Last day in Fort Lauderdale, and flying back home

We got off the cruise ship Saturday morning.  We then took the shuttle from Miami back up to Fort Lauderdale.  Traffic was crazy, but thankfully it was mostly on the other side of the freeway.  We had a couple hours before we could check in, so we walked to some nearby stores for fun.  We then went and got lunch at Panda Express, then checked into our rooms.  Hudson was ready for a nap by this time, so we put him down.  Nyles and Carter wanted to go swimming again, so Steve stayed w/ Hudson and I took the boys down to the pool.  Diane and Joann joined us as well.

Carter playing in the pool with his snorkel mask.

Then later jumping in making a big splash. 

Nyles doing a cannonball.

After Hudson got up, Steve came down w/ him.  

Steve relaxing at the pool while I swim w/ the boys.  Dave got a coconut for Nyles to try, but unfortunately it wasn't a good one.  We went and got another one, but it was bad too.  So, ironically when we were back home in SLC, Dave got another one for him to try, and it was good.

Sunday, May 1st, we woke up at 4:30am to catch our shuttle to the airport at 5:30am.  We finished packing the last few things, then hurried downstairs to catch the shuttle.  The front desk called us as we were on our way out the door, telling us the shuttle was here, but when we got down there, it had already left.  So we waited for the next one at 6am.  By this time there were a few more people trying to catch the shuttle as well, but thankfully they brought over another van to take everyone.  We got there in good time, then went through security and over to our gate.  I was amazed at how busy the airport was that early in the morning.  

Carter asleep on the floor at the airport while we were waiting for our plane to leave.  

Nyles and I walked around the airport a little and looked at a couple of the shops just for fun.

The boys enjoyed the plane ride home, watching movies mostly.  Hudson took a little nap, then bounced between our seats.  Hudson sitting w/ Aunt Diane next to Carter and Nyles.  Dave and Joann in front of them. 

We made it back to SLC by noon.  It felt a little cold to us coming back to only be 55 degrees when we were used to 75 degrees for the past week.  Rob picked us up and Phill picked up Dave, Joann and Diane.   When we got back home, Steve went over and picked up Piper.  She was soooo excited to see us again!  It's always nice to be home and back in your own bed, but sad as well knowing the trip is officially over.  We had a wonderful trip and are so thankful to have gone.  

Some of the blessings we noticed during our trip:

• We made all our flights and shuttle transfers on time.
• No one got hurt or sick on the trip (minus the sea-sickness I had the first night on the ship).
• Hudson was flexible and took naps in his stroller and car seat.
• All the kids slept well through the nights, both at the hotels and on the ship.
• The kids did great w/ the time changes and were pretty happy the whole trip.
• We rented a mini-van in Fort Lauderdale, but it was dirty inside, so they upgraded us to a Ford Expedition.  It had GPS in it, plus running boards that came out.  It was very nice and more spacious all around.
• We had perfect weather, between 75-80 degrees each day, and no rain!
• We had great service and the kids tried different foods.
• We got on the ship (no one tested positive for Covid).
• Many things were back to "normal" right about the time we were sailing such as: 
• Masks weren't required once on board the ship.
• They had the Sail-A-Wave Party and Pirate Party back.
• Kid's clubs were open again and you didn't have to reserve a time (you could drop off/pick up anytime you wanted).
• They didn't limit seating in the theaters either, so everyone could attend, plus they had more shows than they did just a month prior to us sailing.
• They switched to rapid antigen testing before boarding which were faster than PCR.
• The ships were still at lower capacity, so the lines weren't bad if there was one, and Castaway Cay had PLENTY of room for everyone so you didn't have to rush off the ship to get a lawn chair and umbrella.  

We're also grateful that Piper survived the 9 days w/out us.  Also for Rob and Phill taking us all to the airport and back.  And for everyone who helped care for Grandma LuDean while we were all gone and who took her dinner.  We appreciated everyone's help to make our trip possible.  

It was such a wonderful trip w/ everyone.  I'm so glad we have pictures to look back at and remember the amazing times we had.  More than anything though, we're thankful for the time we had to spend w/ one another and grow closer together as a family.