Bon Voyage
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Jason and I just returned from a much needed and appreciated 9 day vacation--okay well it has been a month now that we have been home but it seems like yesterday! It was our first trip away since Preston was born-5 years to be exact which is not quite the every year trip we were accostumed too! Thankfully Nina (with a little help from Papa) offered to come down and stay with the boys while we were away and of course they had a blast! I am quite sure they were spoiled the entire week and they loved their own vacation away from Mommy and Daddy!
We flew into LAX and stayed at a beautiful hotel with a balcony on Redondo Beach the night before our cruise left. We did a lot of sightseeing, walking the beach and pier and of course just enjoying time together...jason even enjoyed his first massage!
The next day we made our way down to Long Beach to board the spectacular Carnival Splendor! It was a gorgeous ship (the newest next to the dream) with all the bells and whistles! There is no way I can possible post ALL the amazing photos or share ALL the great memories but here are a few highlights!
Setting Sail
Enjoying a game of Putt-Putt after lounging at the pool all day
Getting dressed up for one of the two formal nights...funny story with this is that Jason and I have this exact same photo (yes-clothes and all) from our cruise 5 yrs ago and 9 years ago!
The dinners were fabulous! 
We made it to most of them and really enjoyed the food and company! We had a fantastic group!
Obviously, we made lots of friends who we met up with numerous nights at the piano bar, night club, comedy show, dance shows, or out in the hot tub! There was ALWAYS something to do...We were literally up until 2am every night and up the next morning at 7..okay, I was up at 7..Jason slept in most days...it was just too much fun and we didn't want to miss anything!
A view from the front of the ship...Yes, we did the waterslide...well, I tried to do the waterslide...I think I may have been the slowest rider they have ever had! We also spent many days on the pool deck below, or at the Adult pool area with hot tubs on the back!
A little beach/boardwalk shopping in Puerta Vallerta after a fun-filled morning of Ziplining! We also visited Matzaltan...very fun stop! We did lots of shopping and touring the city as well as heading off to another beach for sunbathing!
Doing a glass bottom boat tour at "el arco" in Cabo San Lucas!
The BEST Beach experience I have ever had in Cabo San Lucas!
It was at Lover's Beach and our guide found us a great spot up in the rocks to sun bathe and drink cerveza's!
It had a beautiful view of our ship and the Cabo shoreline!
We also did a little snorkling and rock climbing!
I couldn't resist another photo of our formal night...doesn't my husband look amazing in a suit!
And what cruise would be complete without the infamous towel animals! We did splurge a little this trip and had a balcony...it was awesome! I was able to see quite a few sunrises and sunsets...it really did make the room seem 10x bigger...It was simply the best 9 days away we could've asked for...thanks to my parents for helping us make this possible!
