Finally....Snow Days!!!!!

We had heard in the forecast for days that we would get snow on Thursday continuing until Saturday. Schools closed on Friday in anticipation of the storm. Well, for once, the forecast was right! We ended up with about 4 to 4 1/2 inches of snow on Friday night before it started sleeting and packed the snow into frozen ice rink! Cooper went out Friday and had fun playing in the snow. Ainsleigh didn't really like it. She kept telling me "Mommy, cold" and literally wouldn't walk!








Starting to accumulate on Friday morning.

Enough snow to sled down the hill on our street Friday afternoon.

Jackson having so much fun!













Cooper and Mom making snowballs. He loved trying to throw them. It was hard with his gloves on though.

Cooper carrying his snowball.

Still snowing Friday night.






Ainsleigh taking in the winter wonderland on Sat. morning. She finds the most crazy places to make her nest!

















We had built the snowman on Friday but Jackson was too cold to decorate him. So, we went out Saturday morning to decorate him. Well, I had to get a screwdriver to chisel out a hole for his eyes, nose, mouth, arms and buttons! We had lots of ice during the night.












Our neighbors Joey and his daughter Elli sledding.

















Ice on our shrubs.

Jackson means business!





Jackson and Elli having too much fun. Why is it they don't get cold while the parents are Popsicles?????

Fun Times

Here are just a few miscellaneous pictures of the kids being....well, kids!!






Ainsleigh reading her book.

Just Jackson






What a cool nerf gun from Gaga! He has played and played with it!















Just hanging on the couch.










Cooper giving us the "evil" eye.

Jackson and Ainsleigh cuddled up together on the couch with Ainsleigh's princess blanket from Gaga. It is soooooo warm! Cooper got one that is Cars.

Sitting in chairs watching Sponge Bob.

Since Taylor has been working nights, sometimes the kids sleep where they fall!

Ainsleigh FINALLY asleep at 9:45pm. She is the Energizer Bunny and really keeps going and going and going and going.....

Chocolate pudding for dessert...yum!

Aren't boys supposed to be messier????

Making crayons with the Crayola maker that was a gift from Papa and Grandma.

The Beginning....How exciting!

Oh my! This was such an exciting day. We were up early, (we left our house at 5:45am!). We rode in the limo to the airport again and Jackson loved it! With all of the Christmas excitement, Jackson didn't want to do much on the plane. It was only a little over 2 hr flight and he actually took a small nap. We got to the airport and met up with Papa and Grandma. Jackson rode in the cab with them to the port. I am sure he talked non-stop the entire 10 minute ride!!







Our stateroom...number 5134.

Jackson had a present waiting on him. It was a replica of our ship. Mom and dad had champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. YUMMY!










Checking out the balcony.

He and dad hit the pool as soon as our bags arrived in the room!

Already having fun!

This is the main pool.

Jackson, Papa and Grandma waiting for the ship to pull out of the dock. The horn was very loud.

The flags on board.

The sun setting over Ft. Lauderdale as we pull out to sea.

Day 1 - At Sea

Today was our first full day on the ship. Jackson was still so excited and wanted to explore the entire ship! We just hung out and enjoyed the day.

Jackson laying on the balcony looking for something...another ship, an island, a shark, etc. Do you see the binoculars beside him?

One of the pools on board.

Too much Christmas and ship fun!

Even the big boy was tired!

Jackson stayed with Papa and Grandma tonight so Taylor and I could go to see the show. It was a musical and pretty good. Before the show started, the captain of the ship came out and talked. This is our Captain.

The animal of the night... a stingray.

Day 2 -Grand Turk

Grand Turk had beautiful beaches. The welcome center, shops and Margaritaville rerrr st nba n bnu nn brannt were only three years old. Carnival Cruise lines built the center and the ships came! They had tons of beach chairs all line up waiting for us. We had another choppy day and the shore excursions were canceled but we had fun on the beach.

Sunrise from our balcony.

Getting ready to dock in Grand Turk.

You know Jackson, always wanting me to take photos. Here is one of him and his waffle with chocolate sauce before...

...and after. Needless to say, he ate alot of waffles this week.

Throwing rocks into the water.

He moved back just in time. Waves crashed into this wall making a huge splash. Can you imagine how little protection this is during a hurricane?

If you can believe it, this is "downtown" the largest village on the island. Not much to it!

The oldest church on the island.

Jackson and Daddy stopping to pose while we are trying to find a taxi back to the ship.

Jackson splashing around in the beautifully teal colored water.

Look how little he seems with the ship behind him.

He stayed in the water all day long. Our stingray adventure was cancelled due to large swells, so we enjoyed the beach instead!

The cranes aren't too much to see, but look at the color of the water.

Our ship from the beach.

The boys on the beach.

This man made Jackson a sword out of balloons. Too cool!

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville on Grand Turk.

Still playing in the water.

We just thought this sign was cute...read it. There was a conch shell hanging from a tree beside the sign.

The entrance to the island.

This is where we spent much of our day. The welcome center was built by Carnival Cruise line about 3 years ago.

Leaving Grand Turk.

The sunset after a relaxing day at the beach.

After dinner, Jackson went to the Kids Club for a Pirate Adventure. They made hats, painted faces and went on a Treasure Hunt on the ship. He had lots of fun and met lots of new friends.

Crafts from Pirate Night.

Our animal of the night...a crab!