Hansen Family Reunion

Well I honestly don't have much time, but tomorrow the movers come to pack our stuff up to North Carolina, so I thought I would take the few minutes to post a few pictures from the cruise we just went on with Mike's family.  It was lots of fun.  I enjoyed hanging out at the beach and the kids loved playing with their cousins. 

 We gave Lydia her Christmas gift early- a new camera to document the trip with. 

 The hotel the night before the cruise.  We got matching shirts and because of some confusion with the hotel not having enough non-smoking room, we fit 23 people into 3 hotel rooms.  It was a cozy start. 

 Waiting for shuttles. We did a lot of this- or so it seemed to the kids.

 The kids checking out the bunk beds in our room on the ship. 

 They had some water slides on the ship.  Josie liked the little ones, but what she really wanted to do was go on the big ones, but she was too short. 

 Hanging out, playing games. 

 Everyone after dinner. 

 Josie's sleeping arrangements. 

 Eating at breakfast. 

 First port- Grand Turk. 

 I've always wanted to try fresh coconut.  Not as good as I expected, but definitely sustainable should I ever be stranded on an island. 

 Chris lathering on sun-screen. 

 Grandkids taking naps with Grandma's 

 Josie very tired after a fun pirate activity at kid's camp. 

 Lydia trying the ropes course on the ship.  She did really well and was so brave to be the first kid to try it, but then she didn't see where to get off and ended up going around again.  She didn't like the second time around and was crying by the time she finished. 

 Colton on the other hand went on the ropes course as much as he could. 

 Josie liked min-golf. 

 2nd port- Puerto Rico.  Walking down the streets and taking a breather.  We walked a lot that day.

 Another group photo and break in Puerto Rico. 

 Colton pouting because he is tired and doesn't want to walk anymore. 

 Our family at the old fort in San Juan. 

 Colton Josie and cousins.

 Cousin's running around the fort. 

 3rd port- St. Maarten.  The waves here were  big, so Josie played on the beach the whole time. 

 Lydia got her hair braided. 

 Very pretty! 

 Getting back on the ship. 

 Hanging out at our 4th port- St. Thomas. 

 The girls playing. 

 The girls playing some more. 

 Tired out. 

 All 23 of us fit into this open-air taxi.   It was really fun to all ride together. 

 Josie was pouting about something and a nice lady came along and gave her this trophy to cheer her up.  It was one of the trophies guests could win for competing in different games/trivia on the ship.  She has slept with her trophy every night since and is glad to finally have a trophy like her older siblings. 

 Colton playing a giant game of chess. 

 Josie helping Mike with corn-hole.  Mike competed in several tournaments on the ship, but he never quite won. 

 Ugly Christmas sweater contest. 

 After the cruise we had some time to kill before our flight so we went and saw  the everglades. 

 We saw alligators. 

 And the kids held alligators. 

Even Lydia wanted to. 


Well, it was a whirlwind.  It was fun. We came back exhausted and now we start our next adventure- moving to North Carolina.  Happy Holidays! 

Baseball and camping

 The outfield sure can be boring I guess. 

 Lots of action as the catcher though. 

 We put the tent up in the back yard again.  Josie lasted until about 4:00 AM and came in with Dad.  At 5:00 AM Lydia and Colton ran in the house screaming bloody murder.  I checked the weather forecast for rain, but I forgot to turn the automatic sprinklers off.  Oops.  That's a camping 'trip' they won't forget any time soon. 

 Josie wanted to wear a dress this morning, so I talked her into a photo shoot as long as she was looking so cute. 

edited

unedited

Moving

I guess it is that time again.  We are moving.  Our third and final rotation.  I am excited about it, but at the same time, I am tired of starting the friend making process over.  I am tired of disconnecting utilities, changing insurance, and making U-turns because I don't know my way around.  That being said, I am glad for this adventure Mike and I have been on.  I've been able to see a lot of cool places and meet a lot of great people.  I've had experiences I never thought I would have.  I've seen the good and bad in lots of places and the nice thing is, Mike and I get a lot of say in where we end up. 


So, our next move will put us about 1 hour west of the beach, 2 hours east of the smoky mountains and in the heart of basketball country.  We are moving to Raleigh, North Carolina!! 

Ever since we found out about these rotations, I have wanted to go to NC.  It's beautiful.  You get the beach, you get some beautiful mountains.  You get seasons, but not harsh ones.  (And after freezing in Michigan last winter and frying in Texas this summer, I am ready for some temperate weather)  There are a lot of opportunities for Mike there.  He will be working on a product launch for an insecticide for potatoes.  (Since my Daddy-o is a potato farmer, that could be a very good project- win points with the father-in-law)   We move right before Christmas.  It's going to be a little crazy. 

(Oh, and the photo of the mansion is the Biltmore Estate.  The largest privately owned estate in the US.  It is in Asheville, NC and I really want to go see it.)