A day in Orlando spent with Jay's family

The last day on the ship we debarked at around 9 a.m. and our flight didn't leave until the next morning, so we were able to spend the day with Jay's dad and Nana2 who live in Orlando.  We enjoyed hanging out, eating and just catching up with them.

Nana 2 had fixed us lasagna for lunch and Jay's Uncle Bo and Roxy came over too.  Pap went and got us some watermelon for dessert and we enjoyed every moment we spent with them in one of our favorite places to be.

Jay also taught his Nana 2 about wireless and ipads.  She is such a hip and prissy grandmother and already has a Mac and plays games, does online banking, email and facebook.  She is the cutest ever!

Jay with his family from L to R:

Jay, his dad's brother Bo, his dad Larry (Pap), and Nana 2

Our hotel was great even though we didn't spend much time there.

We had to wake up at 2:30 a.m. (our time) Sunday morning to catch our flight.  It was EAR-LY but we were ready to be home at this point.  The sunrise was beautiful in the skies!

It was a wonderful trip but I am dying to see my kids.  Can't wait for them to get home on Tuesday!  I miss them terribly!

Shout-out to my brother Jonathan whose birthday is today!  Love ya bro hope you have had a wonderful day!

Last day at sea

Today was a Sea Day and it was wonderful!  And although many of the days were overcast, today happened to be really sunny most of the day until a storm rolled in that afternoon.  Great day for laying out in the sun!

 Over the course of the whole cruise, I read 2 books.  I read The Vow first and it was great.  It is a Christian novel based on a true story and is a story of what love should be for all of us, unwavering and unconditional.  If you haven't read it, please do. It is an easy read I read it in one day.  There is also a movie out based on this book and I can't wait to watch it!

The second book I read was The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks.  I read it in a couple of days and it took was a great book.  I can't wait to see the movie for this one also!

 Late afternoon a storm rolled in and it was so neat to watch.  I am normally terribly afraid of storms but these were great to see.  

Our last night on the ship before dinner...

These were some of our appetizers that night...

It was a wonderful anniversary trip...very relaxing time for this busy momma but most of all, enjoyed the time spent with Jay.  I am one lucky girl.  :)

Our 9th Anniversary in Key West, FL!

First of all, Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband!  So thankful for him and for the years we have already spent together.  Looking forward to many, many more!

Jay has been to Key West before but it was years ago when he was in high school, but I had never been.  I heard it was beautiful and couldn't wait to see it!

Sunrise....

Waiting to get off of the ship....

Key West is such a neat town.  We had planned to just rent mopeds that day instead of doing an excursion but decided to do a train tour so that we would know what we were looking at.  The town has so much history and although I don't remember a lot of it, it was very interesting.

The presidential gate....they only open it for U.S. Presidents when they come to town.  It has only been open for 22 that have come to Key West.

Their houses are beautiful and so unique.

It is very common to see the porch roofs painted blue....

This is the local Elementary school and today was their last day of school for the year.

We drove past the beach on our tour although we didn't get to enjoy it.

The landscape and plants in Key West are just amazing!  So beautiful!

 Ernest Hemingway's home...

A bar that was opened in 1890 and still running....

Highway 1 that begins and ends in Key West and goes all the way up to Maine!

My favorite part of Key West was getting to go to the Southernmost Point in the United States.  Of course we had to wait the line out and take our picture there!

 This guy was making bowls and hats out of these leaves....so neat!

We walked down to the harbor and at lunch at the Conch Republic Seafood Company...Jay had to get his seafood in since I can't eat it.

 Interesting tree....

Our tour guide was telling us that this house was the most recent sold in Key West for the pocket change amount of only SIX MILLION...yikes!

Headed back to the ship...

We docked at the Naval Station and got to see the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard didn't play around.  As we were coming in to port and leaving, they rode next to us all the way in and out armed with machine guns.  Glad they were there to protect our country!

For our anniversary evening, instead of doing the dinner/show thing, we changed our minds at the last minute and decided to just get comfy, eat pizza and spend some time together on our favorite Serenity deck.  It was just what the doctor ordered.

Happy 9th anniversary to the love of my life!  I love you babe to the moon and back!