We decided to celebrate our 10th anniversary and Jonathan’s MBA graduation by planning a West Carribean cruise trip, since we had been with friends a few years before and really enjoyed the all inclusive and stress-free, super adventurous and fun trip. We found a nice one going to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. As plans continued, and based on previous requests to go along next time from our sweet family who have watched our kiddos before, we realized it might be worth considering if Grandpa and Grandma would come with us to help look after our kiddos. They seemed very interested. Then, Aunt Rebekah told us she would come along and be a helper too if that worked for us. We thought, great, another helper and how fun for the kids to have grandparents and an aunt there to play and spend time with!
Then a couple months before our trip, Jon’s sister Susan and her husband Cory, chimed in wondering if they came too with their kiddos, would it be okay as well?! We figured the kids would love having cousins there, and this could mean more board and card game nights for all the adults! So we agreed for them to join us!! Then it made sense for Uncle Samuel to come and hang out with Jarom!
What a fun crew we rounded up!! So, even though what started as an anniversary trip plan rolled forward into a super fun part-extended family vacation! We learned a few lessons about timing and specific child ages/the fun children’s daytime camp... and that it was super hard to have a focused anniversary trip combined with a family trip, but when it came down to it, we really were so thankful for the whole experience!!! We loved having the opportunity to share some amazing memories with family, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, and are so thankful for everyone’s incredible help and willingness to take care of our kiddos for some of our on-shore adventures and for the great times we were able to enjoy together!!
Here are some highlights from our trip, mostly captured on Aunt Susan’s phone... thanks for helping us remember these fun times!
Yay for our first big family trip!! This was on shore at Grand Cayman!!!
Aunt Susan and Joshy (1.75 yrs old)
We see some sting rays out there!!! Look at that super blue, super clear water!!!
The Cutest K Cousins around!!! (Both 8 years old!!)
Grandpa kissing a sting ray=7 years good luck!!!
Mommy & Joshy
Nathan touching a sting ray with Grandpa!!
Katelyn kissing the sting-ray!! One lucky girl!!
Mommy’s turn!!! I love sting rays and bat rays!!!
Our whole sting ray bunch!!! What special memories we shared here!! The rays were so big, were circling around all over and were not afraid at all because they knew these passenger snorkel boats brought food!!! Kimball fed one, and their plate like teeth snagged her a bit, she was brave and a little nervous, but what a cool story and memory to remember!! Joshy, Gracie and Nathan AND Katelyn were a little hesitant at first, but after a while they warmed up a bit and everyone but Joshy got to touch one and some even were brave enough for sting ray lucky kisses!!
Back rub for Aunt Susan!
Love that Nathan smile and sharing in one of my favorite joys in life- learning about sea life!!
Cute cousins!!!
Then we ventured over to a Turtle Farm where we got to hold small turtles, see some babies, and SWIM and SNORKEL with bigger ones too!!! We all loved this experience and many thanks to Grandpa for sticking back and watching Joshy and Gracie. Such a special thing to do with the kids and family, they were so brave and we will always remember this!!
Yay Gracie!!! (4 years old)
Turtle time!!! Nathan-6, Gracie-4, Katelyn-8, Joshy-1.75 =D
Yay Grandpa!
Snorkel time, it was so beautiful!!
After the turtles, Grandpa took Nathan, Joshy and Josiah back to the ship to get some food and for Josh to squeeze in a nap... the rest of us got dropped off for some beach time on 7 mike beach! Pristinely fine sand and super clear turquoise water! Breathtaking! The girls liked collecting sea shells and coral, which we left there and Samuel, Jarom and I liked using my goggles to search for colorful fish!! Susan had been here before so she knew it was great, I think she was glad to finally share this beautiful place with Cory!!
Will treasure these fun memories together!
Here is what the slide on our ship looked like, the kids loved playing here almost everyday. :) Joshy and Gracie liked the kiddie slide with flowing water off to the side the best!!
Game nights playing the Brighton’s peg game were a blast!! We are always up for competitive game nights!! :)
Snuggles before walking out of the kids performance show that was completely inappropriate and disappointingly suggestive and so we left!
Smiles!
So thankful to all those who helped to make this experience possible and for the sweet memories we could share away from technology and our everyday routines... it was refreshing, fun to focus on together time and experience some new adventures together. Love family so much!
No comments:
Post a Comment