Anchors Away!

As grandparents, George and I love to spend time with the grandkids to get to know them better.  We have been looking forward to our cruise for spring break with Kevin and Kyle's families ever since we got off our cruise with John and Alison's family in December when we went to New Zealand and Australia.  This time our destination was the Caribbean and we were able to take my dad along, too!

Independence of the Seas was the perfect ship for kids--and older "kids" like us, too, with so many things to do!  Here are a few of the activities the kids enjoyed before we even left the dock:

All the swimming and ice cream you wanted!

Fun games in the game room.

Miniature golfing.

The scenery at the dock was just beautiful!  With so many boats in the harbor, everything had to be perfectly orchestrated to get every boat out in order.  It was soon our turn. 

Our ship had 4,300 on it--loaded to capacity (with half of it being young kids under 18 on spring break).

 

And we were off!  So many things to do and see--would eight days be enough???

Kade getting ready to try the rock climbing wall.

Kade with his friend, Austin, who lives in his neighborhood.  Their family, the Petersens, went, too.

The object is to ring the bell--yeh, he did it!

Then they have to repel down the wall--that is the funnest part, I'm told.

Now Connor tries his hand at this--

Yeh, Connor! 

And now, Carter--sorry, I didn't get the picture when he got to the bell, too.  Yeh, Carter!

Eating, as always, is the best on a cruise!

And at dinnertime, we had our own huge table which sat 15!

The dinnertime was always a favorite time--in addition to the yummy food, Kevin started each meal out with a question--"Name your favorite place you have ever visited."  "Name your favorite foreign food."  Etc., etc.  We all looked forward to the answers, and it got everyone involved in the conversations. 

Also, one of the things we all looked forward to the most at dinnertime--especially Brady, was the magic tricks that our waiter performed for us.  He was fantastic and kept us all mesmerized!

So, now Taylor tries it.  At least it's a start!

Some of the waiter's magic tricks involved items disappearing.  We were all amazed at that!  Brady couldn't wait for each dinner to see the magic act.  One night, he asked the waiter what the magic trick was that night and the waiter said he was going to make Brady disappear.  Brady said, "No, no, not me!"  But the waiter came and whispered to Brady, and he smiled and smiled.  Here's how the trick went down:

The waiter holds the magic white cloth in front of Brady . . .

He said some magic words and took away the cloth.  Brady had disappeared!  Everyone said, "Bring him back.  We need Brady back!"

He put the cloth back up, and Brady came back.  We all got a real kick out of it--apparently I realllly did!  Everyone asked Brady to tell the secret of the magic trick, but he said he couldn't because the magician had told him not to--and I won't either!

More fun and games to be reported on the next blog!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

George wanted to take my dad to a Gator's game, and the only team playing right now was the baseball team.  The game was against FSU--our intense rival.  It was such a great evening with wonderful weather--not too hot and not too cold. 

We took Garrett, and he seemed to have such a great time with us. 

The food was great--especially the cotton candy, Garrett said. 

But unfortunately the Gators were soundly beaten--7 to 2.  Oh, well.  Football isn't that far away, and things should turn around at that time.  We, also, took my dad to see "The Swamp" in Gainesville where the Gators play.  Although he had seen it before, he was still pretty much in awe!

In addition, we took him to Craig and Cassie's place to see them.  We had four generation pictures taken.  That was really special. 

Grandpa Rigby meeting Baby Riley for the first time.

Oh, yes, and while my dad was here, he got very nostalgic seeing the old BMer--which is still running after 17 years!!! (minus a little air-conditioning which is a killer in Florida!)

Back in Jacksonville, Grandpa also took four generation pictures with Baby Lola.

Do you see some family resemblance?