High Seas Holidays 2010

January 6th already?  Wowsers.  I feel like I kinda missed the holidays.

This was the first time that we’ve ever gone away for Christmas.  And boy did we go.

We met my grandparents at the airport in the wee hours of the morning on December 15th and flew through Las Vegas en route to Orlando.  After a much anticipated dinner at Steak ‘n’ Shake we checked into the hotel and welcomed my step-daughter, Meghan, {my ex-husband’s daughter} and her husband, Mat.  I haven’t seen Meghan since she was ten years old so, needless to say, looking up to her was a new one for me.  She’s taller than me now!  By three full inches.  Oy.  Not to mention she’s all grown up–a married woman, even.  Sigh.  I’d looked so forward to seeing Miss Meghan after all these years.  She’s a beautiful, faithful, sweet as can be girl young lady and we’re blessed to have her in our lives.  And what’s even better is that she married well; Mat was instantly loved by all.

The whole bunch of us stayed in Orlando and played at Walt Disney World for a couple of days before we had to say a tearful goodbye to Mat and Meghan; they went home to spend Christmas with their family while the rest of us set sail on an 11 night Southern Caribbean cruise that would include Christmas Day.  Our days at sea were peaceful and balmy (on deck, at least – the staterooms were downright freezing!), and served up a hefty dose of the rest and relaxation we were seeking.  The Disney Magic pulled back into port in Cape Canaveral on December 29th.  By then, we’d sufficiently exhausted Grams and Gramps so they flew home to Tucson while the six of us rang in the new year at Walt Disney World.

Phew.  It was a whirlwind.

A lovely one, though.

One that requires far more than just a brief overview like this.

So–fair warning–I’m going to spend the next week or so posting about our trip.  Hope you don’t mind.

Here are a few teaser photos.  :)

In the meantime, though, Happy New Year.