Cruise-Day 1

We were up and at 'em early and eagerly awaiting our shuttle from Ft Lauderdale to the Port of Miami (about at 35 minute drive). Cruise day was finally here and we all were excited and couldn't wait to be aboard the Carnival Imagination!! We could board at 12 and then our boat was scheduled to pull away from port at 4pm!!

 This is the arena where the Miami Heat plays

 Our first view of the our ship

 Looking out window as were waited in line to get check in

 Main floor--it was soo pretty!

 So beautiful

 The weather was quite windy, can you tell?

 Hunter and Hayley LOVED this little slide--it was really tall and the lines moved quickly! I didn't go down it, I was content with watching and listening to the kids scream as the did.

 The pool on the main deck wasn't quite what I thought it would be, it was VERY small. Needless to say the kids didn't mind. I am starting to think that they are part fish!!

 The ocean was a little rough in the afternoon, nothing major. I was so relaxed watching and listening to the waves crash against the boat--very peaceful

 Oh, the fruit. I tell you that we were in HEAVEN!!! Fresh, unlimited fruit....watermelon, honeydue, cantalope, berries, grapes, and pienapple. I ate so much that my mouth had sores on it, but it was worth every second of it!!

 This was the highlight of the evening for the kids, simply because they had NO idea that it was coming!! You should of heard the giggles and saw the smiles that this little rabbit caused!!

Hollywood Beach

Our hotel was about 20 minutes from the beach and within walking distance of several yummy restaurants (Taco Bell, Chipotle, TGIFridays, Wendy's, Incredible Dave's) and stores (Borders, Old Navy, Home Goods). We love being able to wander around and not being couped up in the hotel room.

We had a shuttle that took us to Hollywood Beach (about a 2 0 minute drive) and spend ALL day there--it was so nice to just relax and play in the Ocean. I could get used to this, but could do without all the sand!

 I have always wanted to rent one of these thanks to my Momma. We had to try it out, and it was so much fun and cheap, $20 an hour! The kids loved riding this and we rode from one end of the Boardwalk to the other. Nothing like getting a work out and sight seeing all at once.

What's going to the beach without stopping at all the little shops along the way?! Hayley tried on a coconut bra and had us a laughing so hard we were crying. Lord, we are in trouble when she gets older.

Brian saw this shirt and flipped out because it totally looks like Hunter, glasses and all!! We wanted to get it for him, but he was embarrassed so we didn't!! Now he tells me he wishes we bought it, sorry Buddy!

 I love this man so much. He is the best husband and Daddy to our kids that I could ever ask for. It was so nice to be able to spend some much needed time away, catching up and not having to worry about the farm or work.

 Sometimes I sware I have 3 children....

It was a wonderful way to start our vacation!!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It was the first time that the kids and Brian flew and they were beyond excited. I was kinda nervous because I didn't know how Hayley would do with her ears and motion sickness, and I could just see me being torn between 2 sick kids and a hubby. Thankfully, that was not the case. I invested in the Motion Sickness bands (thanks Amy for the idea) and some medicine and made sure they all took this before we left.

I couldn't help but laugh because the 3 of them were practically running down the aisles to get to the ticket counter

This is our plane, it was little and seated about 250--it was very nice!

Since we had to be there so early, 2 hours before to do all the check in things, we had plenty of "wait time."  The kids were excited that they had no time limits on their Game Boys or iPods, it is vacation after all right?!

Boarding the plane

Our seats were wonderful...2 and 2 right next to the window!! Brian was more excited about that then anything else!!

Hayley was easily entertained with a coloring book, crayons and her iPod!

We looked out our window and spotted our luggage (the bright YELLOW bags!) I made sure those bags made it onto the plane.

Take Off!! It was so funny, wish I had video taped it. The kids and Brian were giggling like there was no tomorrow!!

The view was AMAZING!!! I couldn't get over how things looked. Hunter was in awe, kept telling me it looked like a Micro Machine Town!!

I really can't begin to understand or grasp how someone could question if there is a God after looking at all the creations!! It simply is amazing and breath taking!

We arrived in Ft Lauderdale about 12:00, it was  about a 2 hours 10 minutes flight and went very smoothly. Pictures below are us arriving in Florida

It was really neat to see these wing thingies come up as the plane was slowing down after our smooth landing at Ft Lauderdale Airport!

This is their Sheriff car..seriously!! I had to laugh, I could just see them pulling up and making an arrest and then trying to get them in the back of the car!!

The end is near.....

Today has been a crazy busy day....laundry, packing, errands, feeding animals, mowing grass, cleaning house--the end is finally here!! I can say I am worn out and so ready to have a relaxing time with my hubby and kiddos on our cruise!!

T minus 1 day until this will be our home for the next 4 days....

I'm just a little excited...can you tell?!?!?

Lighting gets a Bath

It's been so HOT outside and Lighting has been a mess when he has came in from the field from rolling and grazing all day long, we decided to give him a bath! He LOVED it. I was worried about how he would do at first, since it was going the be the first time the kids would do this, but he did wonderfully!! He hardly moved any and kept stretching his neck out when we were washing/scrubbing/brushing him--guess it felt good!

*Yes I still have my suit on, we had just gotten back from swimming with friends I hadn't changed yet*

 I was so worried about watching the kids wash him that I didn't think to take any pictures. Thankfully, Hayley has grabbed my phone--I have trained her well.

The kids had fun bathing Lighting, after a while to was more like work so they decided play in the hose, which was fine with me. It's hard work trying to get his white clean---he didn't look all that dirty, but was we were scrubbing, lots of dirt began to surface. It took a while to get him clean, but finally he was clean. We shall see how long this lasts!!