Miami

After leaving the ship around 9am we headed to our hotel in Miami North Beach. The hotel was right on the water. Our room was on the 11th out of 12 floors so we had quite the view. We went swimming in the ocean since we knew it would be our last time for awhile. We also took the chance to sit in the hot tub for awhile. Matt and I were excited since the pier you see in this picture is used for CSI Miami.

After we were done on the beach we all went back to the room to clean up and find somewhere we could walk to for dinner. Matt and Aaron didn't want to be in the picture with us to we did the best we could to get ourselves in the picture through the mirror.

After dinner we knew this would be our last chance on the beach and seeing and feeling the water so we walked the beach home. We stopped at a couple places on the beach to take pictures for our last photo opportunities.

My mom and I sitting on one of the lounge chairs that are covered with a little grass roof that of course you have to pay for during the day. Part of the group decided we should take one last picture also.

Matt and I wishing we had just a couple more days to play in the sand. It was a wonderful trip and at this time, I am starting to not feel the best. Little did I know that by 4am I would be sick with the flu and struggling with a fever.

To end the night we saw that "Cars" the Disney movie was on so we all layed on the bed to watch it. Jalani is laying at our feet but since Matt is taking this picture we couldn't fit Jalani in. It was a great tip, an amazing wedding thanks to everyone involved.

Day 6 A day at sea Day &

Day 6 was a day at sea so we spent most of the day just laying out and trying to get that last bit of sun before it was over and we all would be heading home. We had a couple things on the agenda for that day though.

We did hear that the newlywed game would be playing on the ship with the ship guests as it's contestants. There were four couples that went on stage to try out for being the newlywed couple. You had to make out onstage and the couple that looked the best doing it would win. It was all fun and games till Matt and I made the top two and then I wasn't so sure I wanted to win. Don't worry, we lost to another couple and after hearing the questions I am kind of glad we did.

At five we had an hour long free cocktail party. I think it was my brother who decided that we should make the FREE worth it. The waiter would come with a tray full of drinks and Rob talked him into telling us that every time he came with a tray he wanted to take a tray full of empties back. Things got a little crazy but we danced and had a great time. Though take it from some of us that night, we had to pack by 10p and drinking and packing are not a good combination.

Matt like Ray's hat from Jamaica so he wore it for quite awhile. I think we were all feeling happy by now.

You know the boys had a couple when they are on the dance floor dancing with a pole but it was pretty entertaining. Mom was even out there dancing, but don't worry Mom was still the responsible one of the bunch.

Oh wait, does this look responsible? Mom double fisted!! Okay so she really didn't drink all these or even that much but I love this picture of her and love to make it look like she was the life of the party:)

Day 7, well that was the day for getting off the ship. We had breakfast and waited for our numbers to be called so you could head off the ship. A few of us were way before the others so we took a taxi and headed for our hotel.

Day 5 St Maarten

The next stop was St Maarten. I have to say this was one of my favorite islands. Between St Thomas and St Maarten I could probably go back to either. We had a couple things that we knew that we wanted to do on this island but really didn't have a plan. We decided to find a taxi and get advice on where we could go para sailing since that was one of the first things we wanted to do. We ended up with a van taxi that said he would just stay with us for the day. It was great since he had lived on the island for quite some time and seemed to know the history. St Maarten is owned half by the French and the other half by the Dutch. We wanted to see both sides of the island and that happen to work out well. We started with heading to the french side where we could para sail and go jet skiing. It was beautiful, though a little cloudy and windy when we first got there. Matt and I were first for the para sailing, it was both of our first time doing this. We had such a great time and have pictures but they are not online yet so I will have to share those later. Tami and Jalani also went para sailing after Matt and I. Rob wanted to rent jet skis so Rob and Jalani shared one and Loralei and I shared another. It was awesome, jet skiing on the ocean is a whole other experience then on a lake. Though the salt water would get in your eyes and it was really hard to see.

Did I mention that on the French side it's a clothes optional beach. I think we were a little shocked and had forgotten until the first person to walk in front of me was a 65yr man with nothing on. Aaron was not sure what to think of all this and kept trying to take pictures, though I am pretty sure the only one to turn out was a lady with her boobs hanging down to the fanny pack she was wearing. He would take a picture then stick his head under the towel to see if it turned out. It was quite entertaining!! After half the day on the French side we really wanted to head to the Dutch side to visit Sunset Beach. You can find it on U-tube for some great views of what we saw or visit my sister Angela's blog since her husband took video but I will explain it the best I can. Sunset Beach is known since the Airport is right across the street from the beach. Airplanes land right over top of you and take off where you feel the jet blast, or should I say sand blast.

The beach was absolutely beautiful. Matt and I were in love with the color of the water and the fact that you could swim in it:)


This does not do it justice but here is one airplane landing and then I tried to take a picture of me being under one but you forget they are still going a 100mph. I also was trying to take a picture of the sand blast that you get. There is actually a bunch of people running for the water there but since the sand is a good 10ft high you can't see them. The pilot was actually waving at them when he went to turn and take off, that is how close the airport is. We finished our day at St Maarten headed back to the boat.

Wedding Night

Still feeling beautiful with my hair and makeup done we changed for dinner with everyone and a night of celebrating. There was a show that night that we were all going to. At dinner they made us feel very special and sang to us, along with a lot of toasting and kissing. We had time to spare after dinner so we headed for the karaoke lounge where there were not very many people. One girl was a very good singer and before I knew it my brother stood up and asked her if she would sing a song for Matt and I to do our first dance to. She sang "God Bless the Broken Road" for us.

Matt and I dancing on stage.

Going to the show with everyone still looking good!! Jalani called him Uncle Matt so he gave in and bought him the Virgin Margaritas that he was always trying to score.


When I went back to my room after the the night out, here is how it looked. All the happy honeymoon stuff was still up but now there was rose pedals all over the bed!! In the end I found out my Mom was behind the happy honeymoon stuff and Matt was behind the rose pedals!! Thank you everyone for making my big day so amazing!!

Back to the ship

Everyone on the way back to the ship. Papa Bear stopped at a shopping center for those who wanted to get off the taxi and shop. Of course I couldn't stay and shop since it was quite a walk back and in a wedding dress it didn't look that fun. I stayed on with some of the others in the group and went to my room to change and just shop around the port.

To my surprise when I got to my room it was decorated with Happy Honeymoon stuff and two swan towels kissing. My mom made me a dress that was white and like my sisters that I could change into and still feel like the bride.

Onto the Lookout

Once we got to the lookout it was amazing. You could see all the cruise ships at port and all over one side of the island. Of course we took a moment for some photo ops and also realized Papa Bear had put a "Just Married" sign on the taxi.

There was entertainment at the stop also. Ladies selling all sorts of stuff, a gentleman playing music, which happen to be little mermaid "under the sea" when we were there.




Even got to do a little dancing with the other taxi driver that happen to be Papa Bear's buddy. Carl being the good friend he is made sure Matt wasn't thirsty at all.