Formal Pix

Matt and I took a ton of formal professional pix while on the trip. We had to pick out our favorite 6 pix because we got a package deal. Also the fam pix are at the bottom. 48 members of the Birchett Family came on the cruise. We are only missing 1 family this trip, with 5 people. Enjoy.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, beautiful city with lots and lots of rain! It all started out sunny but later it was raining cats and dogs. I got some great pix of rain flooding our veranda. But first, we went swimming with the dolphins with my parents and niece and nephew. My bro and his wife did the Signature Swim, and went to a different location. It was a ton of fun and I got fried, cause I was not allowed to wear any sun block for the safety of the dolphins. We had 30 minutes where we each got to pet, kiss, and ride them. In the pix that my dad got for us the water looks awesome so here are the pix from that:

~One Minute it was clear and no problem, then the next it was raining cats and dogs. The second pix is our veranda that is flooded.~

Mazatlan

Our second stop was in Mazatlan. It was a very long ride to the main shopping area called the Golden Zone. We went back to Diamonds International because I wanted to get my new diamond appraised, and they gave me the correct amount, which was way more than what we paid for it. Then we went around to all the stores where we got a ton of free stuff. I also won a raffle for a watch in one of the jewelery stores worth $200. I have made out good on this trip. I came back with so many different jewelry boxes. Anyhew here are a couple of pix. The guy with the hard hat is actually sleeping in a wheelbarrow. And the drunk sign, we couldn't believe that they even made signs like it. Crazy town!

Also this is the coolest store I have ever seen. It is called Del Sol. The clothing or rings, or nail polish changes colors when in the sun. Here is the shirt I got.

~Inside~

~Outside~

Cabo San Lucas

Our first port was in Cabo San Lucas. This is a place that is a dessert next to the water. It was pretty much built just for cruise ships. There area ton of vendors on the side of the street trying to get you to buy everything they have. My nephew, Jordan was walking on the street and some guy put an iguana on him and he freaked out. Anyhew Matt and I were on our scavenger hunt for our free stuff. We stopped in our first shop, Diamonds International and we were told the previous day by Pippa to speak directly with the manager, well this other worker said that she wasn't available so we decided to come back when Pippa was there. We decided to go to the rest of the shops where we got free stuff, and there wasn't that many to go to in Cabo. We went back to Diamonds Int. and Matt said I could look. So I asked for a full 1 caret good quality diamond, and well if you couldn't guess here it is. Isn't it pretty! It is a full 1 caret H VSI2 diamond I loooooooooove it so much. The first couple of days it looked like one of the fake Walmart CZ rings cause it was so huge. Well I kept my original setting and just added the huge diamond which fits perfectly. My other diamond was made into a pendant for a necklace. Matt is too good to me, and I am not allowed to ask for another diamond for 25 years, but why would I, I love it so much!

~We had to take a Tender/small boat ride to the port cause the ships aren't allowed to dock in the bay so here are a couple of pix from that.~

1st Post of Many-The Ship

Ok so I am going to do more than one post just to make it easier to read. We had so much fun on the ship. We went to a ton of the on board activities offered. First day at sea Matt had our whole day planned for us. He wanted to do so much, and I kind of got overwhelmed cause I wanted to just relax. We went to seminar after seminar. One of the seminars that we went to was about shopping at the port. We got this awesome card where we can get a ton of free stuff at a lot of the shops. The person in charge of the speech was named Pippa. She talked about the amazing deals that you can get at the jewelery stores. Funny thing, Matt and I had been talking about upgrading my diamond in a year or two anyhew, so while Pippa was talking I looked at Matt and he said, "I'm thinking about it" YAYAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! Anyhew I'll get to that topic later. Well here are some pix of our room and some at sea from our Veranda.

We Are Back, But.....

Sorry everyone! I know you are on the edge of your seat for pix of Mexico. I have been so busy for the past couple of days doing about 10 lessons a day. Tomorrow I have no lessons and plenty of time to post pix and everything about our trip.

Also Elizabeth, I have a surprise for you to see tomorrow. We got something very exciting while in Mexico and you are going to scream when you see pix.

And We're Off...

Bon Voyage Everyone! We leave tonight for 12 days of bliss and fun in the sun on a ship with only 46 other family members on it. No, it will be so much fun! Matt and I are ready to leave everything behind us and just hang out together and spend time with our family!