January 2022 - Birthday Cruise!

 Because things were crazy, I didn't take a lot of pictures, except for the cruise. So that is what This month is all about!

Will, I, Marty, and April all turn 40 this year. So to celebrate, we booked a cruise together right in the middle of all the birthdays. 

It was an 8 day cruise out of Texas to the Bahamas. 

Thursday:

Probably the most stressful day. We were out the door with girls at 6:30am. We got our Covid test and took the girls to McDonald’s before we dropped them off at school. We picked up our luggage at home, met up with Marty and April and headed to the airport. The flight was nice and smooth. Will treated us to first class. 

We landed in Houston, got the rental car, checked in to the hotel and went out to explore. The Museum of Fine Art was having a free night. We saw some really cool paintings and sculptures. Some really cool impressionist paintings too. It was such a huge museum. I think we only saw maybe 1/8th of it before we decided we were too tired to see more.  After the museum we went to the Pig Pit for some amazing BBQ. 

Friday: 

We started out with brunch at —————, then went to the Houston Space Center. There is some really awesome things to see there. We took a tram tour and saw the building where they have the practice equipment. They practice for years in the equipment before they go in space. We saw the outside of the Mission Control Center. On top of that building they have a flag that flies whenever there is an American in space. It has been flying constantly for years! We also saw the Saturn 5. This one was built but the mission was cancelled due to budget cuts. It’s amazing to see. Marty and Will had loads of fun discussing all the cool details and asking the tour guides questions. 

Afterward we found a cool Mexican place for dinner, and went to the movies to watch the newest Spiderman movie.

(Look! A sewing machine!)

Saturday

We got packed up and headed for the boat. It was pretty cold, so we hung out inside most of day and played games. 

Sunday and Monday:

The sea was rough, so there was a lot rocking. We dived into the mantra of taking it easy, no stress. We played games, took naps, watched shows, ate yummy food. 

Tuesday: 

Did some shopping in the compound in Freeport. It looks like they do cruise boat repair and are a fueling station for freighter boats. 

Wednesday 

We took the tinder boat to Half Moon Cay and enjoyed some beach time and swam in the ocean. It was so beautiful. Carnival owns this island so we didn't have to fight past and people trying to sell stuff. The water is super clear and felt lovely. 

Thursday

It was the towel animal parade out by the pool. The people who make the animals are so talented! 

Wandered around Nassau and did some shopping. There was lots to see. We found a cool church with beautiful stained glass windows. There was also poinsettias growing out in their garden. We tired quickly and headed back to the boat. We were in dock with two more cruise boats. There were lots and lots of people. we had fun watching the boat as it did a 180 degree turn  in the dock before headed out to sea. 

Friday and Saturday

This was two sea days in a row before we got back to Texas. More games, reading, watching tv and movies, napping, and eating. We also watched a couple comedy shows and an ice sculpting show. 

Sunday

We made it back to Texas safe and sound.  We basically took our time getting off the boat, took a super scary bus ride to the airport, and just hung out in the airport till our flight. 

The girls were excited to see us. Naomi made a slide show presentation of all the fun things they did with Grandma K, Grandpa Bill, Nonnie, and Poppa. Alana baked us a cake, and they made us a sign. So fun!

We found out later that Carnival only allowed 1/2 the passengers on the boat that they usually do. It was nice to not have to wait in long lines or really crowded places. We had to keep our masks on unless we were outside or in our rooms. We had gotten adjoining rooms with balconies, so we spent a lot of time there, just relaxing and hanging out. It was nice to get away from the pressures of work and life, but it was great to get home.