We had a great time on our cruise and in Disney World. It was a great vacation until half way through for me. After two weeks we were ready to come home. 16 days of fun and sun left me sick and tired...literally.
Day 1 (Saturday October 10)
We had been waiting so long for this trip, and it was finally here! Today we flew to Orlando and stayed at a hotel because we didn't board the ship until the next morning. We went to dinner and then to bed early.
Day 2 (Sunday October 11)
We got up and all went to breakfast. There were 19 of us all together! Then we got on a bus that was taking us to the ship. The ship was huge! It is the largest ship sailing right now. Aubrey fell asleep during the boarding process, so we went to our room and let her sleep. After she woke up we went in search of food, that is what you do on cruises right, and then up on deck to watch us set sail. We were excited for a great week on board the Freedom of the Seas.
Day 3 (Monday October 12)Today was a day at sea, and Michelle and Bryce's 5th Anniversary. (Happy Anniversary you two!) Aubrey and Dave did a little swimming and sleeping. It was a nice relaxing day. Tonight was our first formal night. Aubrey loved dressing up in her new dress.
Day 4 (Tuesday October 13)
Today we were in Labadee, Haiti. It is Royal Caribbeans "private island". It was very pretty, but I wasn't prepared for the heat. I have never sweat so much in my life. All I did was stand in one place and I would be sweating. We played in the ocean and shopped a little. Aubrey loved it, and probably still has sand in places I didn't find!
Day 5 (Wednesday October 14)
Day 13 (Thursday October 22)
Today we were in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We went to Dunn River Falls and on a little tour of some of the rest of the island. Dave was able to climb the falls, and he loved it! Aubrey and I watched him and soaked in the water. It was just as hot today as it was yesterday! I couldn't believe the heat. I went to the Caribbean in June once and it was not even as close to as hot as it was now in October. The island was beautiful and green, but so poor. It was almost unbelievable to see what some of the people lived in as we drove around. It is a real eye opener to how lucky we are to live where we do.
Day 6 (Thursday October 15)
Today we were in Grand Cayman, and of course it was hot, Hot, HOT. I love Grand Cayman! It is such a beautiful little island. Dave got to go swimming with the sting rays. He really loved doing that! Aubrey and I went on a tour of the island. We went to Hell, the turtle farm, saw some dolphins, and to the beach. The little sea turtles were so cute! Aubrey wasn't sure about them at first, but she warmed up to them. Tonight was our other formal night on the ship. We had a family picture taken that turned out nice so we bought it. It was a nice day!
Day 7 (Friday October 16)
Today we were at our last port Cozumel, Mexico. It was probably my favorite day. That may have been because it rained for part of the day and it was cooler, still hot, but bearable. We went snorkeling in the ocean and swimming in a pool. We ate some yummy Mexican food, and went shopping! It was a really fun day and I am glad I was able to enjoy it, because I started feeling sick the next day.
Day 8 (Saturday October 17)
Today was our last day on the ship. It was a day at sea, so we were able to relax and recoup from our days at port. Aubrey went swimming in the morning and we ate at Johnny Rockets for lunch. It was really good! We played some cards while the kids napped. Dave was a few days into his sickness and I started feeling it at dinner time. And that started the downfall of my vacation, but at least I was able to enjoy the cruise.
Day 9 (Sunday October 18)
We had to say goodbye to the cruise today, and to Dave. He was flying home while Aubrey and I stayed for another week in Orlando. We went from the ship to the airport to pick up our rental cars. Once we had said our goodbyes (we went from 19 people to 10 people)we went straight to Epcot. It was a cool day and we were cold going from the heat we had been in. We had a good time and saw a lot of characters, especially princesses. One princess we saw was Belle, but she was in her blue dress not her gold one and Aubrey was very confused by this. She wasn't sure if it was Belle or not. Aubrey loved them, but she was still hesitant on the non people characters, even the main ones like Donald and Daisy who we saw today. We got to our condo late and I went right to bed because I was so tired and not feeling well.
Day 10 (Monday October 19)
Tody we spent the day at the Magic Kingdom. We had a good time riding the rides and seeing characters. We also watched two parades, both were good! Aubrey got to see her favorite, Ariel. She loved seeing her, but was a little upset that Flounder wasn't there. Ariel told her that she was playing hide and seek with him before she left and that he was still hiding. I told Aubrey that Ariel would find him and we would see them in the parade, but she feel asleep before the parade and didn't get to see him. I taped it though so she can watch it at home.
Day 11 (Tuesday October 20)
Today most of the family went to a water park, but we stayed at the condo. I was so happy for the day of rest especially when I saw signs of Aubrey getting sick. Aubrey went swimming with Jenni at our condo and later that night we went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Aubrey was very sick tonight. She pretty much threw up and slept the whole night. So Aubrey did not get to enjoy the party, in fact the next morning she was so sad because she threw up on her Ariel dress. It was fun though. They had characters out that you never get to see and trick-or-treating. If Aubrey was feeling good I know she would have loved the dance parties where you could dance with the Disney characters. There was also almost no waiting for the rides they had open. My only regret is that Aubs didn't get to enjoy it.
Day 12 (Wednesday October 21)
Today we went to Sea World. Aubrey and I still didn't feel well so I was tired and Aubrey was irritable. To top that off I didn't even get to pet the dolphins because they weren't coming close enough while we were there. I love Sea World though, and the shows were really nice. Aubrey loved seeing the shows and Grandma Janna bought her a stuffed Shamu that she loves. She would chant, "Shamu, Shamu" like they do in the show.
Day 13 (Thursday October 22)
Today the family went to Disney's Hollywood Studios, which use to be MGM, but Aubrey and I stayed back at the condo. I thought we both needed a day to sleep and get better. We relaxed and took a nap together. That night we went to Michelle and Bryce's condo for dinner and Aubrey swam for just a few minutes at their pool. I was sad to miss Hollywood Studios, but it was nice not to be on the go all day.
Day 14 (Friday October 23)
Today we went to Animal Kingdom. I think Aubrey is feeling better and I felt better in the morning, probably from my day of rest. We saw the Lion King and Nemo shows there and they were both great! We got to see lots of animals on the safari ride, but I think that is when I started to not feel well from the bumpy ride. We saw Pocahontas there and Aubrey was all smiles over her. We got home early and had pizza together and played Rook. It was a nice day.
Day 15 (Saturday October 24)
Most of the family was going to the water park again today, but we were all tired, so just Jen, Lesha, and Jeff went. We met after naps and went to Magic Kingdom one last time. We were able to ride some rides, watch the parade, and even saw the parade again. I was glad Aubrey got to see it because she was asleep the other day for it. She saw Ariel and Flounder and was happy! Aubrey also got to pick her souvenir and she picked an Ariel doll, not surprising. She loves her! Aubrey had a good time tonight and I was happy she got to leave Disney World with good, happy memories and not sick ones.
Day 16 (Sunday October 25)
Goodbye Orlando and our vacation! I was sad to leave, but more then ready. I still didn't feel well and needed to get home! We went to Downtown Disney to do a little shopping in the morning and went to lunch at a place called T-Rex. It had themed rooms full of dinosaur things, like Rainforest Cafe but with dinosaurs. Then we had our very long plane ride home. It is definitely great to be back. Now I just need to recover from my sickness!
