Last year we decided that going on a trip each year at Christmas was better for a gift than anything we could buy. Mama gave me a budget, and I started planning. When we got home from New York, I didn't think we could top that trip. This past summer I started asking where everyone wanted to go for this year. Some said New York again, some said California, and some liked the idea of a cruise. This was Mama's least favorite. She hates a cruise. After researching and looking for dates to match the majority of our schedules.... I'm having to look at three school districts and three different colleges... we decided a cruise would be this year's trip. When I started planning on where we would leave from, I knew we didn't want to go to the Bahamas, and we wanted to get far enough south to have warm weather... Miami was the best choice...and of course at the time I thought it was highly possible that Georgia or Clemson would be playing in the Orange Bowl. It didn't work out that easy for either team!
We left Miami New Year's Eve and stayed five nights. There is no way to take all the pictures and organize (unless I was getting paid for making a photo book), so I'm uploading pictures as they were sent.
One of my favorite things about the cruise was we chose to not have wi-fi. It was absolutely wonderful to be disconnected... except for the incident with Little Jerry that I'll write about later! Therefore.... I don't have a lot of pictures I took!
Our trip left Miami on Day 1, Day 2 was at sea, Day 3 was in Jamaica, Day 4 was in Grand Cayman, and Day 5 was at sea... We got back to Miami Saturday morning and all four of my family has managed to get a cold and feel terrible. We are buying stock in Nyquil.
As you go through the pictures you will notice that Mama isn't in them. She had to back out on Christmas Eve because of her back. She is having issues and hopefully this week we will know what is going on with her. I know she will be mad, but say a little prayer that it is something that can be fixed! She is in pain, sitting in a chair, and not walking.... this is not like her at all! She is miserable... but for once in her life, others are waiting on her hand and foot instead of her waiting on them! Guille made the comment on the boat that the waiters were just as good as Jane!
This was our day in Grand Cayman where we swam with the stingrays on the sandbar.
Katie Britt and I loved swimming in the clear water.
Deon- our cruise director.... he made the trip and the days at sea even better!
My boys in the clear water with a little seaweed!
KB and Thomas decided to snorkel a little bit!
Yes, Ben's eyes are closed... he is getting like Mark.... he tries to close his eyes and open them on three.... I like to snap before and after three.
Ben holding Mark up in the water!
The McKinneys in the clear blue water!
Guille and Christie trying to take a cute picture when Big Ole Jim pops up to photo bomb!
This was New Year's Eve when they passed out all kinds of crazy things for us to wear at dinner!
Leaving Miami.... or either breakfast in Miami because I didn't take this!
The Jim Mattisons in the water.... Janice makes me so mad at how dark she is.... She doesn't even look like the dead of winter like me!
Deon did a show each night when we were finishing supper and everyone wanted a front row spot for his show!
We also visited the sea turtle center in Grand Cayman.... honestly, I would skip this part if it wasn't for the children!
The Guil Mattisons in the clear blue water!
Now Ben is smiling!
Guille got up early every morning for breakfast.... he liked to eat outside!
Mark and Katie Britt got called to the "steps" on the final night because they knew song titles.
Learning to put on the snorkel equipment.
Miami view from ship.
Lots of people on the boat put wishes in balloons for the drop at midnight....
Last day getting off boat!
Guille is such a tourist! :)
Here is the real picture without big head popping out!
That's Ben, James, and Cole!
Outside the turtle center....
Leaving the ship
Last night at dinner! It was our favorite meal!
Feeding the stingrays.
We went to Hell and Christie was an angel!
The DEVIL would stamp your passport to verify you had been to Hell.
Putt Putt on the ship....
James was an angel.
Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica... sliding down the rocks!
This was our 80 year old bus driver, Earl.... he was great! His favorite joke was "What is the difference between the government and the mafia?"..... "One is organized!"
Just a few people at Dunn's River Falls....
The deck on the boat was a wonderful place to get a nap!
We also participated in the dolphin encounter.... it was one of my favorites!
This is real.... ten days worth of laundry.... I think I can see the bottom of the basket now.
Mark driving home from Miami with my sunglasses and toilet paper stuck in his nose.... he got sick first and made us all sick....
She is so pretty.... and so sweet.... I think I love her because she acts just like me!
Mark thinks he is funny being silly....
I'm sure this was taken for our friend Mitch!
Waiting to get in water with dolphins...
Ben is a devil!
Dunn's River Falls.... we survived!
Still riding with the tissue...
Sis is an angel!
My sweet three dinner dates one night.... all dressed alike!
This is one of the "real" pics.... that room is soooo small.....
There was an Esso in Hell....
Our first night at supper!
Ox tongue.... Sis ordered that.... ugh....
Another real picture... I forgot and packed all my shoes.... had to wear Ben's Crocs home...
Jim and Cole waiting on us at the dolphin encounter.
Mark making it to the special steps....
We all started taking EmerGenC when we got off the boat.... didn't help us... still got a cold!
I have LOTS of real pictures in here.... not those that everyone picks the best and puts it out there for everyone to see the perfect life.... we weren't perfect by any means.... our room smelled horrible for part of the time, we had many moments of someone needs to leave the room, but I slept better than ever on that boat!
Mama--- it was the best trip ever....I'm sorry you couldn't go, but I think we would have had to put you in the bathroom standing up to sleep! Thanks for loving us and giving to us more than we deserve!
