2nd day on the cruise, Day at Sea

On Sunday, October 16th, the 2nd day on the ship, we had a day at sea.

We weren't in a rush so we ate breakfast in the restaurant vs at Cabanas (the buffet).  We wore our pirate shirts since it was going to be "Pirate Night" that evening.  Waiting for our food.

Later we went up on deck to go swimming and of course had to get some ice cream.  We then went and colored parrots during a pirate craft.

Hudson w/ his ice cream, then coloring.  Nyles, Carter and Diane holding up our finished parrots.

A few decorations we had for our doors.  It mostly helps us and the boys know which door is ours.

Watching a movie by the pool while the boys swam.  Nyles, Steve, Carter and Dave watching the fish jump out of the water.  It looked like they were flying.

 

There was a cool detective game you could play.  We would go on every deck at different places (some 2-3 on each floor) and get "clues" to try and solve the mystery.  It was really fun.  The pictures would come to life after you held up detective badge and explain a clue to you.  It was really fun!

We then went up to the top and played mini golf.

A hole on one!

That evening it was "Pirate Night" so the boys dressed up as pirates.  

We got a picture with Goofy dressed up as a pirate as well.

Nyles was "Captain Jack Sparrow" and Carter was a regular pirate, and Hudson was "Captain Jake."

Getting pictures w/ the characters dressed up as pirates.

Steve and Dave at dinner.  The boys ordered Mickey bars for dessert again.

Trying some fun desserts.  Hudson doing a plank while he waits for dinner.  Our towel monkey.

Singing Happy Birthday to Diane (even though her birthday was 2 days later).

I stayed back w/ Hudson after dinner and got him to bed.  Steve went up on deck and did the Pirate Party.  They also went to a comedian for the evening show.

Then after that, Steve brought Carter back to go to bed (he said he was tired), while Steve went w/ Nyles up on deck again for another Pirate Party and fireworks.

Party and fireworks.

It was another fun day on the ship!

Boarding the ship, 1st day on the cruise

On Saturday, October 15th we ate breakfast at the hotel again (free), then packed our bags.  That morning I was feeling super nauseous.  Ironically since I got nauseous on the 1st day of our cruise last time, I decided to put on the nauseous patch the night before.  It's usually suggested to let the meds sink in before you're on the trip.  Well this time it was a "side affect" before we even got on the ship.  Thankfully Dave and Steve were able to give me a blessing to help.  I started feeling better a short time after the blessing.  I ended up taking off the patch and never put it back on the rest of the cruise.  I felt pretty good throughout the cruise, though I was definitely sensitive to the water movement.

After we packed up, we took a free shuttle from the hotel to the Port of Miami.  Thankfully this time we didn't have to get tested for Covid like last time (so nerve wrecking).  We simply uploaded our vaccine cards before leaving home, and we were good to go.  It made for a much less stressful onboarding. 

The day was finally here!  Hudson and Steve getting ready to leave the hotel room.

On our way over to the ship.  We made it!

Finally on the ship!  We got some lunch at Cabanas and enjoyed the view.  

Cute Hudson eating the rest of his ice cream in his bowl :)

After lunch, the boys wanted to go swimming of course.  We went back to our stateroom (which were open), then changed.  Hudson was super tired by this time, so Steve stayed back w/ him.  Hudson was on our bed, and immediately fell asleep, so Steve just left him there.  We went and tried the AquaDuck first!  It's a water ride you take w/ either 1-2 people around the ship.  It was super fun!

Carter in Mickey's Pool w/ the big screen behind him.  Nyles in Goofy's Pool w/ the AquaDuck behind him going around the ship.  After swimming for a little while, we went to check our Vanellope's Ice Cream shop next door.  You have to pay for the ice cream, but still fun.

We then checked out the Kids Club and mini golf at the top deck of the ship.

After Hudson woke up from his nap, it was the Sail-A-Wave party!  We watched from on deck.

Then we went back to our rooms and watched from our verandah's as we left Miami.  We had our cabin steward remove the dividers between our rooms, so we could have one big verandah. :)

It was cool to pass the Pier Park from the cruise ship this time.

Here is a video of us sailing away from Miami.

That night at dinner, the boys ordered Mickey Bars for dessert.

Our "towel animal" before going to bed.  We then attended the Pumpkin Tree lighting event.  

He told the story about the Pumpkin Tree.  It was fun!

Pumpkin Tree, "This is Halloween"

We all had an awesome 1st day on the cruise ship!

Day in Miami

On Friday, October 14th, we enjoyed a day in Miami.  We had breakfast at the hotel, then the boys wanted to go swimming.  So, we got in our swimsuits and went back downstairs to the pool.  Surprisingly the water was not freezing, it was pretty nice.   

Nyles, Carter, Hudson and I in the pool.

Aunt Diane play w/ the diving rings w/ Hudson.  

Nyles and Carter getting air pockets in their shirts for fun.

Steve and Dave then ran to the store to get some things for everyone.  They saw a few chicken/roosters running around the streets on the way (too funny!).  After we were done swimming, we went back up to the room to get changed.  The boys were hungry after swimming of course, so we popped some microwave popcorn as a snack.  The boys also played w/ some "Plus Plus" puzzle blocks.

Steve and Dave picked up some lunch for us all, then we drove over to the South Pointe Pier Park.  After parking, we walked through the park and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Steve and Joann on the walkway.  Beautiful views of the ocean.  Cute boys!

Steve taking some pics.

Some silly cats we found next to the walkway just relaxing.

Family pic.  Cute Hudson loves the swings.  

We saw some cool green Iguanas running up the Palm Tress.

Carter playing at the playground, and Hudson on the swing again.

I wanted to see what was at the end of the walkway, so Nyles and I went ahead to check it out.  

It connected to a cool Pier going out into the ocean.

We saw some cool Jelly Fish swimming in the ocean.  It started to rain on us, but it was still awesome!

Nyles, Carter and I then went over to the beach.  A Carnival cruise ship also came rolling by while we were there.  This is the path all the cruise ships take to get out into the ocean.  It got us excited for our cruise the next day.  We saw really cool sea shells at the beach and a fun lighthouse lifeguard tower too.

Different looking Seagulls, more cool shells, then Carter fell asleep on the way back from the park.

We then went over to Denny's for dinner.  Hudson was so silly, he kept wanting to eat the jelly packets.  Steve and Dave then took the rental van back while I got the boys ready for bed.  It was a fun day!

October Cruise, flying out

On Thursday, October 13th we went to the SLC Airport to go to Miami for another Disney Cruise.  I worked half of the day and the boys went to school in the morning.  Our neighbor Jacob came with us to the airport, then drove our car back home.  Rob also went w/ Dave, Joann and Diane and took Dave's truck back.  We appreciate their help! 

We had less bags this time, mainly due to our decision to checked our bags (so bigger bags), instead of mostly doing smaller carry on bags.  I also used a promotion that allowed us all to checked our bags (up to 8 bags) for FREE, which was awesome.  

Steve, Hudson, Nyles and Carter w/ our luggage ready to go.  Hudson drawing on a white board w/ Aunt Diane.  Carter and Nyles enjoying their view on a seat in the airport.  On our way through the airport.  We put the monkey backpack on Hudson w/ a leash attached, so he can't get too far w/out us whenever he decided to walk instead of ride in the stroller.  He's at that age that sometimes he refuses to ride in the stroller.

Our direct flight to Miami didn't leave until 5:30pm, so we got dinner in the airport while waiting for our flight.  We were able to board first since we brought a wheelchair for Joann (since her knee is still recovering from surgery in July), and Hudson w/ his stroller.  Pauline let us borrow a smaller stroller this time (thanks) and we decided to rent a car-seat w/ our car rental, so we didn't have to bring a car-seat this time.  This also helped us bring less "stuff" this time around.

Nyles w/ my sunglasses on all ready to go on our flight.  We were separated a little more on our way to Miami this time.  I sat next to Nyles, Steve next to Carter, Diane next to Carter, and Dave by Joann.

Sunset as we flew, then evening view.  After getting off our flight we picked up our luggage, then took a shuttle (MIA Mover) over to the car rental facility.  

On the Mover.  Once we got to the car rental place, we had to wait in line as there was only 1 person working at midnight.  Aunt Diane gave the boys some cute stuffed animals to keep them occupied while we waited.  Hudson also pushed his stroller w/ the stuffed animals to give them a ride :)

Cute stuffed animals and a snack.  Thanks Diane!

Once we got in the rental car (a 15 passenger van so we could fit all our luggage), and put Hudson in his car-seat, he felt right asleep.  Once we got to our hotel, Nyles and Carter quickly got into bed and fell asleep as well.  It was a long day, but we made it!

2nd Week of October

Here are some highlights from the 2nd week of October.  We were mostly getting ready and packing for our vacation/cruise coming up.  Here are a few things we did until we left on Thursday the 13th.  

On Monday, Steve got took the boys to get their flu shots.  Then after work we went to Wal-Mart where I got another Covid vaccine, plus my flu shot, plus another shot the pharmacist said I needed to get.  My arm was a little sore, but thankfully I had no other reactions.  I then went to get my hair cut and Steve took the boys to Draper Park to learn more about fire safety.

Hudson sat on Carter while waiting in the shopping cart.  Carter and Nyles trying out the fire hose.

Nyles starting a chain saw.  Carter putting out a fire.

Nyles and Carter getting in the helicopter.

Then watching a fire demonstration on how sprinklers really help to put fires out in a house.

Hudson trying out Pauline's little stroller she let us borrow for the trip, while watching Mickey Mouse w/ Carter.  A cute flower in the yard.

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