Flying Home

On Friday, December 1st, we woke up at 4am, got ready and packed the last few things in our bags.  We then went downstairs to take the hotel shuttle to the airport.  Unfortunately the driver never showed up, so they called another one to come take us.  It was a little stressful to say the least, so Stacie and Carrie's families ended up taking an Uber over to the airport.  

When we got to the airport, the Delta rep took FOREVER to check Joann's wheelchair and oxygen in.  Then they had both Conor and my date of birth's wrong, so we had to go back to Delta and have them fix it.  We finally made it to our gate.  We had just enough time to use the restroom, then they were calling us to board.  

When I gave him my ticket to board, he asked if we were going to LA, I said no SLC.  He pulled us aside and looked at my ticket.  It was for someone else going to LA!!! Apparently the Delta rep gave me the wrong ticket when she corrected my DOB.  Thankfully I found my original ticket w/ the wrong DOB and the rep let us on.  Needless to say we had a very STRESSFUL morning.  We all made it though on the plane, and took our seats.  All of us were on the plane home, except Melanie's family, who decided to fly out later.

Hudson looking out the window of the airplane as we take off.  Nyles and Carter ready to go.  We had a direct flight back to SLC thankfully.  

Dave and Joann all tuckered out.  Hudson finally fell asleep as well.

As we landed, it started to snow in SLC.  Snowflakes on the window.  Our bags getting loaded.

Back to SLC!  We definitely needed our jackets again, as it wasn't 75-80 degrees like in Florida:)  Our neighbor Karolen, was kind enough to come pick us up again at the airport w/ our Honda Pilot.  After getting home, Steve went and picked up Piper.  She was SUPER excited to see us again.  We were all happy to be home and see her as well.  Piper also made a cute Christmas decoration for us w/ her paws.

We were all wore out, so we took a nap once we got home.  We had a wonderful trip and made LOTS of wonderful memories as as whole family.  We will be looking back at this trip forever!  

Great quotes:

Getting off the ship, day in Fort Lauderdale

 On Thursday, November 30th, we got breakfast, then got off the ship.  Here are some highlights.

Carter in front of the Aquaduck entrance, waiting for our character to be called so we can get off the ship.  Nyles w/ his sad face at breakfast since we have to get off the ship.  We had to wait while Carrie took care of her stateroom (they were trying to charge her for a Disney excursion at Grand Cayman when we did a private one).  While we waited we did some stretching.  On our way out of Disney's port, after getting our luggage.

We were only 10 minutes from our hotel, so instead of taking a Lyft we decided to walk, along w/ Jeff's family.  We were early (before check-in time), so we hung out in the lobby for a while.  We walked over to a grocery store a little later and grabbed some food for lunch and dinner.  We got checked into 2 rooms early, so we changed and took a Lyft over to the beach.

Carter, Nyles, Hudson, Steve, Jeff, Kim, Cameron and Alexa walking to our hotel from the port.  Conor, Nyles and Carter playing while waiting for our room.

Back over at Fort Lauderdale beach.  The waves were higher than the week before and some jelly-fish, were washing in, so we had to be careful.

Fun in the sun and waves.

Hudson loves to dig in the sand.  Silly Steve drying Hudson's shirt off on his head.  Phill and Isaac.

Olivia, Alexa and Claire.  Carter digging in the sand.  

Conor buried in the sand.  Lynsie, Ryan and Carrie.

Carter, Jeff and Nyles watching the waves.  Hudson buried in the sand again.  Family picture.

Beautiful views!

After we got back to the hotel, Nyles and Carter wanted to swim in the pool and dive for toys.

We then ate dinner, took a shower and got ready for bed, especially since we had an early flight the next morning, at 7am, so leaving the hotel before 5am.  Hudson playing w/ some dice before bed.

What we are grateful for this day:

November 30:

• Steve- We had a successful trip!

• Penny- We made it off the ship safely!

• Nyles- Didn't get stung by a jellyfish.

• Carter- Playing in the ocean waves.

• Hudson- Playing in the sand on the beach.

Great quotes:

Castaway Cay/Steve's Birthday

On Wednesday, November 29th it was Steve's birthday and we were stopped at Castaway Cay!  Ironically last year in October, we stopped at Castaway on Diane's birthday!  After breakfast we got off the ship and onto the island.  It was REALLY decorated for Christmas, which was awesome!  Here are some highlights.

Walking over from the ship on the island.  Such a beautiful island.

We made it!  Steve helped push Joann in a wheelchair.  "Mount Rushmore" on the island.  

Conor and Carter ready to dig in the sand.  Isaac playing w/ Hudson.

Steve buried both Carter and Hudson in the sand to look like a starfish!  Happy Birthday to Steve!

Carter and Hudson buried in the sand.

We went snorkeling in the morning, then lunch time at Cookies Too.

A few pictures around the island.

Cool palm trees.  Carter bought a Castaway Cay Towel as his souvenir and Hudson got Mickey's boat w/ sand toys inside.

Hudson LOVES the boat he got.  We also brought other sand toys to play with on the beach.

Steve, Nyles and I went out snorkeling again.  

Hudson and Carter stayed back to play in the water/sand.

Nyles checking out the splash pad.  Noah, Melanie and Brandon enjoying the sun.  

More fun in the sun on the island!

"Big Summer Blowout!"  Hudson w/ his boat.  Conor and Nyles playing in the sand.

The day always goes by so fast.  Then it was time to get back on the ship.  

The kids went down the waterslides a few more times before leaving though.

Going down the slides (Conor, Carter and Nyles).

Catching the train back to the ship.

Family picture before getting back on the ship.

Train ride.

Our view in our room of Castaway.  Checking it out one more time before leaving.

Hudson catching a ride.  Cool snowmen :)

We got to sing Happy Birthday to Steve again that night at dinner.  I put his birthday banner up in our room from Joann.  Towel animal w/ Hudson's sting ray.

Singing Happy Birthday to Steve.

Going down the Aquaduck one more time.

One more.

Hudson fell asleep that night again at the play.  Steve w/ his birthday banner around our stateroom door that we brought for him and Cameron to use for their birthdays.

What we are grateful for this day:

November 29:

• Steve- Had a great birthday and great weather.

• Penny- Grateful to celebrate Steve and his birthday today at Castaway Cay.

• Nyles- Go out snorkeling 3 times at Castaway.

• Carter- Go on the water slides.

• Hudson- Mickey's boat toy.

Great quotes:

Another Day at Sea

On Tuesday, November 28th we had another fun day at sea.  Here are some highlights.

Hudson woke up a little early, so I took him for a walk around the ship so Steve could sleep a little longer.  Hudson said he was hungry, so we went and got some breakfast, then went and played shuffleboard and walked around the 4th deck.

Playing shuffleboard and pretty sunrise.

We then went swimming.  Hudson loved swimming in Mickey's pool.

Pretty view.

The wind picked up so we changed and did other things.  We went to a cooking demonstration.

Then watched the baby race ie Jack Jack's Incredible Diaper Dash.  It was hilarious!

We then did some crafts.

Nyles and the boys figured out they could blow air into their Flarp and make balloons.

We then attended the towel making class.

We then went to meet Santa!

All the grandkids w/ Santa.  Family picture.

Meeting w/ Donald Duck.  Enjoying the view!

Minnie Mouse!  Playing games up on the 11th deck and getting a 'snack.'

Hudson playing w/ his Flarp, then warming up w/ a towel by the pool.  Nyles and Carter.

Phill trying out his towel making skill at dinner time.  Yummy food!

Watching Beauty and the Beast play that night.  Hudson didn't last very long.  

Cool towel animal.  Hudson snuggling up w/ his blankets before bedtime.

Great quotes:

What we are grateful for this day:

November 28:

• Steve- Fun day at sea and my stomach has been doing well.

• Penny- Hudson is doing great w/ potty training (holding it while in the pool especially).

• Nyles- Playing in the pool.

• Carter- Going to the pool.

• Hudson- Swimming in Mickey's pool.