Hey folks- and happy February to you! I know this is coming a few days late, and as usual, I am behind schedule. One of my new year's resolutions for MBP, is to bring you more original content. I know that you love the reviews, giveaways and discounts (who doesn't?), but the whole reason this blog began, was so I could keep everyone up to date on the cool stuff we were doing, as a family.
This little boy couldn't wait to go on vacation!
So, since I was pretty crazy busy during January, I thought I'd just do a quick little recap of what January held for the Witts.
Tarpon Springs, Florida
We started the new year off fighting off colds. We had a huge family vacation planned for the Durocher/Witt/Brownfield part of our family- a seven day cruise from Tampa, Florida to cool places like Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize and Roatan. I spent the first few days of that trip sick- we left NC on a Friday and drove straight through the day to Tampa, where we spent the night at a friend's family home. The next day, my sister (you know her- Britt, one of our bloggers), and her husband Cory flew from Tulsa to Tampa, to meet us. We all spent the night at the house, and then the following day (Sunday), we boarded the Carnival Legend, and embarked on a truly fantastic adventure on the sea!
There's the family (sans me) on the Carnival Legend...
Elegant Dining Night #1
Fun at the Kiddie Pool...
I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful our cruise was. Our ship was beautiful, and ornate, and jammed with all kinds of things to do- all inclusive. Restaurants, a beautiful dining room, buffet, 24/7 pizza bar, ice cream, and more! I sort of felt like every time we turned around, it was time to eat! Our stateroom was wonderful, the staff so attentive! Balian had a blast, and received lots (and I do mean lots) of special attention from the crew on board the Legend. Our cruise director was lots of fun, and there were a lot of neat activities for us to enjoy, while on board the ship.
Cozumel, Passion Island
Cozumel, Passion Island
Britt & Cory- Mahogany Bay, Roatan
Sacha and Balian, swimming in the bay...
My mom, Leslie, holding a turtle at the Turtle Farm in Grand Cayman
Our ports of call were awesome! In Cozumel, we went on an excursion to Passion Island, a private beach break for families- all inclusive (ahem- open bar and buffet!). We were pretty bummed that we were not able to go to Belize- the itinerary was change, and we were going to Costa Maya, instead. The day we were supposed to stop in Costa Maya, the swells were too large, and we were unable to dock- it was wasn't safe. The ship was particularly active motion wise that day. We had to spend an extra day at sea, but that was okay- we busied ourselves and enjoyed the pools. Roatan was our favorite port. There was a beautiful public beach in Mahogany Bay, where we spent the day. We swam, ate and shopped the day away, and we would love to go back there! In Grand Cayman, we took another excursion, and went to the Turtle Farm, where we held turtles, swam with the fishies, and had lots of fun.
Happy 30th Birthday to me!
I turned 30 while on the cruise, and we celebrated my birthday with cake and champagne in the dining room on the ship. The dining staff brought me a cake and sang to me, and the best part of all was that I was with my family. We did lots of other cool things on the ship, too- Britt and I sang karaoke (she actually had to convince me this time), we went to some pretty cool shows in the Follies Theater (a magic show!), went shopping in the on ship boutiques, walked through the Enchanted Forrest, made friends with the singer/guitarist at the lobby bar (he sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for Balian), and walked, walked, walked and rode the elevators. We spent a few minutes in the casino, playing penny slots, and my parents enjoyed the adults only Serenity Pool (21 & over), an area that was little-kid free, for peace and quiet. Sacha enjoyed the water slide, and though we never made it to the mini golf course, it looked fun!
We did not want to come home, after the vacation was over. Even cruising with our two-year-old was a great experience, one that we can't wait to do again!
Balian, Sacha and Grandma Gretchen at the circus...
January has been busy for us with blogging, work and church- as usual. We're trying to finish our taxes (sigh!), and do a few fun things in between all of the boring adult stuff that we subject our son to. We were able to go to the circus at the very end of January, which we featured here on MBP, and we've got some fun stuff planned for February and March, too. Looks like spring is going to be pretty busy, but I wouldn't expect much less.
I am looking forward to making a scrapbook of our vacation, if I can find the time to work on it, and am looking forward to planning our next family adventure, too! We'd definitely love to go back to Roatan, but we're looking into Disney World, too. I asked my hubby if we could take a little family trip up to NJ this summer, too- so, we'll see what happens.
There you have it- our family adventures for the month of January. There are more fun stories coming soon, and I can't wait to share them with you! Thanks for sticking with us!
Wow--that looked like a great trip! And I'm sure that little soon to be heart breaker was the center of attention!
ReplyDeleteThanks- it was! Oh, yes- he learned the phrase, 'Hello, ladies' on that trip!
DeleteLooks like you all had a great time! I LOVE cruising and wish I could go all of the time! Great pictures!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time. I love cruises, the food on them is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat beach in Tarpon Springs, Florida looks familiar. My inlaws live there. :D
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing time that must have been!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an awesome January! I've never been on a cruise, and not sure if I could ever get my hubby to do it, but I would like to go on at least one. Maybe a cruise with my close girlfriends if my husband won't go on one. :) Love your pics!
ReplyDeleteAren't cruises amazing? My hubby and I went on one several years ago without the small people. We'd love to go on another one, taking the small people with us this time.
ReplyDeleteOh that looked just wonderful, I have never been on a cruise and now I want to go even more!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like it was a great vacation. Thanks for hooking up with Thirsty for Thursday this week.
ReplyDeleteNon-divers can enjoy Cozumel's beautiful Caribbean Mr Sanchos Cozumel waters with their associated water sports and seaside activities.
ReplyDelete