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Cruise to Mexico Trip {Travel & Business}

The first week of March, I was invited to go on a cruise with the CRA {California Rental Association} to be a vendor and meet several business owners in the Rental industry. Some are party rental owners, including my Mother, Janice Petersen with A&H Party Rentals and the President of the organization, Dale Blackwell with Abadaba Rentals. Others are equipment rental owners and some vendors catering specifically to the rental industry as well. There were about 30 of us on the Carnival Inspiration to Catalina Islanda off the coast of Long Beach, California, and Ensenada, Mexico. On Thursday, the day at Sea, the group had a group meeting, where I was able to set up a booth and share my services with them. We had a great time, it was fun meeting everyone and although it was difficult turning my phone and all communication off for 3 days, it was very relaxing! {I apologize to all of my clients that had to work around my cruise schedule and thank you for your patience} I took most of the photos with my phone, so the picture quality isn't the best, but enjoy:

Packing:

Prepping for my table: 

My husband helped me make the flags;

My banner:

I broke my suitcase, it got stuck in the belt at the airport. Hopefully they will be replacing it:

Our boat next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor:

Had a Bloody Mary's at Gladstone's in Long Beach Harbor:

Vicki & Dale ready to get on the boat!

I was ready to get on the boat!

View at Long Beach Harbor from the back of the ship:

The CRA's first night gathering in the Mardi Gras Room On the ship:

Waking up to Catalina Island Harbor, it was a bit overcast :(

Walking the top of the ship with my mom in the morning & getting some fresh air:

The top of the boat, so much fun!:

Because Catalina Harbor is so shallow, the boat anchor's and we ride ashore via the harbor cruisers:

Mom and I heading into Catalina:

The little town is full of shops, restaurants and cute little B&B's:

This is the restaurant we all met for lunch, Fish & Chips and Hamburgers. Plus, we got to sing Karaoke!

The decor was so fun!

I loved this vintage poster:

Vicki & her fruity cocktail:

After lunch, we went over to Luau Larry's, who is famous for their Tiki Wacker Drink {you get a free hat with the drink}

See :) :

Some of the drinks come with these little plastic donkey's... we were having too much fun :)

Dinner our second night, I had escargot as my appetizer {yes, I am a bold food eater}:

The sing-a-long piano bar after dinner:

Wednesday we arrived in Ensenada, Mexico and pretty much spent the entire day at Papas & Beer. It was a great time watching all of the Spring Breaker's get washed down with tequila, flipped and spun {thats what they are famous for at Papas & Beer}. Then they get a bumper sticker on either their bum or bosom... its insane! :)

The flag coming into port is so big, it covers 5 football fields and takes 90 Marines to put it up and take it down. The tour guide said its made out of canvas, so its pretty sturdy when its windy. This photo does NOT do it justice!

Our bucket of my favorite beer, Dos Equis Lager:

 Yes, I ended up getting the Spring Breaker treatment... someone bought me a shot {which I still to this day cannot figure out who} and the waiter flipped me upside down. From experience, it wasn't that fun but I did win myself a bumper sticker! YAY!

The last day we spent at sea, my mom and I had spa treatments, we laid in the sun covered in clouds and tried not to get sick while the boat did laps around Catalina Island. That night we had the CRA group back together, this time I was able to set up my booth and show my design services to everyone. It was a great time:

The straws were a hit!:

 My dessert that night was a pear soaked in wine, it was delish!

A HUGE Thank You to the CRA and my mom, I had a great time and am now all set up to start doing trade shows :) Can't wait for the next event!

Corbin's Turning 2 Birthday Party {Event Design}

On March 16, Corbin turned 2 and oh so much fun we had. Check it out:

I had to quickly print his photos from Friday to do this: {thanks to Natalie Bushman and her party for Blair for the idea}

I made this banner with Corbin's name that Nicole is going to hang in his room:

Pinwheels and Rock Candy! Oh yeah!

Just a little fun for all:

Straws and washi-tape flags, super simple yet fun!

I wrapped Corbin's gift in these cute suitcases {Paper Source}, added some glitter ribbon & made the bow, {diy from pinterest}

Capturing balloons with Uncle Nick:

Uncle Nick is MUCH taller:

Pucker up Liam:

I love a good barbecue!

Boys and their trucks:

Lots of gifts!

Braden playing with his monster tractor:

Gift time:

Great Aunt Cheryl & Uncle Ricky:

A new train set:

Jen & Braden in disguise:

Pretty sure Mater doesn't run on the train tracks, but you can try:

Who is that?

The man with the stache:

Even Liam got in on the action:

Braden says "Here let me show you how it works":

Is that Auntie Cheryl?:

Pee-uuuu!

You are silly Braden:

Silly Uncle Nick:

Silly Daddy & your big brows:

Princess Mommy: