It's Almost Here...

This Sam created Lego Santa just wanted to let you know he's doing his final check of his list!

Vistors from Ohio...

Tonight we got to visit from my Ohio blog stalker! It was so fun to catch up with old friends, even if Casey is the only one that is old. There daughter, the other Sam, was so cute she just jumped in and played with Elisabeth, who loves having a little friend around. Thanks for the visit Speer family, we will try to get out to Ohio soon to visit, probably during football season. Ya, Jeremiah found some fellow Buckeyes.

Cruising With 26 - Day 9

Day 9 - Coming Home

This picture of Elisabeth pretty much sums up the last day of the trip. We traveled home on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, busiest travel day of the year, so we the Rigby's and the VanT's were on a different flight then the Johnson's and Grandma and Grandpa. So our transfers were through Norwegian so we were first off the boat, before 7 am, it ended up we sailed through the customs and the airport security so we had about a four hour wait at the airport. Boring! Elisabeth was tired enough to sleep on the floor. The Rigby's and VanT's couldn't leave the ship until later even though they would arrive home before us. We finally boarded the plane to Phoenix, Sam sat next to some cute surfer girls from California ;) Elisabeth and I were together, but everyone else was separated, which made for a long flight. We had another layover in Phoenix, with half of BYU, and then finally we were home. It was strange, it was like Christmas started while we were gone, Christmas lights and decor everywhere. Our animals were super happy to see us and it was great to be back to our little house and some simple food!

Cruising With 26 - Day 8

Sea Day... Tanning, wind, juggling, bingo, 18th birthdays and late night crepes...

Jeremiah had another race coming up the week after we got home, so he was good about running while on vacation. Now how many 35 year old men can put there leg up that high to stretch?

It was probably good the last day was a sea day, I am pretty sure everyone was ready to just relax. My sisters, nieces and nephews were all determined to lay out even though the wind was so strong you could hardly walk!


The kids found lots to do on the last day, they went to a class on how to fold towels like the animals you find in your room and then they went to class on juggling by "SharkBait." Even the big boys joined in, they all soon found out that juggling takes a lot of practice.

Hudson taught Elisabeth his version of making a bunny from a napkin.

After juggling Elisabeth, Chad, Adrian, Sam and I played bingo with Grandma. It was really fun because Grandma bought a big package of games, so the kids and I could play. She ended up winning $250, which was pretty exciting.

Hanging out with Uncle Chad and Adrian, and once again playing "piggies."

For our last night we went to the good bye show and celebrated Ali's 18th birthday at dinner. And then we hit the buffet one more time late night crepes.

Cruising With 26 - Day 7

Ruins, beaches, shopping, Tepanyaki and pirates...

Day 7 may have been my favorite day of the trip, we spent time as a big family and as a little family. I helped mom and dad round everybody up, yup all 26, to meet our guide Jesus. We boarded a bus and headed toward the Mayan ruins. Jesus entertained us with lots of history and corny jokes. The ruins we visited were of a village that existed before the birth of Christ. Jordan, Jacob and I discussed what relation it would have to the Book of Mormon, we agreed to disagree. Grandpa wanted us to all go on this excursion, and for the most part the kids were great, even if only some of them were interested. Jake Gregory tried to rangle a iguana, which was obnoxious and amusing at the same time. Unlike the last time we went to see the ruins, when it was August, 100+ degrees and they only offered us cold beer or warm soda, it was really pleasant and they offered us cold water afterward.

Jesus and his driver "Mr. Nelson," then took us to what pretty much was our own private beach. We had a yummy buffet, not sure if the food was yummy or if we were just ready for a break from cruise food. There were other people of the beautiful beach but with 26 with us we pretty much take over most places. I came super prepared with Santa hats for pictures for our Christmas cards, I love how they turned out. The kids played and gathered shells, which we would later make into Elisabeth's friend Christmas presents, caught crabs and visited.

Not sure what is up with my family, but they all gathered in this shallow pool and just hung out!

Christmas card shot... All I Want For Christmas, Is A Real Good Tan!


Then it was back on the bus to the port where we shopped at about a million stores that all had the same junk. But my kids were totally impressed by what they could get for their money and we did get a beautiful ornament, cool shirts, a new bag and a bunch of jewelry.

We went to a local store to buy snacks, the kids were totally impressed that for less then four dollars we got 4 sodas and 4 candy bars. We felt kinda weird because we were buying junk food while all these IronMan contestants were fueling up for the race the next day, but oh well, we were on vacation.

Jeremiah has to send Joe a picture of the IronMan entrance, next year?



Stockton really wanted one of these Mexican wrestling matches, apparently his parents gave him the money and told him he had to negotiate, he went to a couple different vendors and then got his price.


That night we went to the Tepanyaki restaurant on board the boat. The food was okay, but oh well, we had fun. The menus could be folded into origami, the kids are kinda into origami and when the man next to Sam got stumped, Sam gave him a message.

Back at the show, "SharkBait" was the opening act, once again excellent! The men's group after was kinda boring.

Brock had had enough fun for a seven year old.

Adrian entertained us all with his sock puppet and telling us about the pirate on his shirt. The pirate has a sword and a patch, below his him telling him about the patch.

A new friend greeted us in our room!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly... Oh the joys of family pictures!

Cozumel - Ruins

So let's just say, my brother and sisters kids are totally photogenic, my family not so much. But family pictures were part of the trip!

I will try to get this flipped, Grandma and Grandpa with all the Grandkids before boarding.