Sanity: Part 2

Our second stop on the cruise was Nassau, Bahamas.  We didn't arrange for any formal tours, so we just kind of wandered the island on a self guided tour.

 

The view coming into port was wonderful.

 

It was fun to walk around and see the beautiful, brightly colored buildings.

 

 

 

 

We made our way to Fort Charlotte and took a guided tour.

We were excited to see a bit of native wildlife.

 

The water was crystal clear.

 

 

 

What remained of our time was spent relaxing on the beach.  Deborah and I, spendthrifts that we are, opted to rent chairs for $5 from some locals.  Scott and Darren relaxed on their towels in protest.
 

 

 

Classic Scott.

 

 

The next day we were in Freeport, Bahamas.  There we scheduled a guided bike tour and snorkeling with a company called Calabash Eco Tours.  Our tour guide was the owner, Shamie Rolle.  Do yourself a favor, if you ever find yourself in the Bahamas in need of a tour, call Shamie.  You won't be disappointed.  A more knowledgeable tour guide you will not find.

Scott and I found this sign amusing.  We rock! 

 

Getting ready for the bike tour.

 

Cruisin'.  The scenery was just lovely.

 

 

 

After the bike tour we went snorkeling, of which I have no pictures.  My underwater camera failed me in my time of need.  I was really disappointed to not be able to use it.

After our tour we boarded our boat for another "fun day at sea" as we made our way back up the east coast.  When we got into Baltimore, we had one more stop to make before heading home.  My Utah/BYU friends may be the only ones to truly appreciate how happy we were to see this sign:

Hello, my lovely...

The perfect end to a lovely and relaxing trip.

Sanity: Part 1

At the end of February we left our kids (for the first time ever) and went on a cruise to the Bahamas with our good friends the Pulleys.  Our cruise left out of Baltimore, which overall, was very convenient.  We literally parked our car and walked onto our boat.

 

We went to bed that night and it was winter and woke up to warm weather and a beautiful sunrise.  I spent every morning out on the balcony.

 

Our first two days were on the boat as we made our way to Florida.  We spent the time reading, playing games and eating ourselves silly.  It was lovely.

 

The onboard entertainment was great and we really enjoyed the comediens.  It was nice to get dressed up and not worry about sticky little hands.

 

A rainbow!

 

This is how I define a perfect vacation.

 

Our first stop was Cape Canaveral.  I know, so exotic!

 

Since we'd all been to Florida multiple times, we decided to do something a little different.  We rented a car and drove to a national park to hike.  Our fearless leader.

 

I've hiked a lot in Upstate NY, it was really neat to hike through an area with such different flora and fauna.

 

There were tons of orange trees on the side of the road and we pulled over to pick an orange.

 

At this point we realized that Deboarah was standing on an ant hill and was being swarmed.

 

Ah!  Ants!

 

Everywhere!

 

My fearless husband risked it all to go back and get us an orange.

 

My hero!

 

This picture gives the impression that we actually visited the Kennedy Space Center.  When we figured out that they recommend 4-6 hours to do the tour and we had barely two, we decided to forgo spending the $50 per ticket. 

 

Instead we met this handsome fellow on the side of the road.  He was big, and really that close.

 

This was a sign in the parking lot where we returned our car.

 

February: Kind of a Boring Month, Except That Bit at the End...

Sports Sampler class at the Y.  Lessons learned: (1) Adam is good at dribbling a soccer ball, not so with a basketball.  (2) Jane will suck her thumb and stare into space for about 60% of the class.  (3) The Y gives out pretty cool metals.

She does this with most small, roundish foods.  Ritz crackers, doughnut holes, Oreos; why bite when you can cram?  (Please don't judge me by the list of foods I just admitted that my 18 month-old eats.

Scott will not like that I haven't edited this for red-eye.  I'm blogging, okay?!  Be grateful for what you get.  This picture is meant to illustrate Paige's love of PB and my awesome camera skills as I catch a cracker mid-fall.

Morning Dora fix plus not fighting equals a pretty good morning.

It was at about this point that Scott and I left our kids with some good friends and boarded a ship for a week with some other good friends.  Post to follow.

January: The month wherein...

Jane's love of storytelling actually pays off.  She did an audio recording at Strong Museum about Christmas and won the drawing for a $100 gift certificate. 

I admit Scott is the favorite parent and relegate myself to photographer, cook and laundress.

Jane declares she would like a baby sister.  No, not the one she has!  This one.

Did I mention they love their Dad?

Paige follows the righteous path of Chipotle love.

We have to leave Chipotle when this starts:

I discover Paige actually is an easy baby.  As long as you give her exactly what she wants.

What will we learn in February?