Freedom of the Seas

Last Sunday we boarded the Freedom of the Seas for a seven day cruise. When we first started hearing about this 160,000 ton ship before its maiden voyage is 2006, I wasn't very interested in it. I thought it was just too big and would carry too many passengers. But, when Chris and I started talking in May about doing another cruise, we both wanted to try out one of the larger ships. And...we LOVED it. There were 4200 passengers on board but it never felt crowded. (Well, maybe the first day at the lunch buffet but we got there before the crowd.)

The Royal Promenade definitely has that wow factor when you first see it.This is a great public space with several bars (the English pub was our favorite), a pizza place (all free), and a coffee shop (free snacks and regular coffee). There is also a cupcake store (cupcakes were $2.50) where we got treats one day. We had a family ocean view stateroom that was surprisingly large for a cruise ship room. There aren't many of these staterooms on each ship and we had to keep checking back with the cruise line to get one of them. You have to put five or six people in a room to get one of them. When the kids are older (much older), we might book two staterooms across the hall from each other and have the kids stay in the inside stateroom.

When you first walk inside the door, there is a very small "room" to the right that has a set of bunk beds and a small closet. There is a heavy curtain that you can pull shut to the close the room. Wesley and Lydia loved the bunk beds and it was an ideal space for them.

There was a pack n play set up right in front of the sofa (that could fold out for another bed). We moved the table over by the windows, in between the two chairs. At night, we also pulled the curtain shown in the picture.
Grandma and Grandpa had a balconey cabin. After lunch we went to the H2O zone. Babies and toddlers in swim diapers are only allowed in a small baby pool but at least the Freedom had a place for them to play in the water. Josiah really enjoyed climbing up the steps. Wesley and Lydia liked this vortex pool. Here is a picture of where we ate dinner two nights before sail away. I have read great reviews of Jetty Park. The beach and park looked really nice as we sailed by it. The kids watched the boat sail away from land and then watched the party on the ship. Shrek and Fiona and other Dreamworks characters were there (as were most of the passengers on the ship). We all enjoyed day one of our cruise vacation. And yes, I plan blogging the whole thing! :) Maybe it will convince my parents to cruise with us again.

The Space Center

We recently drove to Cape Canaveral. The drive went surprisingly well. We stopped in Richmond at Buzz and Neds for a late dinner. Wesley walked in, smelled the barbeque and said, "I want ribs." The food was really good, especially the ribs. Josiah liked them also.

On Friday we went ate at Grills at Port Canaveral. Wesley asked for crab legs. He saw them on the menu. So, we let Wesley and Lydia split an order. It was more than enough food for both of them.
On Saturday we went to Cape Canaveral to tour the space center. Wow, there is a lot to do there. Here is a picture of the launch pad. It makes me sad to think about the shuttle program being over.

Have you seen the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon.? It is great! I remember in one of the episodes, the astronauts were racing each other in their corvettes.
Josiah practiced his walking.

Another family photo.

Future astronauts.
Josiah didn't want to cooperate for this picture.
We had a great time at the space center. We were there all day but we didn't do everything there.

Minnows and Water Balloons

Last year, Lang took Wesley and John fishing. This year he took the kids to the pond to catch minnows. This was a new experience for Wesley and Lydia and they loved it.

They caught a jelly fish.

They also caught several minnows.

Wesley was so happy.

I love how Lydia is very much a girly girl (she loves dresses, dolls, nail polish, makeup, and princesses) but she also likes exploring nature and doesn't mind getting a little dirt (or pond water in this case) on her dress.

The next morning, Lang filled water balloons for the kids. Notice how all five of the kids are in their pajamas. Josiah was taking a nap and missed out on the water balloons. I managed to get wet tying the water balloons. I accidently squirted myself with several balloons and several popped as I was trying to tie them.

Finally we had filled and tied all the water balloons and the kids were ready to throw them at each other.

It didn't take long to go through all the balloons but it was a lot of fun.

After the kids dried out in the sun, we let them watch a movie or two so the adults could play Rummikub.

Bethany Beach

Last Friday, we went to visit our friends at Bethany Beach. We got there in time for swim lessons then they kids played on the playground and we had a picnic lunch of pizza. Later in the day we went to the beach. Wesley and Lydia learned to boogie board. Wesley and James talked about their boarding. At some point, Joseph wanted to sit on Chris' lap. Josiah even tried the boogie board several times.The boys did a lot of digging. They dug a few very large holes. They also played in the ocean a lot. Lydia liked the boogie board too. We went back to the beach on Saturday afternoon.
Josiah wasn't a big fan of the ocean water. The water was cold!

Here he is a big hole that older kids dug.

John dug a big hole and a made a car ramp.

Michelle and Lang are so much fun.

Lydia and Joseph look like twins.

Here are some videos of Wesley boogie boarding.

Water Play Country Style

We recently visited my mom and dad. We stopped at a Walmart about 30 miles from their house because I forgot to pack the kids' toothbrushes. As soon as we got out of the car Wesley asked, "Are we in the country?"

Wesley loves to go for walks up and down my parents' long driveway.
Here is a picture of Lydia navigating the cattle guard. Josiah also did a little walking outside. In this picture he was taking a break.
The kids played with this big beach ball sprinkler. Notice the look of pure joy on Lydia's face.

Josiah thought it was one big water fountain.

Josiah didn't really want to be held. He wanted in on the action.

The Slipe N Slide was fun!

Uh oh, someone didn't wait her turn.

Josiah crawled up and down the soapy slide.

Saturday night we went out to eat in Mt. Airy, NC. I was so excited to see this little snow cone hut. I keep seeing pictures of snow cone places on facebook and blogs, but I don't think there is one inside the beltway.

Of course, Wesley and Lydia chose to drink most of the syrup with a draw rather than eating the ice.

On Sunday we visited Chris' aunt and uncle. Here is Josiah with Aunt Ieda.

Uncle Mike.

It was quick visit but we all had a good time in the country.