado for thier nightly show. It was the same show we saw in the Bahamas last year - but no one else had seen it. It was a great show and the kids even had their own private section where they could watch the show.

By the time we finished all of that it was definately bedtime and we arrived at our Cabins with Ms. Millie - our Stateroom Steward - 's special towel doggie creations - the clothes all picked up off of the floor and folded, our beds turned down, mints on our pillows, and the kids even had big chocolate chip cookies waiting!!

And that was Day 2. For pictures click HERE.

Finally ready to cruise!!

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Originally uploaded by Amah

We've finally made it to cruise day. Papa had to spend a few special moments with Cavelle and Taniyah - He's really going to miss them. Not as badly as I will - but - on with the story!!

We all met at S'te and Rods. The checkout time was 11 and we couldn't get on board until 1. So we hung out there for a bit - all of us ready to head out. Finally it was time to LOAD UP~~ Keith. Dolores, and Kenny took Ty and returned the rental car while the rest of us all piled in the 15 passenger van with a real tall load of luggage!! S'te took us all down to the pier - They ushered her right straight thru just like she was running a shuttle!! The pictures show the kids impatiently waiting for Papa and the rest to catch up with us so we could get on that great big boat!!

We were ushered right into the VIP line - had everything in order - so it only took long enough for Brayana to get water dumped on her (she looked so startled when that cold water hit her!!). She was so upset at having to get on board looking like she'd had an accident. Our luggage had already been checked - so she didn't have anything to change in to!!

We posed for our picture - got on board and headed for the first of many feasts that we were to enjoy during the next 5 days!! We had a buffet lunch on the Lido Deck until it was time to get ready for our Fire Drill - we were all in the same call station. They put bracelets on all of the kids with our muster station on it - and we all trooped out to stand in line for "muster". It wasn't completely over (we were still in our lines) when the ship started moving on out. We were underway. Finally. . . . Keith took pictures of the skyline, North Island, the pilot boat, and his favorites, the planes.

So then it was time to go unpack - We met Millie - our Stateroom Attendant - a really sweet and helpful young lady! I hung stateroom keys around Brayana and Jaleel's necks as they were each the oldest in their rooms ~ and then the kids immediately headed for the pool - check out more french fries - wander the decks - get ice cream - gasp in complete awe at the Grand Atrium - check out the Arcade - boy they stayed busy right up until time to change for dinner. We had early seating in the Imagination Dining Room.

Talk about fancy!! You can see how tired Brennan was - especially with having to drag that darn cast everywhere he went~~

The kids had Shrimp Cocktail (decided they didn't like the sauce), fruit plates, nuggets, more fried, cheesecake, chocolate melting cake, and I don't even know what all else!!

Then it was time for the Family Disco time and to sign the kids up for Camp Carnival. The music was to loud, we were to tired, I think we made it to bed to stretch out about 10 or so.

I went to check on the kids about midnight. The boys were completely done it - I don't think they even moved after they laid down!! But. . . I couldn't get into the girls' room. The key wouldn't work. I could hear the TV, loud, knocked and got no answer, called their room, no answer! Getting rather frantic - I called the Pursers Desk - a really nice lady came up with another key - it didn't work - We knocked, we called, we banged on the door and the wall - no answer.Finally, she called the Security Captain (he's the only one with a master key) and he came up - uniform like he'd just stepped out of a magazine - made me sign papers, knocked, we called some more - he told me that the girls had locked the privacy lock!! So since it was locked from the inside - we knew someone was in there!! Relief. . . so he opended the door for me and warned me that I should have quite the talk with them because that just is not safe - to sleep with that locked. . . So about an hour after I started bedcheck. . I looked in on the girls - just sprawled - sound asleep where they'd flopped to watch their own "private TV"!!

I turned it off and fell into my own bed. . . what a day!! What fun!!

To see pics click here