Dog Park Fun

Doug & Willie play some tennis ball at the dog park.

P.S. This is a test - my first mobile posting

Slayman Friends & Family Cruise

What happens when you get 30+ Slayman's and their friends together on one cruise ship? In one word - party. Such a fun time for my extended family - to be together for 5 days on such a great vacation. My in-laws were brave enough to come along - and made the trip even more special for Doug & me. While not everybody was able to make it (I especially missed my brother Aaron's family) - we felt blessed to have so many that could make it!

As for the roll call - 8 of 13 of my first cousins were on the trip. Plus several of our spouses. As for the next generation - 4 of 6 of my second cousins joined in on the fun. Fun fact - our party had the oldest & youngest on the boat. My grandfather took the prize - at 92(but still young at heart), while Parker at 22 months was the best behaved toddler on the seas.

Doug & I who usually speed through several books on vacation were amazed that we barely cracked open our reading material. There were way too many people to hang out and talk with! From the water slide to the hot tubs. From the great shows and music to the funny comedians. Great food, great friends, great family.

Our one excursion day was in Cozumel. While Doug and his dad went deep sea fishing and my mom and Doug's mom went on a tour of the island with my Aunts and Grandfather - I got to hang out at the beach with a bunch of the family. Such a fun day!

Luckily when we pulled back in to Port New Orleans the vacation wasn't over - one more full day in "The Big Easy" for us. But that's for the next post...

The whole crew

Doug, mom and me

Cousins with Grandpa

The three Aunts - there is a long story about these dresses. It started 20 years ago as a gag and hasn't stopped.

My mom and grandpa

Hanging by the pool

Formal night - we toasted to Steve & Connie's 35th Anniversary!

My mom and me in Cozumel with our ship in the background

At the beach

Parker- the youngest (and cutest!)

Celebrating Valentine's Day. Yes, I realize my mom and I are wearing the exact same outfit. No, we didn't plan it.
The Beatles Show!

New Orleans - Pre-Cruise

Our friends and family reunion cruise left from Port New Orleans, so Doug & I spent a few days in "The Big Easy". While this was my first time in New Orleans - Doug has been several other times.

Tuesday
We flew in early in the morning, checked into the hotel and walked around the French Quarter. Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, my first Po'Boy, and the French Market. Such an interesting city, walking up several feet to see the Mississippi River. We also took a trolley tour through the amazing old homes in Garden district - which was beautiful. We finished our evening off with an amazing dinner on a balcony in the French Quarter and a night on Bourbon Street. Hey, when in Rome...

Beautiful Iron Lace on the balconies in the French Quarter

Jackson Square

St. Louis Cathedral



Bourbon Street


Dinner on the balcony

Wednesday
My mom and Doug's parents flew into town for us to spend a day together before getting on the ship. A tour of the French Quarter including the beautiful Royal Street antique stores, boutiques and art galleries. We enjoyed a traditional New Orleans lunch right on Jackson Square - looking out onto St. Louis Cathedral. Such a fantastic afternoon of shopping, sightseeing and walking around the quarter. Coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde were a must. We all enjoyed another fantastic dinner and then New Orleans jazz at Fritzels.

The whole family - at Jackson Square

Listening to Jazz

The BEST Jazz Band

Thursday
Mimosas to celebrate the official start of our vacation & a bit more shopping before making the short trip to the port to meet the rest of our family and board the ship. - But that's for the next post.

Financial Blog

My good friend Christen recommended this financial blog and I have picked up a lot of tips. Some of them are common sense and some of them everybody knows - but reading them in black and white and seeing how much you can save is pretty powerful. For example, my credit card's annual fee was charged this month. I elected to get this card because it offers a great travel rewards program - knowing it had an annual fee.

However, I called today and told them that I was happy with the card, but in light of the economic times I would prefer not to pay the fee. I spoke to two people and was on the phone 10 minutes and got both Doug & my annual fee waived for a total of $100. Just thought I would share - hope you pick up some tips.

Super Weekend

At the Canes Game

We had a nice weekend, but unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of everything! Friday we went out to a great dinner with friends Chris & Heather. They stayed with us that night to get an early start to the airport the next morning. Willie was extremely sad to see their beagle Dixie leave. He loved chasing her around the house.

Saturday night, we were treated to a luxury box at the Carolina Hurricanes game. I got the tickets free at work and the game was great! One of the Canes goals was shorted handed- always exciting.

On Sunday, we watched the Superbowl with our friend Trisha - her husband was at the game rooting for his Arizona Cardinals. We were cheering for the Cardinals, too, and wish they could have held on to their lead and the win.

It was a great weekend and we are starting to count the days until New Orleans and the Cruise - woo hoo - Vacation!