Some of Jared's photos!

                                       

Jared's Off!

He's off to the inauguration!  Sing pretty, and try not to become too enamored of the political life!

The Skabelund December 2012 Cruise!

We got a Promenade room this time.  We overlooked the promenade.  We wondered if it might be a little noisy, but it was just fine.  There was only one parade this cruise.  They have teamed up with DreamWorks, so it was Madagascar characters.  I think I liked the other ones better.  We watched it from our room so my pictures aren't great.  Several times during the cruise certain characters would be available at certain places so the kids could go meet them and do photos and such.  Might be fun if you had little kids.

 

The entertainment was great this time around.  Maybe it's just cuz I'm comparing to the Carnival cruise in Nov.  It was so much better than that.  The first production number was called "In The Air".  It was acrobatic like Cirque Du Soleil with music too.  I enjoyed it, but Marty thought it was boring.  One night they had a group that looked and sounded like the Beatles.  They were absolutely amazing!!!  Called the Beatle Maniacs I think.  If you ever get the chance, go see them.  It was really fun.  The last night was Saturday Night Fever The Musical.   Apparently the movie was made into a musical and has been on Broadway and such.  People had been talking about it from day one so we were really excited to see it.  It was BORING!  We all wanted to leave (like lots of other people did) but couldn't bring ourselves to be that rude.  I think they did a good job with it, but I didn't like it as a musical and didn't care for the arrangements of the music.  Also, there were several songs that weren't even in the movie.  Anyway....

 

We spent one day in Haiti.  None of us wanted to hang on the beach or get in the water, so we just shopped a little and walked a LOT!  Marty's knee bothers him, so all the walking and ship stairs was hard on him.  Not to mention that two days before the cruise he woke up with a killer backache.  Ended up making two visits to the chiropractor before we left.  It's still bothering him, but he's treating it with therapy and heat and such.

 

We spent a day in Falmouth, Jamaica.  It's a fairly new port for RCCL I think.  There were tons of stores right off the ship.  Everything there is brand new.  We opted not to do any excursions.  Just shopped and enjoyed the empty ship.  

 

So there were several major changes this time around.  One thing was the Bingo.  The first 2-3 days there was only one game per day.  Not one session, but ONE GAME.  That seemed a little strange.  We only did bingo for the Win A Cruise session.  We didn't even get close on the cruise bingo, but Marty won a game in that session.  Sadly, he had to split it with another winner, but it was still almost $150.  

 

There are now electronic screens by all the staircases.  They are touchscreens.  You can look up certain venues on the ship and it will give you directions of how to get there from where you are.  It also has the cruise compass on it so you can always know what is going on.  Can't remember what else is on it, but they were handy.

 

They have completely changed their menus and food.  There was NO escargots this time.  Every night there is a different theme to the dinner menu.  One night was saffron, one night jasmine, etc.  The food was still very good, but I thought there were better menu choices before.  I still think that the choices were much better than the selections on Carnival though.  

 

I remember thinking on the Feb. cruise that it was almost boring cuz everything was exactly the same as my past cruises and it had been several years since I'd cruised.  Now they made changes and I kept thinking that I wished things were like the old days.  I guess there is just no pleasing me.  At any rate, we had a nice, relaxing time.  Marty got a nap every day, so I think he felt right at home!  I'd go hang out on deck or in the movie theater while he slept.  Mostly with Matt and Liz. 

Sharmi and Shelley Go Cruisin'

Our cruise took us out of L.A. to Catalina, CA and Ensenada, Mexico with a day at sea thrown in.  It was a celebration of Mary Beth's 40th birthday, and she took with her Darcee (Libby and Blake that's Darcee Baldry from Alkali), me, Tina, Karen, Brandy (Darcee's cousin), and Shelley.  The only person missing was Mom!  We had a great, relaxing time.  

We did some 70's dance moves.  The instructor was amazed at how quickly we caught on!  That's Shelley, me, MB behind me, some dude, and Darcee!  Darcee really had the moves!

On the final night we broke out the mustaches!  

Shelley looked like Sonny Bono!

I look like Hitler, though it was a Charlie Chaplin 'stache.  

Mitch and Cara are quite sure it was the perfect mustache for me!

B and R in Mexico!

Blake and Robin had a great time in Mexico.  I wish they had taken us along!  Maybe next time!

Family Reunion

The family reunion was the best!  Lots of food, fun, and family!  Renting the cabana at the pool was the smartest move of the week.  We had way too much food...of course, but I think most of it got eaten or put in the freezer before we left.  Lagoon was lots of fun, but man, was it hot!  High 90*s is too hot for all that asphalt.  It was great to see everyone.  We all hope Tyson can made it next time--2014 in Colorado Springs, baby!  See you then...if not before!

 Libby, Blake, Chuck, Mom, Sharmi

Hey, Blake!  Your halo is showing!

Make a funny face!

They did!

Jajuan, Ariana, Isaiah, Mariah, Andy, Liz,

Jared, Matt, Cara, Mitch, Becky

Batten Down The Hatches

Logan, Utah you have been warned.  The family reunion starts tomorrow!