Fall Break - We Went Cruisin' !!!!!

Welcome to my latest "attempt" at blogging. I've had a few people ask me to post our vacation pics on facebook, but I decided to blog instead.
I haven't blogged on this page for about 2 years, and blogging is still pretty new to me, so I haven't worked out the kinks yet. I'm not sure how to do a "story" layout, or how to upload multiple photos - SO you'll have to go back to the beginning of the cruise pictures - about 6 posts back, to get them in order.

Just keep scrolling down until you see the title "OUR FALL BREAK CRUISE" - and that's the beginning. Ok? Ok! : )

More Snorkling and Ship Life

Here are a few more pictures of snorkling at "Turtle Bay". After a long exhausting day we finally made it back to the ship where we quickly showered, ate at the buffet and collapsed into bed. Okay, maybe that's what Aaron and I did. The boys did a little more that night. They apparently went to a comedian show, cruised around the ship, and hung out with the Kimball girls.

On the last day of the cruise we were "at sea". It was a very stormy day, and rained a lot of the time. The wind was crazy and the waves were choppy but cool to watch from the window. Jake spent a lot of time at his window, just staring out at the window and thinking about life. (maybe..?) Each night we ate at the formal dining room at a big table with the Kimballs. One of the nights we were supposed to dress up nicely. I didn't purchase the photos from the cruise since they were pricey, but will post one of my blurry photos instead. One day they had a fancy brunch with ice sculptures, chocolate fountains (yum) and extravagent foods. That was an AWESOME meal. It really and truly was an amazing vacation with lots of great memories!

The Mayan Ruins at Tulum - in Cozumel

The next stop on the cruise was in Cozumel. The biggest reason we chose this exact cruise (besides it being pretty dang cheap), was because Aaron really wanted to see some Book of Mormon ruins. This was not an easy "day on the beach" excursion, but ended up being really cool. We had to get off the ship, and take a taxi to the ferry pier. We boarded a big ferry that took us on a 45 minute ocean ride to Playa del Carmen. Once in Playa del Carmen, we met our guide "Carlos" from LDS Encounters - who loaded us into his van, and drove 40 minutes to Tulum to see the Mayan ruins. Let me tell you what I remember: 1) Carlos was very knowledgeable and told us many interesting facts about the ruins and how they relate to the BOM. He read many scriptures from 3rd Nephi that backed up what he told us, and had a whole presentation. 2) It was the hottest and stickiest I've ever been in my life. 3) It felt a little bit like the "Amazing Race", as we scurried from ferry to taxi to van to walking the ruins. 4) There were so many cool things that Carlos told us about on the way - it made me want to go back to Cozumel really really bad. 5) It felt like a whole other world and way of life. 6) I was VERY glad we had Carlos to show us around - because we were Deep in Mexico, and it was pretty scary. After the ruins, Carlos pulled off into this semi-private little cove, and Aaron, Jake and Joey went snorkeling to look for sea turtles - that were supposed to be prevalent in the area. They didn't end up seeing any, but they all said the snorkeling there was amazing, and easy to do - versus the day before. Josh and I stayed on the beach and watched. It was a very long, physically hard day, but a good day!

A Day Snorkeling in the Florida Keys!

The second day of our cruise took us to the Florida Keys. We signed up for a Catamaran Sail and Snorkel trip with the Kimballs. We all got off the ship, and walked a short distance to a catamaran that took off to one of the popular Florida Key Reefs for some snorkeling. The waves were very choppy that day, (because of the wind I suppose), and it was hard to keep your balance when walking around. We all got our snorkel gear, and got a quick lesson. Once the catamaran stopped, we all got into the ocean. I swam in the ocean approximately 5 minutes before it became TOO MUCH. If I had stayed much longer I would have floated clear out to sea. (which I probably should have just let happen - considering the HOT muscle-clad lifeguard that probably would have jumped in to save me.) I am not the strongest swimmer in the family, nor am I particularly graceful with the damn flippers. The boys really enjoyed themselves - and even all 3 of the Kimball girls got in and snorkled all over the place. I have to admit I am impressed with those girls because it was really scary in the ocean with those strong waves. All of the kids stayed in quite a long time. The catamaran ride to and from was really fun. They played music, gave out free drinks, and provided the scenery of gorgeous lifeguards. : ) : ) The water was pretty too!

It was a LOT of fun!

Boarding the Boat and Sailing off!

The next day, it was time to board the boat. This was quite a process, but we were excited because we knew that once we were on, we could eat until we exploded, and relax! Once we got on the "Celebrity Millenium" we settled into our cabins. The boys had their own room, right next to ours. Next we went to the lunch buffet, where we went very frequently throughout the next several days. It's embarrassing how much "all you can eat food" we managed to stuff down our holes. (and I was a hefty girl to start with... yikes!!) After a short muster drill, we went to the top deck for Bon Voyage - as the ship pulled away from the port in Miami. Aaron was NEVER EVER without his camera.

South Beach

After the alligator swamp ride, we headed over to South Beach. I must confess that I LOVE the beach. Love it!! I could sit on the beach with a magazine, and a cola, watching the waves and the kids frolic, singing "Kum-ba-yah" to myself, and I would be in HEAVEN. This is my happy place. The kids (and Aaron) had fun in the ocean, while I sat on the sand with Romi and Jason and talked and watched! Totally AWESOME!

OUR FALL BREAK CRUISE .......

Can you believe how lucky our family is to have been able to go on Caribbean cruise?? Me neither! The first week of our Fall Break we boarded an airplane and flew to Miami.

and spent a couple of days there before we boarded the ship. In Miami we went on an Everglades Safari Grasslands tour, where it was Alligators-a-munga. The safari boat we were on, coasted straight through the swamp, and over really tall grass. It was a LOUD (everyone had to wear earplugs), humid, sticky, interesting and fun boat ride.

Here are a few pictures. There really were alligators everywhere - out in the open. We also saw an alligator show, and the kids got to hold a baby alligator. Can you see the guy in the blue shirt standing all close to the alligator in the water? Crazy dude!