Family Fun
Travel & Vacation: Pool Adventures
Fun times at the pool
Our first full day on the cruise we had a full day at sea which was really nice because we got to do a lot of fun activities on the boat. The kids started the day early (at least our kids did), they were up at 6 am and ready to go! After eating breakfast with Grandpa and Grandma the kids thought it would be a good time to go for a swim in their pools. The adults caught up on conversations as the kids went swimming. They were bouncing from splash zone to pool to hot tub. Much to our surprise most of the pools on this boat were chlorine, in the past most were salt water. The kids tended to sit more still when they were in the jacuzzi so I noticed we got more of those pictures, ha!
One of the kids favorite places to swim. It was a circular pool with moving water. The kids loved it. Brandon, Nathan and Karlie are in this picture. If you look at the back of the picture you can see the ocean out the ship’s window (the water’s about the same color too).
Karlie loving the extra time swimming
Brina, Karlie, Brandon and Nathan getting warmed up in the jacuzzi next to the H2O Splash zone
Brina having fun
My nephews Brandon and Nathan. The girls had a blast hanging out with their cousins for the week!
Brina and Nathan in the jacuzzi
And there off to the next great adventure…
Someone’s tired…Zach did a good job keeping up with the group. Thankfully he can sleep almost anywhere!
Nicko playing in the pool!
Travel & Vacation: First Cruise Dinner & a Swim in the Pool
Nathan and Brina ready for their first dinner on the cruise! The girls were excited to have some extra time with their cousins.
After getting on the Independence of the Seas, exploring it, and waving goodbye to Fort Lauderdale, Florida we headed to find our assigned seats in the dining room for our first evening meal on the ship. Everyone was excited about the cruise and thrilled that we were off. The kids had a blast enjoying the amazing food and afterward a group of us decided to try out some of the neat pools on board too.
Karlie so excited to be on her first cruise!
Nicko, Becky, and Amber ready for the first dinner on the boat
Always an adventure….Leo being silly….
Amber, Nathan and Brina at dinner
Brina and Brandon at dinner – all smiles
Jeremiah
Someone’s all tuckered out after a busy day! Jake has always been good at getting little ones to sleep!
Karlie and Brina so excited to be on vacation and cruising!
Best way to end the day….according to Karlie….is to go for a swim at night before bed!
Our sweet Brina Bee relaxing in the jacuzzi!
Travel & Vacation: Waving Goodbye to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
One of Karlie’s favorite places on the boat….yes, you guessed it! The LIBRARY!!! I think she read several books from the library and even checked out one to read in the room too.
After getting onto the Independence of the Seas, eating lunch at Windjammers, and exploring a little bit we take a few minutes to sit down and relax in the library. The kids read through several of the books while some of the adults talked and others take a nap in the soft comfy library chairs. Once the kids have picked up library books to read for the week we are off to watch the ship leave the Fort Lauderdale port. It was really neat hearing all the kids comments and seeing the cruise adventure their eyes.
Brina pausing for a moment to read a book at the library
Karlie and Brina enjoying the breeze on the top deck over looking the H2O Zone (which was a very popular spot for the kids)! It was windy as we were leaving but the kids seemed to love it.
Jeremy and Amber’s family…all ready to go cruising!
Our family, super excited about our first cruise together
Watching the cruise ship ahead of us going out of the Fort Lauderdale port
It’s a bird….it’s a plane….it’s both!
The kids were fascinated by the draw bridge at Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Watching the ship leave the Fort Lauderdale, Florida port. You think the ship’s horn is loud on shore, try standing right in front of it when the boat blasts off, it is really LOUD!!! The kids stood on the chairs so they could see a little better as we took off.
Fort Lauderdale Skyline as we were leaving the port
When the sun goes down and the wind picks up near sunset it can get a little chilly on the top decks of the boat. Brina is using Karlie as her human wind shield to help her stay warm, ha!
Travel & Vacation: Exploring Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas
Looking out over the port in Fort Lauderdale. There were several other cruise ships leaving the same day as ours.
Once on the Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas the older four kids were ready to explore everything! We were all over the ship in a matter of minutes from looking over the top deck to walking down the Royal Promenade (aka Main Street). The kids were very excited to check out all the neat places on the ship.
Checking out everything on the upper deck
Are we ready for take OFF? Preparing to leave Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Karlie taking it all in….
Having fun in the Adventure’s Oceans club. Karlie checking out the geographical map (where are we?!) while Brandon, Brina, and Nathan have fun with the hula hoops!
Looking down from the top…..don’t lean over too far!
We refer to this part of the boat as “Main Street” because it is where all the shops, restaurants, and stores are located
The older cousins hanging out on the glass bridge. Wonder if they realize that the only thing between them and the next level is a piece of glass.
Creative Kids: Fuzzy Caterpillars & a Princess Crown
Brina created these super cute fuzzy caterpillars for everyone in the family
The girls love to do crafts! Whenever we have a little bit of extra time the girls like to sit down and get creative. It is really neat to see the girls get more creative and they can do a lot of the crafts on their own. The other day the girls requested to do a craft. We had several leftover items from an earlier craft we did so they used the scrap construction paper, fuzzy balls, and googly eyes. Brina made adorable fuzzy caterpillars and Karlie made a princess crown for Brina. Love seeing their creations! 🙂
Karlie decided to take her construction paper and fuzzy balls to create a princess crown for Brina
Brina gluing the craft pieces together
Karlie finished Brina’s beautiful princess crown….sweet sisters
Travel & Vacation: All Aboard the Independence of the Seas
On the bus heading to the cruise ship
We took the first bus of the morning to the ship. After all our luggage was piled into a trailer at the hotel we were off to the ship on our next adventure. Our ship was the last one in the port so we had a little time to relax on the bus before grabbing our bags and heading onto the ship.
Hurry up and wait….Nathan patiently waiting in line! We had to go through a couple of lines before we could actually get on the boat. Thankfully the lines were moving right along and the kids did really well waiting.
We made it onto the boat! At least the older kids are really excited!
The kids first meal at Windjammer! They thought it was pretty neat being able to choose from all the great food on the buffets. So excited to go cruising with our family!
The kids wanted to check out the H2O Zone
The four older kids relaxing for a minute in the swing
After a few wrong turns we found our hall! WooHoo!
Karlie taking a picture of her Flat Stanley on the desk
The kids checking out the ice skating rink. Brina was too busy taking pictures to look at the camera.
Brina and Karlie found a great spot to sit down in the ice rink area and watch water traffic next to the boat.
Travel & Vacation: We Are On Our Way!
Brina and Karlie on the plane! Whose ready to fly to Florida!?
We recently flew to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to go on a cruise with extended family. The girls love to fly and were super excited to experience their first cruise. Thankfully we had a direct flight from Charlotte to Florida and everything went smoothly. We spent the first evening in Fort Lauderdale with our family before getting on the ship the next day.
All buckled in and ready for take off…we got an extra passenger in our row (isn’t he cute!) 🙂
Karlie entertaining herself on the plane. Who knew that an ice cube on the straw could be so entertaining!? Ha!
Four cute kids sitting nicely on the bench as we call the hotel cab for a pickup
Everyone made it to Florida. Time for dinner…..how about TGI Friday’s!
Wrapping up the evening playing “Go Ape” with the cousins!
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping (Week 6)
Our family finished week 6 of our no grocery shopping goal. Every new year we set goals, challenge ourselves to reach new heights, and to focus on what’s really important in life. I have made it a goal to simplify my life more by enjoying the blessings and not wasting what God has given me. One of the ways I did this was by going through several No Grocery Shopping weeks, picking up only necessities while trying to use the items we already had in our fridge, freezer, and pantry.
When I did it this 2011 it was my intention to go 1 month, but I made it 8 weeks (with only a few hiccups). It is my plan to do this again with the hope of making it at least through the month of January. I will be sharing with you the successes and challenges on those specific areas in my life as I go through them.
Life Simplified Goal:
- No Grocery Shopping (except for necessities) in the month of January.
Explanation of the Goal: My goal during the month of January is to not shop for groceries other than necessities (milk, eggs, bread). Our freezer is full of meat, produce from our garden this summer, fruit, and other great items. Our pantry is also overflowing with all the great deals that we have picked up over the past few months. One of the reason for the goal is that I want to use the items I have and not waste them. Stockpiling is wonderful but there may come a point when we need to eat through that stockpile before it expires, save the extra money to work on a financial goal, and be creative with what we have at home. I have been thinking about this challenge for several weeks over the Holidays. Over the past few months (including our experience traveling to India) it has really hit me that we have been really blessed yet there are children and families that content with a lot less. Menu planning may take a little extra creative thinking on my part but I think I can do it. If I do purchase something it needs to meet one of the following criteria:
- FREE – I don’t want to waste free grocery coupons that my family will use while doing this goal
- Necessity – Milk, Eggs, Bread, etc…
- For Someone Else outside of my household. For example I make meals for new Moms in our church and if I need to pick up an item for them on the way to deliver a meal that will be an exception.
What Happened this week?
I finished the sixth week of this goal. The only thing I purchased this week was a 1 gallon of milk and a loaf of bread. Now that we are back in the groove (at least for the moment) 🙂 it has been fun coming up with our menu plan that uses items we already have in our fridge, deep freezer, and pantry.
It takes a little more time and focus to come up with a menu but everyone seems to be doing pretty well. The real challenge will come at the end of the month when we are getting low in the pantry and when we host guests!
I will share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating and sharing your story. I would love to extend this goal into February if I can make our pantry stretch!
Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others. Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff” and if you are like us we just have too much. I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives. When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Well last week we were back home from our cruise vacation but the week didn’t go quite as smoothly as we were hoping it would. We ended up going through the nasty sickness crud that’s been going around. One of the girls had a double ear infection and the rest of us had sinus infections. Before the week was up all of us had made a trip to the doctor. The good news is we are all starting to feel better again, just in time for the next adventure, ha. It is hard to believe we will be celebrating the Valentine’s Holiday this week and the girls birthday next week! Time flies by when your having fun. I didn’t get everything I hoped accomplish last week so hoping this week is more productive.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls – I started reading Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume to the girls on the trip so we have been going through that one more this week
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School Activities- Plan one special Activity with the Family – we decided with all the sickness it would be better to have time for everyone to recover
Unpack & put everything away from Cruise Vacation
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – with the fever, aches, and sickness this didn’t get done, hoping to get back into the swing of things this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – it was more gatorade this week but I keep up with drinking fluids
Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)– I was able to catch up from being gone last week! Yay!- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – got through more of this great book but didn’t have as much reading time this week
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – I had soooo much laundry, it was scary, it took me two days to get through everything (and yes I went over my 4 loads a week average too)
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – started making payment
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls
- Read Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume to the girls
- Read Imagination Station: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Girls Dentist Checkup
- Pick up Brina’s Glasses
- Celebrate the Valentine’s Day Holiday
- Prepare for the Girls Birthday
- Spend Extra Time with Extended Family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
- Complete 2012 Taxes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure by Jeff Brown
While on the cruise last week I read the book Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure by Jeff Brown to the girls. Before leaving we had them color and laminate their own Flat Stanley’s to take with them. Both Flat Stanley’s had a blast on the cruise and were often seen looking out the window in our room at the ports, sneaking a snack from the shelf, and other random places throughout the week.
The book was a really quick read but the girls loved it. One afternoon as we were relaxing for a little bit before dinner I read the entire book to them. They thought it was silly and enjoyed taking their very own Flat Stanley on adventures with them.
In this book Flat Stanley wakes up one morning flattened by the bulletin board that fell on top of him during the night. The book goes through the adventures that encounters while being flat from being a kite for his brother to being mailed to a friend and even helping in a museum robbery investigation.
Whether you read the book to the kids or they read it on their own it will be a fun one for them.
Brina and Karlie’s Flat Stanley’s waving at them from the window in our room. The girls were tickled pink they could see them from the dock. It definitely made our room easier to spot (I didn’t see any other Flat Stanley’s in any other windows, ha).
