Since we weren't headed home for the holidays this winter we decided to take a cruise to the Caribbean as part of our Christmas celebration. We drove 5 hours to New Orleans and hopped on the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas. Gavin was beyond excited after our trip to Alaska last year on Carnival cruise line. We had a balcony room and he had a bunk above our bed. During the cruise his favorite things were to explore the ship, go to the daycare (they had amazing children's programs), and play board games. Yes our son learned to play Chess on the ship and he loves it. I personally find the game boring and too over my head. He really wanted to learn and luckily Shannon knows how to play. Before the end of the cruise he had learned how to move each piece. Strategy will take some time, but we were impressed he got this far.
Gavin's feet landed in Georgetown, Grand Caymen; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico. He enjoyed the lazy river of the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Jamaica and the private beach. He loved searching the sea for shells and dried up coral reef in the crystal clear waters of the 7 Mile Beach in Grand Caymen. And he loved spending the whole day in daycare back on the ship while his dad and I snorkeled the waters of Mexico. While we were out spotting starfish, conk shells, sting rays, sea turtles, puffer fish, barracuda's, black tip sharks and getting stung by jellyfish, Gavin was back in the daycare playing with remote control trains, having pretend camp outs, and playing pirate. Shannon and I spent the end of our date in Mexico tasting tequila at a restaurant on the beach.
As a young boy Gavin has been blessed with many experiences some people don't know in a lifetime. I find his courage to try new things and his ability to adjust to change with ease so refreshing.
As for the family and friends we won't see this holiday season, for the first time since Gavin was born, you are truly and deeply missed.
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