Castaway Cay

Our last day on the cruise we were at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. This was our favorite spot during our last cruise and I was so excited to be going there again. However, all the boys wanted to do was go swimming and since this trip was all about them, that's what we did. We swam for a couple of hours, and then visited the island for a little while so that the boys could treasure hunt, go on a whale bone dig, and play some water games. Once we picked them up from the play area neither one of them had any desire to hit the beach. Instead they wanted to head back to the boat and hit the pool again...so we did!

Goofy's Pool & hot tubs

Castaway Cay

Mickey's Pool & Slide

Toy Story the Musical

There is a live show each night on the cruise and if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend that you take them all in! The first night was The Golden Mickeys, which we missed this time around but hope to see next time. The second night was Toy Story the Musical which was fabulous! The toys were simply AMAZING, and the boys were mesmerized. Ever since we saw it, Jesse has had a new obsession with all things Toy Story! The final night was Dreams. Jesse attended with Aunt Lauris and Uncle Marty and they reported that it was even better than Toy Story! During Dreams, bubbles blew out and snow fell from the ceiling!!! Jesse was super excited! Phil and I skipped it and went to see Old Dogs instead, which was very good. However, next time...I'll be making every effort to go see all the live shows.

We got fabulous seats in the 3rd row!

The dog was my favorite!

The final curtain

Pirates on Board!

Our second night on the boat was the Pirates in the Caribbean party! Jesse didn't get into it too much, but it was Trey's favorite! Trey left part of his pirate costume at home, and the gift shop was closed all day so we had to make do with what we had...but we did score these new pirate hats and I think my boys make rather handsome pirates!

Pre-dinner photos with Mickey and Chip & Dale

Two of my handsome pirates!

My third handsome pirate!

Aunt Lindsey & Uncle Chris

Uncle Marty & Aunt Lauris

Papa Mitchel

Okay, this one has nothing to do with pirate night. But one of our waiters did tricks and puzzles each night at dinner...and this was his trick on pirate night!

Boot Camp, Heffalump Hunting, and Baking Cookies with Ratatouille

The second day of our cruise the ship was docked at Nassau. My boys were having too much fun at Ratatouille's Cooking School, Heffalump Hunting, and Toy Story Boot Camp though to be bothered with getting off the boat. Phil and I did get off briefly to look for pirate costume gear, but we were honestly gone less than 30 minutes. After the boys wore themselves out with all the on board activities, we took them to see The Princess and the Frog. Jesse made it about halfway through this one before he and I abandoned ship. Phil and Trey enjoyed the whole movie and said that it ended great...maybe I'll see the ending when it comes out on DVD.

Jesse getting ready to go into the playroom for Toy Story Boot Camp!

The green figure would be the boot camp commander.

Trey when I picked him up for the movie...
the hat is from Ratatouille Cooking School,
the war paint and dog tags are from Toy Story Boot Camp...
Trey was so excited!

Jesse enjoyed nap time once we left the movie.
He was all tuckered out after capturing Heffalumps all over the ship!

Our towel animal the second night...
the best one in my opinion!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

I finally put our Christmas cards in the mail around 8:30 p.m. on December 23rd. Yes, I know I am a little late...but as my excuse I say that this is the first Christmas that I've been a working Mom and let me tell you, it's hard! I also finished up my Christmas shopping on the 23rd! Anyway, here are a few photos from our Christmas card photo shoot...the boys were really cooperative and I think I got some great shots!

And you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at His birth.

Luke 1:14

May your CHRISTmas be filled with all three...joy, gladness, and rejoicing!
Love, Phil, Christy, Trey, and Jesse

Christmas Eve

Wow! I can not believe that it is already Christmas Eve! Where has 2009 gone? Where has December gone? You may have noticed that I've been a little slack on the blogging lately. We have been super busy and I haven't had a computer at home in months...but that's all changing! The busy-ness is slowing down...we were out of town a lot in December..as I've already told you, Phil was gone the first weekend in December, we were gone the second weekend on our Disney cruise, and last weekend we took our annual trip to Callaway Gardens to see their Fantasy in Lights. But we are home now, and home we're staying for a while!!! Also, tonight Phil brought me home a computer...to stay!!! He's been bringing home one of the office computers every weekend, and I spend as much time as I can trying to download pictures, blog, catch up on email and facebook but there just hasn't been the time lately. But now I have a computer that's MINE to keep at home and I am SO EXCITED!!! I've got lots of pictures coming from our trips and our church Christmas play, not to mention the dozens I took today and will take tomorrow. However, I'm very anal (hubby says it's my OCD kicking in) about doing everything in chronological order so it will take a while, be patient. Until then, Merry CHRISTmas! While the stockings are hanging by the chimney with care, and visions of sugar plumbs (okay toys:-) are dancing around in the kiddies heads, be sure to remember the real reason we celebrate. One of our local churches have had the following posted on their sign all month and I love it...Xmas...the season without a reason...let's all remember to put CHRIST in our CHRISTmas!

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

May every one of you enjoy a blessed Christmas!