Christmas 2011

This Christmas we had just come home from our cruise and we were looking forward to just being home and spending time with our kiddos. We did alot more baking this year than we normally do.
We decorated a Gingerbread house

James Henry was a big help..

Chocolate dipped marshmallows

Rice crispy Christmas Tree

Some yummy snowmen

and reindeer donuts

We spent Christmas Eve with close friends where Santa made a visit

Every Christmas Eve our kids get new pajamas

and James' reads them Twas' The Night Before Christmas and this year He read A Cajun Night Before Christmas

Christmas morning started with pancakes

 

and my favorite part of the day...Church!

Even Bayou had a great Christmas

Our Christmas was wonderful, we are blessed to have each other and most of all Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Cruise (Jamaica)

Our last port of call on the Cruise was Falmouth, Jamaica.  We had a shore excursion planned that day that took us to Breezes Starfish Resort where we could sit on the beach and relax all day. Jamaica by far had the very best souvenirs. For example we got James Henry a Jamaican Elmo complete with dreadlocks as well as a Jamaican Pokemon for Makayla. We were able to get Christmas Ornaments and I got a Jamaican Barbie Doll, there it is called a Yardie Doll.
    This port is brand new and our ship was the only one there that day. This picture is our ship pulled right into the port.

The port had an amazing atmosphere. Here we are with the 'Tall Men"

Look at these ladies posing for me....

These are some pictures from Breezes...you walked off their beach and into the water about 50 feet to another little island

We had a great day.

I guess this finally wraps our cruise. It was amazing. Did I mention we are planning our next one? This time we are thinking Disney...

Cruise (Cayman Islands)

The 2nd port of call on our cruise was Grand Cayman In the Cayman Islands. This was our favorite port and I'm pretty sure I could live there forever. It is beautiful. We were supposed to be able to swim with Sting Rays that day but the water was too rough so our shore excursion was cancelled. It really was okay because we had a blast. We walked around town for a while and browsed and shopped. We had lunch at Jimmy Buffet's and it was so much better than the food in Mexico! We sat on an outside deck and this is the view he saw as we talked and ate.

After we ate we decided to take a cab to Seven Mile Beach. It is seven miles of the most beautiful sand you can imagine and crystal clear blue water. The first thing we did was rent a jet ski, and I really wish I had a picture of this because we took it out in the ocean and the first thing James does is tump the jet ski over and we went falling into the ocean. I was half laughing half freaking out over my fear of jellyfish. It really was fun, once we got back on.

After the jet ski, I rented a lounge chair and James rented snorkel gear. There was a reef right near us and here are some pictures he took with the underwater camera.

                         We spent several relaxing hours on the beach just soaking in the view.

At the end of the day we headed back to the ship and crashed fast asleep. The Cayman Islands are amazing. We hope we can go back again.

Cruise (Mexico)

Our first port of call on our cruise was Cozumel, Mexico! We pre-planned to swim with dolphins and it was not disappointing.  We got into the water with two dolphins, they gave us a hug and a kiss and a handshake. Then you get on a kick board and the dolphin comes behind you and pushes you in the water by your feet. It was so fun! The 2nd swim you actually hold onto their fins and let them pull you.

The place where we swam with dolphins was actually a park, and when we went into the park this fellow pretty much threw a giant iguana in my arms and then placed a huge bird on my head. I was a little shocked but thrilled at the same time, then they gave the animals to James to hold.

Then that same nice fellow charged us 10.00 for taking pictures with our own camera! Ha, gotta love Mexico.

After we left the park, we shopped around in the port for Souvenirs and ate on the beach at Senor frogs. It was not very tasty plus I was scared to eat anyway. This is the view from our table.

In all, our first port was a great day! This is the picture the cruise photographers took of us as we got off into Mexico and for the rest of the trip they joked with us, "Do you want to jump on his back?" My hat also flew off my head as they snapped the picture.

Cruise (ship time)

We went on a seven day cruise last month to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. It was amazing! Here are some highlights and pictures of our time on the ship.

This is a glimpse of what the dining experience was like...a carved watermelon in the buffet hall

We rock climbed in the middle of the ocean. Yes, even I did it. I made it to the first bell before I gave in to my fear of heights.

There is nothing like playing miniature golf on the 14th deck in the middle of the ocean

We found a new love, Can you say B-I-N-G-O

Here is the first view of our ship as we pulled into the port from the airport

There is even electronic bingo

This is a picture from one of the top decks.

Our ship even had an ice skating rink and one night there was an ice show

It really was a great time. We saw shows in the evening. Sat by the pool, read books and even went to a murder mystery dinner!

Bon Voyage!

First Day=Success

Well the kids' first day in private school is in the record books and I know it was great! Yes, I did the total mom thing and walked in to pick them up! Christopher's teacher told me he had a great day and told me he was such a great student. She said he was very polite and adjusted well and caught on fast! It really made me feel good.
    Makayla made new friends and really loved her first day of choir!! I asked her what she was singing in choir and being used to public school I was not expecting her to start singing the words to one of my favorite Christian songs. I am so happy with our choice to change schools.
   They both woke up happy and eager for school today. I watched Christopher walk in and get ready for the school day as if he had been there his whole life. In fact Christopher's first day went so well yesterday that his tooth jumped out in joy!

New Year, New School

Well we are 9 days into 2012! Happy New Year! Today we entered the world of private school!
     Makayla and Christopher are into their first day at San Jacinto Christian Academy! We are all so excited and blessed to start this new chapter in our lives. The morning went very well! Everyone was so nice and welcoming and we loved hearing that they had been praying for the kids to have an easy transition. they already know a few kids that go to our church so I think it will be helpful!
     I cant wait to pick them up this afternoon and see how the first day was.

P.S. I know I am way behind on blogs but I promise to catch up on everything.