What a vacation

What can I say about a vacation that lifts you right out of the post winter blues and into the warm ocean breeze and bright sunshine.  Except it was perfect and exactly what our family needed! 

It was the middle of May and just one day before school let out for the year.  It also marked the end of our time in the temporary twin home which we were desparate to see end.  I've come to love these 4 little words that come out of Jeff's mouth..."let's take a vacation".  We arranged to take the a family on a cruise to the Bahamas.    Omaha to Orlando to Bahamas back to Orlando.   I was beyond excited, the timing was ideal and it was the perfect get a way.   

 We drove to Omaha, spent the night and planned an early morning departure flight to Omaha.  Only to find out our flight was canceled due to weather and we were bumped to an available flight the nex day.   Not the end of the world...we spent one unexpected day in a city close to our hearts.

We moved on to Orlando, one day short of the original plan.  We spent the day the remainder of the day swimming instead of Disney.     It was really hot so the pool suited us just fine.   

 


How do you explain a cruise ship to your children? At this point their only reference is that of Disney channel's "Zak and Cody on Dek" ..They really had NO idea what was in store for them. And we couldn't wait to show them the ship in all it's grandeur. 

They were in awe.  They were in heaven.  You should of seen them.  Big eyes and even bigger smiles.

We boarded the the ship and hit the lunch buffet.  Let it be known cruise food is not my favorite.  But, it was enticing to the children.  Anything and everything...they liked it all.  I must say, I prefered the dining room to the buffet.  Most nights however, the girls were at their clubs and didn't join us in the dining room.  I think this was the only night with all five us at dinner. And it was my favorite night. 

Boy, the girls sure loved the clubs.  What a new experience for them.  They spent the evenings with their age "club."  Many activites, games and crafts were planned.  We couldn't pry them away.  One night, Ellie got up on stage and did some kareoke. "  Really, Ellie did what?"  Like I said, new experiences.   Zach and I would tuck in the cabin early each night while Jeff and the girls enjoyed midnight buffet.   Neither Zach nor I cared much to miss it.   Zach was so exhausted by the evenings and I was happy to snuggle him to sleep.  And lucky for him, he was first to meet the new towel buddy each night.   Zach loved 'em!


 Boy oh boy, did we ever soak up all the fun the ship had to offer. So many activites to keep us busy.

of course, we love water slides.

A new game for Zach.  Shuffle board. 

swimming.  at twillight. 

golf on the top deck

Ahh, relaxing together, on deck,  in the sunshine    The best of it all .  

stay tuned for the islands...