3/25 - Today we started with Landon's soccer game. Spartans won 3-0. Landon had to sit out most everything this week so it was good for him to get to run around. We went to Elke's for quick lunch then it was time for girl scout pinewood derby. Kasey won last year so we weren't sure how it was going to go. We had 2 girls from our troop, 2 girls from one grade older and an older sister all racing.
3/24 - I came home early so we could take Landon to get his staples removed. It was healing well so that is good.
3/20 - Greg got a call in the morning that Kasey got sick at school. I came home a little early to help out. Had to take Landon to care now to check on staples. Kasey got sick several times in the morning but was ok in the afternoon
That night Landon had boy scout meeting and we had parents meeting to learn about the troop. There was an email that said we should all check the boys for ticks as several had been found. So we checked Landon. Unfortunately he had one on a private area so of course it hurt pretty bad. Needless to say we had a lot of drama for a few days. A bit to much for me
3/19 - We were sleeping in some but got a call from camp that Landon had fallen off a log and hit his head. They thought it might need stitches. We got up to get ready, Greg drove to Oklahoma, Kasey and I got showered and ready, cancelled our movie plans to see Beauty and the Beast, and grabbed a bite to eat. The boys got back home so we could check out Landon. His head had stopped bleeding but still looked bad enough to get it checked out. We headed to Care now, and they decided that he needed some staples to close the wound. 4 staples. He did well, but the needle to numb the area really hurt him. The staples weren't to bad.
3/18 - Kasey had Cogat test for AIM. Many families there and it took about 2 1/2 hours for them to take the test. That's a long time for testing but Kasey thinks she did well. We tried to explain that either way its ok. We'll find out in April if she takes the 2nd round of testing.
After that we went to lunch at Elkes.
Greg and Kasey worked on her pinewood derby car in the afternoon. That night Greg went to FC Dallas game and dinner with Doug. Kasey and I went to dinner with Myers/Goodsons to celebrate Nanny, Pops and Johns birthdays.
3/17 - Today Landon was leaving on his first boyscout campout without any of us. They all helped load the luggage and stood in their patrols. We had ordered a magnetic game for the car that has backgammon, chess and checkers. We got it as they were packing the trailers so Greg went to grab it.
We didn't wait for them to fully leave because we needed to eat and get Kasey to bed. We decided to go to Durkins to eat (Landon doesn't like it for some reason). Great pizza, salad, and we got to hang out with Durkin some.
3/14 - Boys had a football game - they played close, tied the game and went into overtime. They lost unfortunately. Landon pulled a flag and had fun
3/13 - Landon had boy scout meeting and they found out their patrols. He's in one with William and it's called Bear. He was excited. First campout is next weekend.
Cruise 2017
March 4 - I got up to work out one more time before vacation. Grammy, Gramps, Kasey and I left around 10 to head to aunt Mary's for some family time. Greg and Landon stayed back because Landon had a soccer game.
We stopped at Sams on the way down for lunch and some gas. One of the things I'd been craving with eating better was fried chicken so I had a small piece but did pretty good other than that
We got to aunt Mary's and a few cousins were already there. Kaseys closest cousin Ayla and her little brother were there. Not long after Haley and Ashlyn came with their parents. We haven't seen them in years and have gotten very tall. It was fun catching up for a short visit. Kasey for some reason didn't want to play with Ayla but wanted to visit with adults and older cousins. I'm glad she did with short visit.
After that we started eating snacks and dinner was another craving I had enchiladas. So I had salad and enchiladas for dinner with homemade guacamole. Yum. We had bday cake to celebrate some recent family birthdays.
We went to hotel we were staying the night and got Kasey to bed late but not super late.
Landon lost his soccer game but it was close.
March 5 - cruise day
Greg and landon left our house a bit after 6am to get down in time. Kasey got me up before 7. We got showers and got ready then met Grammy and Gramps for breakfast. It was ok breakfast but tea and coffee were bad
By the time we were done Greg and landon were 30 minutes away. We got packed, checked out and headed to meet them in the rain
We put all the luggage in our car with kids and Grammy. Dad and I rode together. It rained the whole way down pretty hard. Grammys Bluetooth kept connecting to our car even though she was in the other car. Gramps and I were staying behind a bus and lost Greg at one point.
On the way dad was telling stories about growing up, going to college and the military. He was drafted into the military and so he went to sign up for the Air Force. In Air Force he was in a class around power and mechanics and finished top in his class. Because he was top he got to pick where he was going to go so he picked Florida. Mom and dad went to homestead Florida. They had enough money to get an apartment, some food and gas then with $5 left until payday they went to a movie.
From there one of the guys was trying to get him on a top secret project but it didn't work out. He got orders to go to Alaska. In the military he saw the difference in how people were treated and promoted who had degrees vs those that didn't. So he got out of the military to get his degree and went for technology degree at U of H. When looking for work he went to Houston power company where he had worked before to see if he could get credit for previous work. They said no so he ended up at Schlumberger where he worked his post college career. It was fun hearing stories. We don't get to talk like that often
Once in Galveston Gramps and I parked and headed to terminal. Greg and others and luggage were stuck in traffic. We eventually all got there, turned in luggage and went to check in. Somehow we got $50 credit per person for the 4 of us
We got our picture and got on the boat. We went up to eat along with most others. Saw a friend from high school
We walked around the ship some, went to our rooms and relaxed a bit. We got ready for our first dinner. Good food, wine and company. After dinner we all went to show and Kasey and I got our picture with Po from Kung fu panda. The show was comedian plus preview of acrobats
March 6
We slept in a little and met Grammy and Gramps in the dining room on 3 for breakfast.
We did some slides on 13 then I took Kasey to the pool and Landon went to hang out wit Dylan. Kasey played in kiddy area for a while then we went to get in the big pool. I got in with her for a while. We danced in the water but had to get out because the boat was rocking so much
That afternoon Grammy and Gramps kept the kids so Greg and I could go to a wine tasting. It was fun. Rocco from Italy was the host and sommelier. He had interesting info and it's always fun to try different wines even if we didn't really like any of them.
We got ready for dinner and had good food and service again
That night Greg took kids to get them to bed and Grammy, Gramps and I went to see comedian show. They were ok. Two brothers from New York.
March 7
Today we started the day with dreamworks character breakfast. It wasn't much but we had chocolate pastries and kids got to meet king julien and Alex from madegascar.
After that we went to go ice skating. Kasey, landon and I got skates on. Kasey for some reason was scared and didn't want to stay on. Landon and I skated for the 30 minutes and it was fun. My legs hurt by the end but it was still fun
After that we got into swimsuits. Kasey and I went to see Pus in boots then headed up. Landon was in the pool with Dylan. Kasey got in as well. She wanted me to get in with her so I did. The ship was moving so much that with her on my back I was going under water some. I suggested the hot tub :). It was calmer in there. I got out to hang out with Greg. We got a few drinks. Landon and Dylan went up to play basketball and Kasey got back in the pool
Kids got soft serve ice cream then we went to lunch (were on vacation right?). Lunch was in the windjammer today at the very back of the boat. It was a pretty day
After lunch Kasey and I got showered and changed. I went to an Italy wine tasting with Grammy, Kasey went to kids club for the first time and Landon was playing soccer with Dylan. The wine tasting was good and fun but he sold me a bottle of wine for $75 that we bought at dinner for $59. Hmmm
I got the kids and it was time to get ready for dinner. Our travel agent had booked us a free dinner at specialty Italian restaurant. It was amazing. We had several appetizers to share including octopus, tuna sashimi, pork belly, tomato and mozzarella, and meats and cheeses. We had meals then all shared pastas which were great.
Gnocchi, mushroom risotto, carbonara pasta with egg and pasta with meat sauce. Then we had dessert. We had tiramisu, lemon cake, chocolate chip cookies with ice cream. Needless to say it was a great dining experience and we were very full
That night Kasey tried to see the acrobat show. We were going to let her see part but the cancelled it because the ship was moving to much. We stayed for a few songs of the singing act but it was late.
March 8
Kids sang happy bday to Pops on our balcony
We had an excursions in Honduras today. We were going to a private island.
We had quick breakfast then headed out. We took a short boat ride to the island. Once there we got our chairs, kids played in the ocean some. Then it was time for animal excursion. We basically went into a cage with baby monkeys. We held food for them and they crawled all over us. Kasey went in first on her own then the rest of the family. We also got pictures with a parrot and another bird
After that it was time for an early island lunch. We got in line. They had chicken, fried fish sticks, salad and rice and beans (with a little spice). Greg and I tried a few drinks and kids had virgin pina colada and strawberry daiquiri.
After lunch Landon took off with friends and Kasey and I headed to the pool. I had my phone so and nothing else so I couldn't really get in the water. I tried to get her back to Greg and she didn't want to get out or do anything. Eventually we got back to Greg. We thought we were going to feed huge sea lions but that wasn't the case. We stayed a bit longer at the pool. Greg let me have a little time on the beach alone but people started smoking so I went to the pool too.
Then we headed back to the ship. We showered and got ready for dinner
Greg and I got to have a drink alone on deck 14 while Grammy and gramps hung with the kids. Then we went to watch them untether and leave the dock from Grammy and Gramps balcony.
That night after dinner we went to the ice skating show. Kasey got her picture with Pus and boots. The show was good but not sure kids loved it.
That night Grammy, Gramps and I went to see the marriage game which is always humorous. A couple married 4 days, 25 years and 61 years.
March 9
We were going to Belize today for the first time. We spent a lot of time traveling. We got the kids up early then had to wait in the theater for almost an hour before leaving for our excursion. We got off the boat and had to get on a local tender boat to take us to Belize City. This took about 25 minutes. We had an hour and a half bus ride so everyone had to go potty then we waited for a while. We did get a magnet on Landon's suggestion. On the bus they took us around the city some telling us about the city. How several countries like US, England, Taiwan and others help fund improvements to this 3rd world country. Tourism is becoming bigger but they don't have a ton of infrastructure. In fact the bus we were on was an old dart bus (it had the logo on the seats). They produce a lot of oranges for US and U.K. and some sugarcane too. Some people there make $35 a day. Gas is $5/gallon. He talked about where people came from. Mians, British, India and others contributed to colonization. They are only South American country to speak English as their main language. They speak a fast broken English that's similar to Caribbean communication.
At then end of our bus ride it was time to go tubing. We had to rent lockers put on helmets and life vests and walked in the jungle about 25 minutes carrying our tube. The guide was nice to carry Kasey's. he wasn't much for words but it was a nice walk. We started out walking across a stream where we got our picture.
We got into the water just ahead of many groups. The guide tied our tubes together and we all got in. He pulled us along and even used his arms some pulling us backwards on his innertube. He pointed out a few formations they had named. Apparently the Mians had done rituals in these caves.
They had some that looked like a mother over her child, a huge jelly fish, ice cream cone, dolphin and a few others.
After our tube ride it was time for lunch and we were hungry. We had good flavored chicken (not royal rats that are another form of chicken they have there), rice and beans, Cole slaw, and sauce from the meat. The meat and rice and beans were really good. Greg and I tried a few local beers. One tasted like colors light (the one made there) and the other tasted kind of like Heineken. So not great
At the end Kasey wasn't feeling well. We got a bag, had her go potty and got on the bus. She slept almost the entire way which she needed.
Our hour bus ride back didn't leave us any shopping time so we just headed back to the boat to get ready for dinner.
After dinner we all hung out a bit. Greg and Landon went to let Landon play soccer upstairs. Kasey and I met Grammy early to get seats and a drink. The boys got there right before people started demanding their seats. They had also gone to the front of the boat.
The show was great with music, acrobats on ropes and scenes and movement which were great. Landon didn't love it but the rest of us did
March 10
Today was Cozumel day. We had not booked an excursion and decided to stay on the ship. We face timed Grandma and Patch which kids were excited about.
We got Grammy and Gramps moving to have breakfast in the windjammer. It was our only choice after sleeping in after time change til almost 9.
After breakfast we went to the arcade. We were pretty much the only people in there. Kids and Greg played some games, a few games stole money then we played air hockey. Kasey beat me then Landon beat Kasey then Kasey beat landon. Greg went to the room and the kids and I tried to find Grammy and Gramps. We went to level 5 then 14 then 3 then texted them. They were in suite lounge on 14. We hung out a while then Landon went to play basketball by himself and Kasey went to get swimsuits. Kids did slides then I changed into my suit. Landon and I did tube ride and the three of us did big slides multiple times
Greg went to change, Grammy went to cool off and Myers crew went to the pool. Greg and I had a few drinks and hung out with the kids in the pool. We had dance contests, we did grand ole duke of York and down by the banks. There were very few people so it was great
As we were about to eat Grammy and Gramps came down. We grabbed food from windjammer for a late lunch
Then the boys decided to try flowrider. Kasey rode the slides several times. I watched the boys try to get on their knees on flowrider. Landon did and Greg tried several ways. I got to ride tube ride with Greg and race Kasey on the slide.
Then we had to rush to shower for formal night. Kasey last special drink and dessert for yelling at us about several things.
We had a good dinner with lobster and nice Caymus wine. After dinner we all got more comfortable. Greg and I went out while kids hung out with the grandparents.
Greg and I went to the show which was fun. A guy doing impressions and singing song. Then we went to piano ar for a drink and some music. Then we went to short 70s singing thing on the promenade which was to get people excited about Saturday night fever musical the next night.
March 11
Today was an at sea day and we took it easy. Late breakfast in the windjammer, boys playing basketball, girls shopping on the promenade (Kasey got a necklace with free bracelet, I got a necklace and free bracelet for Kasey and Grammy got new clasp on her necklace). We did some swimming. Kasey, Greg & I watched some of the staff play pool volleyball against guests. Fun to watch and not to shabby. Landon spent a lot of the day with Dylan playing basketball, lunch, playing at the pool & rock climbing. I think having Dylan there was his favorite part.
After that the boys went to do rock wall climbing and Kasey and I did the slides several times. I kept beating her which she didn't like.
We left there to shower and get ready for dinner. One more dinner with our waiter and assistant waiter. They were awesome knowing our names, things we liked like extra escargot and my parents coffee after dinner. The brought kids fruit rig away to keep them busy. They let Landon order off the adult menu
Kasey ate escargot several times (like 6). She also had strawberry daiquiri each night. Landon had a pina colada each night and tried a few steaks and appetizers but not escargot.
That night we went back to pack some after dinner. Grammy and Gramps saved us seats for the musical until I got there. Grammy and I were the only ones who wanted to see it and it started at 9 so it was to late for the kids. I thought it was really good. I don't remember the movie much but enjoyed the music and dancing. A few of the guys were ones that played volleyball earlier in the day
I had to go check on pictures after the show then it was time to wrap up and go to bed one more time on the ship
Fun day. Amazing cruise. None of us want to go back to the real world.
March 12
We got up before 7. Just put clothes on finished packing and headed to the windjammer for breakfast one more time.
Then we went to get our luggage to head out. Lines were long, weren't moving and people were getting frustrated. At one point Landon wanted to go to the other side to see if the line was shorter. We assumed he meant the other stairway. He went from the back of the boat where we were to the front. Oh my. He still made it back before we moved. Once we finally started moving it wasn't so bad
We got through customs and walked about 6 minutes to parking to get our car. 49 degrees feels pretty cold when its windy and it's been in the 80s all week.
One of the days I asked Kasey to remember something. We do that because she has a good memory. She told me that she put it on a post it note. So I asked, in your head? She said yes she has post it notes, paper, markers, pencils and such in her head to use as needed when she gets bored 
I asked the kids their favorite parts of the cruise - I think they liked it all but Kasey liked being about to run down the hall and see Grammy and Gramps. Landon like playing with Dylan.
3/2 - After work went to eat fast, work at the book fair at the school, go to open house at the school with kids. Then Kasey and I went to the nail salon with Mindy to get our nails done before Spring Break.
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