Vacation!

It is true, everyone needs time away to regroup and Reeeelax (as Paul's Dad would say).  We had the immense blessing to go on a cruise to Bermuda this year with all of Paul's family, and it was amazing.  So nice to start the summer out refreshed after a very hectic spring. I have never been to the Caribbean and Bermuda is definitely one of the nicest islands so I have been told.  We flew to Charleston, SC and spent a day in Old Charles Towne in the downtown district. So beautiful with a lot of history (and a lot of shops that I couldn't afford to shop at ha ha). It was a hot day and Sophia was tempted enough by my ice cream shake to learn to sip from a straw!

We then boarded our  ship the Carnival Fantasy. She is a small, older ship with lots of character that was so easy to get around. So sad that she will be retired next year.

They say that most things on a cruise are free, but they really know how to try to get you to rack up the bill.  Alcohol and soda are so stinking expensive, and they take 5 million pictures that you want to buy since you are busy having fun and not taking pictures. They also will cost you an arm and a leg. We escaped with out over spending our budget at least :).  

Bermuda was more amazing than I could have imagined!  Old colony type feel with beautiful blue/green water, beautiful colorful houses with white lime roofs dot the hilly green sides of the island. I can see why Mark Twain loved it so much, I only wish we could have spent more time there!

We decided to just go to the beach instead of taking an "excursion". With two babies and a 3 year old we wanted to be in control of our schedule so that if things melted down we could just head back to the ship. The water was a bit chilly, but beautiful on a hot day. The sand is pink since the red coral just off the coast is ground up and adds color to the beaches. We found this amazing little cove at Horseshoe Bay where the rocks sheltered from the crashing waves. The kids loved it, and so did we!

Back on the ship we had formal night, and we also celebrated Sophia's first birthday with the family at dinner one night! Everyone looked so pretty. It was so much fun!

The Sondags: Suzette, Elliott, Jacob, and Luke

                                                                             The Wilburns

This was a long post, but it was a great trip! Thanks Ma and Pa Wilburn!