northern lights: We're back!

We're back from our cruise, as well as back to the "blogging world". Not sure why it's taken me this long to find the time to update the blog... So here I go.

We had such a wonderful week on the cruise! It was not only great to visit 3 ports in Mexico and get to explore around for those days, but it was also so nice to spend a week with my entire family! (very rare these days!) Having that much family around meant that Erik and I were able to check out some evening entertainment most nights once the kids were in bed. The shows were fantastic! From singing and dancing, to comedy, to "game shows", to an amazing ventriloquist, we were blown away and had such a nice time being together! The kids of course had a blast as well. They loved running around anywhere on the 14 story boat, watching an "Ice Skating Show" (3 times), and of course, the beach (on the port days). The boat stopped at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. I was always under the impression that when "cruising", you didn't get the chance to really check out "real" Mexico. But to my surprise, once off the ship, it was quite easy to get away from the touristy areas and experience the true Mexican villages and lifestyles. In Cabo, we walked around some side streets but spent most of the day on the beach. In Mazatlan, Erik and I with the kids walked around for a few hours, up and down small streets in the town, said "ola" to all the kids, then took a water taxi to nearby "Stone Island" and spent the rest of the day on the beach. Walking around the village brought back so many wonderful memories for Erik and I of backpacking throughout South East Asia... Very fun... In Puerto Vallarta, Erik and I rented a roofless jeep thing and toured around the town for a couple hours while the kids played at the beach with the rest of the family. Again, so many memories of previous experiences in Asia...

Now I will let the photos tell the rest of the stories. Enjoy!

Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas- it's way bigger than we could have imagined!

View of one of the pool decks

This is where we ate breakfast every morning- the Windjammer :: huge delicious buffet and fantastic views!!

Nicole and Stephanie- my 2 beautiful sisters

Cabo San Lucas (not sure how to rotate photo)

Walking around oh-so-colorful Mazatlan

Beautiful cathedral in Mazatlan

After getting dropped off by the water taxi, walking to the beach on Stone Island

The front half of our ship, seen from the port in Puerto Vallarta

Nothing better than a beach nap...

Chloe wearing Olivier's flip flops- she's a bit obsessed with shoes...

Chloe turned 2 during the cruise! Here we are having a little party (opening gifts) in our tiny room

Can you guess who will make it to dinner first??

We always had dinner at 6pm in the fancy dining room. 2 of the nights were "formal nights"- the second being on Chloe's birthday (notice the great views!)