Family Cruise, Day One

So, I really, really did not mean to take a blog vacation! Real life overtook me and I just couldn't fit blogging in -- not even just the journaling type I usually do. Which also meant I haven't stalked my usual blogland haunts, either! And I miss them! I miss you! I need to know what everyone is doing, creating, and thinking! I really do! You all inspire me!



Daja called me the other day and told me she was going to send the blog police, the blogice, if you will, to get me if I didn't post something. Then my husband told me that he was tired of checking in and only seeing Dave Ramsey! So, sorry, Dave, but you must move down the page!



Though I will catch up eventually, I guess, I won't be journaling in order. Mainly because I would just keep getting further behind! So, I will start out with the Sandoval Family and Friends Reunion Cruise! We had a blast! I'll be posting a bunch of pictures that probably won't mean much to most of you, but you are welcome to enjoy them, anyhow. :-) I know my family wants to see 'em. So, here's Day One:



This was my mother's first cruise. I was truly hoping she enjoyed herself. She must have, because the day after we got back, she said she wanted to go again.

Of course, the first thing most of us did when we got on the Carnival Paradise was to start our eating binge! Well, it was way after lunchtime and we were hungry!

My friend, Lynn, and I checking out our little ship maps trying to figure out where we were going! It took me a couple of days to be able to navigate around the ship without it!

I *heart* piano music, so I loved that there were several being played in various spots around the ship.

Our friends from Pennsylvania, Chick and Lynn Sickels, and us standing in front of the Long Beach cityscape as we left port.

Gabe and I were so thrilled to finally be leaving! We needed this vacation!

The Queen Mary is berthed right next to Carnival Cruises. Uncle Dan and Aunt Phyllis (shown below) spent the previous night there. Cool.

Gabe spent a lot of time time taking profile pictures of me. Here's to hoping that one of these shots will be a good one!

Our first evening's meal in the formal dining room. We took up three tables!

Gospel singing artist and family friend, Miss Lillie Knauls and me at dinner.

My eldest uncle, Uncle Ernest. Isn't he a cutie?

Gabe and I won trophies the first night playing a trivia game! We tied with two other people with a score of 17 out of 20. Not bad. And we each received the coveted 100% gold plastic ship on a stick! Woo Hoo!

We also went to see the comedian, Jerome. It was his "family" show. There was an R-rated one later on that night. We didn't go. I see nothing funny about vulgar language and crude humor. However, he was really funny.

We, of course, played all around the ship until late. Then, reluctantly ended Day One.