Crazy Runners

Mike and I decided to take in the Minden Christmas 5K on Saturday, December 3.  There were light flurries as we traveled to Minden which turned into heavier snow when we pulled into town.

During the race we ran in 2 inches of snow.  On the ways out we were running into the wind and snow, but after the turn around the race was fairly enjoyable.

I even manage to finish 2nd in my age group.

Overall this race was a really great experience even if the road were a little treacherous on the way home.

Cruise 2011

As in past years, Team B (the Bergens and the Baldwins) took our annual winter vacation in the form of a cruise to the caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas.  

You may remember our last cruise on the Oasis of the Seas in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6.

 Waiting for the hotel shuttle at the airport in Ft. Lauderdale. This was the first time that we experienced a large crowd waiting for shuttles in Ft. Lauderdale, which may be to the fact that we landed before midnight.

 We decided to spring on this trip and upgrade our rooms to a Jr. Suite.  We didn't expect to get much out of the room beside our double cruise point. The room was amazing.

 More sitting room and more room between the bed and the vanity which doesn't seem like a big deal but it was so nice. 

 Extra drawers to store all of our stuff. 

 A larger bathroom ..

 with a shower/tub.  Way bigger then the corner showers in normal rooms. 

  

 Not to mention a walk in closet.. 

 with robes. 

 Last but not least, a balcony with a table, chairs and two lay out chairs.  

 A vacation must (may be daily) is ice cream cones on the pool deck. 

 Already relaxing and we haven't even left the port yet.  

 The solarium where we spend most of our day time hours. 

 Our annual set sail picture. 

 Formal night.

 How we spent some of our relaxing mornings. 

 Labadee Haiti.  I think this is my favorite port.  

 It was really hot, so it was nice to be in the shade. 

 A look at the beach we sat on from the boat.  

 Leaving Labadee. 

 A group that put on a little show while we set sail. 

 Dinner at Chops is a cruising must in our book. 

 After walking 3.5 miles to get to Margaritaville was a little longer than we expected... 

 but the volcano nachos were so worth it. 

 Sushi at sea and a mound of wasabi. 

Believe it or not, Mike and I actually kept up with a running schedule on the ship running 4 out of 7  days, which was good considering all the food we ate.  

After 5 years of cruising Mike and I still can't get enough.  We are already booked for January 2013 sailing out of Galveston TX on the Mariner of the Seas.