Our little Getaway

Back in December we decided we were going to book a cruise for our 7th anniversary this year. Last year we didn't nothing, and I sadly mean nothing because I had just had Parley and no one does anything with a 3 week old baby but attempt to sleep. They year before we passed on celebrating cause it was Brooklyn and Kys birthdays and its too hard to escape right in-between their birthdays, and all that Spring jumble we all participate in like soccer, planting, etc.
So, this year was going to make up for it! We wanted to go before the actual anniversary in May because like I say, we have 3 birthdays, and I hate to run away right around all the planning and preparations of it all. So, March was the chosen month. Found the perfect cruise for the perfect price and booked it.
Fast Forward to when I found out I was pregnant and about died! NO!! Im going on a cruise! Have huge plans to drop lots of weight before I am in swim suits and such. Then the panic that I would be too far along to do anything, or even cruise. I was a panic mess. Good thing I was only 14 weeks and they don't stop prego cruisers till 24 weeks. BUT, this did testify to me that 'Someone' knew that I was pregnant when we booked it and that we had to go in March or it would have been too late. I talked to my dr about it, and his advice first was to ensure no blood clots on our long flight and told me what to do and then his next advice, "Don't tell anyone your pregnant or they wont let you do ANYTHING as far as shore excursions. Your fine to do anything except scuba diving or anything really bumpy." Simple enough. But, boy was he right. I lied a lot and signed a lot of papers saying I was indeed not pregnant and each time died laughing inside. Good thing im just 'fluffy' enough no one would dare ask if I was pregnant for fear I might just say, "Nope just fat!" my plan if someone did ever ask was to say, "heavens no, my baby is only 10 months old, how crazy do you think I am!" Which would quickly silence anyone not from Utah or LDS.

So the trip. It was wonderful. Relaxing. Quiet--ish. Time ALONE with Brandon, priceless.

The first night on the ship

Our first port was in Key West. We had booked a snorkeling excursion. But it was SOOOO windy and I had my doubts, and they came true. We hustled off the ship early in the morning just to find it was canceled. Bummer. But, I remembered the last time I was there, with a lot of young adults. I think I was 17 or so. We rented scooters and rode the island. So that's what we did! It turned out so fun. I loved the wind in my face. Stopping and looking at my own speed. The water was freezing when we went to the beach and made me kinda thankful I wasn't out swimming. :)

Us and our little stow away present in Key West 2014

 After Key West that night was formal night. I sure do love this handsome man.

Second stop was Cozumel and we booked the Amazing Secret River Tour. It was beautiful and amazing. We loved it. We had a fun group and leader. I enjoyed the whole day. It was spent all day down under the ground, so sadly we didn't get any sort of a tan or got in that beautiful blue water, but I wouldn't trade that experience. I really love exploring things and I love caves!

 Our group...we had a couple that worked on the ship and it was their day off. She was from Ukrain and he was from Mexico City. They were so cute and nice. Then a couple (im guessing a match from the internet) He lives in Greece and she is from Florida. They were my favorite. So nice. Then another couple celebrating dating for a year from....umm I want to say Nebraska or one of the Dakodas. The of course our leader guy.

 These caves were ancient religious places for the Myans. There was an alter right as you went in and other signs that they used these often and that they were very sacred places. So to keep with Myan tradition they had to 'cleans' us. So the man in white prayed in Myan and then covered us in smoke ot make us clean. Then off to the caves....please, that wet suit not flattering im sorry you have to see this. :)

Then we had a day at sea. We slept in, took a nap, ate lots of food. I got a much needed massage while Brandon took another nap. We had a wonderful relaxing day of entertainment and nothing to do and wonderful (alcohol free of course) strawberry daiquiris and Pina Coladas! Im still craving that Pina Colada from brunch!

Then back home. We had mega drama for about 2 hours. We went to check in at the Miami Airport and it wouldn't let us at the kiosk. I was frustrated, finally went and talked to the people and his simple reply, "But ma'am your ticket is for April 16th not March 16th, and im sorry we are all booked up today. Call this number and see if they can help you. There is nothing I can do." WHAT!!!!! I need my babies. Im pretty sure my mom doesn't want my kids for another month! I wont fit in my clothes in a month! I want to get home!
Called the number and got the most helpful nice woman I have ever talked to in costumer service. I told her our problem. She started tying away. First option, You can spend $600 each on top of what we had already spent on tickets and we could fly out of Miami and get home by 8 that night. Um, NO WAY! So she types away.
Ok I found one for you Marci, you need to run outside, find a shuttle to take you to FT. Lauderdale airport (45 minutes away in good traffic) and get there in that 45 minutes cause the flight leaves in 1 hour and 30 minutes. I will wave the transfer fee of $200 per ticket and just charge you $22 total for the change. But you have to go NOW! Do you want it. YES YES YES, we ran outside demanded a fast shuttle. Miracle of miracles no traffic in the slightest. We jumped out ran to check in and the lines were like a sight from a horror story at Disney Land! Oh my goodness. We talked to the attendant at the back and they pushed us up to the front we checked our bag and then waited eternity in the security check. We got through I had to eat because I was already feeling so sick, thanks to the baby baking in the oven. Brandon went to beg that we could sit together, I came back inhaled (literally) my food and we got on the plane. We then had the most awesome seats...we were over the wing so we were the emergency exit people...oh heavenly. Then to make it even better the stewardess had to sit in the pull down seat in front of us, and it was so turbulent she couldn't get up. She was so friendly. So fun to talk to. I thoroughly enjoyed that flight. Then a huge 4 hour layover that I thought would never end, and the last long leg of the flight. Then driving home we finally got home at 130AM (our original flight Brandon booked was supposed to make it so we could be home in bed at 9PM bummer, it didn't work, but we were so blessed to still make it home for work and our family the next day. Bumpy end but a perfect vacation.


While we were gone, my mom did her end of spoiling the kids rotten. Here are some pictures she sent me of them during their visit. It was their nightly treat to get sherbet. I think they all enjoyed it! :)

Christmas 2013

Better late than never.....(this was written in Feb after Christmas)
Ward Christmas Party

This year our ward did a breakfast for dinner and pj party. It was a hit! I loved it. They kids all ready for bed, breakfast is always a popular meal at our house. Santa was comeing. Perfection. We were pretty rushed through seeing Santa due to the amount of kids waiting, but we had to snap some pictures.

kids listening to a story read by a member of the bishopric

Brooklyn not about to let go of daddy

Happy Kids for a moment!

Sunday Before Christmas. Arent they just the best looking group of my off-spring!

This is REAL LIFE (yes brooklyn has pink leggins on. Somedays its not worth the fight. Even on Sunday, especially on Sunday. )

The Childs Christmas Party

Bless Uncle Derek, he played with all the kids while we set things up. What a great Uncle.

Oh how much Kyler was looking forward to chatting with Santa. At the ward party it was too rushed and he didnt get to converse like he wanted to and was descuraged, so i told him when we had the Childs family party Santa would come and he could talk to him all he wanted. Oh, the excitment and joy! It shows in these photos.

Ky gets this collage because it shows the excitement, giggles and pure Santa joy coming from him!

As for Parley he loved Santas beard and wanted a taste, and wanted to make sure it was good and attached to his face ;) Santa wanting to avoid any painful experiences was quick to redirect his attention to his jingle bells and Par was overjoyed. He loved them. Quick save Santa!!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Brooklyn, oh sweetest Brooklyn. She isn't a social gal. And Santa, well, she knows he gives candy so she really wants to like him, she will sit there on his lap long enough to get her sweets and then off she comes. Panicked and all. She enjoyed the rest of the evening protected on Grandmas lap eating her bag of sweet goodness.


Brooklyn and her chocolate. Happy as can be.

Christmas Eve and Day
Before Thanksgiving even came Kyler had informed Grandma Jo (Childs) that we would be having a sleepover at her house Christmas Eve and that Santa would find us there. So, even though i would love to do Christmas morning at my house, we packed all the presents and headed 3 miles down the road to Grandmas house. Ky was so excited. They got to decorate thier gingerbread boys for Santa, played and headed downstairs for bed.
I love Christmas. I get so excited for the kids. It was a blast watching them all morning with their presents. Because it was 2 months ago, i sadly dont remember specifics. But, it was a great day, i do know that. We just stayed in comfys and played with our new toys, and per Ky request even slept over an additional night.

Opening their Christmas Eve present from Alfie our elf

It was matching Jammies for the kids!

 wrestling with daddy is the greatest

 Christmas Day Morning

  Running in seeing all their goods...take note of that cute elf on the couch in the corner...story about him to come....

 Stocking goodies

 The firetruck was for daycare, but Santa wanted to bring it to grandmas house cause I was pretty excited about it.

 Grandma Nancy gave them a smaller scale trampoline...they love it. They jump on it outside on the covered porch with their slippers on.

Brookie and her Lala Loopsie bike

Parley was happy, no ecstatic about all the paper on the ground

 Ok story....This awesome semi-truck was from Grandma and Grandpa Childs. But Sparky the elf at Grandmas house had crossed Kylers name off the tag and put his....This broke Kylers heart and he and that elf had long chats when we would visit about how not nice it would be If he took that present from him. Then Christmas morning he took the present and hid it behind the couch and sat on it. Ky was quiet concerned when he couldn't find the huge present that had been there the whole month of December and now finally could open it and that darn elf had taken it. Good thing he was a dedicated seeker and found it, opened it and honestly now 3 months later loves that truck to the moon and back.

oh this girl and her chocolate. That is actually all she asked Santa for. He felt she might want toys, but in the end, she was mostly engaged with her stocking and the candy she got there, not with her toys.

the reindeer didn't eat all the carrots we left out, so ky helped himself while waiting for breakfast.

 

 And that's all. I stopped taking pictures and just enjoyed the day with my kids. Merry Chirstmas!