Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Last Day in Southern California !

Andy is now back !  Tomorrow morning we will hit the road for Yuma, Arizona.  We will visit there a  few days and then onto Phoenix to see Andy's mom and dad.  We are tired of the high 60"s and low 70's stuff.  Andy, even brought the rain back with her...Dang her !  We seek the 80"s LOL !   I have no idea where we will be staying in Yuma.  I guess we will wing it...yes you heard me correctly.  No plan..no rules.  We will see how this works out for Andy and I.  Normally we both must have a plan ! Wish us luck !  lol

Honestly, we are sad to be leaving all our family and friends behind even thou we are looking forward to the adventure down the road.  Andy and I understand  it may be sometime before we see you all again...maybe a whole year !  We have had a great time !  Thank you all for making this a special time for us.

Our time here at Camp Pendleton has been relaxing and very enjoyable.  We have enjoyed the beach, the sunsets and the quiet time.  This is not a typical RV Park.  It is a cross between camping in a city and camping on the beach. I use the word "camping" but this is hardly camping.  We will come back !  We were happy when family and friends came down to visit us.  Thanks guys !

NIGHTLY SUNSETS
OUR HOME FOR TWO MONTHS


We have been in Southern California now since December 18, 2011.  We have loved seeing and staying with family and friends. Everyone has treated us fantastic!  We have seen and done so much !  In the past month we have seen San Diego and LA, California... Orlando, Florida... Tijuana, Mexico...St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.. Nassau, Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Oh and lets not forget Andy has been back to Portland, Oregon .
SAN DIEGO
ORLANDO
ORLANDO
BAHAMAS
MEXICO
ST THOMAS
SAN JUAN, PR


I am glad that Andy got to meet Jeff, Christine and the girls.  Jeff and Christine opened up their home and driveway and how did we say thank you?  We leaked oil all over the driveway!  You are one fantastic family and we love you.  You will be missed !
DOSSEY FAMILY AND ANDY


The strangest thing I must confess was running back and forth between Larry's and Ernie's place carrying food during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in downtown LA.  As Andy said "MOST FUN EVER" and I say  "STRANGEST THING EVER".  Thanks Ernie and Larry...never will forget!  Thank you Ernie for moving out of your home for a few days so we could move in.  Such a sport ! Larry stay out of trouble !  Andy has your wine !
THE BOYS


Debra and Richard opened up their home to us as well in Hermosa Beach, California.  We got to see the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills and a private tour of Warner Bros Studio.  Very interesting and fun!  Thank you tons !
ANDY AND DEBRA


Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the Converse and Mike Dossey families very much.  They were working a lot during the holidays.  I did spend a few days with the Mike and Teri this past weekend. Had a blast!  Mike you wait till I get my foot fixed.  I want a rematch !  Teri please keep your schedule flexible...you might take a trip "up north" will keep you posted.  Love and will miss you both !  Mike and Jeff Dossey  "fish on".   Thanks for the invite!
MIKE AND TERI CONVERSE
WHEN TERI IS MAD !


Today's plan is finish up with Pre-Flight checks, laundry and to go get stuff that is cheaper here at the Marine Base. I must also try and get Skype set up so I can see and talk to my baby girl Kloee ! I miss that little girl !
BABY KLOEE !

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Our Cruise Vacation !

What a wonderful time on the Cruise and our trip to Florida.  We were able to see brothers, sisters, family and friends. Our ship was on the Norwegian Sun and our cruise was from February 11-18, 2012.

                                                                   See for yourself ! Yea I know !

Sun Cruise Ship

Our pet

We departed from Cape Canaveral on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 4:00 pm.  It was a little cool but we were on our way to the Bahama's.  The sea's were just a little bit rough crossing the gulf stream but not too bad.  We spent the afternoon and evening just walking around the ship trying not to get lost...but we did !

Mr B...Blues Brother !

Rick, Sandy and Andy...just got on board

True Bombachs !



Once we got to Nassau, Bahamas it still wasn't as warm as we were hoping, high 60's. The wind was blowing and it was quite cold.  We had scheduled a excursion called "Aquadventure", a very large water park, at the Atlantis Resort.  The resort is very beautiful...I mean extremely beautiful.!  Even thou it was quite cool we decided we mind as well go "since we paid for it"....so off the brave people went!  The water temperature in the rides was very warm, I would guess about 80 degrees, but the air temperature was a lot cooler.  As soon as we would get out of the water we would have to grab towels to dry off and wrap around us to stay warm.  I tried not to get out of the water....much warmer there !  LOL   We departed Nassau Bahamas at about 4:00 pm that day.

Atlantis Resort

Brent, Andy and Grey

Uncle Rick and Brent

Sandy and Andy

ahhhh !


Sister Sandy and brother Rick

The dudes







For the next day and half we were at sea and on our way to St Thomas, US Virgin Island. It was getting warmer the farther south we traveled.  By the time we got there is was in the high 70's.  The sun was bright and warm ! While we were at sea we normally hung around the pool and drank!  Well I did !  Otto, Andy's dad, wasn't feeling very well.  He took it a little easy but not the rest of us!  Sandy and Rick got into the Newlywed Game...they were so funny...and they won !  We shared in the bounty..a bottle of booze!  Brent and I got caught up in a show where we were half naked !  We were two of the guys from Village People.  They had us half naked and dancing on the stage doing the YMCA !  In front of a large crowd...oh maybe 200-300 people. It was fun and I couldn't believe Brent got out there.  Heck I couldn't believe I was out there!  NO...I wasn't drunk...didn't even have a drink yet !  Can't say the same thing for Brent though LOL.  People would come up to me the entire cruise and say " Hey weren't you that construction guy dancing half dressed to the YMCA !

Newlywed Game

Doing good !

Doing even better

Winners..now bring that booze over..sharing !

Yea I know !

The Stud Muffins

Brent is faster and stronger..took me a while !

Why the ole guy with no shirt !

The sisters !

So cute !


I was getting fresh and she slapped me..NOT !  Got you Barb !


ZZZZZ's
We normally ate dinner around 5:30 pm then we would go to the show.  After the show we would hit the clubs for dancing and fun games.  Sandy and Rick were in a few of the games on stage.  I believe Rick and Sandy enjoyed this thing called a "Vacation" which they really haven't ever done !

Dinner...where is Preston...can you guess ?
Again Preston is missing...he is never here !  ummm !

Once we got to St Thomas we decided to take a taxi to Coki Beach to spend the day in the surf, sand and sun.  Sandy was so dang funny !  She said " hey this water is salty"...dah..it's an ocean!  lol  So she kept her snorkel and mask on the whole time while sitting on the beach.  Silly woman !

St Thomas, US Virgin Island


Sandy didn't know the water was salty...where has she been ?
Who are these weird looking creatures..funny noses and mouths !
Rick almost died!  NO REALLY !  He got caught up in a undertow and couldn't get out of it.   Earlier in the day I got caught up in it... but somehow I was able to get out of it.  Again, same thing happened to Brent.  Brent is a very strong swimmer but I am not !  So when we saw Rick having a hard time getting out of the current Brent and Greyson both grabbed him. They pushed and pulled him out of it.  Grey grabbed his shoulders and Brent dived down and push him.  Rick was so exhausted and white!  It must have taken him 30-45 minutes to  somewhat recover from it.  Afterwards he said "he about gave up"! I believe him too... because I saw it in his eyes! Of course Sandy was freaking the whole time!.  Afterwards we all laughed about it and of course we teased Rick for the rest of the cruise.  He was a good sport !

Again, Sandy would not take off that snorkel gear because of the salty water....weird I know !

Really Sandy...lol

Chilling and a relaxing 

Next stop was San Juan, PR.  Not a very good place to hang out in the sun.  The ship docks right there in a big city. We decided just to walk around and shop and eat.  We were suppose to meet Otto by the ships exit point.  When we got there... he was already gone!   Andy was stressing ! Later that afternoon I found him on a tour!  He simply got off the ship and found a tour to take.  He was feeling much better by now.  For some of you that might not know Otto...he is almost 90 years old and in pretty good shape. I guess he wasn't going to waste his time waiting for us.  I think he saw and done more that day then the rest of us!  Go OTTO !!!!  We departed San Juan about 8:00 pm that evening for another day and half at sea.


San Juan, PR

Finally found this little rascal !  I think he ditched us on purpose!

While at sea we mostly hung around the pool and relaxed.  Andy and Otto went to the spa. I sat by the pool and drank the booze I was able to hide when we got on the ship.  It was the booze I got in Mexico a week earlier.  Brent and Grey were doing their own thing most of the time.  I believe they found crew members to hang out with.  They joined us for dinner nightly and then would hang around with us for the show or something and then "puff" they were gone..lol  Brent did dance a lot with his Aunt Sandy though.

opps..candid camera

Andy and her dad Otto
He has some dance moves
Andy smiling from ear to ear !

Country line dancing...too many different steps !

The last full day on cruise we visited Great Stripp Cay and baked in the sun.


Eileen.our vacation buddy...isn't she cute !

Soaking up the rays

Just returning from a dip and swim.  Got wet quick did ya !

We had a great trip and it was fun spending time with everyone.    It was hard to say goodbye to my family and friends.   I am sure I have will remember more stories about the cruise in the next few days. Will add them then.

                                                     Click and watch...again I know ..I know !



                                                                THE END !

Andy is back in Portland Oregon for 8 days while I am here in San Diego, California. We will be heading to Yuma and Phoenix at the end of the month after Andy gets back.