The Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas from the Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

December 20, 2011 - 69 degrees

As most of us begin our travels during the upcoming holiday week, I hope you all have safe travels to your destinations. Gathering with friends and family...lets remember the reason for the season.

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Luke 2: 4-19 says:

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

~Savannah Helms

Caring for Kids

I had the pleasure of taking a needy kid shopping this year through the Swansboro Rotary. I would have to say this was one of the highlights of my Christmas season. I went with another rotarian and in place of my bossman.


Once we got to the school and checked him out to go shopping, I noticed we had a shy child on our hands. But, by the end of the day we had him smiling and talking. He was 5 yrs old and had two older sisters and a brother. He also told us he had a cat & a dog. On the ride to The Jacksonville Mall we had asked him if he had eaten breakfast that morning, he said "no". So we began to name every place we knew we would pass on our way. Once we came to Bojangles his face lit up and he said "Yes I really like Bojangles." So that's where we stopped.


We then proceeded to The Jacksonville Mall to begin our shopping. Myself nor the person I went shopping with didn't know much about children much less about clothing for children...but I have to say we did an awesome job. We bought the majority of his clothing and a pair of shoes from JcPenny because they had teamed up with the Rotary and were offering a 40% discount. The shoes that he wore shopping were in rough shape so we went to Shoe Show and bought him another pair.


Throughout the day we noticed that he would stop at the Christmas trees and play with the ornaments. So we asked him if his parents had put up a tree yet, he said "no". So our next stop was Walmart and that is where we bought him a prelit Christmas tree and ornaments. And what Christmas wouldn't be complete without toys.


Then we ate lunch at Red Robin where he had to play with his new toys and tic tac toe (which I lost everytime) while we waited for our food. I know that we made this child's Christmas and I am so glad I was able to be apart of it. Thank you to the Swansboro Rotary and to JcPenny.

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that - as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.  ~Charles Dickens

I'm Thankful

Thanksgiving Challenge: Everyday in November, post something you are thankful for:

Day 1: Thankful for my husband Jon. Busting his butt to provide for us, the pups and our beardie!!! He works so hard at work and school. Yep thats my husband!!

 Day 2: Thankful for my wonderful family. I have to say I have the best family in the world. First and foremost my parents and sister what would I do without them. From my grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles I am thankful for each and every one of you!!

Day 3: I am thankful for my furbabies and our bearded dragon. As for my furbabies...Mufasa & I have been together since he was seven weeks, he is now eight years old...I find myself loving him more and more everyday. Ginger is Jon's furbaby so I adopted her and she is a great watch dog and I love her to pieces. As for Berri she is a wonderful little dragon...although with her recent brumating she has made me fearful that I'm going to lose her. Apparently this is normal. I ♥ them all and thankful to be their mommy!!

Day 4: I am thankful for my job! Especially the state of the economy these days I am thankful that I have a job with great benefits. I ♥ my coworkers and yes bossman that includes you.


Day 5: I am thankful and proud to be an American! Thankful to live in a country where I am free and have rights. Thanks to all of those who fight for our freedom!


Day 7: I am thankful for my health. Although my health hasn't always been the best...it def. hasn't been the worst that I have seen in others.


Day 8: I am thankful for the ability to cook and bake. And I know Jon is thankful as well. We both do pretty good with this ability!!


Day 9: I am thankful for clean water. Anyone who has lived in most of the United States all of their lives probably can’t imagine not having clean, drinkable, water. Sadly, in a great number of people in the world do not have it. It is truly a blessing on many levels.


Day 10: I am thankful for my five senses. Seeing: The sunrise out your window of a cruise ship. Hearing: Ocean waves crash on shore. Tasting: Pumpkin Shrimp Bisque from the Ruddy Duck. Smelling: Thanksgiving dinner. Touching: Hold hands with my ♥ Jon.


Day 11: I'm thankful for our armed service men & women. I appreciate my freedom and having rights as an American. Thank you!!


Day 12: I am thankful for weekends!! Every once and a while you need a good weekend...nothing but relaxation...even if its just for a lazy Sunday. Thankful that most weekends Jon & I spend the majority of the weekend together and we have jobs that allow us to have Sat. & Sun. days off.


Day 13: I am thankful for faith. Knowing that miracles and the Lord do exist.


Day 14: I am thankful for a car and the ability to drive. I love to drive and thankful that I have this right because if not that would be a long 15 mile walk to work daily.


Day 15: I am thankful for technology. Facebook, Blogs, Coupon sites, Amazon.com, Online Banking and so many more. I would have to say that technology sure makes my life easier.


Day 16: I'm thankful that I am crafty and creative. I know I truly get this from my momma. Working on a diaper cake for a beautiful little girl.


Day 17: I am thankful for life...thankful for waking up every morning and able to get out and seize the day.


Day 18: I see this fitting for today...since its payday! I am thankful that we are able to pay our bills on time.


Day 19: I'm thankful for weekends with my family. Most of my family is 4 to 5 hours away but when we get together its like we see each other everyday. Waking up in the house I grew up is amazing and I value the closeness of our family and traditions we have set over the years.


Day 20: I'm thankful for paved roads, road signs and electricity to power the stoplights.


Day 21: I am thankful that I have a great sense of humor. Which only adds to my wonderful personality! :o)


Day 22: I am thankful for in-laws that treat me like family. ♥ you guys!!


Day 23: I am thankful for powered appliances...as I am baking my cheesecakes for tomorrow. Couldn't imagine not having my mixer and oven.

Day 24: I am thankful for Thanksgiving...gathering and eating with family and putting up CHRISTmas decor.


Day 25: I'm thankful for the seasons...My most favorite season is fall...the leaves changing colors, family gatherings begin, and our anniversary.


Day 26: I'm thankful for my clothes and shoes. I'm thankful that I'm able to purchase the items we want or need. I'm also thankful that if we don't use the clothes or shoes we have a great organization in our community to donate the clothes.


Day 27: I'm thankful that we live in an age of medical breakthroughs. I know one day there will be a cure for cancer and other illnesses.


Day 28: I'm thankful that we live in Carteret Co, NC. I love the fact that we can go to the beach in less than five minutes. Also we have some awesome seafood around here...oysters, shrimp and flounder...you can't beat it.


Day 29: I'm thankful for take out. You know those days that you just don't feel like cooking. Well I'm thankful we have plenty of places to order from and they deliver.

Day 30: I am thankful that Jon & I have been Christmas shopping a little each weekend since Oct. so we can enjoy the holiday season upon us and not lose our sanity out in the crowds.

All Hallows Eve

Nothing beats a haunted moonlit night on All Hallows Eve.... And on this fatal night, at this witching time, the starless sky laments black and unmoving.  The somber hues of an ominous, dark forest are suddenly illuminated under the emerging face of the full moon.  ~Kim Elizabeth

What can I say I love Halloween...the decorations, candy, carving pumpkins, dressing up and trick or treaters.  Also, Halloween is the kick off for the most wonderful time of year.


So this Halloween was no different...we decked the house out with Halloween decor. We even had a fog machine in the yard...although we had to move it around a couple of times for the full effect due to the wind. We carved pumpkins the Wednesday prior to Halloween with my sister in law and her little sweetie Kaylee. Also we had our neighbors come over...Carmen and Kayden.

All of our pumpkins.

Jon, Savannah & Kaylee

Prior to the big day...Jon & I designed my costume...I was a black spider. This took some creativity because its hard to find a costume that covers your butt these day. Anyhow...I purchased some black pantyhose, doll stuffing, black face paint, black nail polish, black thread, black turtleneck, black headband and styrofoam balls.


I stuffed 4 pantyhose with doll stuffing and put two more layers of pantyhose so you couldn't see the stuffing.  Then came the most grueling part...sewing the legs on to the turtleneck. I may be crafty but I dislike sewing. While I was sewing Jon painted the styrofoam balls black and put red dots on them for eyes and then glued them to the headband.  After what seemed like a four hour process I was finished...finally. Now comes the trying on part...tried the shirt on and Jon stitched up all my arms to move at the same time. Then Jon proceeds to paint my face black for the full effect and then put my headband on. Then we took photos and then three hours later all the black paint was off my face. I opted out of wearing the black paint to work the next day.


So its the big day...get all dressed up and get in my car to drive to work...should of thought about this a little more....I had to wear my seatbelt illegally to drive to work and my legs were all over the place. My boss lady dressed up as a witch and brung in her black cat with her...the day seemed to creep by...I think that I had something to do with all the legs. 

Anyhow the real fun was starting once it got dark.  I got off work early and got the house all ready for the trick or treaters.  We had so many trick or treaters I thought I was going to have to run out to get more candy.

Trick or Treaters

Kaylee



Joslyn, Savannah, Dylan, Justin & Heather



I hope you enjoyed my Halloween Blog and pics.

A Mother's Love

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." Washington Irving

My mom & I...my first time in the ocean.

I recently had the opportunity of spending a week with my mom. It was an amazing week and I hope to be able to do this more often.


Here is a few highlights of our week together:

We went to Fort Macon and walked the beach searching for shells for crafts. Went to the Educational Center and looked at their exhibits. Christmas shopping all over the place....Morehead City, New Bern and Jacksonville. MICHAELS - We seem to be some crafty ladies so we had to get supplies for some ideas we had brewing. Worked on a sea turtle puzzle and glued it afterwords. Completed two wreaths and worked on some Christmas gifts. Book signing for Nicholas Sparks new book "The Best of Me". We also went to some used bookstores. Here is some photos of our wonderful week together.



Nicholas Sparks & I...after waiting 8 hrs in
line it was worth it.



The signed book.







My Halloween wreath we made.



Spring wreath we made.







A daughter is a mother's gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of her self.  And mothers are their daughters' role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships. - Victoria Secunda

Oct 2011 - Yummy

We had the pleasure of trying some new restaurants and some great food during the month of October.  They were so good, I decided to give them their own blog review.

NC Seafood Festival - Morehead City, NC

This festival has grown so much since I had last attended and actually looked around and viewed all the vendors items. We walked around for several hours...sampling and nippling on food. Arrived about lunch time...so Jon & I shared a seafood combo plate: crawfish, fried alligator bites, and fried shrimp. My fave was the crawfish...somehow I think I have some New Orleans roots that I don't know about. Jon really enjoyed the alligator bites, although they were a bit greasy. We also tried the twice baked seafood potato...this was so delicious and yummy. The potato had shrimp, onion, cheese, and bacon. And I'm not talking one of those small potatoes this one was about the size of my palm. A+ got to go!

Kate's Pancake House in Carolina Beach , NC

We ate breakfast here on a Saturday morning, they were extremely busy but it was well worth the wait. Jon & I both ordered breakfast platters. Bacon, grits, home fries, cheese eggs, and toast. I really enjoyed the bacon and grits the best. A+ if you are in the area you must try it.

Flaming Amy's in Wilmington, NC



This is similar to a Mexican restaurant with focus on burritos and nachos. Jon had a double beef stuffed burrito...with no rabbit food as he says. I had Nachos with beef, beans and all the fixings. I rate this place a A+...you really can't mess up Mexican food. This place has a great atmosphere and the food was awesome.

Shagger Jacks in Oak Island, NC

We enjoyed our dinner outside under the stars, it was a lovely evening. I had crab legs with melted butter. Jon had a bacon cheeseburger with fries. Mmmm Mmmm...my crabs were so good...but I had to work hard to get to the good stuff. For dessert...Key Lime Pie and Triple Chocolate Pie. Everything was excellent and I rate this place A+...the service was great, atmosphere was relaxing and laid back, food was great value for your money.

Taylor's Cafe in Southport, NC

A favorite among Jon & I...we have been here for breakfast & lunch. On this trip we had breakfast. There was a little wait...but well worth it. We decided to have the platters...eggs with cheese, bacon, ham, grits and home fries...the whole nine yards. This was one of the best breakfasts...I have ever eaten. So just in case you don't know they have the best lemonade I have ever tasted...has fresh fruit in it. A++ - Excellent doesn't even describe this place.

Crab's Claw in Morehead City, NC

My mom and I ate lunch here. This little place has views of the ocean and their food is delicious. For a starter my mom and I had coconut shrimp and jalapeno corn bread. For our meal we had a crab pot which includes corn on the cob, red potatoes, shrimp, crab, onions and carrots. A+ - Must try really good.


Thank you for reading my Yummy Blog.







Happy Anniversary!!

Happy 1st Anniversary to Jon & I....October 9, 2011

Had a wonderful first anniversary...we went to my grandparents house in Oak Island, NC. Leave one beach for another...just to get away and have a mini vacation. It was a beautiful weekend and reminded me of our wedding day. Before I left work on Friday I had some beautiful flowers delivered.

The drive to Oak Island is nice and didn't get bad until the two lane road into the island. (Slow people + Driving a Mustang = Impatient) We arrived around 9:30pm on Friday night. Sleep came fast since we had been on the road for two and a half hours.

On Saturday morning we woke early so we could catch the ferry to head over to Ft. Fisher. Terrifying ferry ride they had to put it in reverse twice because of other boats on the waters. (Hint: If it is bigger than you move out of its way.) Once we arrived in Ft. Fisher we tracked down a place to eat. (Next blog...New Restaurants we tried in the month October.) Stopped at a stretch of beach and took some pictures.



It was slightly windy don't mind our hair all over the place.

Headed over to the Ft. Fisher Aquarium. If you have not been you must go. I have been only be to Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium but I have to rank Ft. Fisher up there as my favorite. I think that was mostly because of all the turtles they had there. I love turtles. Also, another neat feature was that they had a diver in the tank talking about the fish and waving at the kids. Here are a few pictures.



May what big teeth you have.

Turtles eating good.

Hey do you have food?

Seahorses

The real nemo.

How many turtles can you put on one log?

After the aquarium we went to the mall and officially started our Christmas shopping. We shopped for several hours and then went back to the place we were staying and took a nap. Went to a lovely restaurant for dinner.

Sunday - Our actually anniversary.  Woke up around 8am or so. Cleaned and packed up and headed out on the road. Ate breakfast at the best little place in the world. I wish I could of ate all of my food. We then went to The Christmas Shop...7 days a week of Christmas...wonderful little store.

The two and half hour drive home seemed to go by faster during the day. Anyhow got home and unpacked. Took a nap with our pups. For dinner we met my parents at Olive Garden.

Year old cake

Tradition has it you have to eat your wedding cake top on your anniversary. We did this...not to sure about the cake...don't know if it had something to do with being without power for 36 hrs due to Hurricane Irene or that it was old. But we ate it anyways. I have you know my husband stuffed the cake in my face yet again.

Probably day old cake.

Our anniversary weekend was absolutely wonderful and we look forward to many more.

“Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Loves is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It dose not take offense and is not resentful. Love take no pleasure in others people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.”

Snapshot

A quick snapshot of our first year of marriage.



Kaylee with her mom and dad.

After the hustle and bustle of getting back in the grove of things, unpacking and tons of  laundry from our honeymoon. We begin to decorate for Halloween...Jon & I may be in our late twenties but we are still kids at heart and love decorating for all the holidays. We craved pumpkins with Kaylee (our niece) and her family, this was her first time craving pumpkins..she had a blast. Halloween comes and we had to chase down trick or treaters...they were scared of Mufasa and Ginger. Halloween comes and goes and so do the decorations.



Mufasa with Kaylee's rubber duckie.



Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching...I am working on recipes...my weakness anything with pumpkin in it. I made pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin soup. Its time for the dinners and leftovers. We went to my parents house the weekend prior to Thanksgiving and then we go to Jon's aunts house on Thanksgiving Day. So we get two weekends of Thanksgiving...thats alright with me. The day after Thanksgiving we begin Christmas decorating and wrapping gifts. Christmas Day is slowly approaching and I listen to nothing but Christmas tunes...at work, car and house...I mean everywhere. We went to my parents and grandparents houses the weekend prior to Christmas and then did Christmas with Jon's family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.



Jon & I for our first Christmas as Mr. & Mrs. Helms





We had snow for Christmas!







 







My Family



We purchased a bearded dragon in December...Berri, she will be 1 yr old this month.

Yay for the New Year 2011: We had a total of three snow storms at the beach this winter...crazy right. Jon started the Aircraft Maintenance program at Craven in January.

Our first Valentines Day as Mr & Mrs. Helms. Jon bought me a plant, chocolate, steak dinner and a chick flick, doesn't get much better than that.



Diaper Cake

Ginger




Berri

 

Started making diaper cakes in March because I knew so many prego ladies and I wanted to do a unique gift.  In May we went to Kings Dominion for the day...walked all over the place...enjoyed Busch Gardens a whole lot better. In August what    a busy month...lots of baby showers, 10 yr class reunion, and Hurricane Irene. 

  





 Yay for our first year of marriage, what a busy and fast year that was.

 

Savannah Helms





  





 







Honeymooning over the Deep Blue

Honeymoon Cruise October 11, 2010 - October 16, 2010

Left for our honeymoon the day after the wedding. We drove to Jacksonville, FL to the Carnival Fascination cruise boat. As we are driving we had to stop in Savannah, GA...I seemed to fit well in this city...must be my southern charm. Arrived at our hotel around dinner time and rested up for boarding our cruise ship in less than twenty four hours.


On Monday morning we got on the shuttle to transport us to the ship. Met with some other fellow cruisers...PJ & Johnny and Mel & Ritchie...all first time cruisers and hung out with them the majority of the time and made life long friends with all four of them. When we got to the ship we were directed to the VIP line because we had booked a honeymoon suite. We were on the boat within an hour with our Drink of the Day and eating lunch by the pool. Explored our new home and set sail around four in the afternoon. After our bags showed up in our room around six or so we began to unpack and got ready for dinner in the main dining room.

If you have never been on a cruise I recommend  trying it. I can only say nice things about our cruise experience. Jon & I are planning our next cruise for our 2nd year anniversary. Anyhow our room was ready around 1:30pm and we dropped off our carry on luggage. Our room for one week.

Loved the balcony especially during sunrise and sunset.

Pool Area

Day 1 - Sea Day.  Had breakfast by the pool every morning. After the required thirty minutes for digestion we would go make a splash. The pool water is actually salt water and is drained and pumped in daily. After we swam we got into the hot tub. From there soak up some rays and dry off. Then its lunch time...ate at the Burger Bar make your burger your way, can't go wrong. The first afternoon we went to a jewelry seminar that teaches you how not to get ripped off in the islands and buy from certified dealers only. Jon won a 10k gold charm bracelet for me. Also got coupons for free items when we visited the stores in Key West and Nassau. We found the casino on the first day and I have never been in a casino before but I pushed that button and won $320...I was hooked. We stayed in there for a little while then headed back to our room to get dressed for dinner. We chose any time dining...when you get hungry you go and eat, which worked well with us. The food and wait staff were amazing. We started dinner with soup...two different kinds and then share with each other...just to try something different. For the meal we did the same thing. We continued to do this throughout the whole week and had dinner in the main dining room every night. But for dessert I got the warm chocolate melting cake every night...just melted in your mouth. After dinner we would go to the dance clubs, karaoke, casino and sometimes to the 24 hour pizza bar. We went back to the room early because we were docking in Key West in less than twelve hrs and had a full day ahead of us. The sheets and pillows were like sleeping on clouds. Our room attendant was awesome...our room was cleaned twice daily, our ice bucket was filled twice a day, and of the course the cute little towel animals were placed on our bed every night. 

Sunrise

Our first towel animal...I think its a walrus.

Day 2 - Key West, FL  Woke up at the crack of dawn. I wanted to watch us pull into port in Key West, FL. As we were coming in the dolphins were following us...they are attracted to the noise of the ship. Our excursion in Key West was shopping. When we arrived in Key West they had just had about twelve hours of rain and the streets were flooded. They have protected roosters roaming the streets...they control pests. Had breakfast at Starbucks and got a pumpkin latte and a bagel. Walked and shopped all over the place. Went back to the ship with our hands full of shopping bags. Called home several times while we were still in the US and not in international waters. Our phones didn't work while we were out to sea. Grabbed a quick lunch by the pool and headed to the room for a nap. Slept like a baby and when we woke up we were in the middle of the ocean again. We stayed out til about two in the morning since we had a sea day coming up.

View of our ship from the trolley in Key West

Our second towel animal...Not sure what this is...maybe an elephant.

Day 3 - Sea Day - Slept in til about ten this morning. Our cruise boat had a slide and it was awesome...I wish I was ten years younger...I would have been going down that thing more than I did. Played ping pong....more like chasing the ball around so it will not hit people and fall off the ship. Just so you know it was quite windy up there. I had enough of this about thirty minutes and then we went to play putt-putt. I was really good at this, I think the wind assisted. We met up with Mel & Ritchie and hung out with them for the rest of the day. We went to the adult serenity deck...so relaxing and peacefully there. This was our formal night for dinner so we went back to our rooms early to get all dolled up. Didn't stay out long we were spending the next day in Nassau.

Slide Area...early in the morning.

Formal night (Ritchie, Mel, Savannah & Jon)

Picture from Carnival...formal night at the dinner table.

 Third towel animal...I think this is a rabbit.

 Day 4 - Nassau Bahamas. 

Sunrise...I think

Had our bags packed for Nassau...we were going to Atlantis Waterpark and we docked at 12:00pm. We went to the front balcony and took these awesome pictures as we were coming into Nassau.

Atlantis...the lost world.

Cruise Ships and Nassau Lighthouse



Nassau Lighthouse and clear blue water.



So we get ready to leave the ship and they make us sign a waiver that says that Carnival nor Atlantis will be held responsible if something happens to us while we are at the waterpark...should of took that as a sign. I do not have pictures of Atlantis because someone who I will leave nameless lost my water camera. Okay so we get to the waterpark and put our clothes in lockers and head over to the slides. The lazy river wasn't real lazy it had jagged rocks sticking out of the water, but you live and learn. It started to pour down raining so we went to the tiki hut to grab some lunch. While we were eating lunch we met another couple that got married the day after us and we hung out with them the rest of the day. We went down this slide in a double tube...Jon was in the back and I was in the front. We were going down and then we caught air I got slammed against the bottom of the slide... that was rather interesting. Okay, after that adventure we decided to do the Leap of Faith...believe me it required some faith to ride this slide. After that ride we needed to go relaxing in the bumpy lazy river. Let me remind you it had been raining all day but now we were ready to get dry...so the other honeymooners let us go back to their condo and change it warm dry clothes. Images of Atlantis Then we headed back to the ship. We are still in port until 10 pm that means the casino is closed...so we head back to are room and sit on the balcony and watch nightlife of Nassau. Let me just say I was glad to be on the boat, so many blue lights. We then decide to go shopping...yes they have shopping on the cruise ship. 



Fourth towel animal...now this is an elephant.

Day 5 - Sea Day. I woke and felt like a bus had hit me. I had bruise about the size of a basketball on my backside from the beating of the waterslide. Went shopping a little more and bought pictures from where they had taken our photos throughout our trip. Then we went to the casino because it was closed the entire day before and had some luck there. Dinner time...this would be our last dinner on the boat, we met up with the couples we had ate dinner with mostly every night and had a wonderful last dinner. By this time it was late and we turned in for our day of driving that was ahead of us.

Jon, Savannah, Mel & Ritchie

Our last towel animal - stingray.

Final Day: Had our bags packed and ready to go. Woke up and went and enjoyed our balcony one last time and did a sweep of our room. Left for breakfast with our luggage and sat by the pool until they announced our level for to disembark. After we clear customs we had to wait about thirty minutes for our shuttle. And then it was the ten hour drive home.

Alright so now I know your ready to book your cruise. Thank you for reading!