The Fleming Flock: Vacation Chronicles...

Day one - The High Seas

Monday we sailed to Haiti. The seas were pretty rough. I didn't take anything and was regretting that decision the whole day. But once you're feeling sea sick...there's not much to stop it. Everyone spent most of the time in the H20 Zone....which was a huge GREAT water park right on the boat! Definitely a fav of the Flock.

Just had to capture this remarkable back fat for posterity!

Then it was bed time in Nonnie and Pop's cabin! Though it didn't really go down as pictured...Colson ended up in our room and Braxton was in the pack and play in our closet the whole cruise. :O

Day two Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbean's private island spot)

Our first port of call was the private cove owned by the ship. We spent most of the morning off the boat and returned in time for nap and some homeschool. Here is a water park shipwreck where we spent most of our time. Nonnie, Pop and Evan took a stroll on the beach...which looked beautiful from a far. The zip line looked fun too...but too many little people to do an adventure like that and Evan as not interested in trying it.

Then it was time to take the tender back to the ship. (that's what it's called when you take a smaller boat to get to shore and then back to the ship - it's a great concept...but any port where we walked right off and on the ship was so much more convenient).

We're on the tender getting ready to head back.

That evening before dinner we opted for a little face painting. While Daddy was in line with AG and Coly (for the face painting) Nonnie, Pop and Evan were at some shopping presentation and Nonnie WON a necklace. THEN I entered a raffle on the main promenade and won some jewelry as well - not as nice as Nonnie's necklace...but it was still cool to win something. What a cute Butterfly Princess and Dog we have here!!!

Day three Ochos Rios, Jamaica- we started the day with Morning Tea on the balcony and by we I mean Nonnie and the grandpeople.

We got off the ship and then took a private van on an island tour...with our driver as the history guide. Amazingly, one of John's tenants here in Gainesville has family in Jamaica and so John hooked up a private tour/driver for the day and off we went!!!

After the full area tour- we stopped for lunch at a little 'flora and fauna' island place.

Then we headed off to Dunn's River Falls. It was a beautiful water fall with rock laqndings all along the way. Ashlyn Grace and Evan were ready to climb the falls with what I thought would be Daddy and Pop. But, as it turned out...

After we got there and previewed the climb, we pulled AG from the adventure and Pop and Nonnie escorted Evan. Here they are near the bottom of the Falls getting started. Evan is in the Orange and Blue jams being held by the stranger in the white shirt. Everyone in their "hiking group" was so helpful! (as I noted being the on-looker taking the pictures).

Back at the base of the Falls, Daddy had Ashlyn Grace, Colson and Braxton at the beach. They seemed like they were all having fun...

Braxton LOVED the water and waves...he kept walking into the ocean, Daddy just couldn't keep him out. (I think Braxton found this to be a fun game...and Daddy found it to be lots of work to keep a constant eye on him- and the other two) Here's some sand Smiley put on his own face...but he never got it in his eyes. :)

When we left the beach basin we found the other group nearing the top of their adventure.

And then the grand finale: you guys did it!!

Day four Grand Cayman-
When we ported at Grand Cayman we had to take another tender to get ashore. We then looked around a little and caught our tour bus to the Turtle Farm, with a short stop in a local town for some pictures and local trinkets. We stopped at a town called Hell (no joke)- here's proof

And here's what it looks like behind the building we just took pictures in front of...a little hellish maybe?!?

We then we went to the Sea Turtle Farm...(John's Favorite). We all got to hold the sea turtles- except Evan and Colson who didn't want to. But, as you can see Gracie Cakes was ALL about it!

Even Braxton got some turtle five!

Don't drop him Nonnie!

John was tickling the turtle- apparently they like it when you rub them under their neck!

This was as close to the turtles as Colson wanted to get.

And before we left the "petting area" Ashlyn Grace asked to hold one ALL BY HERSELF. She LOVED it. (maybe she'll be a veterinarian when she gets big- she loves animals!)

Then we had some lunch and Daddy and Evan went snorkeling. Evan LOVED this part! I'm not sure which part he liked better- the snorkeling or having Daddy ALL to himself!

Caught the tender back to the ship and that night we went to watch a show on Ice...yep the ship had a small ice skating rink on deck three~ it was a cool show and Colson was all eyes the entire show! Braxton was ready for bed the last 10 minutes of the show so I missed the grand finale. Here we are in our seats, waiting for the show to start.

Day five Cozumel

The next day we walked off the ship, got on a bus tour and headed straight to the Dolphin Encounter.

Pop, Nonnie, and Daddy took Evan, Ashlyn Grace and Colson. Braxton and I could watch from the dock RIGHT where they were- but I wasn't allowed to take any pictures! We bought two of their pictures and Nonnie got the DVD. :) Again- Ashlyn Grace LOVED it, Evan was pensive and took a while to "want" his turn and Colson had NOTHING to do with it...even the best bribes were not good enough to motivate Colson to pet/touch the dolphin.

Then we headed into town for some lunch! Do you get the idea that we ate a lot in this vacation.?!

Day six - Last day at Sea

Once again it was the all-day-sea-day. By this time I had Dramamine going day and night and I was FINE. Plus the sea was a lot calmer. We spent most of the day in the water zone!

That night was Halloween - so we had a little dinner (this was the entry into the dining hall)

and then we did a little trick-or-treating on the ship. Trying to get a GREAT picture of all 4 just didn't happen...but here's what I got:

Then up to the top deck (11) and we walked around with them, making our way down the ship.

I think we made it down two decks and then headed to our cabin for BED. Colson was being carried and falling asleep in motion. They were great troopers, but clearly WORN OUT. Plus, we still had to PACK and have all of our bags in the hall by 11:00 PM (or we would have to carry them off in the AM...NOT)!

Day seven -

Braxton woke up in such a great mood that I had to snap this picture- AND get proof that he DID sleep in the closet!

So we packed up the final things and headed off the ship. We said good bye to Nonnie and Pop at our cars and then headed back home. We had to stop in WHO KNOWS WHERE along toll road to change a poo-poo diaper for Smiley and then in Ocala for good ol' American Junk Food at Wendy's.