We Head to Dallas!

It has been probably close to a year since we visited our kids and grand kids in Dallas, so that was the perfect place to go for Spring Break!  Cameron and Craig and their families had called us about a month before and told us they were planning  for a five day-four night cruise for all of us to go on while we were there which left out of Galveston.  We were thrilled with the idea!

 So, of course, all the girls went for a pedicure--my first!  I did have a foot massage in Shanghai, but I'm not really going to count that because that was one of the most painful things I've ever done.  This was very relaxing!  I think I'm hooked on this!

  

 

 Sydney was prepared with a drawing of a ship anchor which the lady drew on her toes.

 

 The finishing touch really made Sydney smile!

 While we were in Dallas, we were able to see Craig and Cassie's new home--their first as the owners.  It was really beautiful, and George and I are so happy for them. 

One night as we were all watching television in their movie theater room, little Riley kept coming by George and me and tapping us and then running off.  We thought it was so cute that he was paying attention to us.  Finally, someone said, "What does that say on his shirt?"  From the side, I could only see "er," so I was sure it had something to do with "Tigers," Cassie's favorite team.  When he finally turned a little more, I realized it said, "Big Brother."  Big Brother!  I started squealing, "Big Brother!  Is Riley going to be a big brother?"  Then Craig and Cassie announced that Riley will be the big brother of a baby brother or sister in October.  We are so happy and thrilled for them.  Grand baby number 25 on the way!

While we were at Cameron and Anne's home, we tried to spend as much time with little Gavin as possible because he hadn't been invited on the cruise.  Hah!  He is such an adorable little guy with such a cute little personality.  We really got a kick out of him.

He wasn't sure what all the preparations and packing were about, but he wanted to try on his mother's hat.

 

And, of course, we watched the boys with their indoor basketball hoop.  It certainly gets lots of use, especially by Jaxon.  Funny there aren't holes in their walls!

Mason had been on the countdown of the days until we left for the big boat for at least a month. 

Galveston is about a five-hour ride from Dallas--normally.  But with kids and a grandpa that likes to stop a lot, it took us six hours.  We were supposed to be on board the ship by 2:30 p.m.--we arrived at 2:15!  Wow!  That was cutting it close, but we finally got to the cruise terminal, and the kids couldn't have been happier!

As we boarded the ship, the first thing George and I noticed was that this wasn't going to be like the Mediterranean Cruise we took.  We didn't see one swim suit on board that cruise, let alone thousands of bikinis we saw on this one!

Here we are ready for our great adventures ahead!

Riley still wasn't quite sure what this was all about!

But, it didn't take him long before he started noticing that this was going to be so cool!

 

 Sydney and Jaxon had been on a cruise before, so they knew how much fun it was going to be!

First stop while waiting for our rooms to be ready and our luggage to be put on board:  get some ice cream!

Of course, Papa George didn't argue about that!

Our room:  One of the kids was going to stay with us--but they ended up all wanting to be together.

At dinner time, we were thrilled to have the big table on the very back of the boat.

It provided a great slippery slide for Mason and Riley when they finished their dinner--which they always did before us.

It was great--they were completely out of the way and didn't bother anyone! 

Riley took "Baby Giraffe" with him everywhere!

 

Two little cousins just cruisin'!

 

 

With Sydney having celiac disease, she has to be so careful with what she eats.  But she had the nicest meal planner young lady, I believe from Yugoslavia or Russia, who planned her meals every day so that she could eat yummy food, too!

These were ribs for one little girl!

Both Sydney and Jaxon were good to try new foods.

 

 I'm going to try gator tail?!

 

 

But he ended up actually liking it!

Meal times were always fun to all be together and talk about anything and everything!

 

  

Our waiter made Mason a little bird out of his napkin.

Mason thought that was pretty cool!

One night, the assistant waiter started showing Sydney how to fold the napkin to make a swan.  Craig really took note, and soon he was making one, too!

 

I think Craig should start making those little bibs he puts on you when you sit in his dental chair into animals.  The kids would love it!

 

Soon Riley was trying it, too.

 

 

Our breakfast meals were always in a different area of the dining room, so we got to see all different sides of the boat.

Sometimes the two little boys would go to Kids' Club.  One day, Riley made a "Build a Pirate," which he loved, and wore his pirate shirt to be just like his stuffed pirate.

 

Riley and Mason coming back from a "happy" time at Kids' Club.

The kids, also, really enjoyed the hot tub--the pool water was way too cold.

With all the music playing, Anne and Mason started dancing.

And, of course, you could still get all the soft serve ice cream you could eat . . .

 
any time of the day!


 The weather was beautiful, so we could spend lots of time outside.

They really enjoyed the miniature golf--however, it was a little windy for it.  That didn't seem to bother Mason in the least.

Sydney found a little Mormon girl her exact age who sat with her family near ours at dinner.  They became great friends very quickly.

The view from the golf course.

One day, we were able to watch a guy carve out an Indian from a big piece of ice in just minutes.  It was amazing!

 

 The finished product!

The buffet was open at all hours . . .

At night, after watching the shows, we loved to go get hot chocolate . . .


 and then go to our rooms and see what animal creation awaited us.


Formal nights are always fun.  This was sort of a "casual" formal night.

This one is my favorite of Craig and Cassie.

Doesn't Sydney look like a princess?!

Such a cute picture of Cameron and Anne.   The two little guys weren't invited to formal night.  Hah! 

Docking  On the cruise that leaves from Galveston like we did, we only made one stop--but it was such a great place to go for a family.  Cozumel!

The kids were fascinated by the blue water and the fish they could see below.

First stop:  Get sunglasses for those who had forgotten them.  That sun was pretty bright!

Then we went to the place under the shade to wait for the taxi/bus to take us to the beach.  A marimba band was playing.

We were told that a place called "Paradise Beach" was the best for kids.  We certainly weren't disappointed!

It was a gorgeous beach with so many things for the kids to do.







 
 
 It, also, had the most clear, clean pool which the kids loved.




 
 Can you tell that Riley was having the time of his life?!

The music started playing, and the little kids started dancing.













We had a wonderful lunch inside this little hut.
 
 The view from the other side of the hut.





 On the bar inside the hut, you could see these beautiful birds walking around wherever they wanted to.

  


 I shouldn't have spoken so soon.  One got on the ceiling grass, and they had to get it down with a chair.

Just as it was about time to leave to go back to the ship, Riley conked out.  He was exhausted!

I told Jaxon to go stand by the pirate just before we got to the ship.


This is what happened!

Getting back to the ship after a wonderful day in Cozumel.

Back on the ship, we loved going to the game room to get board games.  We laughed our heads off when we played some game that made you do the funniest random things, but I think our favorite was, "Go Fish."  Even Mason loved this game!  Jaxon was so good at it, and wanted to play it every time we got the chance.

 

One night, there was a pool party with live music.  Mason loved dancing with his mom.

 

Sydney looked like she wanted to dance, too . . .

so, out went her daddy, and they, also, had so much fun dancing.

All of us really enjoyed the night shows.  There were very lavish costumes and scenery for many of them, plus a very funny juggler and comedian.
 

 

 

 


 But even with all the food (do you ever quit eating on a cruise?) and all the fun things to do, the best part was bonding with family that we haven't seen for way too long a time.

and seeing all the smiles, I think everyone felt the same!







 


Back at the ship terminal, saying "Good-bye."  Thanks Cameron and Anne, Craig and Cassie, and all the kids!  We had such a marvelous spring break with all of you!  You treated us royally, and we loved it!