Caribbean Christmas Cruise!

For Christmas, my parents took my brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephew on a cruise to the Western Caribbean (you know, since the Mexico cruise was cancelled). We spent seven lovely days playing around, eating terrific food, and having as much fun together as is humanly possible.  Instead of an itemized travel log that would only be interesting to me, I thought I'd just share favorite photos and captions... enjoy the gorgeous Caribbean colors and my even more gorgeous family members!

 above: My brothers singing/rapping/yelling "Fight for your Right to PARTY!" by the Beastie Boys. They were awesome! I was so proud to claim them as my brothers!

above: David and Aaron didn't win anything in Bingo. Peter won $30 though!

below: A "sof drink" from Jamaica -- gotta love the local dialect!

 above: The boys and Lindsey playing tag while we waited for our taxi.

below: Aaron and Gunner skip rocks in the Caribbean sea on a nameless beach in Jamaica.

below: Dave zipping above the beautiful Jamaican foliage.

below: Seven Mile beach in Grand Cayman -- one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. 

 above: Sitting on a beach in Cozumel, drinking a virgin pina colada... what did YOU do on Christmas Eve?

 What do you get for parents who pay for their entire family to go on a cruise for Christmas, and insist on no additional gifts for themselves? My brother Adam had a brilliant idea. All of us kids submitted questions for a board game, and he and Lindsey put it together. My parents loved it! They opened it on Christmas Eve night and we played until quite late. It was fun to relive old memories, and learn some new things about each other!

below: The board, illustrated with family photo caricatures drawn by Adam. 

 Christmas Day!

above: My brother Aaron owns an Elf costume, which just increases his "awesome" factor. He walked around in it for quite awhile, refusing to be paparazzi'd. If you wanted a photo with Aaron the Elf, you had to be in it!

below: Christmas day on the ship. We were on our way back to Galveston and it was FREEEZING! By the time I convinced myself to brave the cold air and get out of this hot tub, I was beyond pruney!

I adore my family. I am so lucky to be related to them, and that we all get along so well. I'm glad we got to share these experiences together, and I look forward to the next family trip, whenever that may be!