Cruise Pics

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So I should probably start with a giant shout-out to our families because without them we could have never done this! They are so amazing and we are truly so thankful that they are willing to help so that Charlie and I can get a little time away! We were able to join some friends for another cruise this year. This time it was only 5 days and we sailed to Jamaica and Grand Cayman (out of Miami) on Celebrity. The cruise is organized by someone from our running club*, and I really do use that term loosely, so there are runners (called Hashers) from all over the US who come as part of our group. All in all there were about 25 of us, but we mostly hung with our close friends from KC.

The kids did the first half of the week with Sue and Anne and the second half of the week with my mom and Stacy. The kids were so, so, SO excited about their "stay-cation" and were not sad one little bit when we left! In fact, as soon as we dropped Sophia and Leo off at Sue's on Thursday night, Sue closed the door as we were pulling out of the driveway and Sophia turns to her and says, "let the spoiling begin, Grandma!" Too funny! We called and checked in every day but they were both plucky and content.

On our end, we stayed in Miami the night before our cruise and ran with the Miami branch of our group. We boarded the ship on Saturday afternoon and loved our room! We even got a fruit basket and champagne! Ooh lala! We sailed the first day, then hit Jamaica and hashed with them on the second. They were kind enough to drive down from Kingston, a 3 hour drive, and set up a trail for us and cook us lunch on the beach. The next day we went to Grand Cayman where our good friend Shelly turned 50. We did a party bus to the distillery and a local brewery, a jerk chicken place, a local bar and then back to the ship. The last day was a sea day and I loved laying out! The weather was mostly gorgeous and any excuse I can have to lay in the sun I'll take it! We stayed in Miami one final night before arriving home this past Friday. It was a great time and I am so thankful I was able to connect with my hubby again! We both needed some time away! Thanks a million to our awesome family and friends who were able to lend a hand and make it happen! We love you!!!

* Here's a little bit of basic info about our running group for those of you who may be unfamiliar...it's called the Hash House Harriers and each run is really a trail set by the leader called a Hare. The Hare leaves flour marks (hashes)for the pack to find and follow. Sometimes the hare tries to be tricky, but certain marks mean certain things. At the end we usually drink some beer and sing some songs. There are Hash Groups in all kinds of cities all of over the world.