Kyle and Kristen

Fun in and out of the sun

I actually beat him the first game, fair and square. Had to make sure I got that in writing.

They had a Mardi Gras celebration one night which we didn't really participate in, but we walked over to see what all the commotion was about. Considering it was mostly kids catching the beads, it's safe to say that it was G-rated.

One of the best things about my husband is that understands my love for games and is willing to pull out a deck of card in random places. This is how we often entertained ourselves while waiting for dinner at night

The dark water was freaky but wandering around at night was romantic :)

We were seated with some really nice, fun people at our dinner table. On the second night I noticed a big fat shiny ring on one of the girl's fingers and asked about it. She squealed and announced her proposal which had taken place the night before. Her fiance told me later that she couldn't wait to tell me because she knew I'd be excited, and I really was! They were a super cute, happy match. We went to a couple shows with them. The deal was for her to add me on facebook because her name is Caitlin Smith.....I'm still waiting :(

Kyle dancing with our waiter

Our waiter had us help him sing "Happy engagement to you" to the newly engaged couple

The towel animals never get old

The rest of our dinner clan

There isn't a single decent picture of me on this trip so if I'm going to post one bad one, I might as well post them all!

My Valentine's day rose and dessert

BACK IN LONG BEACH

There were definite mixed feelings as we packed our bags and left the ship, but mostly we were anxious to see our baby! Needless to say, it was a lonnnggg drive home.

CATALINA ISLAND AND ENSENADA

"Tendering" from the ship to Catalina Island

Random seal!

After walking around, this is where we spent our time. Can I go back??

ENSENADA

Lets just say Ensenada is not the nicest place I've ever been to, hence the lack of pictures. Since we weren't doing any excursions, the only reason we saw to get off the ship was to find souvenirs for Bentlee. So we walked in to town where we ignored every adult begging us to come look in their store, but were suckered into buying gum from cute Mexican kidlets with big puppy dog eyes. What I really wanted to get Bentlee was a doll (it seemed wrong not to) but knowing the very foreign object would go straight to her mouth, we opted for a baby guitar, baby sombrero, and baby maraca. All Kyle's ideas, but I get the bargaining credit.

Our Getaway!

I can be a pretty needy wife. When I want more attention, or quality time with my husband I'm usually not afraid to let him know. And he listens. I have it real, real good. Bentlee has been the absolute best thing that could have ever happened to us, and I could not be happier that she is apart of our family. Being a mom is better than I could have ever imagined, and I am especially blessed with a happy, easy baby and an amazing, helpful husband.

HOWEVER.

Sometimes I really miss that one-on-one time with the hubs. I started hinting for a getaway back in November and when that didn't work, I begged. Winter has never been as hard for me as it has been this year. After 8 solid weeks of snow and ice and cold, I convinced him that for my sanity and his own good, I needed to go somewhere warm for a couple days with just him. I would have been happy spending a couple nights in Vegas, but taking into consideration meals, etc. we decided that a cruise wouldn't be much more.

We booked it only a couple weeks in advance, and luckily Lee and Maxyne were willing to take the babe, with the help of Amber and Andy. We drove to Vegas where we stayed one night, and then drove the rest of the way to Long Beach where we cruised to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. It was JUST what I needed. We didn't do excursions, we simply just relaxed by the pool and in the hot tub, played games, and even chilled in our room a little each day. I loved being completely spontaneous and care-free (such as taking a ride down the big slide in the FREEZING cold ocean water), not having an agenda, sleeping in, eating food that I didn't have to cook or clean up, having fresh towels laid out for me every day that I didn't have to wash, and having Kyle to myself ALL day EVERY day. I read a book for the first time since I was pregnant, which was actually one of my highlights (it helped that I read it while lounging out in the sun). While I thought about Bentlee a LOT, I didn't have to change a single diaper, I didn't have to consider nap times or what and when to feed her. Every time I saw a baby my arms ached for her a little. But then I would pass the ice cream machine and I'd feel better. I ate WAY too much food. We each ordered 1-2 appetizers, and at least 2 entrees at dinner. And the rolls were amazing. I won't tell you how many of those we ate. Working some of our calories off was a piece of cake (no pun intended) because the fitness room was surrounded by windows overlooking the ocean. We would get up each morning and go straight up to the track on the lido deck where we would jog laps as dolphins splashed in the distance. Okay, we actually only saw dolphins the first morning. But the rest of the days did not disappoint. Dolphins or no dolphins, I could work out all day long with a view like this...