Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Haiti--part two

(You can catch part one of our cruise here!)

The next day, day four, we pulled into the port of Labadee, Haiti.

Royal Caribbean owns this whole area, and it was very beautiful!

Shane and I took a morning excursion....

....with Tom and Jen!

We all took a tiny boat out to a coral reef to go snorkeling.

It was very neat and Tom got lots and lots of good pictures with his underwater camera.

Then, we came back to the island, had a little lunch, and went bargain hunting. :)

The afternoon excursion was another boat ride to our own 'private' island!

Stopping to take a picture in front of our gigantic ship. 

It is really hard to understand the scale of one of these things--they are absolutely amazing!

Excited to get to our next beach *grin*

See how excited he is!

There it was!

We were actually a little disappointed with this excursion. 

The beach was very small, and there was to be no thrashing here, due to the lack of waves!

But we can make good of anything!

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Jen. She is such a fun loving person and I don't know what it is about this picture, but it just showcases her hilarious personality and I adore it! She made this trip so much fun for me.  Shane and I really are best friends--and I would have had an amazing time with just him. But something about having her there, in almost everything I did (and Shane having Tom, mind you--bonus!) just made it that much better.  

I love you, my fun-loving friend! I still giggle when I look at this picture 

and think of this moment arriving on our beach!

Shane and Tom, headed to seek out some fun

Right after these pictures, we decided to take some glass-bottom kayaks out and look at the reef we were right above. Unbeknownst to us, something was wrong with the kayak that Tom and Jen were in--and they ended up starting to sink! We had to row them to shore (which, I may add, was super difficult to do because we were all four laughing hysterically at the situation)....

Just one more hilarious memory!!

Then, some relaxing on the very quiet beach.

Ahhhhh.

Back on the boat, it was time for one more formal dinner....

...and a trip around the boat to take pictures of the beauty of it!

(Maps everywhere, in case you got lost!)

We saw a juggler that night for our show!

Not only could he do some amazing things, but he was fuuuunnnnny!

A view from the lounge by where we played cards every night. This is above the pool/spa area.

We had 'brunch' the next morning (because when you are up till 2 in the morning 

playing cards, it's hard to get up in time for breakfast!)

Then we just hung on the ship for our last day at sea.

It was the most gorgeous day!

Shane and Tom got word of a dodge ball tournament...well, Shane couldn't resist! 

So while Jen and I worked on our tans, Shane became....

A DODGE BALL GOLD MEDALIST!!

*giggle*

Last night....*sniff....last show!

It was a musical montage through the ages. This was....the 70's, you guessed it!

Off of the ship, and now waiting in the Ft. Lauderdale airport for our flight.

Still having fun! We just had an incredible time together.

Headed home!

We arrived back around 5 p.m. on Saturday night, almost seven days to the hour of when we left. 

Grandma Jane helped the boys make this sign for us!

Colin did all the drawing...love the cruise ship and the fish in the water. 

That kid is so creative!

It was an amazing trip--and hard to leave those beaches and sun behind--but I think

 we returned to some awesomeness that can not be found anywhere else!!

This week, I want to remember: (2/20-2/24)

Monday, February 20

The first "real" day back after our trip. We had a good mix of fun, both outdoor (it was almost 50 degrees!) and indoor, while I got unpacked and started on laundry.

Ethan discovered a cool new thing: he can "watch 3D shows" at home.

With sunglasses.

Cameron, while washing his hands after playing outside:

"Mommy, I can read that sign. It says, 'welcome'."

Me: "Great job, Cam. You are right."

Cameron: "And, I can read it backwards. It says, 'el...come....wuh'."

Tuesday, February 21

This stretch of warm weather has been so good for my littles.  Truthfully, it would figure that we would get a winter with average temps of 50 degrees--considering I bought snowsuits for everyone last year (on clearance, of course--but still!)  But, I can't say I'm sad about it! Other than missing out of some good pics of Lola in her first snow storm....

The wonderful warmth has definitely been a blessing. 

Today, the kids went on a find and discover mission, with a mason jar and a couple of pairs of binoculars!

Lola has learned the word "Nutella" and asks for it regularly.  

I have a hard time telling her no....because when Lolee gets Nutella for lunch, so does Mommy.

It's worth the cleanup.

Last time Grandma 'Nette came down, she brought some handmade goodies for Lola and her babies. She made Lola a flannel pillow and matching blanket--and matching (smaller) ones for her babies. Lola took to them instantly and has slept with everything every nap and night since.

{You can't see the flannel blanket in this picture--it is actually under the crocheted white blanket, which was also a gift from Grandma 'Nette. It has colored blocks on each side--and on each block it has the name of one of the children. She added each name as the kids were all born.}

Wednesday, February 22

We have a shoe tie-er! Officially!

Ah...so, so proud of himself!

{He is not posing weird...this is mid-celebratory dance}

Thursday, February 23

Ethan: "Mommy, were you born a long time ago?"
Me: "Yes, it was many years ago, honey.  Thirty three years ago."
E: "Did you get to see Jesus back then?"
{Yikes, it wasn't that long ago....}

Pete the Policeman (a friend that I grew up with who is now a county sheriff) came over to the house, to let the boys check out his squad car! The loved every minute of it, and got to press all the buttons, light up the lights, and even talk through the loud speaker.

I'm sure the whole town heard them calling, "Momma....Moooomm-maaaaa" for several minutes! 

(I'm fairly certain people thought we were in big trouble....)

The kids insisted on a bath together. They wanted to play with their new snakes that they got as a prize the night before at church for saying a verse.

It's a tight squeeze, but they make it work.

Friday, February 24

Lola: "I no wanna pay legos!"
Ethan: "Okay, baby."
Lo: "I no want to!"
E: "Okay, baby."
Lo: "No!! I no WANT to!"
E: "Lola, you don't have to play legos!"
10 seconds later....
Lola: "I wanna pay legos! I want to!"
E, not looking up from building and not missing a beat, to me: "She's difficult."

After serving the kids lunch, and before I started my ironing, I said to Ethan:
"Ethan, can I get you anything?"
I was trying to avoid being interrupted while ironing, of course.
He responded: "Can I have a drink Mommy?"
Me: "Of course, buddy. Milk, water....juice?"
E: "Well, I'd like some juice. But not the kind that looks like pee."
I nearly spit my mouthful of water out.
I opened the door, and sure enough--that white grape juice sure did resemble a jug half full of....well....you know.  And, apparently, that was enough to make E not want to drink it.Normally, I buy a fruity or grape-y kind. But white grape happened to be on sale, so that was what I got this time.

Never again.

After eating, Lola told me she was all done. I said,
"Did you clean your plate?"
She looked down and slowly responded: "Yeeeeees!"

Then I saw her moving a bit....I came over, saw this:

Then, this.

Smart cookie.