Mariner of the Seas Vacation, Day 4

Our first port of the cruise was in Roatan, and it was the most anticipated stop of our cruise. 

We spotted land from our balcony on Thursday morning.  

We got off the ship after breakfast and headed to our tour for the day full of adventuring. 

Our first activity was ziplining, something new for all of our kids. 

Everyone was very excited and maybe a bit nervous. 

After getting all of our equipment ready, we were off flying through the trees. 

The kids were awesome. The hopped right off of those platforms with no fear. Katherine hooked on with Matt for the first line, and then begged to go by herself after that. 

I love my adventurous kids! I pray they always stay that way and jump right off into what life has for them. 

The ziplining course was long and so fun- probably at least a dozen lines, and we were by ourselves with the guides- such a great first experience for the kids. 

Elisabeth couldn't wait to learn how to go upside down on the lines after watching her dad do it. 

Of course Samuel went upside down also. 

Look Mom, no hands!!

And then Katherine was determined to fly upside down. She'll try anything her older siblings do. I love that about her!

After our ziplining adventure, we were ready for the next one- hugging sloths! We revealed this excursion to the kids at Christmas, and Elisabeth was the most excited about it. She loves sloths and even did a report on them for her science class this year. 

They were the cutest things! We learned that they sleep for 18-20 hours a day and only go to the bathroom once a week. 

They just always have this cute, silly grin on their faces too. 

And this girl had a big smile too when she saw them. 

We couldn't wait to hold them. They just wrap their limbs around us like they're holding onto a tree. 

Even my clean, cautious kid held them. His expression is adorable.

Elisabeth requested a second turn holding them. 

It was the coolest experience for all of us. 

We all wanted to take them hone with us! So cuddly! But their fur was surprisingly wiry and coarse.

There was even a two month old baby nursing on his mama that we caught a glimpse of. 

We also caught one eating. Everything they do is in slow motion. 

After our sloth hugging, we saw some of the other exotic animals at the sanctuary including these beautiful birds. 

There was a baby hiding in this enclosure. We couldn't get close enough to get a great view of it. It's Mama was being very protective. 

Then we saw the monkeys, another highlight of the excursion. They were so funny and full of personality- ornery little things. 

Elisabeth ended up with two monkeys on her at one point. They were not fearful of humans at all- just tried to steal our stuff, ha!

After all our fun in Roatan, we headed back to the ship to grab some lunch. 

I know no one is surprised a giant plate of French fries was part of Elisabeth's lunch. 

Then we walked back to the port to look around at some of the shops. 

We rested that afternoon after our big morning. 

After dinner we played some more shuffle board and ping pong. 

And ended the night with some evening rock climbing. 

Whew, what an amazing day in Roatan!

Mariner of the Seas Vacation, Day 3

 Our third day of the cruise was another sea day. We started with breakfast, followed by some more rock climbing. Elisabeth was determined to make it to the top!

Katherine did awesome too. I'm proud of their bravery and willingness to try new things even when they're scary. 

Samuel has been working on building upper body strength at gymnastics. He did great climbing!

While the other kids rock climbed, Matt and Nathan played some pickleball. 

After rock climbing the girls went to kids club, and the boys and Matt and I played some more pickleball before lunch.

After lunch, we watched the Under the Big Top Ice Show. It was by far the best show of the trip. We were all very impressed with the talent and quality of the show. And we were so close to the performers, which was also really great. 

After the show, we found more towel animals. They were such a fun treat to find each day. 

The Buc-ees swimsuit crew!

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the pool for the kids- and a lounge chair for me! Cruise life is the best life!

Another night, another plate of fries for this girl. 

After dinner, the kids found a shuffleboard, and begged us to play. They really got into it! Sometimes it's the little things on vacation that turn out to be the best memories. Shuffleboard was one of those for us. 

Katherine was the best cheerleader when she was waiting for her turn to play. 

We had some extra time before our next activity, so we pulled out one of our favorite board games and set up in the library to play. 

Then, while Katherine was at kids' club, the rest of us went to Harry Potter trivia. 20 for 20 baby! Even thought we had to send Sam and Elisabeth away before they revealed some of the answers, so it didn't spoil the books for them that they haven't finished yet. 

After trivia, we got the kids in bed to gear up for our first port the next morning! We were all looking forward to an exciting day!