2016 is here and we are looking forward to what it brings us. We returned home from a trip to WA for Dan's Auntie Barb's memorial with just enough time to watch the ball drop marking the end of 2015 and beginning of 2016. Auntie Barb was such a wonderful person who we all loved to be with when we had the chance. She is dearly missed.
Dan is working at Falconwood, I now have 2 part time jobs and Zach and Maddie are managing school very well.
Our goals for 2016 - we are wanting better health - both food and exercise. Zach wants to make the A team in basketball and Maddie wants to achieve and maintain good grades.
We are joining a 30 day clean eating challenge with www.the30clean.com - I am hoping for transformation and better lifelong habits. This will start on January 11 - wish us luck! I will be sure to write our way through this journey here.
I want nothing more than to blog here about our life together as a family unit and what we do and go through to be the best version of us we can be. I see 2016 to be a "better me project".
Hugs to all!
Friday, January 1, 2016
Monday, August 24, 2015
Here we are!
Welcome back! It's only been 4 years. Ugh! So much has happened, of course! Dan has retired from 23 yrs in the Navy and is now on his 2nd career. Kristina is 21, living in Washington state and engaged to Kole. They are looking at a June 2017 wedding. Madalyn has started 7th grade, no longer dancing but playing basketball. Zachary is 10 started 5th grade and is playing basketball as well. Myself? Well, besides being the CEO/CFO of the Haase empire, I am a consultant for thirty-one gifts, just started a part time job as a admin and being creative.
We have settled in Poway, buying our forever home. I love my home. We are tucked back in a canyon, we have a pool and privacy. It's a peaceful place that we have dreamed about. We have a wish list a mile long of all the things we want to do. I am excited to watch us transform this house into our home.
I am blessed!
We have settled in Poway, buying our forever home. I love my home. We are tucked back in a canyon, we have a pool and privacy. It's a peaceful place that we have dreamed about. We have a wish list a mile long of all the things we want to do. I am excited to watch us transform this house into our home.
I am blessed!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Day 7 - Until we meet again!
It’s the last full day on the ship and we are heading towards Castaway Cay. I woke up early this morning and got a shower and dressed and out for coffee – everyone else is still fast asleep. The sun is rising just past some clouds. I get my coffee and walk the deck 10 to grab some snap shots. I head down stairs and get everyone up – we want to be off the ship at castaway around 930 . Realizing this will be the earliest we have woken up all week! As we sit at breakfast we get the announcement that due to the high winds and rough sea, as well as a generator out for about 30 minutes – that we would not arrive to castaway and disembark until 1045am. Hmmm….what to do with the time now? We could have slept in. So we were able to get pictures with Pluto and goofy! We went and got changed and packed up and headed off the ship. This process took a little while. I think after all the weather we have had everyone wanted off and into the sun! It seemed to only be sunny on our port visit days (which did make it easier to decided what to do). It was about a 10 minute walk to the family beach. We had gotten the getaway package – snorkeling, inner tube and 1 hr bike rental. Maddie went with me and helped me get our snorkel gear. Than we hit the water – it was cold at first – but all of us were eager to try snorkeling. Zach got his mask on and put his head right in and sucked in the salt water….ooops! He was not liking that salt water. The four of us tried really hard to have him try again – but with the mouth piece and tube. Nope! He did want to do it. So he swam around with us but missed out on the all the beautiful fish and hidden treasures. It didn’t take long before maddie was cold and zach was tired – so Dan took them back to shore. Krissy and I kept on – we found a sunken submarine, tug boat and the hidden mickey. There was also a sunken plaque that read “come on in the water is a pleasure”. And I swear the fish were swimming with us.
So we had got out and had some lunch and than went on our bike ride. This was a great leisurely ride. Flat ground and beautiful views. When we got back to the beach we let the kids play more for about an hour. I also wanted to mail post cards from the post office on the island – however I had also decided to do that when we headed back to the boat. Well, the post office had closed at 2pm and it was 415p. Ugh! I was so disappointed. We got back on the ship and we all needed to shower before our last dinner.
Dinner was back at Animators Palate. We were able to say goodbye to our waiters and dinning companions. However we found out that our breakfast time was 645am….what? I haven’t been up that early all week!! Ok – we can do this – reality is around the corner.
The kids go to the kids club for one last time, Dan heads to pack in our room (all our luggage had to be out between 830-1030pm).
After the packing is done and we head over to pick out our pictures we want. It was a mad house in there!! Luckily we have been cleaning out the photos throughout the week. We get the kids out and than head to the atrium for the “Til we meet again”. All the characters come out to say goodbye. You are given 15 minutes to take pics with them and then the all go to the grand staircase and wave goodbye to you. IT was so cute! WE went and got some postcards and I found out that they will post mark them and mail them out from castaway for me next week!! YEAH!! I am so excited!!
So we order our last order of Chocolate chip cookies to the room and went fast asleep because we have to be up and out of here in 6 short hours! Ugh!!
So we had got out and had some lunch and than went on our bike ride. This was a great leisurely ride. Flat ground and beautiful views. When we got back to the beach we let the kids play more for about an hour. I also wanted to mail post cards from the post office on the island – however I had also decided to do that when we headed back to the boat. Well, the post office had closed at 2pm and it was 415p. Ugh! I was so disappointed. We got back on the ship and we all needed to shower before our last dinner.
Dinner was back at Animators Palate. We were able to say goodbye to our waiters and dinning companions. However we found out that our breakfast time was 645am….what? I haven’t been up that early all week!! Ok – we can do this – reality is around the corner.
The kids go to the kids club for one last time, Dan heads to pack in our room (all our luggage had to be out between 830-1030pm).
After the packing is done and we head over to pick out our pictures we want. It was a mad house in there!! Luckily we have been cleaning out the photos throughout the week. We get the kids out and than head to the atrium for the “Til we meet again”. All the characters come out to say goodbye. You are given 15 minutes to take pics with them and then the all go to the grand staircase and wave goodbye to you. IT was so cute! WE went and got some postcards and I found out that they will post mark them and mail them out from castaway for me next week!! YEAH!! I am so excited!!
So we order our last order of Chocolate chip cookies to the room and went fast asleep because we have to be up and out of here in 6 short hours! Ugh!!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Day 6 - Spa, Spa, Spa
I feel like I spent all day in the spa today. I was up and at my pedicure by 8am. Time to get my Minnie mouse dots off and back to a solid color. While I was there – I decided to try out a detox program – which meant I would be back at 1245am. I met up with Dan and the kids at breakfast. Its quite rocky and raining and gray again today – which could be good – cause than we are not torn between pool and the kids club. The kids and I went to find a crew member to trade pins with and I slipped and fell on the deck…my entire hind end was soaking wet – but zach got to trade pins! Back to the room to change and figure out the plan for the day. Dan and I had a couple choice at the spa at 3pm.
Zach wanted to go to kids club – maddie & Krissy wanted to go see the movie tangled. So we checked zach in and the 4 of us went and saw the movie. It was adorable and in 3D. Maddie then headed to kids club. I headed to the spa and Dan got some much needed quiet time. Krissy hung out in the room for a bit.
After the spa I found Dan and we checked on the kids – it was almost time for us to head to the spa together. They were cooking with ratatouille – chocolate chip cookies. They had just learned how to be army men with one of the soldiers from toy story (dan and I ran into one of the soldiers in the hall). They were having so much fun and didn’t seem bothered that they were in there. yeah!
Our couples choice spa time: WOW! Is all I have to say. We got into our warm cozy robes and were taken to a large room with a deck that had a hot tub for 2 and a lounge for 2 on in. We both decided to have a hot stone massage with a mini facial. So Katie and Stephanie (both from the UK) took us out to the deck and gave us an invigorating foot scrub than we got to soak in the tub for 30 minutes. By now the weather had lighten up and the water was so blue and all we looked out on was the sea. They took us inside and began our massages. Amazing is all dan and I could say. And the facial was perfect. Now we got to head out to the lounge bed out on the deck where they served us tea and fruit and chocolate covered strawberries. I actually got emotional – not only was this a treat for us – but we rarely get this kind of time together. With no family around we rely on each other to cover the kids and it was so romantic and peaceful to be just sitting the two us quietly. This was a total of 2.5 hours long. ahhhhhhh
Now – tonight was semi formal night – and we were crunched for time. So we rushed to our room, got the kids and changed in record time. We were 30 minutes late for dinner. But our servers were great about it. We were dining for the last time in the fancy restaurant Lumieres. We had a marvelous dinner and headed out to the show. It was called Disney dreams. It had a little bit of all the Disney stories – it was incredible! I had to take pictures – it was like sitting at a broadway show! I have no idea where they keep all the stage props on this boat - its truly a production.
After that it was bed time – we want the kids’ to be rested because we are to be in castaway cay tomorrow and want to get off early. So rest is required. It hard to believe that we will be home in just a day! Wow - this time here went so fast.
Zach wanted to go to kids club – maddie & Krissy wanted to go see the movie tangled. So we checked zach in and the 4 of us went and saw the movie. It was adorable and in 3D. Maddie then headed to kids club. I headed to the spa and Dan got some much needed quiet time. Krissy hung out in the room for a bit.
After the spa I found Dan and we checked on the kids – it was almost time for us to head to the spa together. They were cooking with ratatouille – chocolate chip cookies. They had just learned how to be army men with one of the soldiers from toy story (dan and I ran into one of the soldiers in the hall). They were having so much fun and didn’t seem bothered that they were in there. yeah!
Our couples choice spa time: WOW! Is all I have to say. We got into our warm cozy robes and were taken to a large room with a deck that had a hot tub for 2 and a lounge for 2 on in. We both decided to have a hot stone massage with a mini facial. So Katie and Stephanie (both from the UK) took us out to the deck and gave us an invigorating foot scrub than we got to soak in the tub for 30 minutes. By now the weather had lighten up and the water was so blue and all we looked out on was the sea. They took us inside and began our massages. Amazing is all dan and I could say. And the facial was perfect. Now we got to head out to the lounge bed out on the deck where they served us tea and fruit and chocolate covered strawberries. I actually got emotional – not only was this a treat for us – but we rarely get this kind of time together. With no family around we rely on each other to cover the kids and it was so romantic and peaceful to be just sitting the two us quietly. This was a total of 2.5 hours long. ahhhhhhh
Now – tonight was semi formal night – and we were crunched for time. So we rushed to our room, got the kids and changed in record time. We were 30 minutes late for dinner. But our servers were great about it. We were dining for the last time in the fancy restaurant Lumieres. We had a marvelous dinner and headed out to the show. It was called Disney dreams. It had a little bit of all the Disney stories – it was incredible! I had to take pictures – it was like sitting at a broadway show! I have no idea where they keep all the stage props on this boat - its truly a production.
After that it was bed time – we want the kids’ to be rested because we are to be in castaway cay tomorrow and want to get off early. So rest is required. It hard to believe that we will be home in just a day! Wow - this time here went so fast.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Day 5 - St Thomas
Another warm and beautiful day. We woke up already anchored in St. Thomas. There were 6 cruise ships in port today. We were the only cruise ship tendered out in the bay. Our excursion today was Coral world Ocean Park. This was something we chose for Zach. And it was a good idea. The poor boy is so tired of the princess this and princess that – oh and lets stand in line to take a picture with princess Minnie. Once we got to the pier there was a small “market” that we went to and Krissy, maddie and I got a dress and zach and tropical shirt. Dan got some marble carved turtles.
So we get to this “coral world” (which sounded a lot like a aquarium in the description) it’s small but we don’t have a lot of time on our hands. The first sign I see is – “do not feed the Iguanas”…..hmmm I am wondering – isn’t this about fish? Well, you know how its usually “don’t feed the squirrels or don’t feed the sea gulls” back home – here it is the pesky iguana! They were everywhere. So of course I got lots of pictures of them. And Dan was able to pet one! We saw the biggest, most beautiful sea turtles I have ever seen in water to crystal clear. Sharks and sting rays. We happen to catch feeding time so we got to see them get excited and swim around. We than almost missed out ride back to the boat – not to worry we made it – last ones on! The driver took us around to megans bay and a look out over where the ship was anchored. Zach and I were lucky enough to sit next to our Disney cruise line tour guide. His name is Brad and this was his first time working on the boat – he has always been on Castaway Cay. So we got some great tips from him about things to do there.
We get back to the boat and we are hungry, tired and hot. We come to the room and rest. The kids and I ran up one deck and got some food and brought it back – but we just hung out here. Dan and I had our reservation at Palo’s tonight at 8 so we wanted the kids to rest before going to the kids club.
The kids went up and traded pins with some of the crew and then we checked them into the kids club in time for goofys pajama party.
Dan and I had a great dinner together. I was stuffed! We headed back down and checked out the shops again and then got the kids. Maddie was excited because Tiana, belle and aurora all came into the kids club. They also got to color pillow cases. We are now back in our room heading to bed. Tomorrow is a day at sea! Chance of rain……..hmmmm
So we get to this “coral world” (which sounded a lot like a aquarium in the description) it’s small but we don’t have a lot of time on our hands. The first sign I see is – “do not feed the Iguanas”…..hmmm I am wondering – isn’t this about fish? Well, you know how its usually “don’t feed the squirrels or don’t feed the sea gulls” back home – here it is the pesky iguana! They were everywhere. So of course I got lots of pictures of them. And Dan was able to pet one! We saw the biggest, most beautiful sea turtles I have ever seen in water to crystal clear. Sharks and sting rays. We happen to catch feeding time so we got to see them get excited and swim around. We than almost missed out ride back to the boat – not to worry we made it – last ones on! The driver took us around to megans bay and a look out over where the ship was anchored. Zach and I were lucky enough to sit next to our Disney cruise line tour guide. His name is Brad and this was his first time working on the boat – he has always been on Castaway Cay. So we got some great tips from him about things to do there.
We get back to the boat and we are hungry, tired and hot. We come to the room and rest. The kids and I ran up one deck and got some food and brought it back – but we just hung out here. Dan and I had our reservation at Palo’s tonight at 8 so we wanted the kids to rest before going to the kids club.
The kids went up and traded pins with some of the crew and then we checked them into the kids club in time for goofys pajama party.
Dan and I had a great dinner together. I was stuffed! We headed back down and checked out the shops again and then got the kids. Maddie was excited because Tiana, belle and aurora all came into the kids club. They also got to color pillow cases. We are now back in our room heading to bed. Tomorrow is a day at sea! Chance of rain……..hmmmm
Day 4 - EXHAUSTED!!
Ok I never thought I would be this tired on vacation. There is so much to do and now we are in port – St Maarten!
We woke up this morning to no rocking! Oh yeah – we were suppose to arrive in St. Maarten. Yeah! I look out our deck and for the first time in 3 days I see land. The kids still sleeping and our excursion not until 1130am – we had plenty of time. We all got up around 830 and headed to breakfast. We than changed and headed to the pool with the kids. It was great – we got some lounge chairs right in front and the kids were happy using the side and playing in Mickey’s Pool. We grabbed some lunch there and then headed to our meeting place for our excursion. We were doing the “Afternoon Beach Bash”.
We were taken to a beach on the French Side of the island. We drove straight into gray clouds. As we got off the bus it was raining. Well, at least it was warm outside. We found a couple lounge chairs with an umbrella and maddie went straight for the water and zach for the sand – krissy went for a lounge chair and laid out…..in the rain – good thing she likes it! Dan is not feeling all that well – nothing I should discuss here. So he sat by zach for a bit and than in the lounge. I hung out in the waist deep warm sea water with maddie. I met a really nice Lady named Kerry. She and her son and daughter were playing with Maddie in the water. Her husband has MS and is in a wheelchair. He sat up in the sand waiting for when his son wanted to play in the sand. Wow – how humbling! It was 2 great hours fighting the current and making sure Maddie didn’t get swept away.
We got back on board and are exhausted – but wait – it’s Pirate Night!! So we all get our costumes on – inlcluding Zach and head to dinner. They had cute bandana’s for us at the table. Dan looked the part – thanks to some friends that loaned us their pirate gear. From there we headed up for the Pirates of the Caribbean deck party. Now this didn’t start until 930pm. Zach doesn’t like the loud music etc and Maddie had a headache. There is a lot of bickering going on too. So to our room we went. I did stay to get some pictures. We were all asleep in bed by 1030pm. EXHAUSTED!
We woke up this morning to no rocking! Oh yeah – we were suppose to arrive in St. Maarten. Yeah! I look out our deck and for the first time in 3 days I see land. The kids still sleeping and our excursion not until 1130am – we had plenty of time. We all got up around 830 and headed to breakfast. We than changed and headed to the pool with the kids. It was great – we got some lounge chairs right in front and the kids were happy using the side and playing in Mickey’s Pool. We grabbed some lunch there and then headed to our meeting place for our excursion. We were doing the “Afternoon Beach Bash”.
We were taken to a beach on the French Side of the island. We drove straight into gray clouds. As we got off the bus it was raining. Well, at least it was warm outside. We found a couple lounge chairs with an umbrella and maddie went straight for the water and zach for the sand – krissy went for a lounge chair and laid out…..in the rain – good thing she likes it! Dan is not feeling all that well – nothing I should discuss here. So he sat by zach for a bit and than in the lounge. I hung out in the waist deep warm sea water with maddie. I met a really nice Lady named Kerry. She and her son and daughter were playing with Maddie in the water. Her husband has MS and is in a wheelchair. He sat up in the sand waiting for when his son wanted to play in the sand. Wow – how humbling! It was 2 great hours fighting the current and making sure Maddie didn’t get swept away.
We got back on board and are exhausted – but wait – it’s Pirate Night!! So we all get our costumes on – inlcluding Zach and head to dinner. They had cute bandana’s for us at the table. Dan looked the part – thanks to some friends that loaned us their pirate gear. From there we headed up for the Pirates of the Caribbean deck party. Now this didn’t start until 930pm. Zach doesn’t like the loud music etc and Maddie had a headache. There is a lot of bickering going on too. So to our room we went. I did stay to get some pictures. We were all asleep in bed by 1030pm. EXHAUSTED!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Pictures
I am not able to post pictures because the satellite is too slow and errors out every single time. I will post as soon as I can - we could have free internet in the morning once we are in port. I will see - that what we heard.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)