We spent the day at Saguaro Lake, which required a waiting period at another lot, but it was well worth it. We had a great time!
One of our friends joined a band called “New Philosophy” and we were invited to their show. It was on a rooftop of a hotel. We also celebrated his birthday.
We got our time to arrive back in Phoenix wrong, so we had plenty of time to get some rest and get going to Comicon!
With little prep time, Jaime decided to do dark imperial officer so I donned my Darth Vader helmet and went casual.
Cruises are just floating monster hotels. For many of us, it was our first time and we are thinking it won’t be our last.
We got a stateroom with a balcony on the 7th floor aboard the Carnival Conquest. The room was quite nice and having a balcony is pretty sweet. Our first day we had the mandatory muster for safety’s sake and then a formal dining room. We made friends pretty quick and they happened to be our new family we just haven’t met yet.
The Wedding Day
The wedding was quick and casual but lovely and full of joy.
Cayman Islands
Mahogany Bay, Roatan
Today was our 8th Year Anniversary!
Belize
Belize was mostly shopping
My family and the ship’s crew sang happy anniversary to us
Cozumel/Chichen Itza (Chicken Pizza)
Formal Dinner Night
Our vacation has begun! We had an early afternoon flight to Miami and got there kind of late, due to the time jump over several zones. Having never been (maybe Carmelo has, but too long ago) we had to go explore. We were only here for a couple of days to relax and unwind prior to the cruise.
The Pelican hotel is just a few hotels away from the Sun Ray, where Scar Face’s famous chainsaw scene was filmed. Also just a few hotels down from Versace’s old home where Gianni was killed on the front steps.
The weather was gorgeous and mostly sunny with some days where it just rained a lot.
We visited the museum… (it wasn’t very large)
Danced in the rain (not so much dancing but tried to keep our electronics dry)
and drank many mojitos and other things!
We did go to the beach and took photos, walked a bunch to check out our area.
Jaime fell in love with this Buddha-like Elephant
We had to check out Bayside, basically an outside mall.
And Freedom Tower, which is a museum with the coolest little museum in it.
One day we decided to explore Lil Havana, on Calle Ocho, just like the Pitbull songs.
and of course, had to get some Key Lime Pie!
It was really nice that a Marine that I worked with in Scottsdale was able to swing by for a couple of drinks before we left.
The last open/public build party prior to the con. Justin again let us use his place to gather and build.
It was really nice that David and Susan brought some cool treats from Japan for us all.
For the second time, we went to the Mesa Arts Center, met with the Phoenix Ukulele Group and some other Ukulele enthusiasts, and had the opportunity to see Jake Shimabukuro.
It was a great time seeing our friends out of our usual location, seeing some faces that we haven’t seen in awhile, and of course, watching Jake perform; then meeting him afterwards.
We attended the Dark Ones Party for April. The theme was Fantastic Beasts & Those Who Hunt Them. Jaime was Medusa and I was Perseus. Mariah had her Vaporeon and Allysen was a Phoenix. It was a lot of fun and ended quite late.
I walked Pat’s Run this year with Tammy and Ron from work. Diana was around the last mile too, but she hates photos and gets mad if you take any pictures of her!
Mike and Leslie came to visit us at our postrun tailgate
yes, a freakin’ delorian!
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