We went on a cruise from January 2-9th. The ship left from Baltimore and we stopped in Florida and the Bahamas. It was overall such a wonderful time. I only wish the kids would remember it. There were over 40 people traveling with us as a group. Jason's family, my family, and friends all came. I hope we are able to travel with a group like that again. I will warn you now that this will be a little all over the place. We did so much this past week and I have a cold coming on and my head is still foggy
This was our view from the informal dining room. Basically where we ate breakfast and lunch every day. Jack has eaten more than I have ever seen him in his life. Bella ate bacon, bacon, and some more bacon. Jason and I went into the vacation that the kids could eat what they wanted (within reason) and Bella had seconds and thirds on bacon... (on the bus on our way down to Baltimore our friend Mike said that he heard that the average American eats 17 lbs of bacon a year. We all thought that was way too high and then we figured that Bella throws the curve off and must have eaten 17 lbs just on the vacation)
Connor is here with Jack and Bella
Bella is psyched with her food
this picture is for Aunt Jil
I was proud of the kids though... the thing they ate the most of was the fresh fruit. They had fruit with every meal and that is what they chose.
They had 3 pools (one was a kiddie pool) but unfortunately it was too cold most of the time to go in
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Formal Night
There were two formal nights on the cruise. Here is Jack getting ready for the first one
This is pretty much how they spent the majority of the time in our room... watching Toy Story on Jason's I-pad
Most of the pictures of Bella in her dress look like this.... (deer in the headlights)
We walked around the ship to kill some time before dinner
We have three attempts at a family picture.... I really hope that one day we will be able to get a nice pic where we are all smiling *sigh*
Okay so here is my FAVORITE part of the cruise.
There was a party before dinner where you can meet the Captain and the Cruise Director. There was music and a dance floor. Bella was the dancing queen. The song "My Girl" came on and I took her hand to spin her and that was all she needed
she then began to spin and dance on her own
She then noticed that she could see herself in the Christmas balls and she kept admiring herself
but she kept coming back to dance and spin.
Just to see her in her own element, so happy was wonderful. All the comments about how beautiful she is didn't hurt either.
After dinner when she got back to the room she kicked her shoes off and jumped on the bed.... perfect ending to a perfect evening.
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Disney
The Magic Kingdom was still decorated for Christmas
Just walking down Main Street gave me goosebumps. It was such an awesome place. I loved the store windows
It was like everything was perfect that day. As we were walking down the street a show started on the Castle
Even from far away J & B loved it
We then went to find the Buzz Lightyear ride. The ride was easy to find and the line wasn't bad so we got in line. Then I began to freak out I was so excited. Buzz was right on the other side of the ride and you were able to meet him. To say that I was excited is an understatement. I could not figure a way out of the line fast enough. All I wanted to do this whole trip was for Jack to meet Buzz and Woody. I was told that they usually are not at this part so I did not expect to see them so when I did I am sure I looked like an idiot but I don't care.
Bella was not so excited to meet him
Jack was unsure of him but did give him a high 5.
After I calmed down we got back in line for the ride. It was really awesome. The line moved incredibly quick. Right before we went on the ride a Buzz robot thing talked to us and told us that we needed to help capture Zurg
We were all able to sit in the same car for the ride. There were two "guns" to get Zurg and a joystick to make the car go all around. The ride was amazing
here is the "Evil Emperor Zurg"
Jack was in awe of it all
and he loved to make the car spin around
We loved the ride and went on it a second time.
We then went for lunch and enjoyed our $8 hot dogs and $5 pretzels. Calla was really into trying to find the perfect hat
it turns out here is the perfect one
Jack could have cared less and would not keep ears on for more than 30 seconds
Jason might have found the perfect one too
Bella enjoyed the bubbles, more than anything else
Jack also got to meet Woody
and Bella met Jessie... well kind of... she was scared of her if she came too close
We went on It's A Small World and then the Carousel
We got ice cream to help keep them awake. It only partially worked. Jack actually slept while he ate the first part of his ice cream.
He is sleeping here
Bella loved it
The ice cream did not work keeping them up
Calla got to meet Pluto
Disney was a wonderful time and even managed to make Calla tired and she slept on the ride home
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Other random pictures from the cruise
Jack with Colleen
the kids loved the glass elevators on the ship
Jack being bored at dinner one night
Bella after she went to visit Mom
Bella's pretty pedicure
The kids waiting in the room, of course watching Toy Story
I tried to get a picture of them sitting on the stairs... ha ha... that was not going to happen
"1, 2, 3, GO!" They loved to say this and run up the hallways
On the last night of the cruise Bella got bored (there was not too much for the kid's to do) so she climbed the chairs
She gave the painting a hug
and then checked out the drink menu
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All in all it was a great trip. The boat was a bit rocky and I still feel like I am on the ship. The second stop we were suppose to make in the Bahamas was canceled due to extreme winds and we spent the day on the ship with a lot of people sick from the rough waters. A lot of people knew who the kids were and would say hi to them.
I am sure I will think of some more but I wanted to get the pictures up for Grandmom to see :)
