January 3--Home

We made it home around 5:30. Now to bed. 

January 2--Driving

We were able to get off the ship at 7:40 this morning and made it through customs just fine.

By the time we loaded the suitcases and got everything ready we hit the road at 8:20.  

Traffic has been horrific.  We've added at least a couple hours onto the trip.  There was a Tennessee team that was at a bowl game in Tampa yesterday so everyone is taking the same route home that we are. We've been at a stand still on the interstate many times.  

We had a very close encouter to an accident. But luckily Dad's cat like reflexes kept us out of harm's way.  

It is now 7:10 and the GPS says we have 10 hours left. When we left we were supposed to get home at 2:00am, but now our estimated arrival time is 5:00am.  We're about 85 miles from Nashville and I predict traffic will get heavy there again. 

I think everyone is getting a little antsy to get home now. We sure miss Penny, but am so thankful to Laurie and Lynn for taking her.  We've started thinking about all the things we need to accomplish before heading back to work on Monday...I start my last full semester of my master's degree on Monday and Thom gets sworn in as Mayor on Tuesday. Lots of exciting stuff coming up! 

I'll post when we're home so you know we made it safe.  :) 

January 1--Sailing

After staying up so late we were able to sleep in on Friday.  It wasn't a very eventful day.

Thom and I got lunch in the Windjammer Buffet, and then went to the art auction.

Drew loves going to the art auctions. He doesn't buy anything, but I think he enjoys watching and looking at the art. We enjoyed free glasses of champagne while the auction was going on.  Drew ended up winning a piece of art because he guessed the closest to the retail value of a Peter Max painting.  He also was MVP (most cheerful/excited patron at the auction) so he got a free bottle of champagne.  

After the auction Thom went to work out while I went and sat on Anne's room balcony with her and her mom, Mary Kay.  We decided we needed one more day of the cruise just to relax. 

Then I joined Mom who was walking laps on the pool deck track.  We did over a mile.  

Next was back to the room to start packing....I completely over packed. Note to self--when traveling to the Caribbean you do not need jeans, long pants, or numerous sweatshirts. Oh well...I was just over prepared.  Of course we were leaving with more stuff than when we came too.

Then it was off to our last dinner. Some of the men chose to not go to dinner because they were watching the Iowa game....I think they wish they would have attended dinner instead....

For dinner I had a delicious pasta--simple, but good. Followed by key lime pie.  

At 7:30 we made our way to the Schooner Lounge for some Beatles Music Trivia. Between Dan and Thom, we got 20/20.  We also sat across from the Bon Jovi Tribute band so we talked to them a bit. Thom got their card in hopes of inviting them to the fourth of July festival in Osceola.  

Next we went to the comedian that was the headliner for the night. His name was George. I can't remember his last name. He was pretty good.  He had some great jokes and some not so great jokes. I'm not one to enjoy stand-up comedy, but he made me laugh a few times.

Next we were off to karaoke. It wasn't the best....There were some honeymooners from Texas who were also music teachers who were pretty darn good-he sounded like Frank Sinatra. No one in our group sang. After trivia we (Nolan, Nate, Ellen, Owen, Thom, me) just sat and chatted for awhile.  We sure enjoyed being on the cruise with their family.  It was wonderful because typically the only times we get to see them are holidays, so it was nice to catch up outside of that and get to know each other better. I hope they had as great of a time as we had with them. 

Then Thom and I tried to find Drew at the Viking Lounge but he wasn't there so we walked around the ship and met up with some friends we made through the week.  We chatted with them for awhile before heading to bed. 

Tomorrow the cruise ends....it was been a phenomenal trip. Loved it all.

December 31--New Years Eve

After arriving back on the boat, we dressed up for formal night dinner.  They  had a special menu because it was New Years Eve. The table was decked out with hats, necklaces and noise makers to ring in the new year.  The dinner was wonderful. I had grilled lobster and halibut. 

After dinner there was a singing celebration in the centrium done by the staff.  Different members of the crew sang and people danced. Even the captain sang.  They ended by singing "We are the World".  Peter loved dancing to all the music this week.

Next we went to our traditional hang out spot of karaoke. Tonight was extra karaoke night. They had one our of family karaoke (so kids could sing) followed by an hour and half of adult karaoke.  Nolan, Anne, Mom, Ken, Thom, Ellen, and myself got up and sang "Dancing Queen" by Abba. We had fun.  

When that finished around 11:30 we headed to the Centrium for the balloon drop.  It got rather packed.  They offered glasses of champagne and everyone counted down. At midnight there was the great balloon and confetti drop followed my music, singing, and dancing.

Thom, Drew, Ellen, Owen, Nate, and I went to the pool deck for some music up there.  Therre was a large family dancing there that had a circle going. Of course Thom jumped in the middle and started a big dance party. Everyone made their way across the dance floor. It was a hoot. After a bit of dancing there we decided to go up to the Viking Lounge (I've been calling it the Voyager's Lounge---oops).  Theree was a HUGE dance party going on up there. Unfortunately Owen couldn't join us because he is under 18.  The rest of us danced and danced until 2:00am.  We had a blast. I was exhausted so thank goodness Friday was a sleep in day!