Atlantis 2018

Atlantis seems like the rage with families!

Alex and I thought it would be interesting to check out, so we opted to spend our day in Nassau there. 

We'd been to Nassau several times before, so we were ready to try out something new!

We took what looked like a taxi bus there. 

I was one of the last people on, so I got to hop up and sit on the left-hand side beside the driver!

We made it to the resort around 10 am. 

It was super quiet and sparse at the beginning of the day. 

We ventured around to explore and get our bearings set. 

Watching another cruise ship head to port!

After exploring we set our things down and went to the rocky river. 

The water was super cold, so I was a bit anxious for the ride. 

It was super fun, and I maybe wish we had gone on it again!

It's just like a lazy river, but there are rapids that push you along. 

Sometimes you end up nearly right on top of someone else. 

Alex and I opted for two individual tubes, and I wish we had a double one together.

I'm not going to lie, I got real freaked out by the water slides. 

After waiting in line and hearing little kids scream I opted out of all but one. 

I went down the one that takes you into an aquarium where you can see sharks and fish right beside you. 

It was a neat slide. 

Its a tube slide, so Alex and I got to go together. 

There are sharp twists and turns at first, and then you drop down into the aquarium where you go super slow before finishing out the slide. 

The line wasn't too long, so we did that one, and then I chickened out for the rest!!

The only problem we had was that we couldn't use our phones, so when Alex went on a slide I had to try to find the exit. 

The exit was rarely near the entrance. 

One time we had to resort back to our meeting spot and wait on each other there because we just couldn't find one another. 

We spent the afternoon falling in and out of sleep right here!

We stayed as long as we could and then headed back to our shuttle!

The middle of the day was super packed. 

I think there were 5 cruise ships there that day. 

Everyone says it's much nicer in the morning and the evening because there's simply not that many people there!

We made it back to the ship and were ready to depart!

We love traveling, so this was a great way to break up Christmas break. 

In the future I would opt to not travel until December 27 or preferably 28. 

This would allow us to enjoy Christmas dinner leftovers and not be so rushed. 

I, also, was so surprised with how cold the ocean water was. 

If we were going on another tropical location, I think I would opt for Mexico or another island because the water temperature just seemed too cold for me.

The drink package on Norwegian was great for our friends. 

I'm really not much of a drinker, so the drinks don't really tell me anything. 

I'm still a Royal Caribbean girl!

Royal is my favorite!

I'm anticipating booking our summer cruise on Princess this week!
I'm super excited to see what Princess has to offer and see where it ranks in my personal cruise line ranking!

Norwegian Sky 2018

Hey There, Monday!

Today I'm dreaming that we are still on our after-Christmas cruise!

I'm thinking about the sun, warm weather and tropical views!

Last summer Alex and I had been thinking about going somewhere after Christmas.

We mentioned going on a cruise because we thought that would offer sunshine and heat!

Our friends heard us talking about it and said that they would be interested too, so I set off to find the right cruise for us!

We opted for the Norwegian Sky because Alex and I had never been on a Norwegian cruise before, and it had an included beverage package, which would be enjoyed by a lot of our friends!

Ideally, we would have loved to depart a couple of days after Christmas, but this cruise depart on December 26.

I made sure that everything was packed a couple of days before Christmas because Christmas tends to be busy.

I wanted to still host Christmas dinner at our house, so that meant lots of people in our home only a few hours before we would leave. 

We hosted Christmas dinner a bit earlier in the evening, so that we would have enough time to clean up and get ready for our 3 am departure. 

Our friends picked us up and we headed to the airport. 

The airport was busy, but it wasn't crazy. 

TSA moved fast, and it seemed like just another ordinary day. 

I was amazed at how holly-jolly one day can be and then the next it's like back to normal. 

I was a little sad that everyone didn't seem to be in the Christmas spirit, but we were ready to depart. 

We made it to Miami about a half hour early. 

That put us there nearly at the same time that the rest of our friends were landing. 

We met up and caught an Uber to the port. 

It was raining, one of our friends got sick in the Uber, one of our friends left her phone in the Uber, so we were really glad to say good-bye to Miami!

The next morning we made it to Key West!
Key West gives me all of the happy feels because that it where we got married!

I was up early eating my breakfast and looking for the sun to rise. 

Do you see that fancy ship down there? 

Someone said it was Kenny Chesney's!

We never saw him but it could have been!

We were set to snorkel in Key West, but the water was so rough. 

The Christmas trees on the ship were swaying back and forth. 

They actually met with us and said there was an advisory and that they wouldn't recommend small children going out. 

They gave us the option to cancel and get our money back. 

We were very pleased with this option and didn't figure we would see much with how rough it was. 

We cancelled our snorkeling adventure and went to find our friends!

I always love this view!

We walked around and then decided on visiting a local beach. 

We laid out for a while-the water was freezing!!

Then, we ventured to lunch and I had to have some chocolate covered key lime pie!

Before long we were back on-board and enjoyed the views as we headed out to sea!

I always love seeing the towel creations and the Daily for the next day!

The next morning I was up early and decided to find a spot to read.

I was sitting here when they came on and broke the news that it was too rough to visit Norwegian's private island. 

They wouldn't be able to get the tender boats out with how high the waves were. 

I was SO bummed that our friends would not get to see a private island. 

The private islands are always my FAVORITE!

Since we couldn't go to the private island, I went to the spa!

We over-nighted in Nassau. 

When we arrived, we got off and explored a little bit of evening life in Nassau. 

Enjoying the Christmas views!

The next day we were heading to Atlantis!

I'm going to give Atlantis its own blog post on Wednesday!

After Atlantis we returned to Miami, and I read beside the ocean as we waited until it was time to head to the airport!

Come back later on in the week to see more about our trip!

Business Boutique 2018

Happy Valentine's Day Week!

We don't really celebrate V-Day much, but I think it's exciting to have something to look forward to. 

The winter days are long and dreary, and I'm itching for spring. 

Today I'm going to share lots of pictures from the Business Boutique conference I attended in Nashville, Tennessee last November. 

It was AMAZING!
If you are thinking of starting your own small business or are in the process of building and developing one, you should definitely check out Christy Wright and the whole Business Boutique brand!

Christy is so passionate and energetic!

We had a Dave Barnes concert!

Annie F Downs was rocking it with the DJ!

Planning and preparing! 

Some more Christy and Dave Ramsey on Day #2!

Christy and Megan Tamte from Evereve.

Christy and I!

This was SO much fun!

It was inspiring and motivating and encouraging!

I might say that it's the best thing I've ever gone to!

Enjoy your Monday!

What's Been Happening

Hey There!
It's been a super busy October! 

I always feel like I'm going strong in the blog world and then one thing pops up and soon it's another thing and then it's a few weeks and I haven't made a single post!!

We started out October in NYC!

It was Fair Break, so we enjoyed an extended weekend in the Big Apple. 

A few weeks later I headed to D.C. with our 8th graders!
It always seems like it's a great idea to go as a chaperone, and then by the third day I remember why I have second thoughts every year!

This year was eventful, and not so much in a good way. 

We were busy as chaperones!

After getting back from D.C. I recovered a bit before heading off to see my favorite team play!

My dad, brother and I headed to Pittsburgh to watch our team take on the Cleveland Browns!

I was back home for a few days before heading to the amazing Business Boutique in Nashville!

What an inspiring and motivating conference!
I loved this so much!

We are back home and enjoying life in the village. 

All this being on the go, or maybe it's just life as a teacher has me down with a cold. 

I spent the weekend catching up on grading, watching Hallmark movies and more Hallmark movies and enjoying relaxing on the couch for once. 

I'm hoping to share more about our travels and some great fall recipes when I get a chance to get all caught up!

Have a great Monday!