Our First Family Vacation!

Whoa! Here we are again and I haven't blogged in nearly 2 months! But that's okay, because I was off busy just living life. Life is SO full these days with our almost 2 year old!!! I can't believe Christian will be 2 THIS week!!! Stay tuned for a birthday party post and a 2 year old update! 

Over the last 2 months we have been busy with house projects and playing outside as the weather has gotten nicer {sometimes}. Jim's dad also came to town to visit for a long weekend right before we headed out of town on our FIRST family vacation!!! 

On Mother's Day we flew to Florida to get ready to leave on a cruise to the Bahamas. While we cruised to the Bahamas for our Honeymoon, this cruise would be with Carnival -- {A day at sea, their Private Island Half Moon Cay, and Nassau} and not with Norwegian -- {Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, and their Private Island Great Stirrup Cay}. 

Christian did pretty well on the flights, once again. Although it was a bit more work keeping him seated and entertained. The flights for this trip were his last as a lap child. Christian really enjoyed the free shows on the first flight! 

Despite this probably having been Christian's 15th flight {at least} he finally got his first pair of wings! 

We had a lay over in Atlanta before we left for our final destination in West Palm Beach. 

Little man is becoming such a big boy! He insisted on wearing his back pack all through the air port. 

And even walked right onto the plane all by himself! 

Luckily he zonked out for that flight and I was able to carry him off the plane sleeping until we put him in his stroller. 

A short taxi ride later and we were finally to our hotel by 1:30am!!! Christian loved the big bed ... and getting to sleep with mommy and daddy for the whole trip. 

We slept in a bit the next morning and then took a shuttle to a shopping area where we picked up some breakfast and walked to a train station. It was so warm and humid in Florida and we were happy to officially be on vacation! 

Vacation we love you! 

On our walk to the train station we saw a fire truck! As we stopped to watch it, some firefighters hopped out and gave Christian is own fire hat!! So cool! Unfortunately it didn't last past the train station... 

Christian also LOVED getting to ride the train! And sitting in his own seat like a big boy. So much for napping on the train... 

After a long train ride {and no nap} plus a taxi ride, we made it to the port! Once we were all checked in we got to board the boat! 

Bahamas here we come! 

Good bye Miami! 

We had an Aft balcony so we were able to watch from the back of the ship as we sailed away. 

After safety debriefing and getting settled on the boat, we headed to dinner and came back to find a fun towel creation {another favorite thing for Christian}.

We watched the sun set from our balcony, all took showers and headed to bed early. 

The next day was a Day at Sea. After a long travel day the day before, this was the perfect start to our cruise. We were able to sleep in and then enjoy the day. And by sleep in I mean wake up at 6:30am, have breakfast and then hit up the pool and waterworks first thing before it got busy. 

The entertainment on board the ship was pretty fun too. We went to a Towel Animal theater that morning and watched different towel creatures dance and sing. Christian thought it was pretty funny! 

But then he apparently got tired because he laid right down on the floor to keep watching. 

After lunch and naps {for all} we went to a Dr. Seuss Parade! Christian got to carry a cow bell and Jim and I got big signs of different characters and we walked through the ship all chanting "Dr. Seuss is on the loose! Dr. Seuss is on the loose!" 

We ended in the Starlight Lounge where we heard and watched The Cat in the Hat. Christian has never sat so well for a story time :) Too bad the library couldn't tell stories like that! 

We were able to enjoy some more time at the Waterworks that afternoon before dressing up a bit for dinner. 

My handsome boys :) 

Once again, we came back to a fun towel animal in our room! 

We all snuggled in bed and watched a show before calling it a night! I don't think we stayed up past 9/10pm all week! 

We had thought having a balcony room would allow us to hang out while Christian went to bed early and napped...but instead we often ALL napped {not at Christian's usual time} and then stretched bedtime and all slept together again. 

The next morning daddy was up before us so he got to see the sunrise. 

And then we were at the Private Island -- Half Moon Cay!! Private Islands are our favorite cruise destinations! 

We spent the day running in the waves, swimming, digging in the sand and soaking up the sun! 

Christian LOVED the beach. He would laugh and giggle as he chased the waves. And puddle jumpers are the BEST! He could run out into the waves and if he tripped or lost his footing he would fall and still float and swim or even flip onto his back, keeping his head above water. Puddle Jumpers are coastguard approved life jackets after all :) 

Daddy and Christian relaxing in the water. 

Such a beautiful beach. We wished we could have stayed! We played and played until Christian started to get cranky and it was well past nap time and then we headed back to the boat for nap time and then more time at the Waterworks. 

Oh...and a grilled cheese in bed. That was a regular thing on this trip :) 

The view of the island as we left. 

And another towel animal. Our room steward was the best! 

The next morning we woke up in Nassau! 

We had planned to hit up a private beach while in Nassau, but due to improper use of sunscreen while at Half Moon Cay, Jim and I were quite fried. Luckily Christian only was a little burned on the backs of his calves. 

So instead of going to another beach while in Nassau, we took another boat ride and went on an underwater fish adventure! If you ask Christian what his favorite part was about vacation, he will say this {the fishies} and the boat! 

We didn't visit Atlantis on this trip, but on our honeymoon we did and that is where we swam with dolphins! 

After the underwater adventure we went back to the boat for lunch and then Christian napped in the stroller while we walked around and checked out the street market and tourist shops in Nassau. 

After another visit to the Waterworks that night, we headed to bed and woke up to have breakfast in our room before getting off the boat and making our way back to the airport! It was definitely a memorable trip and cruising with a toddler wasn't half bad! 

Stay tuned for a post with tips on cruising with a toddler! 

Our overall trip was amazing, although we ended our travel day home with lots of mishaps -- including losing Christian's lovey blankie!!! Mommy took that much harder than Christian, though :) 

Love making memories with these people!