Family Cruise to the Caribbean

We just returned from a family vacation over UEA to the Western Caribbean.  We have had this planned since May.  We kept it a secret from the kids the whole time.  We told them we were going to "Provo".  A friend knowing of our trip jokingly asked them if they were excited to go to Provo and it kind of went from there.  They (Avery and Ada) have never been to Provo, so they didn't know any better.  They just knew that they were going somewhere special.  They have been working hard all summer to earn points on a chart.  If they got enough- they were going on the trip.  It worked. They worked really hard earning their points.  We packed them up and set off down the road toward Provo on Friday the 14th.  When we pulled into the airport, they knew something was up.  We still kept it a secret.  First flight landed us in LA.  They assumed we were going to Disneyland. We hit an immediate connecting flight to Florida. They didn't even hear or see where we were going until they announced it on the plane as we arrived. Avery sat up and said," We're going to Disney World." I asked him why he thought that and he said he guessed when they said Orlando.  I just played along.  We got off the plane and the taxi took us to Port Canaveral where the kids were surprised to see huge Cruise Ships and then put two and two together.  They were so excited!  I would have to say that this was the best,  memorable vacation.  The kids were great ( most of the time) and we had many fun days together.  Ada brought her journal along and recorded her thoughts and a list of "firsts". I hope she will let me share that list on the blog later.  She was so cute as she would discover another "first" and hurry and write it down.

I uploaded the photos, but they are grouped and in random order.  They aren't in chronological order, but it doesn't matter- it was all a bunch of fun!



Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Exploring on the rocks.

Hula- Hoop Contest! Ada beat me, she's awesome!

The A Gang- Bahama Style!

Off the ship in Cozumel, Mexico!  It was HUMID!!!!! Loved it though.  Fun shopping and atmosphere.

Playing at Paradise Beach in Cozumel.

Pool at Paradise Beach, Cozumel Mexico

Shopping in Cozumel

Grand Caymans- We made it all the way there just to look at it. The waves were too big for the Tender Boats to get attached to our Ship, so we had weren't able to get off the ship.  We were bummed. The water was so nice, the shopping was going to be good and we were hoping to maybe see sting rays.  Another time, another trip. We turned around and headed to the Bahamas. 

More and More and More food.