4 da Boys: VACATION OF A LIFETIME!

For years now Brad and I have wanted to take the entire family on a cruise vacation. In between boys missions we did "Bigger" family vacations such as Hawaii, so we decided before Cody, our baby, left on his mission we should do a "Bigger" vacation; the family cruise vacation; the once in a lifetime vacation! We have been saving for years, saving scrap metals that we use in our business to cash in on, saving pocket change in piggy banks, and those awesome frequent flier miles. We also decided that this vacation would be the family Christmas Present for 2010. We had to jump over a few stumbling blocks like: Did you know that babies must be 6 months old to cruise? Ships are not equipped medically for younger. So our Baby Zac had to be planned on - due date was June 28th, so we gave Amy 10 days over; and she still had to have the doctors start her. Zac was 6 months and 1 day old when we stepped on the ship. By far the youngest cruiser on that ship - (I'll bet 75% of the passengers were retired). The anticipated week: January 9-16, 2011! Our dream came true! It was a 7-day cruise to the Western Caribbean- Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel; setting sail out of Galveston, Texas. The whole family was there (9 people total), and this is last time we'll all be together for a couple of years because as I stated earlier our youngest Cody, is leaving for a mission next month.

We love cruises - it is such a nice way to take a relaxing and stress-free vacation break. People waiting on you; in fact I feel guilty and want to help. First cruises are actually the most amazing and magical because you do not know what to expect. This was Brady's first time, and I was a little jealous because there is nothing like the first. Brad and I went on our first cruise to celebrate our 25th Anniversary out of New Orleans. We sailed on The Grandeur of the Seas through Royal Caribbean. The ship was a smaller ship, the smallest we have ever sailed on, and it felt like the ship wasn't as crowded because the common areas are about the same size as they are on the larger ships. We flew into San Antonio, Texas and had a 12 passenger van rented to carry the entire family. We stayed at Jer and Ames place that first night, went out to eat and went shopping at the great factory outlet mall in San Antonio.

How every trip must start - The mess of Packing!

Waiting for the flight to San Antonio, Texas at the SLC Airport.

This is the 12 passenger van that we rented to drive from San Antonio to Galveston. We lovingly called it our "Retard Van," so Brad told us we all needed to wear our helmets. Jerame came out to get into the van with his bike helmet on - notice what he looks like in the front passenger seat.

This is Zac eating a French Fry - at the famous "Whatta Burger," or what Dusty called - What's in the burger?

The first day out at sea was warm and beautiful. We exercised, ate, and ate some more. We loved sitting in the sun and did so for hours. Love being in the sun when you know home is in snow! The following pictures show us in the buffet eating at "The Windjammer"and sunning with the baby.

This picture shows the port at Galveston, Texas through the windows of the boat. They had dolphins out in the bay swimming and playing. Fun to watch!

Got to love the drool off the lip - makes for great kisses!

Love this picture - Jer is such a good dad! So tender with his little guy.

The second day at sea was also incredibly nice. We hung out with the family, watched the boys play soccer; Amy and Brady play volleyball and some rock wall climbing. Enjoyed sitting in the sun, and ate tons of food. Got a lot of sun - good sun burns going on most of us.

Brady is in blue shirt standing in front of the goal

Cody is in the sleeveless shirt; you can see Jerame's back - he is in black T-shirt; Dusty in white with the ball. Julie asked me if anyone had ever kicked the soccer ball over the walls of the soccer field into the ocean. I told her I hadn't ever seen it happen. Just then Jerame launches the ball in the air-over the wall-into the ocean! I couldn't help but think about the movie castaway with Tom Hanks and the volleyball "Wilson" maybe some castaways will have it wash up on their shore line and give them happiness; or maybe some young Mexican child will find the treasured soccer ball!

Brady and Amy playing volleyball.

It was our first formal dinner; so fun to see everyone all dressed up. I think girls like this more than guys. The girls were beautiful and the boys very handsome! The following pictures are at the dining room table.

Wednesday was our first stop: Roatan, Honduras. Again, the weather was absolutely beautiful. We, the family, decided to take it easy that day. We took a taxi ride to the beach and rented a nice little area just for us. We spent the day relaxing and walking up and down the beach barefoot. Some of the kids attempted some snorkeling.

Sometimes on cruise ships you have to get creative, especially with space - like the tiny bathrooms. Jer and Ames were very creative with Zac a bathtub. A blow up tub! It was great - Grandma loved giving him his bath. Zac loves the tub and his toys!

Thursday we made it to Belize. It was cold and rainy that day, but we weren't going to let that get in our way. We booked an off-shore excursion to go snorkeling. The waves were huge that day, and the wind was blowing. The first area we tried to snorkel at had a huge living reef. The boat actually broke anchor and they had us hurry and return to the boat. When the tour guides realized that area was not going to work, they took us to another spot to see Sting Rays. One of the tour guides picked one out of the water so that we could all touch it. It was so gross and slimy, but kind of cool. Ya- totally touched it...so brave. There were so many sting rays at that spot. They would swim around our feet and all around us- they were not bugged at all. We even saw a shark- we were informed it was not dangerous, but not sure I believe that; he looked pretty lethal! Then to top it off while swimming back to the boat there was a lot of movement and commotion in the water; looked up and there was a bird (Seagull) with his head chopped off floating feet up and blood coming out all around it. The Tour guide said that a barracuda had gone after a sardine the same time the bird dove into the water to get the same sardine - well the barracuda won - bird head, beak and all! So blood in the water and the so called nice sharks - I was high tailing it out of their!!!! And not fast enough! The boys loved that adventure. When I hear the song "Barracuda" by Heart I have a different feeling now!

On the boat to go snorkeling

Notice there is a real creature inside the shell.

Sting Rays swimming around our legs!!!!!

Notice the shark!

After snorkeling, the tour guides took us to one of the little islands there. We ate some lunch and then walked around the little town for a bit. Let's just say that I am glad to live in America.

A little crab crossing the street

The craziest thing- some rich person made his own little island miles off shore and built his house on it. I hope he has flood insurance. I know a primary song about building a house on sand and rocks!
Friday we were in Cozumel. We didn't have any major off shore plans here, so we all did our own thing. Jerame and Amy did some swimming with dolphins which was way cool for them. The rest of us did some shopping and watching Zac. We had so much fun and enjoyed the family so much. We are blessed with wonderful children. Thanks Kids we love you!