The Big 3-Oh!

Kevin turned 30 in October and I surprised him with a 3-day Cruise to the Bahamas. He literally had no idea until we drove until the parking lot. I wish I could have filmed his reaction. Kevin adapts very well to situations, perhaps a little too well. His response was: "Are we going on a cruise? ... Cool."
If it were me I would have been freaking out, amid screams and jumps of joy it would been like: "You planned this without consulting me", "how much did this cost!", "where are we going", "what did you pack for me", "when are we coming home" - but I got none of that! Boys are so weird.

We were eating within 15mins of being on board. Kevin was in heaven.

I loved my sea sick bands - even if I looked like I was going to play tennis the whole trip.

 

Due to the constant wind, taking a good pictures of the boat was pretty much impossible. I also don't recommend wearing a skirt.

Rock wall on the top deck of the ship.

Kevin with his prizes after winning the logo quiz (wasn't sure if I should be proud or worried about how he knew so many.)

Formal night. Best part - I'm still wearing my sea sick bands, I just made sure they weren't in the photo. I wasn't about to take the things off for anythings!



Scooting around Nassau.

This use to be one giant rock, but the slaves carved a tunnel and stairs as an escape route. Steve McQueen probably could have taken a lesson or two from these guys.

The water was amazing! I don't understand how our beach has gross water and this beach, one-short-boat-ride-away has stunning crystal clear water.

Our favourite stop was at Coco-Cay, Royal Caribbeans' private island. We snorkeled out to an old airplane to check out the fish. The best part of the private island was not being hassled by the locals, and the chefs from the boat BBQing right there on the island.

A water spout is an intense columnar vortex that occurs over a body of water. Anyone who watches the Discovery Channel knows this (i.e. Kevin.)

 

This cruise the perfect way of kicking of Kevin's new decade of life. Happy 30th Kevin!!!

Home Sweet Home

I got to go home in September, where I was appropriately spoilt by my parents. Since I don't get to go home very often, each time I go my mother out does herself in making it special.



I had been home for no more than an hour when my parents had me out on a bike ride. It was exhausting but I literally had no jet-lag the next day.



Bobbingsworth Church

Fresh raspberries from the garden - yes please!



After my bike ride I was rewarded with a delicious lemon drizzle cake - celebrities fawn over my mum's lemon drizzle cake (that isn't a lie - an English TV actor truly loves my mum's baking.)



After a weekend of some quality one-on-one time, Dani and Wells showed up, where Wells quickly became the center of attention (and for good reason!)



Families that work out together get to pig out together. Mum and dad's trainer Laura ran us through a gruelling work out.



Wells' first train ride!



The London Masonic temple - the masons seriously intrigue me.



Eclaires in Leicester Square.



I don't really enjoy an apple once the skin is all gone - so Wells and I made an excellent apple eating team.



Dad helped make us fabulously British by taking us to Jack Wills.



Breakfast for dinner is my favourite - Kevin doesn't believe in it, so I can only do it when he isn't around.

Oh Wells.



Wells and I loved story time. His favourite was Wheels on the Bus and Tickle Tickle Peter (voices are a must!)



Wells loved Marco's Cheesecake!! His version of sharing dessert is him eating the whole thing. He would grab my hand when I tried to take a bite and pull my fork towards him.



Conquers!!



Wells and I wanted to do everything together. I did my make-up while he watched sesame street. Fiest 1,2,3,4 was our favourite. Youtube it!



I got to meet up with Danny and his girlfriend. He took me to a restaurant 42 flights up that had a 360 degree view of London. It was beautiful up there.



Dad took us to see Matilda. Intermission Haagen Dazs is always a must.



I know my mum loves me because she made my completely from scratch birthday cake (even though it was September!) This may possibly be the best cake in the whole world. I've always been very protective of my cake and who gets a slice (I can't give it to someone who won't truly appreciate it.) Considering that this time, I was willing to share it with everyone really shows how I've matured over the years.



We took Wells to feed the ducks. He only thought is was fair if he got fed to. A piece from them, a piece for him.



Smelliest part of England!



Dad took me for another bike ride in the English countryside. It's going to take a lot more spin classes and some energy bars before I can keep up with that man. He's a beast on a bike!



We cycled passed so many cute cottages. My favourite were the ones with thatched roofs. I like to think the people who live inside like to live life on the edge. Why else would you choose to have a house with a flammable roof?

Dorthy was right, there really is no place like home.

No Labor Here

When the Hoggards invited us on a last minute trip to DC, we couldn't resist. We placed a call and had ourselves booked into Hotel Critchfield and on our way in no time.

Kale is very safety conscious.

The George Washington Masonic Temple - my Dan Brown knowledge didn't carry me as far as I hoped.

George Washington in all his masonic glory

Old Town with an old friend!

George is a fan favourite in DC.

Prince Street in Alexandria - the original cobblestone has been untouched. It made for a beautiful  albeit very bumpy ride. 

Thomas Jefferson - my favourite founding father.

The Jefferson Memorial makes for one beautiful backdrop, and we don't too bad at making a good frontdrop.

This is what is left of Apollo 11. We learnt that Astronaut Michael Collins picked the short straw and was left in this tiny capsule for a day or two orbiting the moon while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin got to go play on the moon. If you could see how small this capsule was you would agree with me that Collins is one of America's unsung heros!

This poor little guy (now freeze dried) took part in a test to see if anything could survive in space. The poor thing was strapped in tight in his little chair - my smile was purely for the camera, I was hurting on the inside.

Space Lab - Seems like it would be a fun place to hang out in space. The white capsule to the left behind us was their shower. They zipped themselves inside and hoped the water didn't float away. I wish I had been the one to invent the toilet hoover system.

Kevin was having the best time. He insisted on going through every single exhibit. We saw one of these drones on our drive from AZ and he has been obsessed every since. He was so happy when he found them hanging from the ceiling.

No museum visit is complete without a trip to the gift shop!

We loved the National History Museum

This rock is gneiss (pronounced nice - geology humor rocks)

He's a lover not a fighter.

Scartching swimming with Great Whites off my bucket list.

No trip would be complete without a trip to the White House. Keith brought a frisbie so we could say we played outside the White House. By this time my feet were too tired to do anything but sit, so I am proud to now say, I have sat outside the White House.

Seriously can't take him anywhere.

Cafe Rio!! We couldn't have been more excited.








We also got to go to the National Archives where the Declaration and Constitution are kept. They are starting to fade quite badly so no cameras are allowed, and with all the secruity standing around I wasn't about to chance it! I did have a nice chat about National Treasure with one of the guards. He had never even seen the movie! I would have thought it was a requirement.

 

We came home feeling exhausted but oh so cultured and perhaps even a little smarter.