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      December 13, 2018

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      I Wrote A Photography eBook And This Is…

      December 6, 2018

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      November 27, 2018

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      Learn How To Take And Edit Photos On…

      November 19, 2018

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      December 19, 2018

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      October 1, 2018

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family vacation

10 Fun Facts About Our First Carnival Cruise
BabiesDallas/Ft. WorthReviewsSchool Age DaysTravelVideos

10 Fun Facts About Our First Carnival Cruise

by Jill June 9, 2015
written by Jill

Last month, Carnival sent us on our very first cruise as a family! The details: We went on a 7 day cruise aboard the Carnival Magic, leaving out of Galveston, TX, visiting Cozumel, Belize, and Mahogany Bay. We drove to Galveston from Dallas. Today, they are the reason I’m writing this post, bringing you 10 fun facts about our first Carnival cruise.

1. It was actually our first family vacation. (Not including staycations and trips to visit extended family, because let’s be real, family doesn’t bring us drinks at sea or know how to twist our towels into animals.)

10 Fun Facts About Our First Carnival Cruise | BabyRabies.com

10 Fun Facts About Our First Carnival Cruise | BabyRabies.com

 

10 Fun Facts About Our First Carnival Cruise | BabyRabies.com

2. There truly was something for all of us, ages 4 to 37.

10 Fun Facts About Our First Carnival Cruise | BabyRabies.com

10 Fun Facts About Our First Carnival Cruise | BabyRabies.com

 

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3. There is an Elvis impersonator in Belize. It’s also basically paradise.

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4. Magnetic hooks and an over the door shoe holder were the two best things we brought with us (in addition to cameras and clothes, obv.). The packets of powdered lemonade were the least useful things we packed. They have free lemonade everywhere.

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5. Green Eggs and Ham is actually delicious. So are Truffula Tree Pancakes.  (And the Green Eggs and Ham  Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends is way fun.)

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6. There is something to be said for the same 3 people serving you dinner every night, and that thing is, “Can they come home with me??” Our waiters were beyond amazing. Not only did they provide excellent service, but they were so great with the kids.

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7. I eventually got sick of the sun. Just like, shut up, sun! Stop shining so much!

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But that was okay because there was shade, and people who brought me drinks in the shade.

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8. Unfortunately, that sun meant business, and it gave me a wicked burn despite lots of sunblock. No worries though because Scott and I got a couples massage in the ship’s heavenly spa (I would actually be okay with spending the entirety of my next cruise in their spa), and our massage therapists applied a milk protein treatment to our skin which was amazing.

No actual picture of the process because maximum relaxation was required, but here, enjoy this picture of the sunset.

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9. We LOVED the excursions…

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but some of the best fun we had was just unplanned relaxation…

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including nightly movie rentals in our room. There was a great selection of kids and grownup movies for $5. Scott and I had time to catch up on movies we’ve been wanting to see for ages, after the kids passed out from exhaustion.

10. We had WAY more fun than we ever thought we would on a cruise. We went into it with pretty low expectations, and while I wouldn’t classify it as “luxury” or super fancy, it was definitely FUN. Honestly, the thought of anything fancy with children sounds horrifying.

I tried to capture just a tiny bit of that fun in this short video

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Fun beats fancy any day with these two.

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This post was created for Away We Go with Carnival, the destination for getting in the getaway state of mind. Head on over.

June 9, 2015 25 comments
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7 Times Leyna Could Not Even With Us On Our Vacation
School Age DaysToddlersTravel

7 Times Leyna Could Not Even With Us On Our Vacation

by Jill May 21, 2015
written by Jill

I swear I’ll be back here soon with an actual re-cap of our super awesome cruise last week, but for now, this will have to keep your curiosity satiated.

Leyna had a blast. Truly.

Leyna is also 4.

So. Sometimes 4 year olds can have fun while simultaneously being so over everything.

Or maybe that’s just a Leyna thing. I doubt she’s going to grow out of this. 

Here are 7 times Leyna literally could not even with us on vacation.

1. In Cozumel. On a beach. Could we just, like, not with the pictures in this sand by this ocean? What is actually the big flipping deal?

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2. In Belize when she had to share breathing space with her brother. OMG does he have to touch me with the sand on him? I swear, I AM smiling. MAKE IT STOP. He smells like… nature.

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3. When she was OMG so tired. Like, what exactly are you trying to capture about this moment right now? I mean?

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4. When she couldn’t take her ice cream in the hot tub. But it’s a CRUISE. We can eat anything we want, anytime, ANYWHERE. Why is this so confusing?

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5. When we took her to fancy dinner, and tried to entertain her, like a couple of idiots. Ugh. Are you kidding me right now? Everyone is laughing at us. I’m sure of it.

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6. When I made her behave like a child. This really isn’t that awesome. Green Eggs & Ham sounds gross, honestly.

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7. On the last day of the cruise. Okay, seriously, I will cut you. My hair isn’t even dry yet. I need some aloe on my shoulders, and I need you to put that camera away.

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Oh, Leyna Lorelei. We are in for a fun adventure with you.

(Please do always remember that you get it from yo mama. So, like, I am totally prepared for you to bring it. ::high kick, hair flip:: )

More Leyna Couldn’t Even pics here!

May 21, 2015 2 comments
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My Mother’s Dream Came To Life And You Can Stay There
Dallas/Ft. WorthReviewsTravel

My Mother’s Dream Came To Life And You Can Stay There

by Jill April 24, 2015
written by Jill

My mother’s dream, for as long as I can remember, has been to open a lovely little resort, a B&B, some place she could put her eclectic spin on, make welcoming, and open up to guests that could become extended family.

I learned to dream big from my mom. She would talk about big, grand dreams even when she was working 3 jobs as a single mom, wondering where she would get the money for my college applications, let alone my prom dress.

It’s never occurred to me my whole life that I can’t just set out and do something that I want to do. Big dreams can become amazing realities, and she’s living proof.

This year, my mom and her husband made her dream come true. She opened a vacation resort south of San Antonio, Texas called Strawberry Pines.

Y’all, it’s beyond. Just so wonderful.

I’ve helped as much as I can when it comes to social media and their website. And now I’m shamelessly plugging it here because

1. I owe my mom far more than a blog post promoting her dream and…

2. You can score a stay at this DREAMY place (just a short drive to all the cool stuff in San Antonio) for a really great deal while helping a wonderful charity.

The auction ends tomorrow, and I realize that a lot of you don’t live anywhere near San Antonio, so it’s last minute and a long shot, but JUST in case.

Look at what you can win if you bid on this auction! There are 3 separate prizes/3 separate houses/stays up for auction. That’s because there are 3 different houses on Strawberry Pines property.

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Bid on the Rock House here, make note that you are bidding on #56

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Bid on the Ranch House here, make note you are bidding on #57

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Bid on the Cabin here, make note you are bidding on #58

The bids are still pretty low, so you have a pretty good chance of winning if you can in the next 24 hours. If you can’t bid on the Facebook links I sent you to above, you can call or text  830-480- 2006, leave your name, number, auction number and bid amount.

Here’s a little more about CASA, the charity this auction is benefitting:

CASA of South Texas provides valuable volunteer advocacy for abused children in the Atascosa, Frio and LaSalle Counties. CASA volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system.

You should have seen Strawberry Pines a couple years ago. It was just country property with a few run down houses on it, and a spectacular and rare grove of pine trees.  My mom and her husband have completely remodeled everything. The transformation is amazing. You can follow along, and look back on what they’ve done on their Strawberry Pines Facebook page.

I’m in love with the 100 year old barn they are renovating, adding a kitchen and bathrooms to, and turning it into a full on party house.

April 24, 2015 3 comments
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