Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas everyone!!! 

I'm really not much of a blogger...never have enough time.  It was a very nice, but quiet Christmas.  We enjoyed both Christmas Eve and Christmas on our own.  Not a bad plan - as this was the last Christmas where we will all be together for what could possibly be several years.  Makes me sad.  I miss my little boys. 

Good thing I got most of my shopping finished early - because I got a HORRIBLE flu, and didn't get out of bed until FINALLY on Christmas Eve I was able to finish up a few last minute things.  Wish I'd felt better - but at least I was able to enjoy Christmas.  And...knock on wood...nobody else has come down with it!

Austin's highlights were his juggling balls (for the mission field), his Gryffindor collectibles for his room, Batman BluRay collection and "Elder" stuff (ties, socks, belt). 

Cade had a Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Christmas.  Framed poster, 3-D puzzle of Minas Tirith, Miniature LOTR sword collection, Extended Collector's Edition of the LOTR trilogy on BluRay, Map of Middle Earth mousepad, and Cowboys sweatshirt were the big hits for him this year.

Blake is very excited about his new golf clubs, his RC helicopter, headset for his X360. 

Austin bought me a beautiful heart locket from Brighton to wear with his picture in it when he leaves me for two years.  :(  Brian and the boys bought me several nice things as well.

Brian's favorite is his extended edition BluRay 3D Titanic and a new watch.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  Happy 2013!!!

 Blake's tradition...whipped cream in his stocking!

 Kira & A-Rod enjoyed their stockings as well!

Austin is VERY proud to be a Gryffindor!

 Brian has a slight man-crush on Leonardo DiCaprio

Cade explaining the names of the Swords from LOTR

A new family game is a Christmas tradition!

I'm SOOOOOOO going to miss my boy!!!!!!

 Oh yeah...and it was a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!

Getting this was like pulling teeth!!!!!

Austin's Mission Call

Pretty exciting times around here.  Austin received his papers on Friday, December 21st.  The papers came, and nobody was home!!!  I had to stare at that envelope for about 5 hours.  You really should be able to see through those things!!!  Austin finally made it home, but we had to wait on Cade - who was out seeing the Hobbit with his friends.  FINALLY - everyone was home, and we put some of the family on Facetime, others on speakerphone to listen to the much anticipated good news!!!

FRANKFURT, GERMANY!!!!

May 1, 2013

Cruisin' to the Bahamas! August 20 - August 24th

Royal Caribbean "Monarch of the Seas".  We left from Port Canaveral, Florida on Monday, August 20th.  We woke up on Tuesday (after enjoying our first dinner in the dining room & some activities) on CocoCay - a small private island in the Bahamas.  We took the "Tender" out to the island, and it POURED rain for about 30 - 40 minutes.  And I mean...it POURED!  But, thankfully - it finished and the sun shone down on us for the rest of the day - and the whole week!  The next day was spent in Nassau, Bahamas.  We took a ferry out to the "Blue Lagoon" (where Splash & Flipper were filmed).  There, we spent the day swimming with the dolphins.  Austin made a "special" friend!  Andy the dolphin took a special interest in Austin, and wouldn't stop trying to make out with him.  Fairly amusing!  All the boys LOVED playing with Andy!  It was definitely a highlight and worth the cost!  After the dolphins, we spent the rest of the day just enjoying the BEAUTIFUL water & beach, snorkling, and sleeping in the hammocks.

We finished the day with a little shopping (after going back to the ship for some food & a quick shower).  Cade did NOT enjoy the Straw Market - where the Bahamians tried to push their merchandise on us.  Cade ran away from some large Bahama dude, and decided that serving a mission somewhere like Salt Lake City - or better yet, somewhere in Texas, was perfectly fine with him.  He's not so keen on 3rd world countries! 

We finished the trip with a full day at sea.  We enjoyed rock climbing, watching "Belly Flop" contests, did some dancing (Blake & Brian learned the "Wobble"), enjoying some sun, and of course...TONS of eating!!!  The boys' highlights were the food - especially eating in the fancy dining room every night - and ordering anything they wanted from the menu!  Austin tried some new things:  duck, lamb, and scallops.  We all ate VERY well, and enjoyed all the deserts and the 24-hour ice cream.  All-in-all, it was a FANTASTIC vacation.  We hope that it is something that the boys will never forget!

"Sailing Away" from Port Canaveral

"Sail Away" Party!!!

Kelly & Blake

Where's Frito?

There he is!

All the boys...

First port:  CocoCay, Bahamas.  It rained for the first 30 minutes.  Actually, it POURED!

And then...it looked like this for the rest of the day!  No more rain the whole week.

Austin & Blake did a "Photo scavenger hunt".  Here are a few pics they took while on the hunt!

Mom & Dad...chillin' like villains!

Blake, Mom, Frito

SO beautiful...wish I was there now!

Happy couple

On the way back on the Tender

Formal night...the boys LOVED eating in the formal dining room every night.  Gipson was a big hit as our Waiter.

We climbed the wall

2nd Port - Nassau, Bahamas

Austin snorkling

We should have more snorking pics...too bad we forgot to bring the camera out with us!

Yes, Cade did participate!

Dolphin time...Blue Lagoon, Nassau, Bahamas

Austin did his "thang"!

Cade did more laughing and smiling, than dancing...

So Cade got this!

Austin had an admirer...

Yup...still a cheerleader!

Don't ask Cade about his experience at the "Straw Market".  He was NOT a fan!  Some big Bahamian dude is probably still looking for him!

Watching the "Belly Flop Competition"!

Farewell, Monarch of the Seas!