A Mexican Riviera Cruise

Last week I got to go on a cruise to Mexico with Linda and her parents, Donna and Jim. We set sail Sunday 12/6/09 out of San Pedro on Royal Caribbeans Mariner of the Seas.

We set sail just before sunset. Our balcony was facing the San Pedro shoreline. The wind blew a gentle breeze and we just took it all in as we shouted "Bon Voyage!"

This is me, Tessha out on the balcony as we anchored in Cabo San Lucas Tuesday morning.

Donna and me made friends with Maria on the water taxi into Cabo.

Mostly we walked the boardwalk, shopped the craft boutiques and then stopped for fish tacos and virgin daiquiris while overlooking the harbor.

On our way back to the ship I snapped a picture of the boat from a distance. It holds over 3200 people, plus crew.



One of the highlights of any cruise is the formal dinner where we found we were treated like royalty. This is Linda a dear friend of mine from Portland and her parents Donna and Jim. They were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary. What a way to do it!

Tessha, Donna and Linda all dressed up for a night of dancing on the ship.

Wednesday we pulled right up to Mazatlan. I grabbed this picture of our ship later in the day as we were zipping through the hillside on a guided tour.

The bay of Mazatlan mid day.

In the city center there is a iron trimmed gazebo that I thought was beautiful. It's just across from an late 1800's Cathedral.

On a just right 80 degree day in Mazatlan a local enjoys the benches in the pavilion.

I'm taken by the wood on this side door to the Cathedral.

This picture could almost be a postcard wishing you were here in Mazatlan with us.

During my beach stroll I came across some cowboys on the beach with their guitars.

One of the sights we saw on our city tour was the cliff divers. Ey-yie!

I think they're crazy!

Our last stop was Puerta Vallarta in which I was having trouble with the camera batteries. Basically we snuck into a beach resort in which we blended in with the hotel guests as long as I didn't pull out my cruise ship towel. I swam in their pool, walked the beach and laid out for a while.

The last three days at sea I spent in the fitness center/spa. Donna got her hair done. Linda and I both treated ourselves to Russell's most amazing scalp massage, which include the shoulders too. All I can say is Linda went back for a second one, it was that good.

I soaked in the whirlpool, the hot tubs, the mineral pools and visited the sauna and steam rooms. It was the best therapy I've had in a while. One night we attended an ice skating show (yes, the ship had an ice skating rink.) Linda and I sat in on the napkin folding class, toured the ship and took lots of naps.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Aunt Grace and Marley cuddle up on the coach and play tickle tickle.

Aunt Gracie gives Marley a huge hug.

Mom reads the turkey riddles to Marley.

Our very own second grade teacher Kristi brings a turkey craft for the kids to do. It was a hit.

Uncle Seth pauses between story prose for a picture in his John Deer hat.

Aunt Grace lounges like a true Athenian goddess.

Elijah preps the ball for a quarterback style toss while Marley explores the Turkey Trot goodie bag.

Our precious little Preston has just spotted the object of his desire, a ball. Aren't his truck pajama's adorable?

We are all so happy we're together....

(Grace, Kristi, Will, Jenni and Seth)

this group hug adds a mom

and then an Alisha...

Ta-da-da!

The First Annual Thomas Turkey Trot

Mom and Kristi blaze through the finish line.

High five to the finishers of the Turkey Trot

Kristi, Mom, Alisha and Grace pause to revel in the sweet taste of victory in the crisp morning air.

Check out the two bald eagles Sitani and I spotted on our lap around the park.

There's Mr. Turkey himself stopping for a picture with Alisha, Ember, Mom, Grace, Meeka, Dalynn and Sitani. Ember snuggles up to Grandma hoping to get a little warmer while Sitani can't wait to pick up another handful of snow. Meeka and Dalynn cuddle up close with hats and mittens. What a fun day!

Grace and her scarf match perfectly. Such style for a picture with Mr. Turkey.

The Perfect Baby Shower Gift

http://www.jenniferthomasmusic.com

Jennifer's newest album is complete with magical lullabies to put any baby to sleep. You have to hear them for yourself. Samples are on her website.

May I suggest getting a few CD's and putting them away for baby showers or holiday gifts and of course, one for yourself.

Man Builds Noah's Ark

This working Replica of Noah's Ark opened In SCHAGEN, Netherlands . The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was opened the first crowd of curious townsfolk to behold the wonder. Of course, it's only a replica of the Biblical Ark, built by Dutch Creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.
The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.

Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.
A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine. Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been.

Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son Roy.
Construction began in May 2005. On the uncovered top - deck not quite ready in time for the opening - will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats, and one camel.
Visitors on the first day were stunned. "It's past comprehension", said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape.
"I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big." There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark.
Huibers, a Christian man, said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands, where church going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.
Now that I am old and Gray...give me the time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles. Psalm 71:18
With God all things are possible
Matthew 19:26

The Pied Piper

Good Bye Macys

After spending this past year working part-time and going round and round with my friend that I affectionately call Franny Fatigue, I've decided to take some time off and see if I can't get on top of these symptoms. I'm excited about it and it feels right. I've slept for two weeks and this weekend have emerged once again to participate in life. Yeah!

I plan on keeping a moderate pace for myself and then filling in my "getting better time" with some projects around the house, maybe I'll finish painting my bedroom...we'll see. The paint can is still sitting here on the floor ready to go. It's been staring at me since August. Gees.

It's going to be so nice to have enough umph to go to church regularly and even start up my yoga routine again, each one step at a time.

Of course, I'll pick up a day or two here and there to sub in the schools but my main focus will be to get healthy. It sounds so good to me. I'm hoping to have a disability hearing with in the next six months. I'd really like to start moving on with my life. It's the light at the end of the tunnel until I can figure something better out.

Yellowstone with Mom

So, this is where we turn? For those of you who missed the earlier blog. We actually set out for this drive two weeks earlier.

While Mom and I walked the streets of Jackson we came upon this shop sign. It reminded us of our 2008 Christmas "Thomoose Family Reunion," affectionately coined by Mark (Laura's husband), in conjunction with a picture we have of Dad making antlers above his head with his fingers. Dad still thinks we were making fun of him, but we weren't. We are just dazzled by Mark's creativity. The last email from Elizabeth and James coordinating our up and coming reunion was also titled "Thomoose Reunion." Sounds like the theme just may stick in honor of Dad and all the trips he took us on as kids.

During our picturesque outdoor lunch in Jackson Mom was stalked by a bee who eventually got her, but she did put up a good fight. Mom who is the last to complain about pain or discomfort (note: she had ten children) admitted it did hurt, but just a wee bit.

Did you know a copper penny held on top of the sting spot will eliminate the pain? Poof, in no time it was better. So, my random facts of useless information isn't so useless after all.

Can you believe this shot?

While in Grand Teton National Park on our way to Yellowstone we came across a fire. You can see the Tetons range in the distance. The smoke haze on the mountain views were really something.

This one is hazed over by smoke as well.



Mom and I take the West Thumb Lake walk-about.


Whoa. Thermal activity underwater... can't wait to bring Sitani, Missy Moo, Karly, Spencer, Apple, Noah, Marley, Lady Gwenevere, Preston, Lucky Eli, Jace and more back to see it one day.

Do you think the bear prints in the cement are real? Nah. But someone had a sense of humor.

We moved on down to our next stop, the infamous Old Faithful.

Mom stops for a picture in front of cooling Old Faithful.

We spent the night in West Yellowstone hot tubing and relaxing. On the way home we passed through the Island Park area and saw some impressive colors. This one we stopped for. We made it back to Idaho Falls in time to put the Lasagna in the oven and head to church to hear Alisha's talk.