All is Merry and Bright...

I think the kiddos thought they were really getting away with something when they were allowed to open all the Christmas gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Keckley. They were so excited and loving all the new loot. Poor spoiled little beings...ha!

For Health and Strength and Daily Food, We Praise Thy Name, Oh, Lord.

Thanks to their being our designated babysitters while we went to Aruba, we were lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa Keckley stay a few more days to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. It was only the second time in my life I have ever made a turkey. But, with a little help from Butterball.com, it turned out beautifully! I actually loved putting the whole dinner on by myself and cooking all the things for my loved ones that I love to eat on Thanksgiving. We stuffed ourselves, played the 'I am grateful for...' game, had a family trip to the movie, and finished off the day opening early Christmas presents from the grandparents. Actually, my day ended with rushing the Black Thursday lines at Target to snag some awesome deals for Christmas gifts with Nate as my partner-in-crime. We had a blast! Here's to many more kick-back Thanksgivings!

My assistant chef!

Feeling like such a big girl with her adult goblet

He LOVES a drumstick!

A pair of her favorite heels to hijack.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat...

When Fynnley was 6 months old, Johnny signed on with Holland America cruise line to be their star performer. I was DYING to go on that cruise with my parents. But, having a nursing baby wasn't very conducive to a 10-day cruise and I had to settle for flying to L.A. to watch the dress rehearsals before Johnny and his cast set sail. As much as I loved that opportunity, I was so sad to miss the chance to see him in all his glory on that darn boat!

Fast forward five years, throw in a couple of good friends who love to cruise (Matt and Collette Pulley) and VOILA! We made plans for our very first cruise to somewhere I have always had on the bucket-list to visit--ARUBA!!

We were fortunate to have Shayne's parents agree to run our troops at home so we could go on a 7-day cruise on The Crown Princess to the Southern Caribbean. We embarked November 12, from Ft. Lauderdale to hit Princess Cays (the largest Bahamas island owned by the cruise line), Curacao, and the lovely island of Aruba. We did of lot of tanning, a lot of eating, some shopping, sleeping, an ATV island tour, swimming, reading, late-night movie-watching under the stars, game playing, celebrating Shayne's birthday and our anniversary, and lots of laughing. Matt and Collette were a blast to hang out with and we really appreciated all the tips they gave for making the cruise a smooth experience.

Boarding the ship for our first cruise ever!

Sailing away from Ft. Lauderdale

The 'Bon Voyage' party (and only time I got to dance on the cruise!)

The view from our little shuttle boat to Princess Cays beach

Princess Cays with our boat

Catching some rays!

In line to head back to the ship

Celebrating Shayne's birthday while on the cruise (and our anniversary!)



First formal night in the dining room

Dinner with our friends (and cruise buddies), Matt and Collette Pulley

Curacao dock

The colorful island of Curacao!

Heading back to the ship after a day of wandering the streets shopping

Two sassy chicas getting ready to ride!

They're fierce.

He wasn't about to let me drive!

 

The beautiful island of Aruba--the view from the top

Our ATV island excursion headed down to the swimming cove

Posin' before we jump into that water!



Come on in, the water's fine!

A natural bridge (the bigger one fell into the water a few years ago!)

We are on Palm Beach in ARUBA, baby!

Saying goodbye to our cabin

The main lobby of the Crown Princess

The upper deck of the ship

Hello, Hello, We Welcome You Today!

Lindsay hasn't forgiven me for having a photo taken of me holding new baby Hyrum in the hospital and posting it on Facebook. I don't know why...I looked good, Hyrum looked good...maybe Lindsay is passed out in the background completely worn out from child birth....but does that really matter?! ;)

So, when it was time for the birth of Nate and Lindsay's second baby, I was banned from visiting at the hospital. I know...rude. I guess when I showed my enthusiasm at the phone call announcing baby's arrival, I must have been granted forgiveness and was reinstated to hospital photographer once again!

We are so happy for the safe arrival to our family of their new baby boy: Miller Barry Preator, born on 11/1/11! He is a precious angel who really favors his Daddy's looks. Congrats to you, Nate, Lindsay and Hyrum! Welcome to the family, little one...