Disney Cruisin' - I Left My Heart in San Francisco

For the next two days, we were ashore in San Francisco. The first day we rented a car to see what we could see. Not a lot of commentary on this one because there are a LOT of pictures. 

No trip to San Fran would be complete without a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge

After playing tourist for a bit we headed for a place I've wanted see since my uncle was playing pro baseball in California when I was a kid. 

You can't see it in the picture, but this doe had a little fawn tucked up into the brush

The sheer size of the trees in this forest amazes me

We ended up taking a 5 mile hike through the forest. I SWEAR that three of those miles went steeply uphill.

My favorite part of the forest had to be Cathedral Grove. It's a quiet area, so there isn't even any talking allowed. All you hear is nature.

Tree Huggers!

After leaving the forest, we took a random unmarked side road to see where it went and we stumbled upon Muir Beach. It was pretty chilly out and very very windy, so we practically had the whole beach to ourselves.

After exploring the rocks at the beach we got on Hwy 1 and headed for Sonoma. No wine tasting for us since the girlies would have been bored out of our minds, but we did stumble upon a cheese tasting where Summer, of all things, fell in love with Lavender Jack cheese. We hadn't been on the highway 30 seconds before both girlies were out cold.

Once we made out little trip to Wine Country, we returned the rental car and strolled back towards the Pier, where Den, who has been to San Francisco before, very excitedly surprised us with our first glimpse of the Pier 39 sea lions!! The girls were so excited!

When we got back to out stateroom, we found a plate of treats and a note saying that we had been chosen as this cruise's Magic Family and that we should be expecting all kinds of treats for the remainder of the cruise. And did they deliver! Every afternoon something showed up in our room with a little not from our Guest Services rep, Sarah.

 We decide to forego the screening of Iron Man 3 and headed to the family lounge for drinks and a game show. 

After dinner we found Goofy and Minnie just hanging around the lobby

One of the girlies' favorite parts of the evening was coming back to the room after dinner and the evening activities were over to see what towel animal our Stateroom Attendant, Juni, had left for them.

Disney Cruisin' - Character Breakfast on the High Seas

Our second day at sea was a double treat! Character breakfast AND it was formal night! Summer, especially was very excited about getting all dressed up. But first, it was down to Parrot Cay for breakfast. First, though, I'll take a minute to explain the dining situation on the Wonder. There are five restaurants on board - The Beach Blanket Buffet, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is,  as the name suggests, a buffet. Animator's Palate is a sit-down restaurant that is only open for dinner and is really a neat place. The restaurant starts out in black and white, and as the meal progresses, begins to change to color. Parrot Cay is a family-style restaurant that is open for all 3 meals, and offers a buffet-style breakfast and  lunch, and a sit-down dinner. Triton's is probably the fanciest of the three main restaurants and is open for all three meals as table-service only. Finally, Palo is the adults-only restaurant located on Deck 10 of the ship and quite possibly has the best food I have ever eaten. The coolest thing is that on your first night, you are paired with another family who shares some common traits with your own and are assigned a Dining Room staff, consisting of a Head Server, Server, and Assistant Server. From then on, you remain with the same family and staff for the rest of your dinners on the ship. This allows the servers to learn your likes and dislikes and helps them to customize their recommendations on the menu each night. The same also applies to your Character Breakfast.

Meet our dining companions, the Goetz family. Mike, Rachel, Connie, and Heidi. Connie and Heidi are the same ages as Paige and Summer, so it's pretty obvious why we ended up seated together. The girls got along very well and ended up doing things together outside the dining room as well.

The Character Breakfast includes everyone wearing hats made from tableware. In the background you can see our Server, Omar, and our Assistant Server, Ajit.

Now, about the title. The seas were incredibly rough today. Summer and I ended up spending most of the day laying in bed watching movies because we were SO seasick. In fact, we have no pictures at all from Formal Night, because she and I each managed about 3 bites of our dinner and then we had to go back to bed. 

Disney Cruisin' - Anchors Away!

We were able to slow-roll it the morning of embarkation. We didn't have to be there until noon. Which was nice given the day before's zero-dark-thirty wake up. We headed over to the terminal about 11:15 and the minute we got out of the car Disney's incredible service took over. A porter met us at the car with a cart for our bags, then offered to find us a valet for the Tahoe. Other porters wearing Mickey hands directed us from place to place in the terminal. Check in was smooth as silk. Except for the fact that the US government apparently thinks I am man. Although my passport says female, the computer system says male. 

Here we are waiting in the check-in line

Once we got on the ship, it was up to the Beach Blanket Buffet on Deck 10 for lunch with a lovely view of the harbor.

And then to the Mickey Pool to await 1:30 when we could get into our stateroom

After the mandatory evacuation it was time for the Adventures Away Party at the Goofy Pool. There are 3 pools on the Disney Wonder. The Mickey Pool, which has multiple levels, so is perfect for all kids, the Goofy Pool, which is more of a traditional swimming pool and has a giant movie screen, and the Quiet Cove Pool, which is adults only and has 2 Jacuzzis and a bar. 

The Vincent Thomas Bridge

Off we go!

If you ever want to see commerce at work, take a trip to the Port of Los Angeles - ships, and trucks, and trains all over the place, and CONEX's as far as the eye can see.

After a day of exploring the ship, it was off to dinner at Animator's Palate, which I have no pictures of, because I apparently do no know how to used the no-flash setting on my camera.

Disney Cruisin' - A Beach Day in LA

Day 1 of our Disney Cruise vacation started out with a 5 a.m. drive from Tucson to San Pedro, where the ship would be docked at the Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal. In true Hargis family road trip fashion, our first stop was the Cracker Barrel in Mesa for a quick breakfast. Once we got to San Pedro and settled in at the hotel, we headed for the closest beach we could find. Our poor landlocked kids were so happy to be near the water again that they spent the first few minutes just dancing around in the sand. 

The first beach we happened upon was Royal Palms Beach. It definitely wasn't the type of beach we are used to! It was very rocky and there wasn't much actual beachfront, but the tidepools were AMAZING! I think this may have been my first time seeing an actual tidepool. It was so neat!

 It was a bit of a challenge getting out to the bigger pools, but we managed it without anyone getting wet!

FYI, cheapie Target flip flops definitely do NOT count as sturdy footwear

 Once the tide started rolling in at Royal Palms, we made a quick slurpee run and then headed over to Lee Carillo State Beach. This one was definitely more what we are used to. It's a nice bay beach, so the water was pretty calm and there were tons of families out enjoying the beautiful day.

Photo Bomb by Paige!

I wish this had photographed better, but Paige sculpted a crab out of the sand

After getting nice and sandy, we headed back to the hotel for the rest of the evening and rested up for the next day's fun!

See the Savings - Week of 4/28

Sorry ladies and gents, no pictures this week. My girlies, in a burt of helpfulness put away all the groceries and there was no way I was dragging everything back out to take pics. Here's the breakdown on this week's savings.

Target

I never usually do as well at Target as I do at places like CVS or Walgreens, but this week there were some smokin' deals to be had - so much so that I called my sister and sent her over there to take advantage of them too. 

1 Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse Bonus Pack - $5.99 (sale price)

- $1.00 / 1 Crest Pro Health Rinse 458 mL or Larger Printable Coupon

- $5.00 Target Gift Card Offer

= $0.01 Money Maker!

1 Crest 3D White Toothpaste Value 3-Pack - $5.99 (sale price)

- $0.75 / 1 Crest 3D White Toothpaste Manufacturer's Coupon

- $5.00 Target Gift Card Offer

= $0.24 for 3 tubes of toothpaste!

1 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste 2-Pack - $5.99 (sale price)

- $0.75 / 1 Colgate Optic White Printable Coupon

- $5.00 Target Gift Card Offer

= $0.24 for 2 tubes of toothpaste

1.5 Liter Bottle of Listerine Mothwash - $5.99 (sale price)

-$1.00 / 1 Listerine Mouthwash 1L or Larger Printable Coupon

-$5.00 Target Gift Card Offer

= $0.01 Money Maker!

2 boxes of Market Pantry Whole Wheat Pasta - $2.00 (sale price)

- $1.00 / 2 Market Pantry Pasta or Sauce Target Mobile Coupon

= $1.00 for 2 boxes of pasta ($0.50 each)

Campbell's Skillet Sauce - $2.00 (sale price)

- $1.00 / 1 Campbell's Skillet Sauce Target Printable Store Coupon

- $1.00 / 1 Campbell's Skillet Sauce Printable Coupon

= FREE!!!

L'Oreal Advanced 1.7 oz Conditioner - $0.99

- $1.00 / 1 L'Oreal Product Printable Coupon

= $0.01 Money Maker!

2 boxes Tampax Pearl Tampons 50 ct. - $8.49 (sale price)

- 2 x $1.00 / 1 Tampax Pearl 16 ct. or Larger

- $1.50 / 2 Tampax Items Target Mobile Coupon

-$5.00 Target Gift Card Offer

= $8.48 for 2 50 ct. boxes ($4.24 each)

El Monterey Chicken and Cheese Supreme Burrito $1.02 (sale price)

- $1.00 / 1 El Monterey Product Manufacturer's Coupon 

= $0.02 for 1 burrito

Up&Up Women's Laxatives 30 ct. - $1.49

- $1.00 / 1 Up&Up Digestive Health Item Target Printable Store Coupon

= $0.49

2 Tubes Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer 2 oz. - $3.98

- $3.00/2 Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizers Manufacturer's Coupon

= $0.98 for 2 tubes ($0.49 each)

1 bottle each Suave Moroccan Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner - $5.58

- $2.00 / 2 Suave Moroccan Infusion Hair Care Target Printable Store Coupon

- $2.00 / 2 Suave Moroccan Infusion Shampoo or Conditioner Manufacturer's Coupon

= $1.58 for both bottles ($0.79 each)

4 bottles of V8 Splash 64 oz. Juice - $7.96 (Try it mixed with coconut rum!)

- $1.99 Buy 3 Get 1 Free Target Deal

- 2 x $1.00 / 2 V8 Splash Beverages 64 oz. Manufacturer's Coupons

$3.97 for 4 bottles ($0.99 each)

Folgers Coffee Crystals - $1.00 (sale price)

- $1.50 / 1 Folgers Product Printable Coupon

= $0.50 Money Maker!

2 Ortega Taco Seasoning Packets - $1.24 (sale price)

- $1.00 / 2 Ortega Products Printable Coupon

= $0.24 for 2 packets ($0.12 each)

Women's Flip Flops - $2.50

- $2.00 / 1 Women's Flat Sandal or Flip Flops Target Printable Store Coupon

= $0.50

4 Cover Girl Single Eye Shadows - $12.56

- 4 x $2.00 / 1 Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara or Eye Shadow Manufacturer's Coupons

- $5.00 Target Gift Card Offer

= $0.44 Money Maker!

Plus I can add this to the current $15 wyb $50 worth of P&G Products Rebate

Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Flavor Packet - $0.84

- $1.00 / 1 Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Product 

= $0.16 Money Maker!

I don't actually like this type of frosting, but the flavor packets are great for making homemade ice cream

2 Nestle Coffee Mate Liquid Creamer - $4.12

- $1.00 / 2 Coffee Mate Creamer Items Target Printable Store Coupon

- 2 x $0.75 / 1 Coffee Mate Creamer Printable Coupons

= $1.62 for 2 bottles ($0.81 each)

Colgate Toothbrush Value Pack 4 ct. - $5.99

- $0.50 / 1 Cogate Manual Toothbrush Manufacturer's Coupon 

-$5.00 Target Gift Card Offer 

= $0.49 for 4 toothbrushes ($0.12 each)

Oral-B Toothbrush Value Pack 4 ct. - $5.99

- $5.00 Target Gift Card Offer

= $0.99 for 4 toothbrushes ($0.25 each)

I was also able to use some $5.00 / $20.00 purchase shoes and apparel coupons on some clearance items to get good deals in those areas as well.

CVS

Green Mountain K-Cups 12 pk. - $6.99 (sale price)

- $1.00 / 1 Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup Pack Printable Coupon

= $5.99

U by Kotex Liners 18 ct. - $1.49

- $2.00 / 1 U by Kotex CVS Printable Store Coupon

= $0.51 Money Maker!

M&M's Single Pack - $0.99

- $0.99 / 1 Hershey's or Mars Chocolate Singles CVS Coupon Machine Coupon

= FREE!!!

4 Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Snack Size 6 pk. - $4.00 (sale price)

- 2 x $1.00 / 2 Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar Multipack Printable Coupon

= $2.00 for 4 x 6 pks. ($0.50 each)

I used a 25% off Total Purchase CVS Coupon that I got in the mail and some Extra Bucks and walked out the door paying $0.37

Walgreens

Post Fruity Pebbles Cereal - $1.99 (sale price)

-$1.00 / 1 Fruity or Cocoa Pebbles Printable Coupon

= $0.99 (FP are one of my absolute guilty pleasures)

2 Dr. Pepper Ten 2L Soda - $2.00

- B1G1 Free Dr. Pepper Ten Printable Coupon 

= $1.00 for 2 bottles ($0.50 each)

2 packs Stride Gum - $1.58

- $1.00 / 2 Stride Gum Single Packs Manufacturer's Coupon

= $0.58 for 2 packs ($0.29 each)

Butterball Turkey Bacon 6 oz. Package - $1.29

- $0.55 Butterball Turkey Bacon Manufacturer's Coupon

= $0.74

Maxwell House Single Serve Cups 12 pk. - $5.99

- 2 x $2.00 / 1 Maxwell House Cafe Collections Manufacturer's Coupons

$7.98 for 2 12 pks. ($3.99 each)

Plus I got 1000 Points on my card

Plus I was able to use $11.00 in Register Rewards leaving me out the door for $2.30.

Use Your Stash Challenge

Have you ever heard of a Use Your Stash Challenge? I originally came across the idea a few years ago when I was browsing Two Peas In A Bucket, my favorite scrapbooking site. I ran across their Scrap Your Stash Challenge, and since then I try to do one every once in a while, one because it's fun, and two, because I have been thinking about switching to digital scrapbooks but have a ton of supplies that would be wasted if I did.

This morning, as I was surveying the MESS that the girls made in the pantry while putting the groceries away, I had a thought. Why couldn't I apply the Use Your Stash Challenge concept to all those random ingredients that I have in the pantry? You know the ones... all the ingredients for that awesome sounding meal that you never get around to making?

So here it is Guys and Dolls - I challenge you to find somewhere in your life where you have a stash - the pantry, your craft supplies, your closet, your make-up drawer, whatever. Clean it out... Use it up... Repurpose or Recycle it... Since this is a challenge, there will be a PRIZE! If you're a blogger (or pretend to be), write up a post and leave a link to it in the Comments section. If not, just leave a comment telling me what you did. I'll let the challenge go all month, and then, on 1 June, I will pick a winner.

Here's one stash I am hoping to get into this challenge - this giant Rubbermaid tub contains all the girls' outgrown clothes that I have been hauling around with me from state to state with every intention of consigning or reselling them one of these days. Right now it is taking up entirely too much space in my office. 

I hope that you will take on this challenge with me. In my experience, they really are kind of fun. As a bonus, some cluttered part of your life will be cluttered no more. I can't wait to see what y'all come up with!