The Cruise
I will start by saying that vacation pictures are way cuter when there are kids involved. So, unfortunately for the blog, Mike and I went on a "grown up vacation" while the kids were still in school. Grandma was so wonderful to come stay at our place and take Madeline and Timothy to school (she even got to go to farm!) while we were away. I missed the kids so terribly, but it helped a lot knowing they were with Mom Renfrow while we were gone.

This first shot was taken the night we flew into Orlando. We went with some friends of ours from Nebraska who celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this summer! So, we took them out for some delicious seafood to treat them for their anniversary. We got them another gift too, but that's a very long story.

Here are Rick and Linda on the ship the next day. They were total newbies. They put their life vests on the very first time the cruise director made the announcement that there was going to be a safety drill. ;)
They got the hang of cruising pretty quick though, and we had lots of fun. Our first port was Nassau, Bahamas and we rented segueways and took a tour. We watched Paul Blart Mall Cop the day before to get ourselves ready.

It was a bit overcast, but we didn't get rained on except for a few sprinkles, so it was a pretty nice day. Mike was excited to be somewhere with palm trees. I was excited to be somewhere he couldn't use his cell phone or check his work e-mail!

The food was awesome that night on the ship. It was a formal dining night and they always serve their best meals that night so we all had lobster!

Rick and Linda...looking sharp!

They wouldn't let me take a picture of them without getting one of us too.

Our server, Igusti, was awesome. Mike figured out how to work him so he could get the lobster and the steak, or the next night the veal and the shrimp....and so on. OK, if you must know I might have finagled myself the tiramisu and the "bitter and blanc" bread pudding for dessert one night. I just wanted a bite of both of them...how's a girl to decide?

Of course there was a towel animal on our bed each night when we got back from dinner. My favorite was the elephant.

After a day at sea, we made a stop at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We took a jeep tour when we got on shore. Here are Mike and me in the back seat enjoying the scenery while Rick chauffeurs us around the island. =)

It was beautiful!

Some people took extra measures to ensure that the experience was properly recorded for posterity. ;)

We got behind a school bus and got to see all the kids getting off in their uniforms. It was pretty cute.

Back on the ship for dinner that night.

Did I mention the food was yum-o? Prime rib and veal parmesan....mmmmm.

HA! This one cracks me up. Because this picture is from right after we got off the ship at St. Maarten, when we realized that we had ourselves a cash limitation. Everyone was trying to figure out whether or not we'll be able to afford a taxi back to the ship if we take one to the other side of the island to look around.

No worries....we had enough. We rode over to the French side of the island and went to the open market, which was very cool.

This day held probably the best weather we got during a port day. It was beautiful and sunny and hot hot hot....but not as hot as Texas.

Awww....I know. We're so sweet. I told you vacation pictures are better with kids. Are you sick of seeing us yet?

SO HAPPY to be in a taxi on the way back to the other side of the island.

They told us that the Dutch side of the island was a lot cheaper than the French side, but the prices seemed about the same. I think the taxi drivers turn a faster profit if they stay on the same side of the island...

Ok, so this was supposed to be all four of us with the ship in the background...complements of Rick's long arm. However, after so many tries we gave up on the ship and were happy to just get all four of us. =)

Look at that...back on the ship for dinner. We were so good looking every night Linda couldn't help but take our picture. ;)

Someone ask Mike what time it is.

Awww...the swans the last night.

Even cuter now.

We are so awful....our steward took the divider out between our balconies so we went over to our wonderful neighbor's cabin and altered their towel animal display. Mike looks cute and mischievous...I look like I'm about to have a cow because we're not running back to our room. I think it's obvious who is more accustomed to getting into trouble.

Fortunately our dear friends were still our friends even though we had ruined the romantic display. Here they are on the beach back in Orlando the next day before we headed to the airport.

The best part of this vacation for me? Getting home to see these little turkeys! They're donning the souvenirs we picked up for them in St. Maarten...made in India, of course.

So...that was the cruise. I'm doing pretty well with this blogging stuff. Don't get terribly used to it. You know how I can be. ;)

-shannon