Family Cruise in T-6 Days!

It's that time of year again! My how time flies...this will make year number 6 of our annual family cruise! It's unbelievable, but things have certainly changed since that first cruise.

Year number one...I had just graduated from LSU a week prior to sailing. I was fresh out of college, so to put it nicely, I was fat. I had clearly taken a liking to Cane's Chicken Fingers in BR and late night eating after boozing meant I packed on a couple (dozen) pounds. Nevertheless, instead of harping on my unfortunate weight issues, back to the cruises. The first year we went for Mimi and Big Daddy's 50th Anniversary. We had such a blast that my kick ass uncle decided to make it a yearly trip. So here we are, year number six and still going strong!

What you have to understand about my family is that we are VERY close. Everyone...Mom's side, dad's side. ALL OF US. One big happy family! It's okay to be jealous, we all realize that not many people get the luxury of such a tight knit group, and even fewer have that tight knit group that is actually called family. This is absolutely NOT an effort to brag...we are just a fun-loving, happy group that loves spending time together! All the newbies have fit in quite nicely too if I do say so myself! We know how blessed we are, and we thank the Man upstairs constantly for all of the blessings he has provided our family. Anyway I'll get off my high horse and get on with the blog.

Below is a "photo montage" of all of our cruises...

2009 - celebrating paw paw's birthday EVERY year!

2008 - my favorite pic from all the cruises!

2009 - yes, as a matter of fact I DO know how to surf...

2007 - OOPS. perhaps we are bad influences :) and no, we don't know this kid.

2008 - one of the MOST FUN days of my life.

2007 - at the Atlantis!
2009 - CUZINS!

2008 - Comforts at Cabo Wabo!

2008 - dadGUM ryan was skinny!

2007 - FAMOUS QUOTE: IT'S NOT MY FAULT!

AHHHHHHHH HAHAHAHA WE ARE SO BAD!!! 2006

2008 - GETTIN JIGGY WIT IT!

2007 - just being cuz cuz's

2008 - love my amazing parents!

2007 - we attracted a HUGE crowd playing "Bullshit" in the middle of the casino!

2006 - yearly picture!

2007 - yearly pic!

2008 - yearly picture!

2009 - yearly picture!
2006 - no idea!

2008 - ok it's not as bad as it looks! :)

2007 - gotta love 'em!

2008 - year of the AUSSIES!!!
2009 - i freaking LOVE my siblings.

2009 - dat wittle asian baby!

2007 - it's time for shots!!!

Well, for whatever reason my pictures from the first year (2005) aren't coming up...DARN. Nobody needs to see that anyway! Just trust me. I was fat. :)

So ...this year will be a little different. For one thing, I AM MARRIED! Still crazy to believe. But Miles and I will be celebrating our first anniversary the day we board the boat! So FUN! We are pumped. Ryan is bringing his AWESOME girlfriend for the first time, and for the second year, Chels is bringing Mikey who we all love and adore...Memories will be made! Our family of 5 has turned to a family of 8...which, I always say, the more the merrier! And when cuz cuz's get together, we have a grand ol' time! It finally WON'T be Chaunce's birthday, so we won't have to hear about that NON-STOP THE ENTIRE TRIP.. :) jk sister!

The only negative side to this story is that we have to leave our baby Hambone for the first time for an extended period of time. I already miss him and I haven't even left yet! I can't imagine having ACTUAL children...you know...humans. Yikes!

Going back and looking at all these pictures just reminds me of how much family means to Miles and I. We are so fortunate to make such amazing memories together every year. Whether we are with my family or his, we are undoubtedly having a good time...and that's what it's all about!

For us, life is good. For everyone, life is precious, so cherish every moment!