Bryson's Birthday Cruise & what the Dertings have been up to....

It is hard to believe that one month ago we were sitting on a fancy boat enjoying a magical dinner.....

Bryson wanted nothing more than to celebrate his 7th Birthday on the Disney Boat the Dream.....so that is just what we did!

We drove down late on Wednesday afternoon, picked mom up on the way and headed south for Port Canaveral...one thing about the Disney boat it only docks for the Bahamas in FL and maybe TX. So as we enter Daytona about midnight Britan decided to THROW UP everywhere.....pulled over stripped her, drove some more and it happened AGAIN...and one more time after that....by this point it was Valentine's Day and we FINALLY made it to the hotel for the night....

On the shuttle :)

She seemed fine the next day...although I didn't....but we took the shuttle and went to check in only to be greeted by Sailor Mickey and Minnie! Check in was quick and easy and after our pictures with Minnie we boarded the boat with a grand entrance as they announced our names and everyone cheered as we walked on to the AMAZING boat...we have done other cruises before, but this boat was AMAZING everywhere you turned!

Our rooms weren't ready so we explored the HUGE kids zone with everything Disney you can think of....I still didn't feel the best, but I was determined to make it magical.....When we got to our rooms...they were HUGE with a veranda that overlooked the ocean...also they had Bryson a Disney book bag with 2 packs of Mickey shaped gold fish....they had a diaper genie and pack and play for Britan as well.....when I say they think of it ALL they really DO!!! After attending the muster station drill (what to do if the boat sinks)...we saw a crowd gathered in the lobby, so we stood around to see what it was about....pretty much like being on the show Mickey Mouse Club...they danced and sang and introduced all the characters....confetti fell from the sky and they passed out streamers to wave around.....this boat KNOWS how to party!!!!!! That was the Sail Away Party!

Cool port hole seats

That night I was pretty sick and wasn't able to stay for dinner in the Enchanted Garden (each night we ate at a different themed ball room).....everyone else enjoyed dinner with our new friends from the Jersey Shore and I went to bed....

Nassau

The next day we awoke to beautiful weather on the Island of Nassau...it was a GORGEOUS day! I was still a little sick and I wonder now if it was a bug or the "boat" medicine I took b/c I couldn't see just like the 1st time I cruised and wore that dumb seasick patch....we got off the boat and shopped a little in Nassau and then we got back on to ride the Aqua Duck (Donald Duck's water slide that you see on the commercials)....very fun...very sad that we only got to do it once (not enough time)......by that afternoon my mom had caught the sickness and I was getting over it.....so she stayed in the room and we went to dinner...this time in the Nemo themed ballroom....if you have every been to Epcot...it was a lot like that...Crush was on the screen and he interacted with the kids even talked to Britan :) AND I should not forget....this was Bryson's 7th Birthday!!!!! SO when we got back to the room our sweet stateroom guy had made him a bday cake out of towels and decorated it with Mickey stuff!!!! That night Brooks, Bryson and myself...celebrated with ice cream (which is all you can eat, all day long) and a pirate show on the top deck that ended with fireworks over the ocean. Disney is the only cruise line allowed to shoot fireworks off a boat in the middle of the ocean FYI :)

Birthday Boy & B showing off her belly

 

The next day we "parked" on Castaway Cay...which is Disney's private island...it was overcast, but we were getting off do or die....as soon as we got off the boat we were greeted with several characters....characters were out all the time on the boat, someone was out every hour and we waited for less than 10 minutes for any one that we saw (saw every one except the Princess', not ready for them just yet). We got our pictures with several...Britan loved them except for Captain Hook.....We found us a spot on the white sandy beach and B and I played in the sand while the boys went to play in the play thingy in the middle of the ocean...it was kind of like a big chick fil a play space in the water with slides and things to climb.....it was HUGE, but the water was cold so the boys were the only ones that played....we enjoyed the bar bq lunch as the rain started coming....by the time we finished eating...it was POURING and it was a LONG walk back to the boat.....we decided the wait wasn't worth it for the tram so we hurried back in the rain as fast as we could....SOAKED by the time we got back to the boat.....

Kisses for Minnie
 

That night we enjoyed dinner one last time with our Jersey friends and then we attended the farewell party.....bought a few souvenirs and packed up!

The Ocean Play Place

Several people have asked for some info about the cruise....it was WORTH every penny....we almost booked another on the boat, but couldn't decide on a time...we will NEVER go on another cruise line after doing Disney (we have done others and there is NO comparison).....I do recommend some time between Oct-April...otherwise its too hot....I do recommend a 4 day one...3 is not enough, 7 is too much.....all and all it was a GREAT, MAGICAL trip sick or not!!!

8 was our floor!!!

 

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

What else have we been into.....work has been crazy....I am ready for summer....but I guess I must settle for Spring Break 1st......soccer is in full swing...Bryson's team and the high school girls for Brooks......as most know my husband satisfied his midlife crisis with a new little (fun) sports car this week.....yes, I realize my last post was about debt and yes, I realize we didn't need this sporty little fast car....but my husband has worked really hard to work us out of a debt hole so he deserves a little prize....and I'll just enjoy driving it myself ALSO!!! AND finally we welcomed a new baby boy today our friends Micah and Emily had Mr. Jonah today.....so we have been a little crazy and it will only continue, but that is truly when I am most sane....

Thanks as always for the support that has been shown for our blog :)

Much love....wear green tomorrow......and GO TAR HEELS, Alysha