Cruising the Caribbean

We set sail on 11 September for a week in the Caribbean with Uncle Jim, Aunt Jenn, Jack, Grammy, Pop, Grandad, Linda, Uncle Rob, and Aunt Laura. We sailed on the Carnival Dream and visited Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Martin all during hurricane Igor. It was a GREAT time, no one wanted it to end, and we can't wait to do it again! Our ship...

Meeting grandad at the airport. He and Linda surprised us in DC and were waiting at the gate when we arrived!

These days Simone wants to help do everything.

Celebrating on the Lido deck as we set sail ...

Safety first!

Simone loved her "bed up in the air", but only lasted there one night. Then it became daddy's bunk. Don't be sad for daddy, he loved it too!

Swimming and sliding on deck was GREAT!! Even Grammy tried the big twisty slide.

Our first stop was Nassau Bahamas. A pose of the whole gang in front of our ship.

All dressed up for elegant night. Simone had two handsome escorts.

A dip in the sea on St. Marten. It was soooooooooooooo hot.

Even Tony had to cool off.

In port on St. Thomas.

We took a snorkel trip on St. Thomas. It was a beautifully perfect day for sailing!

Tony in his element... sailing at sea in the hot hot sun with rum punch.

A shot with our captain and first mate. The kids were ready to go and wanted nothing of it.

Simone bustin a move at dinner.

And a few more dinner shots...

Passing some time at the airport before our flights home.

And what better a way to end a great vacation than...

A FLAT TIRE!!! when we got to our car at the airport.

But no fear, daddy put the spare on and off we went. Simone cried for Grammy the whole way home, but has settled down now. And Tony is off getting the tire repaired as I post. The End!

And for the encore, a few video clips. Drum roll please...

National Aquarium

Simone's daycare was closed for in-service today, so we took the opportunity to visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore. We'd been intending to go all summer, so we were happy to finally do it.

The first stop was a giant pool of rays and turtles, very cool.

Why do they look so scared? Like father like daughter.

Up close and personal with a great big fish!

And then a stop to check out the littler ones.

A beautiful star fish.

A family shot in the tropical rainforest room.

Mr. Parrot was getting cooled off. It was a real scorcher -- 98 degrees today.

And of course, what would an aquarium be without a dolphin show?

This fella's name was Spirit.

Last but not least, some play time in the children's area dressed up as a fish and a turtle.

Another great summer daytrip! Next stop... the Caribbean.

iiiiiiiit's AWESOME!!!

On 28 August we went with Uncle Jim, Aunt Jenn, and Jack to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live. I think the adults had as much fun as the kids -- it was a great show and a gorgeous day!

Daddy and Simone in their very stylish DJ Lance glasses -- truly a fashion must have. Simone insisted on picking out her own dress for the event because she said it matched Foofah, her favorite character.

When the balloons dropped everyone scrambled to catch one. Simone scored a white one!

The whole family in our glasses. Pretty sweet, huh?

DJ Lance and Foofah, Simone's favorites.

Lots of singing and dancing, which the kids were happy to join in on. And I think we caught Uncle Jim singing along too.

Silly face!

And what would a Yo Gabba Gabba show be without Biz's beat of the day!?!?!? Really an awesome time!