Tuesday, April 19, 2016

4.17.16

 I debated blogging about this because of the appearance of the cost of it from others, but ultimately decided to because this is us and our family and used as a family journal of sorts. We have been on vacation this past week. It has been SO great!! We tried to widdle down our options several months ago when we were trying to decide how to celebrate our ten years. Ultimately we decided on Jamaica, and we are SO glad we did! We were able to fly for just taxes and fees by using Brett's frequent fliers. We stayed 4 nights free at a Hilton using Brett's Hilton points, and paid for just 2 nights.

This place was pretty great. It was right on the ocean, all inclusive, kids under 5 stay free, free activities to do there as well as free water activities. Brett has enough time put in with Hilton from traveling that he is a diamond member, and got extra perks that way as well.

I was a bit nervous traveling that long and far with S, but was hopeful it would all be okay. We had lots of activities up our sleeves for her while traveling, and different fun snacks. All in all we felt pretty well prepared.

I jotted down this note in my phone when we were waiting for our first flight there from something S said. It went something like this...

Me: The people are going to call our name so we can get on the airplane.
S: But she doesn't know my name!!

She had a very valid point there.


checking our bags


our little traveler


walking to our gate with dad


watching the plane get ready


pre-boarding our first leg of the trip


our ride on a brand new plane


lunch break in Atlanta


sunset over Jamaica


first morning checking out our hotel


playing in the ocean


enjoying a pina coloda


Brett's favorite


fun swimming together


birds at lunch


ice cream every night


live music most nights


an alligator under the couch- this one startled her to begin with.


our afternoon at the beach


at the water park


swim up bar


playing together


paddle ball


swinging on the beach


our cabana for a day





view from our cabana


pool time


our little fish




enjoying the beach


finding "treasures"


I'm not sure who she learned that from...not me....I don't sunbathe.


Brett enjoying the ocean


lounging together


a fancy dinner together


getting her hair braided


playing the drums


grateful for the large brimmed hat we bought just before leaving


our view from dinner


Jamaican sunset


after our dinner on the beach


Miami Vice, my favorite drink this past week


sunset our last night


Brett and S


our family


our "pretty girl" as all the locals called her


inlet 


our hotel


last walk on the beach...


...and in the ocean


sunset


view from our room


This was our favorite server, Javahn. He really took to S and would look for us at each meal whether or not we were seated in his area. He was SO kind and friendly!


She insisted pushing the button each time, and by the end kind of got over her issue of elevators.


us just before leaving


the courtyard at our hotel


view from the entry balcony


S's alligator friend


our place for a week


the bus ride back to the airport


leaving Jamaica


sad to go


view from the plane


thank you Delta for all the free in-flight movies


greeting the plane for our last leg


getting a ride from dad around the airport


the things you do to keep a 3 yr old happy


our Salt Lake sunset from the plane