Family Vacation 2015 about to go down!!
Aruba or bust...
We were all soooo excited for our trip!
But not super excited for the 1:00am flight :(
Here we go. 
Checking our gate.
Off to NYC for a layover and our connecting flight.
Sage was asleep the entire time. Reese on the other hand was miserable and cried for about 4 of the 5 hours. She had an earache and it was really bothering her. I was really hoping it was a pressure issue and not an ear infection.
What on earth would we do if it was??
I gave her some Tylenol and just tried to comfort her the best I could. Not much would help. I felt so bad for her.
The sun was trying to rise as we were landing. I hadn't slept at all.
We got into the airport and Reese crashed on a table. She said her ear was feeling better. I was sooooo glad, but worried about the next flight.
She slept for 2 1/2 hours in the airport. I slept on the floor.
Sage has been wanting to go to New York so bad. I took her picture in front of Shake Shack. It was one of my favorite places to eat in NY. I promised her someday we'd come back and see more than the airport :)
I had gotten some kid earplugs in the airport and some cotton. It was a lifesaver. She did great on this flight. She slept the whole way to Aurba.
Sunday 11.8
Finally!!!!! Sunshine and warmth (and a little wind)!
We hit up a grocery store first.
Cam found "Cool American" Doritos. Ha!!
And I found some amazing chocolate!! I ate soooooo much of it while we were there!
Aruba had all sorts of normal food, and then some really really good desserts!
We then went and got settled in our Condo and hit the pool!
This would be our attire for the next week!
We loved keeping hydrated with smoothies. The girls loved that they never had to get out of the water. And they especially loved how you didn't need money, just a room number!! (Someday life will be such a rude awakening for them)! Haha.
Bingo in the pool!
The water slide and swimming fun.
We took a walk down to the beach.
Monday 11.9
It was windy every single day... But we were never bothered by it! And it kept us a little cool!
We ate at some really good restaurants. We had the best shrimp at this little joint.
The humidity brings out the very best in my hair. (sarcasm) I was like a lion all week long :/
These two sweet ladies chased us down the street to braid the girls hair.
We saw that they were doing it at the hotel, but they ended at 3. We had missed it.
So we went the real authentic way and had the locals do it!
Cam was hilarious. He was all worried about head lice and wanted to sanitize the comb with hand sanitizer.
He's the best :)
They had lived here most of their lives. These two ladies were best friends and met at their Christian church. I asked them if they had ever heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I talked to them about it a little bit :)
It was my first missionary experience. :)
Should of carried a "pass along card" with me! Haha.
And they were the best hair braiders!
Tuesday 11.10
More swimming
These iguanas are everywhere and they just come and hang out with you!
They love grapes.
Papa got burnt up at the pool! The girls were making fun of him for not wearing sunscreen!
Aruba is very "deserty"! Lots and lots of cactus and divi divi trees!
We did a lot of touristy stuff on Tuesday.
The island is pretty small, so we could do it all in a day :)
We went to this rock place.
It's called Ayo Rock Formation.
It's all these giant rocks that have fallen and you hike through them.
It was really fun vacationing with Mel and Ruth. They're so easy going! I really lucked out in the in-law department!
These two climbed a giant rock and "whipped and nae nae'd" up there :)
After the rocks we went over to the other side of the island. There's not really beaches there and the ocean is super rough!
People have made all these little rock monuments! There's hundreds and hundreds of them. It looks pretty cool!
Reese added her own.
So did Sage! (I love their little braids)!
There was also this old rock building.
It's called the Bushiribana Ruins- an old gold smelter, from like 1499.
We then went to this huge hill to climb the stairs. It's called Hooiberg. There's 600+ stairs. At the top you could see the whole island. Pretty cool!
(This was an old building)
The hike up.
This is a pano from the top.
The way down.
The beach after the hike.
Baby's Beach with my babies :)
They were all decorated and ready for Christmas!! I liked the lit up tree with Palm trees in the background!
Wednesday 11.11
Another pool day.
This giant guy was hanging out at the pool. It took me a while to get the courage up to pet him.
Sage was more brave than me!
He seriously just tanned there for hours. I loved his little arms by his side.
I tried to get our Christmas card pic with the iguana, but Reese was not digging it.
One thing I love about the Marriott is that they cater to the kids. They always had crafts and activities for them.
I just wanted one normal picture with Cam and I!! It's impossible with him.
We really do "heart" Aruba!
Sunset at the beach.
Thursday 11.12
You for scuba?
We spent the day at Boca Catalina. They had great snorkeling and Cam really wanted to snorkel with Sage.
The beaches were beautiful. You could walk out forever. There were always little tiny fish swimming around you. It was crazy.
Sage absolutely loved snorkeling and was in the water with Cam all day. They saw lots of fish, starfish, eels and cool coral.
I snorkeled for a few minutes and called it good :)
Beach babes
Boats would and hang out at this cove while people snorkeled. They were on excursions. There were soooo many people in the water.
Trying to coax Reese in the ocean. She wasn't fond of the fish.
My favorite people.
I guess I'm contemplating life here!
(Or thinking all those people swimming so far out in the ocean are freaking crazy)!!!
Sand cupcakes.
Sage and Cam bright out this starfish to look at. We put him back :). It was pretty cool!
It's no wonder I'm so madly in love with him!! Haha!!
Walking along the shore line.
We built a sand castle. Too bad my big thumb got in the way.
Reese fell asleep. She actually looks big to me here! That never happens.
I finally got him to take a normal picture with me.
Get a ways are good for us :)
Friday 11.13
A Butterfly Farm.
So many pretty butterflies.
They told us it was good luck if one landed on you.
We all got a little lucky! (Except Reese. She wouldn't even let them get close to her)
Sage wasn't so sure at first.
These blue ones were my favorite!
Eagle Beach
This beach is beautiful and ranked #23 in the world. The snorkeling isn't quite as good, but you can walk out in the ocean forever!!
After dinner we went back for some night swimming.
But first we had a little late night dance party!
Saturday 11.14
One last swim before we had to leave.
We then went to the airport and came home.
We came home with souvenirs, sea shells, chocolates, tans and lots of memories!!
This vacation will be one of my favorites!
