Haylie First Day 3rd Grade

Haylie is starting school today at Cedar Creek Elementary. She is now officially a 3rd grader. She has Mrs Harris for her teacher which I am totally stoked about. Savannah had Mrs Harris when she was in 4th grade and I'd go to the school one day a week to help out with both teachers for an entire day. Had a blast. Looking forward to doing it again this year.

 

Our Middle Schooler

Today starts the first day of school for Savannah. Mission Trail Middle School Timberwolves. She is so excited. They had a pancake breakfast for the 6th graders done by our local Chris Cakes. We got to meet the wolf mascot and our local Fox 4 news station was there for the story of this brand new school. Its going to be an awesome year!

 

Today Was the Day

Our sweet 11 year old got her braces today. She was so excited. She chose BYU blue, pink and lilac for her band colors. Here's looking toward the next 24 months!

 

Western Caribbean Cruise

We were able to spend a week with 21 of our 23 extended family members (including my 94 year old grandmother), cruising the caribbean. This was #10 for me but the first time on Carnival Cruise Lines. Our ship was the Carnival Legend. Our family got into Tampa FL early on Saturday morning so we spent the day at Busch Gardens. But for the life of me I can't find what I did with the collage! Needless to say it was hot, humid, and crowded. At one point we were actually ready to leave. However, we got in on a really good deal. With each ticket we also got an all day, all-you-can-eat/drink wristband for no extra charge so that was pretty nice. Once we got on the ship we went around to take pictures before it got too crowded.

 

We grabbed some lunch on the Lido deck and at 4p watched the city of Tampa go by. VERY expensive homes down that road. I thought the little lighthouse at the end was a nice touch. Not sure if it actually does any good but just there for looks. The kids had to take advantage of the pool right away.

 

Read on for the week in pictures. Everyone had an uber-fabulous time and we are so grateful for the generousity of my grandmother in allowing all of us to do this. Thanks Grammy!

Day 2 Random Ship Pics

Day 2 was a sail day so we spent our day with activities on the ship. These are just random pics of that day.

 

Day 3 Cayman Islands

Part of our day in Grand Cayman we spent in Stingray City. That was an awesome experience. Haylie was able to hold and kiss one of the stingrays. It was pretty cool that out in the middle of this big ocean there was a sandbar that was only 3 feet deep where we snorkeled. Kids were so excited and had their snorkel gear on way ahead of time.

 

This was our 2nd time to the Boatswain Turtle Farm. Our tour guide talked a little about the turtles (they eat them a lot) then we were able to actually pick them up. Funny thing is, they like to have their chin rubbed.

 

Day 4 Cozumel

This was our 4th time to Cozumel Mexico so we really weren't interested in sightseeing. We got off the ship and did a little shopping in the area. Had to have lunch at Pancho's Backyard again. Best mexican food I've ever had. We didn't want to go downtown, but the shopping area was really built up since we were there in 2007. Cute little beach side area off the restaurant with palm trees, white sand, and lounge chairs to people watch.

 

Random Pics

Just some pictures of our cabin #4-154, the elevator in the atrium, and the divinely sinful Warm Chocolate Melting Cake that we had every night for dessert.

 

Day 5 Mahagony Bay (Roatan)

Today was spent on Isla Roatan which is off the coast of Honduras. We decided to make this a beach day instead of taking a shore excursion. This was a man made beach and shopping area done by Carnival so there wasn't much to see, but it was a beautiful beach.

 

Day 6 Belize

We spent the day in Belize and went snorkeling at Goff's Caye. This was absolutely amazing. This is the biggest coral reef next to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. We saw SO many things. We have been snorkeling lots of times, but this was probably the most picturesque. The water was so beautiful. This was a little island that we spent a few hours on out in the middle of nowhere.

 

Day 6 Formal Night

There were two formal nights on board where you had to dress very nicely for dinner. No we didn't want to do the tux and gown thing but we did wear our Sunday best.

 

Day 6

Camp Carnival had a Family Digital Scavenger Hunt while on board where you had to take pictures of everything on the list. We had to do the chicken dance in the pool, take a picture of every deck, do a conga line, and go down the water slide. Haylie got her face painted and our waiter made some cute napkin items.

 

Day 7

These were some pictures taken around the ship on Saturday. Caught a beautiful sunset somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico. We played cards A LOT. Learned a new game from my sister called Progressive Rummy. LOVED IT!

 

Day 8 Tampa Lowry Park Zoo

We all got off the boat Sunday morning. Most of the group was headed back to Salt Lake City with one family headed to Portland OR. We were on a later flight back home so we went to the Lowry Park Zoo. It is rated as the #1 zoo in the country and it was pretty neat. The girls were able to feed a giraffe and the birds. A freak rainstorm hit Tampa while we were waiting at the airport so we go a little bit of a late start but not too bad. We had an awesome time!

 

Summer 2010

Finished up swimming lessons in July. Savannah has passed off all 6 levels. Haylie will be in Level 5 next year. Way to go girls!