After our adventure in Disneyworld, we drove down to Fort Lauderdale to board our ship, Holland America's Eurodam. We had a very relaxing time hanging out with Grant's family.
The gang, Zach, Kyla, Nancy, Reed, Grant and Danielle was busy checking out the map of the ship to turn around.
After a day at sea, our first stop was Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. We went on a snorkeling adventure and saw lots of colorful fish. After that we got to be up close and personal with sting rays. Grant got to feed, hold, and kiss it! I know lucky for me... he did that because the guide said it brings 7 years of good luck. :)
Waiting to board the snorkeling boat.
Heading out to our snorkel spot. The kids were excited about going but once we were out there decided to stay aboard the boat and feed "friendly" the barracuda that comes around each day.
Paradise if you ask me.
Zach & Danielle catching the waves! They were having so much fun playing!!
The first formal night with Nana.
Our second stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico. Grant and Reed zip-lined through the rainforest so the girls & kiddos took a tour bus around the city. 3 million people live on the island and there's over 150,000 cars on the island, can you say grid lock?!
Nancy & Zachy at one of the busy beaches downtown.
The kiddos monkey'n around.
The shore below the fort.
The oldest cemetary on the island. Almost all the cemetaries are on the beach... perhaps it's a spiritual thing?!
BIRDS BIRDS BIRDS!! You could pay money to get your picture taken with all these birds OR you can just take a picture of the birds for free! :)
Our next stop was one of the US Virgin Island, St. Thomas. We took a tour of the island and saw some beautiful places, then finished up going to a butterfly garden!
Heading up the hill to the botanical garden, that's our boat!
Islands on the atlantic ocean side of the island.
One of the many beaches, looks like a big swimming pool!
Danielle was in HEAVEN at the butterfly garden, She was running around trying to catch butterflies on her pinky because that's what Fancy Nancy does. :) We learned a lot about butterflies: their lifespan is only 2 weeks and if one lands on you, then you get to make a wish.
The 1st of many butterflies... it was quite the experience.
The monarch butterfly
The skeleton butterfly!
Grant was lucky enough to have two butterflies land on him. This one was the owl butterfly. The inside of their wings is bright blue but when they land, they look like this.
As we were leaving the garden, we came upon two monarch butterflies mating. Very unique site.
After our fun in St. Thomas we boarded the boat for our last day at sea before stopping off at Holland Americas private island, Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.
Pool fun on the water taxi, Grant.
On our day at sea, there was a fundraiser for breast cancer. The ladies did the 5k walk the deck for the cure!
Each night we were greeted with chocolates on our pillows and cute towel designs.. we had a butterfly, a sting ray, a bird, but this one stole the show. It was a replica of Danielle's purple poodle. :)
Half Moon Cay
They had a sign pointing west to Seattle...
Taken from my beach chair!
There was a small water park for the kiddos and Danielle LOVED the waterslide!
Danielle and Zach ready to go canoeing.
Leaving the island behind as we head back to the ship. So sad and so hard to leave this place.
Chef Danielle!
Our final dinner celebration!!
We had such a wonderful time on our cruise. It was so nice to experience new things and spend time with family we don't see very often! We are already looking into our next cruise!!
