Summer Stuffs

 I took Seth, Nolan, Ollie, and Ollie's buddy Kevin to a ninja gym the other day. They are pretty impressive little gymnasts. 

New dishwasher and MVP husband for the 20th year running..... Jon!

Zach and Jennifer were in town for a few short nights. Dinner out at Jack Allen's did not disappoint!

Camp Invention! 

I worked this past week as a teacher/counselor at Camp Invention and Nolan attended. It was a great week. Robotics, experiments, making a light-box and playing with glow items, building and making pro-types, Camp Invention has it all! It made me really nostalgic as well, because although I had never worked it as a teacher before, Seth always went as an elementary student in Lubbock and it was always a major highlight of the summer for him. I'm glad Nolan is happy to tinker and learn as well.

Nassau and Our Last Days at Sea

 Our last stop was Nassau. This is the only day I would want a do-over on. The city seemed so cool with lots going on, but we had an excursion booked to go snorkel, which ran late. We were stuck in line for a good bit to get on a boat to get to the snorkel spot and didn't get to explore much. 

This is the little island we went to for snorkeling.

There was a coral reef we snorkeled over as well as lots of statues underwater as well as a sunk boat and downed plane. 

Jon had a cover for his phone, so could take underwater pictures. These pictures don't do the sights justice. We saw squids, an eel, sea urchins, star fish, many fish, and a huge school of neons. 

Later we hiked over to that little lighthouse.

Then over to explore an iguana petting zoo type area.

Last dress up night!

We started the cruise with a wedding, had Jessica's birthday in the middle and ended on Robyn's. So much to celebrate! 

Ollie, cruise-director Andy, and I after his last show.

We are now cruise people, simple as that! Anyone who plans to go on a cruise, please invite us!! We will come! :)

Half Moon Cay

Our third day of excursions was a day at Half Moon Cay, a Carnival owned island in the Bahamas. This stop didn't have a big port for the cruise ship to anchor into, so we took a ferry-type boat from the cruise ship to the island. Pro tip: book an early morning excursion so you can be at the front of the line to get off the boat before the other 2,000 people that want to get off. 

We started off the day with a Sting Ray excursion. We got googles and got into a shallow area where we could swim and snorkel with Sting Rays, fish, conchs, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. 

Look at how close they would swim around our legs!

The felt like slippery velvet that shimmied away when you went to pet them.

Feeding time for the Rays!

After the feeding, our guides brought Sea Urchins, Conchs, a little Starfish, and Sea Cucumbers.

Perhaps the guides were just messing with us, but we were told it's good luck to kiss Sea Cucumbers, so you better believe we puckered up! Ha!

These next pictures are sooooooo great. Sea Cucumber was a little too flaccid for Ollie. 

But he kissed it anyway. 

And let the kissing continue! Time to kiss the Rays goodbye!

At the end of the day when we went back to our room, the towel animal of the day that our room steward left was also a Sting Ray. Nolan puckered right up!

After our Sting Ray fun, we headed over to the beach. Jennifer's parents booked a cabana, which was so lovely to hang out in and swim in front of. 

Some other sites from around the island....

Back to the ship where Nolan ate Jello and Shirley Temples daily. 

Our sweet waiter talked Nolan into 3 desserts one night after he ordered Jello yet again. 

More boat fun; basketball in the evening!