Tuesday, February 03, 2009
2009 Caribbean Trip - Day 2 - St. Lucia
These will be long posts as I’m using them as a “diary” of our trip. Check back in a couple of weeks if you want to see the photos that go with the posts as I forgot my camera cable so that I could download the photos.
We woke up the next day at 10:30am when our continental breakfast was delivered to our room. Kyle and I ate that while Ian went up to the “Mediterranean” dining room to have a buffet breakfast. I then got Kyle and myself cleaned up and dressed and when Ian got back we headed off of the ship.
Ian’s parents and brothers had already left the ship, ad we didn’t really know what there as to do on the island. We decided to rent a taxi and go to a nearby beach. Of course I hadn’t brought along a bathing suit for Kyle or I, so we just stripped him down to his shirt and diaper and he and Ian played in the water for a while. Another family enjoying the beach offered up their pair of water wings and donut-raft for us to use while they went to go grab a bite to eat at the restaurant on the beach. After the swim we changed Kyle's diaper, put hs shorts back on, and I took of one of my tank tops (I was wearing two) and we put it on Kyle. He looked like he was wearing a tank dress!
We had asked the taxi that had dropped us off to pick us up at 2:30pm, so at around 2:15pm, after unsuccessfully trying to grab a snack from the restaurant ourselves, we headed to our pick-up spot. We went back to the ship, grabbed a buffet lunch in the “Mediterranean” dining room and then I put Kyle down for his nap. When Kyle woke up it was time for dinner again. This was supposed to be a formal dining night so we met up with Ian’s parents and brothers in the “Mediterranean” dining room for a buffet dinner instead. After killing some time we headed to the theater for the early show (8:45pm Caribbean time). It was a variety show with dancing and singing that Kyle really enjoyed. Then it was back to the room to order Kyle’s “dinner” from room service. I went to the “Mediterranean” dining room for some ice cream while Ian out Kyle to bed.
~ Christina
We woke up the next day at 10:30am when our continental breakfast was delivered to our room. Kyle and I ate that while Ian went up to the “Mediterranean” dining room to have a buffet breakfast. I then got Kyle and myself cleaned up and dressed and when Ian got back we headed off of the ship.
Ian’s parents and brothers had already left the ship, ad we didn’t really know what there as to do on the island. We decided to rent a taxi and go to a nearby beach. Of course I hadn’t brought along a bathing suit for Kyle or I, so we just stripped him down to his shirt and diaper and he and Ian played in the water for a while. Another family enjoying the beach offered up their pair of water wings and donut-raft for us to use while they went to go grab a bite to eat at the restaurant on the beach. After the swim we changed Kyle's diaper, put hs shorts back on, and I took of one of my tank tops (I was wearing two) and we put it on Kyle. He looked like he was wearing a tank dress!
We had asked the taxi that had dropped us off to pick us up at 2:30pm, so at around 2:15pm, after unsuccessfully trying to grab a snack from the restaurant ourselves, we headed to our pick-up spot. We went back to the ship, grabbed a buffet lunch in the “Mediterranean” dining room and then I put Kyle down for his nap. When Kyle woke up it was time for dinner again. This was supposed to be a formal dining night so we met up with Ian’s parents and brothers in the “Mediterranean” dining room for a buffet dinner instead. After killing some time we headed to the theater for the early show (8:45pm Caribbean time). It was a variety show with dancing and singing that Kyle really enjoyed. Then it was back to the room to order Kyle’s “dinner” from room service. I went to the “Mediterranean” dining room for some ice cream while Ian out Kyle to bed.
~ Christina
Thursday, January 29, 2009
2009 Caribbean Trip - Travel & Day 1 - Barbados
These will be long posts as I’m using them as a “diary” of our trip. Check back in a couple of weeks if you want to see the photos that go with the posts as I forgot my camera cable so that I could download the photos.
January 27 & 28, 2009
Wow, what a long flight! We left SFO for Miami around 11:45pm. Kyle fell asleep in his car seat shortly after the flight took off, but after about an hour he woke up and fussed until I took him out of his car seat. He then fell asleep on me. We slept for about 30 minutes and then I was woken up by a commotion behind me. The man sitting in the row in front of us had gotten up out of his seat and walked to Ian’s Dad, who was sleeping in the row behind us, and had pinched his nose and covered his mouth. Ian’s Dad woke up because he couldn’t breathe and Ian and his brother Shea had grabbed the guys arms and were telling him to sit down. The flight attendants quickly arrived and told the man to take his seat. He kept saying that he was sleep walking and that Ian’s Dad had grabbed him. The flight attendants told him to sit back in his seat and that the authorities would be waiting in Mimi to talk to him. He was clearly very drunk. After that he kept looking back at Ian’s Dad (or Ian, we couldn’t tell) and glaring and shaking his fist. We were nervous to go to sleep after that, so I got total of 30 minutes sleep that whole night.
We arrived in Miami around 8am and got off the plane for a 2 hour layover before getting on another plane to fly to Barbados. Kyle slept in my arms for most of the layover, but was then awake for the whole second flight until 5 minutes before we touched down. He then slept in my arms until we had our luggage, were through customs and were getting in a cab to go to the Villa we had reserved.
We were so happy when we arrived at the Villa. It was beautiful, clean and spacious. We had the beach right out the back door (and down an elevator as we were on the 4th floor). After we dropped off our bags and freshened up we went down to the beach and Kyle, Ian, Shea and Ryan played in the water. Kyle loved it! Ryan, Shea and Ian took turns body surfing and lifting Kyle over the crashing waves. It was a lot of fun to watch. The water was really clear and the perfect temperature. We then went to the resort next door and ate dinner at their beachside restaurant. The food was Ok, but the view and atmosphere was great. I almost wished we could spend the whole week there.
After dinner we went back to the Villa and Ian got Kyle ready for bed. I had arranged for a crib to be delivered and set-up so after a quick shower and a few books Kyle was asleep. The rest of us attempted to watch some TV but about 10 minutes into it most of us were asleep. I got up and went to bed in our room with Kyle. It was only 9pm in Barbados – 5pm our time! Around midnight (Barbados time) Kyle woke up crying. We realized it was because it was like an oven in our room. After 30 minutes of fiddling with the thermostat we were able to get it on and we all fell back asleep until 10:30am (Barbados time).
I got up before Ian and Kyle and took a quick shower. Ian’s parents and brothers were gone (they had gone to breakfast) and they got home just as I was getting out of the shower and Ian and Kyle were waking up. I got Kyle dressed while Ian did some work on the computer. Then the three of us walked to a little store on the corner to buy cereal, milk and yogurt for breakfast. Ian’s Mom had thoughtfully thrown our dirty clothes in the washer that was in our villa, so we were just waiting for that to be done so we could head to the cruise ship. We called the taxi driver who had driven us from the airport to the Villa and he came and picked us up and took us to the port. We just barely made it on the ship in time!
After getting checked in we went to our rooms to drop some stuff off and I wanted to make sure that we had a crib in our room for Kyle (which we didn’t). Then it was up to the Lido deck for a late buffet lunch. I then took Kyle back to our room for his nap while Ian went to check out the ship and hang out with his brothers. Kyle slept for about 2 hours and then it was time for dinner (we had the 6pm seating). The food was good (I had a quesadilla starter and a mushroom risotto main course followed by a melting chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream). Just as we sat down the ship set sail.
After dinner I took Kyle to the kids “Camp Carnival” for a trial run. I filled out the paper work and then gave me a cell phone so that they could call me if he got upset. I said “Bye Bye” and went to go find Ian and his parents/brothers. They were right around the corner playing ping pong. After about 45 minutes, just as we were about to go to the Comedy Show, I got a call on the phone saying Kyle was crying for me. L I went and got him and he went to the show with us. He lasted until the last 15 minutes, and then Ian took him outside while I watched the rest of the show. Then it was “dinner time” for Kyle (we were keeping him on CA time so that we weren’t stuck in the room with him starting at 7:30pm). We ordered him room service (they didn’t have much for him to eat – no kids menu) and then Ian washed him up and put him to bed. I stayed in the room with Kyle while Ian went to hang out with his brothers.
~ Christina
January 27 & 28, 2009
Wow, what a long flight! We left SFO for Miami around 11:45pm. Kyle fell asleep in his car seat shortly after the flight took off, but after about an hour he woke up and fussed until I took him out of his car seat. He then fell asleep on me. We slept for about 30 minutes and then I was woken up by a commotion behind me. The man sitting in the row in front of us had gotten up out of his seat and walked to Ian’s Dad, who was sleeping in the row behind us, and had pinched his nose and covered his mouth. Ian’s Dad woke up because he couldn’t breathe and Ian and his brother Shea had grabbed the guys arms and were telling him to sit down. The flight attendants quickly arrived and told the man to take his seat. He kept saying that he was sleep walking and that Ian’s Dad had grabbed him. The flight attendants told him to sit back in his seat and that the authorities would be waiting in Mimi to talk to him. He was clearly very drunk. After that he kept looking back at Ian’s Dad (or Ian, we couldn’t tell) and glaring and shaking his fist. We were nervous to go to sleep after that, so I got total of 30 minutes sleep that whole night.
We arrived in Miami around 8am and got off the plane for a 2 hour layover before getting on another plane to fly to Barbados. Kyle slept in my arms for most of the layover, but was then awake for the whole second flight until 5 minutes before we touched down. He then slept in my arms until we had our luggage, were through customs and were getting in a cab to go to the Villa we had reserved.
We were so happy when we arrived at the Villa. It was beautiful, clean and spacious. We had the beach right out the back door (and down an elevator as we were on the 4th floor). After we dropped off our bags and freshened up we went down to the beach and Kyle, Ian, Shea and Ryan played in the water. Kyle loved it! Ryan, Shea and Ian took turns body surfing and lifting Kyle over the crashing waves. It was a lot of fun to watch. The water was really clear and the perfect temperature. We then went to the resort next door and ate dinner at their beachside restaurant. The food was Ok, but the view and atmosphere was great. I almost wished we could spend the whole week there.
After dinner we went back to the Villa and Ian got Kyle ready for bed. I had arranged for a crib to be delivered and set-up so after a quick shower and a few books Kyle was asleep. The rest of us attempted to watch some TV but about 10 minutes into it most of us were asleep. I got up and went to bed in our room with Kyle. It was only 9pm in Barbados – 5pm our time! Around midnight (Barbados time) Kyle woke up crying. We realized it was because it was like an oven in our room. After 30 minutes of fiddling with the thermostat we were able to get it on and we all fell back asleep until 10:30am (Barbados time).
I got up before Ian and Kyle and took a quick shower. Ian’s parents and brothers were gone (they had gone to breakfast) and they got home just as I was getting out of the shower and Ian and Kyle were waking up. I got Kyle dressed while Ian did some work on the computer. Then the three of us walked to a little store on the corner to buy cereal, milk and yogurt for breakfast. Ian’s Mom had thoughtfully thrown our dirty clothes in the washer that was in our villa, so we were just waiting for that to be done so we could head to the cruise ship. We called the taxi driver who had driven us from the airport to the Villa and he came and picked us up and took us to the port. We just barely made it on the ship in time!
After getting checked in we went to our rooms to drop some stuff off and I wanted to make sure that we had a crib in our room for Kyle (which we didn’t). Then it was up to the Lido deck for a late buffet lunch. I then took Kyle back to our room for his nap while Ian went to check out the ship and hang out with his brothers. Kyle slept for about 2 hours and then it was time for dinner (we had the 6pm seating). The food was good (I had a quesadilla starter and a mushroom risotto main course followed by a melting chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream). Just as we sat down the ship set sail.
After dinner I took Kyle to the kids “Camp Carnival” for a trial run. I filled out the paper work and then gave me a cell phone so that they could call me if he got upset. I said “Bye Bye” and went to go find Ian and his parents/brothers. They were right around the corner playing ping pong. After about 45 minutes, just as we were about to go to the Comedy Show, I got a call on the phone saying Kyle was crying for me. L I went and got him and he went to the show with us. He lasted until the last 15 minutes, and then Ian took him outside while I watched the rest of the show. Then it was “dinner time” for Kyle (we were keeping him on CA time so that we weren’t stuck in the room with him starting at 7:30pm). We ordered him room service (they didn’t have much for him to eat – no kids menu) and then Ian washed him up and put him to bed. I stayed in the room with Kyle while Ian went to hang out with his brothers.
~ Christina
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Egypt day 1 - Cairo
Sorry about spelling. Writing this on a bumpy road in a bus from my iphone. Woke up at 7:15am. I'll finsh this later when I'm not on a bus.
King Tut Mask
Shea and Ryan in front of Sakkara Pyramid?
- IAN
King Tut Mask
Shea and Ryan in front of Sakkara Pyramid?
- IAN
Friday, August 29, 2008
Fun Summer Evening
We had our friends Jen, Rob & Maya over for some drinks and a dip in the "pool" for the kids before Ian and Rob went out for the 49er game and Jen and I and the kids went to Chevy's for dinner. We emptied the "pool" that we use as a ball pit for Kyle and filled it with water so Kyle & Maya could splash around and cool off in this heat wave we're having. It was a fun evening and I hope we can do it more often.
~ Christina
~ Christina
Dream Dinners - August 2008
I loved my first experience at Dream Dinners so much, as well as the food itself, that I went back a couple of weeks ago for more! This time I assembled/made:
- Chicken Parmesan with Garlic Bread
- Grilled Island Shrimp
- Pecan Crusted Chicken
- Tuscan Steaks
- Chicken Paella
- Italian Stuffed Shells
- Gorgonzola Cheese Burgers
- McCormic Honey & Dijon Glazed Salmon
Grilled Island Shrimp, Pecan Crusted Chicken, Chicken Paella, Italian Stuffed Shells, McCormic Honey & Dijon Glazed Salmon
Plus a few other meals for my Mom, sister Lissa and Mother-in-Law to try. My sister Janene joined me and made some meals of her own. And because I had so many to make she helped me make mine too.
So far we've already had the Chicken Parmesan, Pecan Crusted Chicken (tied for my favorite), Italian Stuffed Shells (Ian's favorite), Honey & Dijon Salmon and the Chicken Paella (tied for my favorite).
It was so much fun and I can't wait to do it again next month.
~ Christina
- Chicken Parmesan with Garlic Bread
- Grilled Island Shrimp
- Pecan Crusted Chicken
- Tuscan Steaks
- Chicken Paella
- Italian Stuffed Shells
- Gorgonzola Cheese Burgers
- McCormic Honey & Dijon Glazed Salmon
Grilled Island Shrimp, Pecan Crusted Chicken, Chicken Paella, Italian Stuffed Shells, McCormic Honey & Dijon Glazed Salmon
Plus a few other meals for my Mom, sister Lissa and Mother-in-Law to try. My sister Janene joined me and made some meals of her own. And because I had so many to make she helped me make mine too.
So far we've already had the Chicken Parmesan, Pecan Crusted Chicken (tied for my favorite), Italian Stuffed Shells (Ian's favorite), Honey & Dijon Salmon and the Chicken Paella (tied for my favorite).
It was so much fun and I can't wait to do it again next month.
~ Christina
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Stuntmen
Our friends the Milito Family have two adorable boys who celebrated their 2nd and 4th Birthdays with a fun pool party. Ian went in the pool with Kyke and after watching Sean (2 years old) doing stunt diving with his Dad, Ian and kyle decided to try some stunts of their own. And they had a great time doing it. :)
~ Christina
~ Christina
Friday, August 08, 2008
Yummy! Jamba Juice!
Kyle loves Jamba Juice. It's like candy to him. And his Grandma Jo found this out the hard way when she tried to drink one in front of him. I think she actually only got to drink about 1/3 of the Jamba Juice. Thanks for sharing Grandma Jo!
~ Christina
~ Christina
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Swimming and Motorcycles
Ian's brother Ryan and Ryan's wife Ali drove across country with a truck load of their stuff and a trailer hauling Ryan's motorcycle. Shortly after they arrived we celebrated Grandma Jo's Birthday with a pool party. Kyle had a great time splashing around in the pool with Ian and his Uncle Ryan. Afterwards he spotted the motorcycle and really wanted to try it out. He was lucky and his Uncle Ryan let him sit on the seat and test out the strength of one of the side buckets. The food (Jo's super yummy BBQ ribs and a friend's tamales) was really good and the company was even better. We stayed a little past Kyle's bedtime so his Aunt Ali kept him occupied and happy by reading him "The Hungry Catapillar". It was a great day and we feel so lucky to have our families close by.
~ Christina
~ Christina
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Family Backyard Playdate
Since my two of my sisters live so close by and we each have a kid born in 2007 we decided to try and get together once a week for a "Cousins Playdate". One such playdate also corresponded with a visit from my Dad and Stepmom Lorraine. My Mom also stopped by for a while. We had a great time playing in the backyard (even though it was a bit warm out) and even managed to get a photo where everyone in it is kinda looking at the camera. Success!!
Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Family Photo: Lissa, Riley, Christi, Kyle, Janene, Chloe, Grandpa John, Chica, Grandma Lorraine; Family Photo: Lissa, Riley, Christi, Kyle, Nana; Riley on blanket; Chloe in tunnel; Kyle giving Grandpa John a high five; Kyle giving Nana a kiss; Messy Kyle in chair
~ Christina
Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Family Photo: Lissa, Riley, Christi, Kyle, Janene, Chloe, Grandpa John, Chica, Grandma Lorraine; Family Photo: Lissa, Riley, Christi, Kyle, Nana; Riley on blanket; Chloe in tunnel; Kyle giving Grandpa John a high five; Kyle giving Nana a kiss; Messy Kyle in chair
~ Christina
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dream Dinners
On Thursday I went to a Dream Dinners Sneak Peek where they told us how Dream Dinners worked: you review their monthly menu, choose the entrees you want, then show-up - everything is already prepped/cut for you - and assemble the meals in freezer bags. Once home you put the meals in the freezer and move them to the fridge as you're ready to heat/eat them.
They also let us try two menu items and then we got to make one item and take it home for free. I was so jazzed about it that I signed up right then and ended up making 7 more dinners, another of which was free.
I assembled/made:
- McCormick Seasoned Sirloin
- Summertime Pasta
- Garden Tarragon Chicken
- Fishermen's Grilled Salmon
- Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich (I did 2 of these)
- Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashews
- Chicken with Honey, Garlic and Orange
McCormick Seasoned Sirloin, Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich, Fishermen's Grilled Salmon, Chicken with Honey, Garlic and Orange
They were quick to make and I was done in 30 minutes. It was really nice to have everything right there in front of you, already cut up and prepped. And I didn't have any mess or dishes to wash afterwards!
Tonight Ian and I had one of the Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich meals. It was very yummy! I'm excited to try the rest of them. I pulled the Chicken with Honey, Garlic & Orange out to try on Monday.
~ Christina
They also let us try two menu items and then we got to make one item and take it home for free. I was so jazzed about it that I signed up right then and ended up making 7 more dinners, another of which was free.
I assembled/made:
- McCormick Seasoned Sirloin
- Summertime Pasta
- Garden Tarragon Chicken
- Fishermen's Grilled Salmon
- Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich (I did 2 of these)
- Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashews
- Chicken with Honey, Garlic and Orange
McCormick Seasoned Sirloin, Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich, Fishermen's Grilled Salmon, Chicken with Honey, Garlic and Orange
They were quick to make and I was done in 30 minutes. It was really nice to have everything right there in front of you, already cut up and prepped. And I didn't have any mess or dishes to wash afterwards!
Tonight Ian and I had one of the Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich meals. It was very yummy! I'm excited to try the rest of them. I pulled the Chicken with Honey, Garlic & Orange out to try on Monday.
~ Christina
Saturday, July 19, 2008
VolunteerMatch
I just came across this really great website and wanted to share it. It's called VolunteerMatch and it's where you can go if you want to volunteer for a cause or just help out a local non-profit. You can search by location and key word (such as "kids" or "environment").
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Anyhow, just wanted to pass it on!
~ Christina
http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Anyhow, just wanted to pass it on!
~ Christina
