Before Grady took off for the MTC, my parents wanted to take us all on a big last family hoo-ra. They decided on a cruise for Halloween! Chase wasn't able to come, so Dej and I flew down to LA to meet up with the rest of them.
Once we got on the ship, we got ready to trick or treat Carnival style. Dej was my cute little Pebbles. 
This is her 'gimme candy' face. She became a little obsessed with all the Halloween candy this year. All you had to say was 'candy' and her whole body would light up!
With Aunt Kaci....who was Rainbow Bright.
And Boo....who sported the Bam Bam costume to go along with Pebbles.
Grady, Courtney, and Jason were all Smurfs....Dej wasn't sure at first if she liked her blue friends.
And I tried to be a ref....with my belly as my ball. I think some people got it..... :)
The ship had a fun scavenger hunt to trick or treat and then a pretty legit 'family' party in one of their clubs. They had costume contests and played a ton of fun music to dance to....Dej was awesome and rocked her moves for everyone. It ended up being a fun way to celebrate Halloween!
Dej liked the bean bag toss they had by the pool. The weather wasn't too bad, but definitely not way nice, so she stayed somewhat bundled the whole time.
On shore at Catalina.....Dej stayed true to character and was a little difficult to contain throughout the week. It was nice to have a bunch of different helpers because she wore me out!! :)
She liked playing in the sand at Catalina....but due to colder weather and high levels of bacteria in the water....we stayed out of the water.
Deja sure loves her uncle Grady....he's so good with her too! (He actually stayed in the room with Dej and I...so we got to be around him more than anyone else and we loved it!!) :)
Dej is such a copy cat....Grady was squatting down looking out on the water...so she followed suit!
She also loved 'helping' boo build a sand castle. Boo was pretty good to not get too upset when she'd ruin his work!
Dej ran and ran that sandy beach....she really wore herself out this trip and took awesome naps!!
Dej is pretty friendly....she spotted this little girl and wanted to be friends. She went right up to her and got as close as she could. The little girl wasn't interested in making friends...even after Deja layed down next to her. Heehee...we all had to snicker as we watched her!
And loved all the extra attention from Grandma!
The whole gang!
One last picture from 'formal night'.
I do have to say.....just for the record that this was a vacation from hell....minus the company. It was so much fun spending time as a family away from everything else...BUT, a cruise is not a vacation intended for a Very busy and independent almost two year old!! Between nightmare airport days (my parents ended up having their flights going down change four times....resulting in me and a very tired Dej trying to stay entertained at the baggage claim for three hours.....And then, Deja and mine's return layover being delayled four hours, resulting in a FULL day- over 14 hours- in an airport with no stroller and a cramping pregnant mom...getting home after midnight). Then, you had the fact that you are on a Really big ship, that is high off the water...with a little girl that really, really wanted to see the water. I was so totally stressed and freaked out the whole time that something awful would happen! And then....we didn't even attempt Mexico!! On the plus side....and I guess this makes it a vacation not from hell-just one that wasn't relaxing...the ship personnel were awesome and the memories and family time was unforgettable! BUT...despite all the fun, I have already opted out of any future family cruises, or really any vacation that requires a plane to get you there!! :)
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