Jan 2nd - Acapulco

Our first port was in Acapulco, which is a big city and was very busy because of the holiday. We hired a very nice driver named Roberto to taxi us around all day. We went to a beach first. It was very crowded and there were TONS of people trying to sell you all sorts of garbage! (Massages, bags, hats, food, jewelry, shirts, I could go on!) The beach was very steep and got deep quickly - it made for some good sized waves. My loving father-in-law pushed me into the ocean not long after getting there and I had sand everywhere, it was very uncomfortable!


We went back to the ship and all took showers then Mike, Steve T., Mollie, Melissa, Kathie, and I went to see the Acapulco cliff divers. Years and years ago after the fishermen of the city were done fishing for the day they would go to these cliffs and dive off them...people would go and watch them and in the 1930s it became an official job and tourist site of the city. They climb up the cliffs and jump off into the water - from the very top it's 105 feet! They were pretty amazing to watch.

Mike insisted that I get a picture with one of the divers!

Me, Kathie, Melissa, Mollie, and Steve waiting for the show

After the show we asked Roberto if he could take us to a good (but most importantly clean) restaurant for some authentic Mexican food. He took us to a place that was inside a little department store and there we had the most delicious chicken enchiladas I've ever tasted! They were in some sort of amazing green sauce - yummy. It was a great way to end the day (and even better the next day since none of us got sick)!

Us and Roberto waiting for our food.

The last thing I have to say about this day is: GO UTES!!!

Jan 3rd - Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa

This city was the smallest of the three we stopped at, and it was my favorite. We did a little shopping but spent most of the day at the beach. The port was small, so we had to tender in from the ship, and from the dock we took a small local boat across the harbor to the beach. The beach was less crowded than the one at Acapulco, and had less people trying to sell crap to you - so that was nice. The water was shallow for a quite awhile, but was very rocky. Mike got a cheese-grater-like scrape on his heel from the coral. But overall it was a nice little place.

Us on the beach

Connor, Devin, Kathie, Mollie, Melissa, and Steve going for a ride.

Mike posing with a local who is "dressed" in a traditional Mayan costume.

Jan. 4th - Manzanillo

In size, this city was between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo. It was a nice little place. We did some shopping and the boys decided to do some deep-sea fishing with a local fisherman. The girls didn't have anything else to do, and there was room on the boat, so we all went. We saw dolphins and got to enjoy some pretty scenery...and about half of us got sea sick (including me)! I had never been out on a little boat in the ocean before and didn't know that I was going to get sick - if I had known I wouldn't have gone since I ended up barfing over the side of the boat! The fishermen gave me a slice of lime to suck on to help with the nausea - and it worked for a while. I'd never heard of using lime to help stop nausea! So, never again will I go on a small boat out in the ocean! I think everyone else enjoyed it - even if we didn't catch a big fish.

Mike enjoying the boat ride, while I was throwing up!

One of the fishermen showing a marlin lure - no hook, it's nose is rough and gets easily tangled in the string! Who would've thought?

Some of us resting in the shade after shopping.

Mike in front of a huge marlin by the Manzanillo port.

Merry Christmas

I know that Christmas isn't all about what you get, but I was really excited for my present this year! I learned to play the piano in jr. high and high school, but I kinda stopped playing after I got married since I didn't have a piano to play! I decided to get a piano for my birthday/Christmas this year. I ordered it online, and it came really fast it's been sitting in the box for about 3 weeks torturing me...Mike threatened to send it back if I opened it before Christmas. Waiting to open my keyboard brought back all the excitement and anticipation I felt at Christmas as a kid, so it was fun and I love it!

We spent the afternoon at my parent's house. My brother got Guitar Hero World Tour so of course we had to play it...the drums are so hard to play!! It's a really fun game and Mike's a very good band vocalist!

We had the traditional omelette breakfast at the Terry's on Christmas morning...yummy as always. (Didn't Mike build a nice Christmas fire?) We usually do a gift exchange, but this year we didn't because we're going on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera together next week! Yay sunshine!

So that was our Christmas: relaxing, enjoying family, playing, and having fun. I'm so thankful for Christmas time and the chance it gives us to think of the Savior and his life, to think of all of our blessings, and to find ways to give to others.

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas!

5 Things...

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. Learning to drive
2. Going on my first date with Mike
3. Cheering at high school sport games (GO WARRIORS!)
4. Taking piano lessons
5. Many other silly and embarrassing things that 16-year-old girls do!

5 things on my 'To Do' list today:

1. Finish Christmas shopping (check)
2. Vacuum the house (check)
3. Clean the bathrooms (check)
4. Help Mike make something for a game at work (check)
5. Make dinner (probably won't happen!)

5 favorite snacks:

1. Yogurt covered raisins
2. Reese's peanut butter cups
3. Peanut butter M&Ms
4. Wheat Thins
5. Fuji apples

5 jobs I've had:

1. Cleaning office buildings with my dad - YUCK!
2. Receptionist at the Lifetouch office in SLC
3. Receptionist at Bryner Clinic (IHC Dr. office) - I worked all over in that building: pediatrics, internal medicine, general surgery, ob/gyn, ENT!
4. Aide to 3 SLPs in granite district - I did this while I was in school which was so great!
5. Currently - an SLP in granite district

5 things I'd do with a Million dollars:

1. Pay off student loans
2. Buy a house
3. Buy newer cars
4. Travel
5. Invest (good idea Becky and Janene!)

5 people I tag to answer these questions:

1. Melissa
2. Ashley
3. Mollie
4. Natalie
5. Michelle