Cruisin' the Open Sea

A few weeks ago we got back from one of our best vacations EVER. We went on a Disney cruise with my parents and some friends to the Mexican Riviera and I'm telling you what (here's what), that is a fun place to be. I wasn't expecting much from Mexico. I had never been and except for seeing the pyramids (which are not in the area we travelled to), it wasn't a top-of-the-list place to travel. I'm a little bit in love now. We went to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo san Lucas and both were beautiful, clean, friendly and so much fun. We were supposed to go to Mazatlan but what with the recent beheadings etc, Disney decided to forgo that port. I suppose it's just as well.

So let us begin with the Disney Wonder. A. MA. ZING. These Disney ships are the cat's meow. I love them so much. The two "older" ones, the Magic and the Wonder, are smaller (they hold about 3,000 passengers) and you've never seen anything so charming when you're in port. Seriously, the other ships look like big, tacky buildings on water, and then there's the cute "little" Disney ships that look almost like toy boats. They're adorable. And gorgey. Really gorgey. Steve and I just got huge smiles on our faces as we walked onto the ship. We've done Disney cruises before but it had been about 3 years and the memories just made us so happy. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it ;).

Will and Lizzy on the beach in Cabo with the Wonder in the background.

I don't think you could find any other cruise line that will entertain your kids as well as Disney does. Well, I know you couldn't. Our first night at dinner, our cute waiters, Wayan and Sedat, decided that at the next dinner they would have an adult's table and a kid's table. It was so perfect because they totally entertained the kids and if we started worrying about their behavior or anything, the waiters would swoop in and take care of everything. Also, the kids club councilors would come and gather up the kids in the dining room about an hour into dinner. How much better does it get? AND, the kids wanted to go! They love the kids club. They have theme nights like pirate night, girls and boys night, pajama party... Seriously, I wanted to go.

Lizzy and Sedat (from Turkey). She loved him. Romantically.

Adorable Wayan (from Bali, Indonesia) doing magic tricks for the kids.

Our head waiter Witt (from Thailand). Oh, how we loved him.

The kids being shuffled off to the kids club. Huzzah!

Being that this was a Disney cruise, there are characters aplenty to be met and seen all over the ship. This delights the kids and sometimes horrifies the parents ;). Most of the time it was enough for our kids to just see them in passing, but sometimes we had to wait in line. They do make it convenient by having a character breakfast where the Fab Five (plus Chip and Dale) show up and they have the characters make appearances at the kids club. They also have nightly shows that star Disney characters. I know this all sounds a bit schmaltzy but it's so fun. You just have to find your inner nerd.

About 10 seconds after we got on the ship, Lizzy spotted Cinderella. They're having a discussion.

I made Will get in the shot. He was acting like he wanted to meet her but was a bit embarrassed ;).

With the man himself.

Pluto, an instant hit.

Lizzy and her friend Bella waiting in line for about 75,000 princesses. I don't know why she's winking.

With Snow White. Lizzy looks like a muppet in all of these pictures because she wouldn't let me do her hair.

Having a discussion with Ariel.

Wow.

Wow, again.

All the kids with Goofy.

Our fam with Mickey at the character breakfast.

Will with his best friend Luke at the Oceaneer's Club during a pirate themed thingy. How cute are they?

I have to showcase this ingenious little thing... This bracelet Will is wearing is a GPS tracker. There is no way the kids could get lost on the ship! I can't tell you what peace of mind that gave us. All the kids had to wear them all the time and it's how they got into and out of the kids club. Oh, those Disney smarty pants.

Being the nerd that I am, I don't understand why people complain about days at sea. I could stay on these ships for weeks on end. Really. However, I had never been to Mexico so I felt I needed to disembark my precious boat ;). No, I was actually excited to go to Puerto Vallarta and we had SO much fun. It's tropical there, all jungle-y and stuff. Apparently there are jaguars up in the mountains (Lizzy said she saw a black one with 5 legs, who's to say she's lying?). We met an awesome taxi diver who was from California (he married a Mexican woman and they stayed there). He has a degree in tourism and was so informative. We went up into the mountains and took a really scenic drive around Vallarta for about 5 hours (clearly not driving the whole time). We forgot our good camera that day but we got a few cute pictures of the kids with local "wildlife".

Will with an iguana and a lizard on his head. Happy boy.

Lizzard with a lizard. She didn't dare hold the big'n.

Down by the beach there were a bunch of really cool sculptures. Puerto Vallarta had an impressive downtown.

The funniest thing about our time in Puerto Vallarta was that our kids thought they were living "Beverly Hills Chihuahua". They love that movie and know ALL the "characters" in it and since we were in Mexico (where part of the film takes place), they believed that the animals there were the actors in the movie. That lizard and iguana were the actual ones in the movie, the chihuahua and german shepherd they saw later, were the originals as well. Their friends were on the same wavelength and it was a very exciting day for them. They were in the presence of greatness (talking animal "actors").

Cabo wasn't shabs either. It was a bit more "booze cruise" tourist trap-y but once you got away from that, fab. We were there for two days because of the Mazatlan cancellation and the first day we decided to leave the kids on the boat and just explore. We had some AMAZING food in Cabo. Smoked marlin tacos, some crazy sopa type thing with beans, and eggs, the best guacamole I've ever had in all my life. And before you ask, no, we didn't get sick. I'll tell you why... we didn't drink the water. That is all. Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods) said the only thing you have to worry about when eating in a foreign country is the water. The only time he's gotten sick is when he's drunk the water (this includes ice in your drinks, folks). Words to live by, Andrew. Words to live by.

My fave thing we did in Cabo was our day spent at the beach. We rented some beach chairs, a jet ski and just soaked up some sun. Fabulous time. Also, when you start your day off on a "glass bottom" boat, things are just going to shine...

You know you're in for some fun when *this* is your glass bottom boat! Hysterics were had by all.

Will being a little freaked out by several near crashes we had before we left the marina!

...and the boat wouldn't start... cue hysterical laughter.

*This* is the glass bottom bit! I know!

Steve and Will on the jet ski.

Steve and Lizzy on the jet ski.

My dad and Will

My dad and Lizzy

Lizzy getting her hair braided. She was very brave ;).

This trip honestly couldn't have been more perfect. The kids were happy, we were happy, fun was had by all... We were so sad to be leaving that we booked another cruise to soothe our aching hearts. I know, we're suckers (but really fun suckers).

Before we went home, we had one day at Disneyland (because you can never get enough Disney). One of my old friends, who now lives in Canada, was there and we met up for a few hours. It was fabbity fab. Our kids got along really well and her husband is a super nice guy (always a bonus).

Shaliece and I.

The kids being insane in the Toy Story Midway Mania line. It was a 45 minute wait. Always is.

After Disneyland, we were ready to go home. Not nearly as sad as we were when we had just gotten off the boat. I'm telling you, those cruises...

Peace out,

Heidi

The Best of All the Scarves.

Scarf Love

Like its cousin, the Clapotis, this was a long and boring knit for me ;). But, like the Clapotis, I LOVE the end result! I wear this all the time and people love it (which isn't the point, but it's nice ;).

Peace out,

Heidi

The Hap Hap Happiest Place on Earth. Obvi.

It's crystal clear we have an addiction here. It's fine. There is just something about walking down Mains Street USA with all the other insane fanatics, inhaling the smell of cinnamon and vanilla wafting out of the bakery and knowing that you'll soon be riding some of the most imaginative and wonderful rides ever created (the same rides you've been riding since you were 4), that makes you smile. Big. Steve has the same feeling. That's why we got married. That, my friends, is why we produced 2 Disney loving doodle bugs. Well, there were one or two other reasons we got married but "Must Love Walking Down Main Street USA" topped the list ;).

This year we went the first week of December. I've never been in December before. Ever. WHAT?! I know. I have never seen anything so adorbs in all my life. Disney is cute as is, but you get that place all decked out for Christmas and it's almost too much to be borne. Every inch of it is decorated. It's a Small World is redone all Christmassy, Sleeping Beauty's castle is like an icy wonderland, and, AND, the most fabbity fab of all... The Haunted Mansion is redone as The Nightmare Before Christmas!!! Oh yes it is! Seriously, too much. I loved it.

Lizzy's favorite ride is "Grinning Ghosts" aka The Haunted Mansion. When we first approached the gates and she saw Jack Skellington standing atop, she exclaimed, "oh Jack Skellington! He's been waiting for us! I can't believe my heart!" Yeah. By the time we were done with our trip, she'd had enough of the new decor and was ticked off that it wasn't back to normal. The girl doesn't deal well with change.

My mom and I spent a few days there with the kids before Steve and my dad met up with us. My mom, Will, Lizzy and I spent nearly 8 days at Disney. You're right, that is a bit much. It was v v fun all the same. I really want to go back during the Christmas Decoration Extravaganza again. Soon. Maybe even next year :). Now I shall show you our trip in pictures because I'm tired and I don't want to write anymore.

Haven't we seen this pose before? Why the fits just before entering the park?

Us in Toontown. I abhor Toontown.

I wish I had one of these boxes at home ;).

My mom, dad and Lizzy on Mickey's Fun Wheel. The scariest ride on earth!

Mickey's Fun Wheel the first time we went on (this trip). Totally took us by surprise. Obvi.

Us at the freezing cold beach. Isn't that sunset gorgey?

This pic is one of my faves.

In the Pirate's Lair (what used to be Tom Sawyer's Island). The kids LOVED it.

Our visit with Santa at California Adventure. We got in a short line here and didn't have to deal with the insanity over at Disneyland.

My kids adore the characters. It's comical. They'll stand next to ANY character to have their piccy taken. Even if they have no clue who it is.

The Castle at night. So pretty.

Lizzy's dream-meeting Rapunzel. This was unbelievably cute. We waited in line forever but it was well worth it.

Will and Lizzy with Rapunzel and Flynn. Lizzy now believes she is Rapunzel's twin and Will thinks he's the world's best "smolderer" because of these two cute characters.

That's the short summary of our long trip. We'll be going again in a few weeks (gotta love those annual passes!). It might be overkill.

Peace out,

Heidi

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope you've all had a wonderful year. We have around here (although we're scrambling to get Christmas ready. As usual. Duh ;). I'm so glad to have shared another year with all of you. Merry Christmas!

Peace (on earth) out,

Heidi

Some Hats... As Usual

I like to knit hats. It's a thing. I like to give hats because they're quick and most people will wear them. I had three I needed to make recently and I will regale you with the tales of those. I won't be wordy, I swear.

First we have Hudson. My cute friend JennyAnne had her fourth baby boy about a month ago and clearly this baby needed a hat for his first Utah winter. I recently discovered "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" thanks to my friend Emily (HOW did I not know about this book before?!) and quickly whipped him up the adorbs Pointy Elf Hat. WHAT?! Cute.

Isn't he the cutest little elf?

Okay, on we go. I have been going to a chiropractor for awhile now (yes, I know I swore off chiropractors and cursed their names forever but this guys is normal, un weird and actually helping me. Really). He's a friend of Steve's and he and his assistant have been so kind and helpful to me that I decided they both deserved Christmas hats.

Amanda's favorite color is purple and I thought she would look super cute in the Unoriginal Hat by the the Yarn Harlot. She does. And she loves the hat.

Cute, huh?

Now for my crowning glory. I haven't done color work in 2 years. I know, shameful. I nicknamed Dustin (the chiropractor) BcDc (Back Cracker, Doctor of Chiropractic) and Steve told him (to my horror). So, I decided to immortalize his name on a hat. I used the Norwegian Star Earflap Hat by Tiennie (sans Norwegian Star) for the pattern and used a cross stitch letter pattern for the letters. I LOVED this pattern. Well done Tiennie for writing such an easy to follow pattern! Seriously! I must admit to being very proud of myself for accomplishing color work after so long. I know it shouldn't be such a big deal, but it is.

Here's me wearing it. I could never quite get the entire BC/DC in at once.

Here's Dustin (aka BC/DC) wearing it. He claims to like it.

And here's his spine wearing it. I told him it's meant for his head, not for some random spine. He says he'll wear it skiing this weekend.

SO, hats. I think I may have knit 131,000 at this point in my knitting career but I just love them so much. They're so FAST and I have so much less chance of getting ADHD. It's just a win win.

Peace out,

Heidi