January 2013

So, we always start our new year off on with a 21 day Daniel Fast... you can google it to find more information but basically you eat just what comes from the ground (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts) and eliminate TV, etc.... more than 10 years of doing this, we have really learned to love the food and it has become a part of our normal diet during the other 11 months.... our kids eat what we eat so this is how we started off 2013.  I will admit that we didn't do it for 21 days this year... we just did it for 7 as our church was not accustomed to this type of fast at all so this was just to get them used to it.

 Random picture I found.... this kids imagination is wild!

So one week after we landed in Philadelphia from Tampa.... we went back to Philadelphia airport to pick up my mom from the airport as she graciously accepted our request for her to come watch our kiddos as we went on our cruise this year!

Our room's view and balcony

Dinner Entertainment.... so fun!

 1st stop:  Florida and Starbucks!  One of my only complaints on cruises is that the coffee is not that great... however, here is my tip for you... bring Starbucks Via Packets:)

This year we went with our friends Jon and Sue

Lunch

 Our ocean kayaks we rented

Our ship!

Leaving a port in the evening

Dinner... our favorite is the service and amazing dinner served to us... the menu is incredible!  There is nothing like sitting down 7 or 8 nights in a row not ever having to cook one thing, clean one thing or help anyone else with their food but just have a romantic dinner every single night.... I am telling you this is the Rx for every marriage!

Ship Mascot!

One of my favorite activities is reading, journaling, etc on our balcony... vacation!

Next Stop:  Bahamas!!!!  and Starbucks... hehe!

 Lunch... island style!!!

This is the big thing in the bahamas.... konk shells!  We had a konk salad and it was pretty good!

 Back on the ship for another amazing dinner!

Another fun thing the cruise does is before dinner, they have all of  these photo stations set up and you can have your picture taken.... 

Here is the one we chose of us:)

Back to home... New York City!

Okay... so, here is a CRAZY story about this cruise.... I was sitting on my balcony right before we were about to sail out the first day and I was browsing my Instagram feed.... I saw a high school and college friend of mine post a picture of the EXACT view I had and it said, "About to set sail!"  So, I commented and said, " Are you on such and such cruise?"  She commented back and said YES!  So we met up for a couple of breakfast and lunches and I got to meet her husband and their little boy... it is a CRAZY small world!

After 8 days of being away, we are always glad to see our kiddos again!  Brendon wrestling both of them on the floor!

I never got tired of this view!

Winter "indoor" activities!

Playing "Band"

This winter we hardly got any snow and when it did snow, we had to get out quickly to enjoy it or we would miss it as it melted so quickly!

 At 2 years 9 months, this girl still loves playing "mom" to her babies

 Towards the end of January, Ed and from Gateway Church came to visit us... if you remember from our story of how we got to New Jersey, Ed and Gateway Church are huge reasons why we are here.... crazy enough... we had never met them until this moment.... everything had only been done over the phone, email, etc.  This was a monuemental trip for Brendon and I and for Fusion Church.