We went on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera with 23 people.
Dave’s sister and brother and their families along with us. I wish we had a group picture, but alas, we don’t. Here’s Dave’s brother and sister:
And some of our offspring (they have six kids each):
We had fun on the boat. I mean, four hot tubs and endless soft-serve ice cream cones equal nothing but pure glee for kids…and amongst us we had 17 of them.
And the best thing for me was that we happened to get to be on the one and only boat that had a group of 300 Romanians aboard. Now, I’ll tell you a little about how awesome that is: I served my mission in Romania 17 years ago. Romanians are hard to come by here in the States, or so I thought. I think I’ve randomly run into four or five in all those years. I miss the language. I miss the people.
At first on the cruise I kept thinking I was imagining hearing all these Romanians around me. I always listen into foreign languages just to make sure it’s not Romanian. It rarely is. Finally I really listened and realized, yes, indeed, that was Romanian…true Romanian! It was a church group who actually live here in the desert like an hour away from me. I was in Heaven trying to talk to them…but sad to realize how much I’ve forgotten.
Anyway, once again, I digress. But I do love Romanians. On to the cruise:
Cabo San Lucas was the first stop. We took a couple vans over to a beauty beach where everyone got drenched in the waves, as well as in the rain.
It was gorgeous, especially because of the rain. Something about the mingled colors of those dark clouds, deep blue/green water and golden sand together is just so beautiful to me.
Those cousins are SO sweet with Lucy.
Next was Mazatlan.
We shopped for souvenirs.
Max got these sweet glasses that have been pretty much stuck to his face ever since.
Grace chose these ones. That’s my girl.
The boys got buried in the sand and the waves.
Lu took a great beach nap.
We got some braiding done.
The other boys did some serious boogie boarding.
And the girls liked to jump.
I fell in love with Max’s glasses because he was willing to let me take pictures of him since I convinced him it wasn’t really to get a picture of him, but of the reflection in his glasses. Man, I got him duped. But that reflection is the nice little hotel pool we used to rinse off after the beach.
Lu loved her “class” on the boat since it was with Claire and a couple other cousins.
And this picture is to show how much the ice cream was beloved.
And last but not least was Puerto Vallarta
…where we rode the bus to the zipline. (Don’t those guys in the front look delighted I’m taking their picture...again? I think they secretly wished I was in their families so I could record every minute of their lives…or did they just feel super, duper sorry for Dave and my kids because of all the pictures?? I’m thinking the later…)
And had the adventure of our lives zipping through the gorgeous green of the tropics up in the mountains.
I had to be really sneaky with my camera on these. They didn’t want me to take one, but seriously, how can you go on a zipline adventure without a camera?? So these are a little blurry in trying to be incognito. 
When we were done with all thirteen runs (yeah, tons of them), we got to ride mules back up.
Meanwhile, the little kids had fun with their Mexican babysitter who was darling. Lu had a little nap on the hammock.
We honestly and truthfully fit all 23 of us in this van…multiple times. It was like we were in the circus with how many people we crammed in there.
We enjoyed the evening at one last beach.
Lu fell in love with her cousin, Brimley, who took such great care of her.
I thought it was so interesting how different the sand was at every beach. Super fine and muddy in one, rocky in another, and pure gold in another.
And of course, the customary pool run-through to rinse off all the salt and sand…
Saying goodbye to our boat…through Max’s glasses.
See us in there?
And a quick stop to visit our dear friends in L.A. on our way back home.
What a trip.
Oh what wonderful memories! Your pictures are beautiful, as are all the precious children. Love that you do so much with your families!
I loved looking at the photos…when Elsie would let me look at the ones that don't have Lucy in them. She's crying right now, "I wanna see WOOCY! I miss her so much!! Show me Wooocy!"
Anyway, looks like you had a fantastic time!!! Wish you would've written the blog in Romanian…
Aja
So fun Shawni- what an amazing trip!
HOpe you are doing well- miss seeing you!
xo
K
Trips are so much fun! Love the hair braids and the market picts. I just got back from a tour of the UK and ahhh, it's work settling back in.
What a great trip, Shawni! Someday we may attempt a cruise with the family…and to run into your 'mission', how fun is that! Yeah, I get to use my French as much as you and Romanian, but it's great when it happens! Glad you had a wonderful time.
It all looks fantastic! I'll bet people just stared at such a large, happy, beautiful group of people! What an amazing memory to go on a trip with all the cousins. My family has 21 grandkids…I should talk the parents into it too.
And…I laughed. Our Lucy has the exact same blue dress as your Lucy. Adorable.
fun, fun, fun….jealous, jealous, jealous.
Beautiful beaches, beautiful family, beautiful pictures.
I didn't know mazatlan was so lush and green.
Nichole and I were talking we need to do a girls weekend…are you in?
Shawni, I am so glad you bumped into Romanians. Aren't we darling? LOL I am so glad I get to read about you and your sweet family. All the best to you. Lovely vacation.
Puerto Vallarta was beautiful – did they have the different very large sand sculptures along the beach where you were? We loved those. And the zipline – it looked like the same area where we went on the zipline but they probably all look alike – was the last line the Tequila Scream? Love it! Lucy looks like she is doing so well with all the traveling.
I stumbled across your site and really enjoy it! You’re an inspiration to me as I’m a new mom. Here’s what I want to know…how do you stay in such great shape?!?!? Do you exercise before everyone wakes up in the morning? Hoping you’ll share your secret to motherhood fitness. 🙂
NICE! Love the braids! And the zip-lining looks like SO much fun. I have been wanting to do that for a while now. Perhaps when I graduate! Glad you had such a great time with the whole fam!
SO SO FUNNY. WE HUNG OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROCK WALL IN MAZATLAN. WE PARA-SAILED OFF THE BEACH ON THAT SIDE. AND JET SKII'D OVER THERE TOO. YOU GUYS WERE IN PUERTO VALLARTA THE SAME DAY AS US. I HAVE PICTURES OF YOUR SHIP AND IF WE WOULD HAVE RUN INTO EACH OTHER AT THE ZIP LINING I THINK I WOULD HAVE FALLEN OVER!
YOUR PICTURES ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN MINE…BUT I AM SURE WE ENJOYED EVERYTHING JUST THE SAME… ESPECIALLY 24 HOUR ICE CREAM SERVICE!!!!
Loved the glasses, loved the jumping (Elle is becoming a serious jumper) and Lucy makes me laugh out loud every time I see her. She is so adorable and it's great to see her having so much fun!What a bunch of gorgeous kids! Hugs to everyone!
Love ya'll!
P.S. You got out of there just in time! Did you see that huge storm that hit Cabo yesterday. Whew, that was close!
Hey You . . . just checking in to say hello.
Wow, looks like a fabulous trip with the whole fam shmam. I hope one day soon we can experiece something like that with my entire family- we have never done anything like it. love the fun pictures and what great memories you are making with you children.
P90 X- it is a love/hate thing. i too am getting tired of Mr. Schmoozer, Chicklet girl, Marine Man, you get the point. Not sure what I am going to do when I am done in 2 weeks. hmmmmmm . . . maybe just back to running and a few days of free weights. What about you?
p.s. how do you find time to keep up on your blog? serious- i can't even manage to keep up on emails. ughhhhh.
as usual, gorgeous photos!
I'm hoping now that the Pothier side of the family can see how fun the beach trips can be with the cousins! Ryan and I have been trying to get everyone on a beach trip for years! Of course, the beach trip we are talking about is Cali, some beaches are just out of our league. 🙂
Shawnie – what a fun trip with all of your family. Your trip looks safe too – I'll have to call you and get info – we would love to do a mexico trip like that.
Love all the pictures but ESPECIALLY L.O.V.E. the bus picture — those looks are priceless. Pretty much looks like everyone in my house — in every picture I take. 🙂
Sometimes my heart hurts when I see so many of my favorite people together and I can't be there. I'm so glad you guys had such a great time. I'm missing all you AZ clan so much these days. Only 6 more weeks until we get to be down there. Can't wait!
love the glasses!
awsome glasses!
love the glasses