Last One

Day 5.
Last day at sea.
We found some lounge chairs.
The ocean.
A good book.
I was one happy girl.
At one point I said:
I could do this all day.
Ryan said:
Really? I'm getting a little bored.
What???
At least there was a belly flop contest.
To entertain him.
And everyone else, apparently.
This scrawny kid was from Kansas.
Go Kansas!
But this is the guy that won.
Ouch.

No couple pic today.

What were we thinking?
And that's the end.

Of our wonderful trip.

Now we really want to take our kids.

Can someone send money, please?

Best Day

Day 4.
Cozumel, Mexico.
The water was beautiful.
The resort was beautiful.
We went clear kayaking and snorkling.

I worked hard paddling.

While Ryan took pictures.

Most of which didn't turn out.

It was nearly impossible to get

a good shot of the fish.

The obligitory couple pic.We did not get pics of us snorkling.

No underwater camera.
Ryan LOVED snorkling.

I enjoyed it too.

But couldn't see real well.

My eyesight is terrible.

Better under the water.

But the deeper the water,

the less I saw.

Pretty fish, lobster, starfish, sting ray.

Under water cave.

Very fun.

Some day we hope to take the kids.

We spent some time shopping.

Then headed back to the ship.

For a relaxing evening on Deck 10.

And a 70's dance party.

And our towel pal.

Only one more day.
How sad.

Nine is Nifty

My Jake is 9 today.
Where does the time go?
Birthday cake is best when eaten with shirts off.
Not that I would know.
80 some water balloons...
Gone in 60 seconds.
Sweet, sweet boy.

And all I can think is

we're half-way to 18.

Which means in 9 more years

he'll be a high school graduate.
Can I have a tissue, please?

Fingerprint Friday

Elapsed time from first to last picture:

8 minutes.

What a powerful God we serve.

He even made the sun stand still once.

For a full day.

Joshua 10:13.

Each week pamperingbeki hosts Fingerpring Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's goodness.

Thank You, Dillons

For the yummy breakfast.
Yea for free cookies.

Yesterday.

Dillon's parking lot.

10:15 a.m.

Gasp.

I forgot to feed the kids breakfast!

Bad, bad mommy.

Kids' Pics and Grandparents

I gave the kids our old camera.

It still works occassionally.

And told them to take pics while we were gone.

So we could see what they did.

They took pics the first day or two.

Then quit.

No pics from Ryan's parents' house.

If it wasn't for our super, fantastic parents
we wouldn't have been able to go on the cruise.
They spoiled our kids.
Zoo, movies, picnics, library, ice cream, tents...
My parents let the three older kids sleep in the tent.
Downstairs.
Could have told them (my parents) it wouldn't work.
But they have learn somehow.
Heehee.
By the end of the night,
all three were upstairs in their beds.

They always watch lots of movies.
At both sets of grandparents.
And they went to see Up.
Which they loved.
Brookie took this picture.
She liked how the boys were both the same.

My mom plays games with the kids A LOT.

And reads stories.

And colors.

They love it.

I will cherish pictures like this.

My dad took off work Friday.

Even though he would have the weekend with them too.

They love to tease him.

And be teased by him.

Ryan's dad takes them out for ice cream.

And lets them ride in the tractor, combine, farm truck.

They love it.

Ryan's mom slept in the same room with them.

And talked with the two older kids until midnight one night.

How sweet is that?

Toads are constantly in my parents' window wells.

My parents tub is a hit.
Bright boy.Crazy girl.

And this is my favorite one.

Ezzie took it.

Thanks Moms and Dads.

We all love you!

Day 3

Grand Cayman.
Beautiful sunshine for an hour and a half.
Then rain, rain, rain.

The city.
We were not so impressed with.
The Beach.
Was gorgeous.

Ezzie was convinced we would see pirates.

This picture was a must.

Have to include at least one couple shot.

This was taken after we got back on ship.

When I was dry and warm and happy again.
The rain was very chilly.

Our dinner pals.

Two great couples.

We really enjoyed getting to know them.

And the food was yummy.
Duck, lamb, shrimp, lobster, steak.

I had chicken one night.

My guy thought I was crazy.

Chicken is very boring to him.

But it was superb.

And, of course, our towel pal.

We debated about what it was.

Ryan thinks a pig, but the ears are too big.

I think a cow.

We didn't want to ask our stateroom attendant.

We hated to offend him.

So, the question remains...

At Sea

Day 2 of the cruise.

At sea all day.

Miles and miles of water.

Nothing else.

Beautiful.

These two guys were hitting on all the girls.

The guy on the left could have been related to Pauly Shore.

Not kidding.

Dinner that night was formal.

Ryan was a little upset to wear a suit on vacation.

So, in an act of rebellion, he wore his favorite shoes.

Yes, they are canvas.

My mom bought this dress for me.

Without me along.

Isn't she amazing?

Also, I must add a little story here.

Before dinner each night,

there are photographers taking portraits.

You stand before a "pretty" background.

And get snapped.

The portraits are then available for you to purchase.

Because you haven't spent enough money yet.

We chose the white background.

Because we're smart.

We did buy a couple portraits.

But I'm not posting them.

You'll have to come to my house to see them.

Anyway...

The photographer awkwardly poses us.

And then asks me,

"Would you like to take your glasses off?"

Ummm....why?

She didn't ask Ryan.

Just me.

I wanted to say,

"Would you like me to put make-up on too?"

I don't wear any, you see.

Because I'm lazy.

"Go get my hair styled?"

Because I'm bad at it.

"Should my husband change his shoes?"

Because he hadn't and didn't.

Which I was perfectly fine with.

My hubby must have felt me tense up.

He answered for me.

No.

Good thing he's quick.

One last photo.

Our nightly towel pal.