Adventures in Vacation: Cruising the Caribbean

Hello Friends! 

Just a quick post today to say 2 things...

1 ~ We are back safe and sound from a wonderful, beautiful, relaxing, warm, vacation. 

Daniel and I on Antiga

We went on a cruise in the Eastern Caribbean with my parents. 

Mom and Dad on St. Thomas

It was their first cruise, and we loved getting to introduce them to life on the ship. 

Cruising is one of our most favorite things to do! 

We visited 6 islands in 10 days. 

I think my favorite place was the orchid garden my Mom and I toured on Barbados. 

(I may just have to do a post just with orchid pictures...I may have taken close to 100 pictures of these beauties!) 

No, wait I take that back. We LOVED exploring Brimstone Hill Fortress on St. Kitts.

 Lots of times when you visit a historical site everything is roped off, and you can only go certain places...well not here. 

There were no ropes, no guard rails, nothing. You could explore and climb as much as you wanted. So fun! (I think I will have to do a whole post about Brimstone Hill Fortress, it was just SO interesting!)  

2 ~ I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the wonderful ladies who filled in for me the past 2 weeks, and shared their Christmas traditions. Weren't they so fun to read about?! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Now, I'm off to play catch up on all of my Christmas decorating, present purchasing and laundry. Lots of laundry! 

Adventures in Vacation: A Thanksgiving Trip

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for today and everyday. Family, job, roof over our heads, food on the table...

We are truly blessed!

Today, we are especially thankful for 

getting to go on a vacation! 

YAY!

But don't worry, I've got some super awesome amazing fun posts scheduled for you while we are away! 

(want a hint?! OK! It's got something to do with this!)

For those of you cooking up a storm today, remember, just follow the recipe.

And no matter what the recipe says...

 never put beef in a trifle! 

If you are not a FRIENDS fan, you probably are not giggling to yourself right now.

If you are, go watch a Thanksgiving episode. The One Where Ross Got High is probably my all time favorite! 

Have a happy Thanksgiving! 

(and remember, it's Thanksgiving, not 'truth day'!) 

Adventures in Vacation: 10 Things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC

Over the past few years we have taken 3 vacations to Myrtle Beach, the most recent being our vacation last week. We have family who live in the area, which makes it even more fun to visit this area! I thought I would make a list of some of our favorite places to visit when we are in Myrtle Beach...in case you ever find yourself there! 

1) The Alabama Theater ~ There are several theaters in Myrtle Beach. On our most recent trip we saw The One show at the Alabama Theater. It was a great, family friendly evening of entertainment. Singing, dancing, comedy, acrobatics...we loved every minute of it! 

2) Tanger Outlets ~ If you are wanting to do a little shopping, I seem to make my way to the outlet mall on every trip to Myrtle Beach with Daniel's Grandmother. We always find some great deals here! 

3) The Boardwalk ~ Myrtle Beach has a BEAUTIFUL boardwalk! We love to walk and take in the sights. 

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4) Sticky Fingers ~ If you like a good southern rib dinner, the Sticky Fingers is the place to go! Yum! 

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5) The Piers ~ On our most recent visit we decided to walk out on one of the long piers along the boardwalk. Now for people who live on the ocean, maybe walking out on a giant pier is no big deal, but it was super fun for me. We even saw a man who was fishing off the pier catch a baby shark (or what we thought looked like a baby shark!)

6) Golf ~ I'm not much of a golfer, but Daniel is, and I am learning! Daniel's grandparents live on a golf course in Myrtle Beach, so we got to play and visited the driving range several times. They are all so patient with me and my lack of golf skills. 

On the golf course in Myrtle Beach 2010

7) Miyabi ~ Another restaurant...can you tell we like to eat while on vacation?! This is a Japanese restaurant, the kind where they cook the food in front of you - like dinner and a show at the same time!

8) Myrtle Beach State Park ~ If the Boardwalk version of the beach is a bit to loud and crowded for you, then head on down a little ways to Myrtle Beach State Park. The beach here is much more quiet! 

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9) Brookgreen Gardens ~ This may be my favorite thing I have done in Myrtle Beach. 

      Our visit to Brookgreen Garden 2011

Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark with the most significant collection of figurative sculpture in an outdoor setting by American artists in the world and has the only accredited zoo on the coast of the Carolinas. I could spend days here. With every turn of your head, there is a new stunning view!

10) The SkyWheel  ~ This is one thing I have not gotten to do in Myrtle Beach, but it is on my "to do" list for our next visit. Giant Farris Wheel over looking the ocean anyone?! 

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Have you even been to Myrtle Beach? What's your favorite MB activity?

 

Adventures in Vacation: Becoming Bailey Guest Post

One thing I just love about blogging is meeting new friends! 

So a few months ago when Mallory @ From California to Kansas 

started the Bigs & Littles Blogging Network

I knew that I wanted to join in. 

I totally thought Adventures of D and V would fall into the "littles" category, but this first round I got the chance to be a Big! (every 2 months you get a new partner). I didn't think I would have much blogging advise or experience to share, but it turns out that I do! I have learned a lot about myself as a blogger as I have been getting to know my 'blogging little' Since we are on vacation and 'unplugged' this week, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to let my new friend (and blogging little buddy) take over here and post for me today!   

Hi everyone! I'm Bailey and I blog over at Becoming Bailey. While my lovely "blogging big," Veronica, is enjoying the sun and sand of Myrtle Beach, I will be living vicariously through her and thinking about my own favorite vacation spots.

Top 10 Favorite Vacation Spots

10. Clearwater Beach, Florida. Close to Tampa, this city is perfect for escaping the world-- and escape the world I did. On my visit there in 2006, I stayed in a beachfront hotel… and spent all day enjoying the sun and sand.

9. Flagstaff, Arizona. This is the “gateway” to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. I didn’t spend much time enjoying the city, but I do remember driving on the remaining part of Route 66.

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8. Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This city is located in the Smoky Mountains. Close enough to the great outdoors, for activities such as hiking and horseback riding, and to also enjoy all of the fun city activities, like riding a ski lift, visit the Ripley’s Aquarium, and going to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, this is a popular vacation spot for… nearly all of Kentucky. I know of at least 4 couples who chose this destination for their honeymoon, as well as numerous college kids who have vacationed here.

7. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. My family vacationed here in the fall of 2002, when I was going on a “Little House on the Prairie” phase. We stayed on a Mennonite’s farm and took an Amish buggy tour. It was a great escape from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.

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6. Branson, Missouri. Branson is the “Gatlinburg” of the Ozarks. We took a tour of the area on an amphibious landing craft from WWII—I was even able to steer it for a brief minute while we were on the water!

5. Orlando, Florida. Everyone should visit Disney World at least once in their lifetime. On my second visit to Orlando, I opted to go to Universal Studios—and enjoyed it more than Disney.

4. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We visited for a family reunion, but stayed an extra few days to enjoy the sights on a river tour. We also visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum in remembrance of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Even as an 8 year old, I could comprehend the solemnness of this location.

3. Gulf Shores, Alabama. Yes, another vacation spent entirely on the beautiful beach. Well, except for a trip to Lambert’s Café—the home of the throwed rolls—and the USS Alabama warship.

2. Washington, D.C. I’ve actually been here twice—once as an 9 year old and again for the 2009 inauguration. There's just so much to do here and not enough time. I would love to go back again someday.

1. Charleston, South Carolina. I visited this historic city in 2011 and didn’t want to go home. Seriously- I cried on the plane ride home. This city is full of Southern charm and beautiful beaches. I will definitely be returning someday. (Hopefully for good!)

While you are dreaming about your own vacations, stop by Becoming Bailey and let me know where you love to visit!

Adventures in Blogging: My First Sunday Social

A few weeks ago I discovered this fun link party, called 

And this week I thought I would play along!

The theme is Week 6 is Vacation fun! 

1. What is the best trip you've ever been on?

I would have to say our cruise this spring in the Caribbean 

You can read all about it {HERE}

2. What is your best idea for a girls weekend trip?

Spending the weekend at a cabin by a lake! I have gotten to do this several times and it is just the best way to relax and catch up with my girlfriends

3. What is your best idea for a couples trip?

Cruises! You can read 10 reasons why we love cruises {HERE}

4. What is the best vacation on the cheap?

Camping - when I was growing up we did quite a bit of camping. If you already have all the gear then it is relatively inexpensive. 

5. What is the place you most want to visit?

We have always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise, and I have always wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park. Oooo, or England/Ireland. Ok, I will stop because I can think of like 100 more places I want to visit...

6. What are your vacation necessities?

A good book, floppy sun hat, my hubby, good tunes on the iPod...and that's about it! 

Oh, man! Now my mind is on vacation! Where are you going on your next vacation?

Adventures in Vacation: 10 on Tuesday

10 reasons why we love taking cruises

1) Fun destinations: So far we have only been to the Caribbean on our cruises, but the islands are all beautiful and different. There are cruises most anywhere you would want to visit, and you get a unique view (from the water) of those places. 

2) All inclusive and cost effective: For your vacation you have a place to stay, transportation, food, and entertainment all in one place. Paying for each of those separately can add up in a hurry! 

3) You are totally on vacation when you are on the ship. You can totally un-plug and be in contact with the outside world as little or as much as you want - but you do have to pay extra for internet time. No WiFi. 

4) See different places every day! Usually while you sleep the ship is on it's way to a new port. When you wake-up there is another place to explore!

5) You get to sleep in the same place every night. Forget the packing and unpacking ever few days. Unpack once and come home to the same room every night.

6) No cleaning!!! This one is real fun for me. They clean your room every day, usually twice a day. And turn down your bed at night with chocolates on your pillow.

7) No cooking/cleaning up. Now don't get me wrong, I love to cook...but when on vacation it is so nice to have your food cooked for you, and there are no dirty dishes to clean.

8) AMAZING FOOD! If Daniel had been making this list, he would have put this one at the top...everything is so good, fresh, and always different. You can try new things or stick with your favorites.

9) You can get dressed up. There is usually one formal night on the boat where everyone dresses up (if they want) fancy for dinner

10) There is never a dull moment on the ship. Between movies, bingo, singing & dance shows, comedians, seminars, spa treatments, pool games, wine tasting, art auctions, tea time, black jack tournaments, mini golf, oh, and don't forget laying by the pool...there really is something going on all the time. Or you can just sit and read a book and watch the waves go by. 

Do I have you convinced yet? 

Happy Tuesday! 

Adventures in Vacation: 10 on Tuesday

For this week's 10 on Tuesday I am going with my own theme...These are 10 of my favorite pictures from our cruise 

At St. Thomas we took a catamaran ride and did some snorkeling. 

This is on the island of Granada as we were pulling away from the port. Can you see how steep the roads are! 

When we were leaving Ft. Lauderdale, Daniel spotted a submarine! 

These little guys were all over in the spice garden we toured on Granada. Daniel took this great picture!

This beautiful flower was growing in an old copper pot that was used to make rum.

Here we are on Bonaire, walking along the water with our ship in the background. 

This little guy was just walkin' around on the rocks. 

Our favorite thing on the boat is the Crown Grill - a special steak house that has THE BEST meat you will ever taste! This is the dessert sampler we got. From right to left: molten chocolate cake, cheese cake, 7 layer s'more bars, and lemon pie. 

We loved watching the sun set into the ocean...and got very good at taking pictures of ourselves!

So beautiful! Sunset off the coast of Dominica. 

It was hard to pick just 10 favorite pictures - we took LOTS of pictures! 

More to come...

Happy Tuesday!

Adventures in Vacation: Where have we been?

So for the past 2 weeks, I have been on vacation. I have never been on this long of a vacation before, and while it was beyond fantastic, I am very glad to be home in my own house. 


I have a few different posts about our vacation that I am working on, but I thought I would give a quick over view today (so my mom can see some pictures!) and more details will follow over the next week or so.

First Stop: Girl's weekend in Puerto Rico for Maried's wedding! 

It was perfect.

And beautiful. 

Seriously, there are really no words that I can type to convey the beauty of this event. 

Not only was it in a beautiful setting...

Ok, see the cross on the hill top, look to the right of that just a little bit, and see the building that looks like a castle...yep, that is where the wedding was. At a mountain top, Puerto Rican castle.

With some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. 

Looking down on the beautiful city of Ponce. (see the yellow building, that was our hotel)

The bride was stunningly beautiful. And so was her mamma!

The flowers were beautiful. 

But the most beautiful thing about the whole weekend was seeing the love these two have for each other and for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everyone at the wedding could see the JOY in their faces and you could not help but smile every time you looked at them. 

Next Stop: Fort Lauderdale, FL to catch a ride on the Emerald Princess for a cruise. 

Daniel and I met in Ft. Lauderdale and sailed to some amazing places...

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We took tons of pictures (you can see 10 of my favorites tomorrow for 10 on Tuesday!) 

but most importantly we got to just relax, enjoy the sunshine, and enjoy each other.

We really love to cruise! 

(more on that later...)

Happy Monday!