settling in....

It's been almost a full week since we have all been home from the hospital together and we are slowly getting settled in and figuring out our "new normal." Since Everly is home on oxygen that makes our "new normal" a little bit different than it will be permanently. We still have the oxygen tube and monitor cord to be cautious and aware of so getting her up and down stairs takes some planning to make sure we don't get tangled in any cords, leave one of the oxygen tanks open, and unplug the monitor before trying to go in the opposite direction. Everly has been an awesome baby so far at home. She has stayed on the NICU schedule so far so she is up every 3-4 hours to eat, stays awake for 20-30 minutes, and then falls back asleep. She rarely cries and only fusses when she's hungry so she's pretty easy going...I think she could snuggle all day if Jordan and I let her! Actually, I'd love to snuggle with her all day but get nervous if I start falling asleep or if Jordan starts falling asleep because I'm paranoid like that and don't want something to happen to her. Jordan has stepped up into his new role as Mr. Dad and helps with diaper changes without being asked and does the nightly bottle feeding so I can sneak in some extra sleep! The past week has been quite the whirlwind and I'm so sad that it's Jordan's last night home with us before he goes back to teaching this week...time has flown by!!

And in other exciting news, my parents are officially back in Iowa for good! They got here on Friday and have made themselves welcome in our home and will be living with us until they find a house of their own. I'm pretty excited to have my mom around to help me out with Everly, organizing and decorating our house, and she'll be here to give me more advice and support as I navigate my way into motherhood. Definitely feeling pretty thankful that my parents were able to sell their house in Texas and my dad got his new job when he did! I'm so happy they are back in the midwest and especially happy that they are so close to us!

Friday Funnies - 6.7.13

It's Friday and it's girls weekend for me and guys weekend for Jordan! And today is also a special Friday because it's my parents 33rd wedding anniversary! Wow!! Way to rock, Mom and Dad! Hope you have a wonderful anniversary and 33 more years of wedded bliss - you two are my biggest supporters and have always encouraged me and loved me in all that I do. Thanks for being so awesome and the best parents a girl could ask for! Hope you all enjoy the weekend - around here it's supposed to be rainy and gloomy but that won't stop our fun! Since it's my parents wedding anniversary and my mom is spending the weekend with us, today's Friday Funnies is dedicated to moms and the job of being a parent. Enjoy!

image via Pinterest
how is it that Mom's always know where everything is?!

The Mom Song

this is genius...and I better get this memorized for when I am telling my kids all of this same stuff!

Friday Funnies - 5.31.13

Whoop whoop, another weekend is here upon us! And it's the last Friday of May...how is this year just flying by like crazy fast?! Jordan and I have a suuuuuper busy June with something going on EVERY weekend so it will be jam packed but we are definitely looking forward to all of it! We have weddings, baby showers, baptisms, going to see WICKED, and he has a guy's weekend in Chicago while I have a girls weekend with my mom and sister! Ahh I can't wait for all of these fun activities and to see so much of both of our families and friends. It's going to be amazing and I'm so excited! Unfortunately, I have to start off the month of June by working this weekend, blahh! But at least it's my only weekend for work so I guess I can't complain too much... and we are watching Safe Haven tonight for activity so I'm pretty excited to see that (and most likely cry my eyes out) with the other teenage girl patients! Here's to a fun (even though it's work-filled!) weekend and I hope you all have a great kick off to summer break!

image via Pinterest
I would always choose the ice cream over a bikini bod!
I wonder if I'll still say that after the baby is here...

How Girls Fall Asleep...

Great, now I'm going to have a nightmare about the human centipede!

A Memorial Day Weekend To Remember

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Jordan and I are back home from our weekend long adventure in Lansing at the Red Barn Resort! And like always, it didn't disappoint. Even though it was rainy for the majority of the weekend, we still got one perfect night for a bon fire and playing bags! Then we spent a lot of time playing cards, chatting, and just soaking up each other's company and loving every minute of it! It's rare that my Dad ever gets a weekend away with just us kids so while it would have been fun to have my mom there too, it was great to have some bonding time with just him.....and I'm sure he loved being harassed by his kids all weekend too! Even Paisley got to enjoy the fresh outdoors and spend some time off leash just running around, rolling in God knows what, and just enjoying being a dog. Good thing she was treated for ticks/fleas before we left because otherwise I'm sure she would be infested with them now! Ah and I can't forget about all of the good home cooking that we were all spoiled with all weekend from my grandma! I don't know how she does it, but she makes THE BEST bacon and eggs. Seriously, they are so sooo good and to die for (probably because of all the grease, ha!) but they are delicious and worth waking up for because no one wants to miss breakfast when Grandma is doing the cooking! We finished off the weekend with the annual trip up to the top of Mount Hosmer to show the kids the view and get some pics of it all. It's hard to believe that I have been going to good ol' Lansing and the Red Barn Resort since I was in diapers....such a special place for our family and it has so many memories! I hope we get the chance to return next summer with our own little Peanut to keep the tradition going! Now it's back to reality but at least it is only a 4-day work week! Hope you all had a fun and special Memorial day weekend!

it was a tad rainy and foggy at the top of Mount Hosmer

Dad and the trifecta of the Cross kids

3 generations....love my Dad and Grandma!
(4 generations if you count Peanut!)

and as always, these two in matching sweatshirts...

Friday Funnies - 5.24.13

Yessssssss it is Friday!!! This week has been awesome and I'm definitely happy it's Friday! Our appointment/ultrasound on Wednesday went great and everything looked perfect! I will have a more thorough update next Wednesday but Peanut looks healthy and is growing like crazy! So happy to have gotten some new pictures from the ultrasound and to hear how healthy we both are! Anyway, I only worked a half-day today and just got home from the vet a little while ago with Paisley. It was time for her to get updated on all of her shots, new heartworm meds, new flea/tick meds, and some ear infection meds....needless to say, that vet bill wasn't pretty but I'm glad Paisley is healthy and all up to date and now good for a year! Now I am all packed for the weekend and anxiously awaiting for Jordan to get home because we are going to hit the road and drive to Lansing for the weekend to spend 3 days at one of my most favorite places ever, The Red Barn Resort! I can't wait for a grungy, relaxing, fun-filled weekend with my family and lots of card games and bags tournaments. It's supposed to rain but no amount of rain can bring down our fun level! I'm just so excited to see my dad (love you mom and wish you could be there too!) and both my sibs along with my niece and nephew and lots of extended family. How I ever got so lucky to have such an awesome family, well I'll never know, but I'm definitely thankful for all of them that's for sure! Hope the week wasn't too terrible for any of you and that you all have a wonderful Memorial weekend and enjoy the extra day off to relax or recover! We are off to the blackhole for cell phone service and I for one can't wait to be cut off from technology and everyone for the weekend to thoroughly enjoy our quality time with each other! Happy Memorial Day!

image via Google
I love a good play on words...and a good weekend of being outdoorsy.

Redneck Camping Guide:

because these tips will save your life while camping!

Friday Funnies - 5.17.13

Finals week is officially over and that means that I am done with school, whoo hoo!!! This weekend is going to be one that's filled with celebrations, good times with friends, and a few goodbyes. I feel like I've been avoiding it all week but now I know the time has finally come and it's time to say goodbye to a few of my close friends as they move to start their internships. It's such an exciting time and I know they'll all have awesome summers, I will definitely miss them! That's why we are going to be doing plenty of celebrating tonight and tomorrow.... of course, as much celebrating as I can do at 5 months pregnant! It's a relief to be done with school and I'm so thankful for having such a supportive husband, family, and friends who all constantly encouraged me and motivated me as I made my way through each class. I'd be nothing without these awesome people in my life today! Here's to a fun weekend of celebrating and looking forward to the future! Happy Graduation to all the graduates and enjoy this weekend!

image via Pinterest
ah the combination that equals success....

I got it, Mom!

one of this mother's proudest moments I bet

Friday Funnies - 5.10.13

Is it just me or did this week fly by? Maybe it's just me but wow, I can't believe it is already Friday! Next week is finals week and next week means that a lot of my close friends will be graduating and leaving Iowa City so they can start their internships. I am so sad to see them go but so excited for their adventures they will have this summer! Like I said earlier, this weekend will be one full of celebrations because Jordan's birthday is Saturday and Sunday is Mother's Day! I hope the weather stays nice and sunny like it's supposed to so that we can thoroughly enjoy the weekend! I'm going to some garage sales and off to do some thrifting before Mr. E gets home and we settle in for the night with dinner and a movie! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! 

image via Pinterest
how (almost) every college student feels during the week leading up to finals
and trying to study for them....

one of the greatest impression reels you will ever watch....

like the 4th of July in Alaska!

Friday Funnies - 5.3.13

So apparently living in Iowa means that April showers brings MAY SNOW AND RAIN STORMS!!! Whatever pissed off Mother Nature, I wish she would get over it and bring on the Spring weather all ready! Just a few days ago it was the high 80's and now the past two days, I have been wearing my winter coat! I can't handle all of these abrupt changes in the weather! Today since it was so rainy and gloomy out, it made for the perfect napping weather...so after working my half-day of four hours at the hospital, I came home to lounge with Jordan, snuggle with Paisley and get a nap in. Which then lasted for four hours but it was fantastic! That's my kind of perfect 8-hour work day! The rest of the weekend looks like it's supposed to be gloomy and rainy so that should help be motivation to study and get to work on my last few projects for the school year. So happy to almost be done for the semester...for good! Can't wait for all the fun festivities we have planned coming up this summer so I just want the nice weather that goes along with it all! Have a good weekend and make the most of it!

image via Google
This is the battle between Jordan and Paisley....every night.
And it makes me laugh so hard....every night.

Need work on your car? Call this guy!

shift it shift in forward! shift it shift it in reverse!

porch time with Paisley

loving today and tomorrow's forecast...
Friday's forecast through the weekend? Not so much.

mmmm a delicious (and super healthy!) snack and relaxing with my girl

It feels like it is summer. The temps are in the high 80s, the sun has been shining bright all day and there is the slightest breeze. Why can't the weather be like this year round?! Since the forecast takes a giant turn downhill as on Thursday night, Paisley and I took full advantage of the nice weather that we had for the day! I mean, there is SNOW in the forecast for Friday and then rain for FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT?!!! What the heck is that crap?! It is almost May! Ughh soo ready for nice warm and sunny summer weather! Paisley chewed on her bone and patrolled the neighborhood while I munched on some carrots, cucumbers, green peppers, pita slices and cheese with some hummus for dipping! I also made myself a frozen drink that was only a raspberry lemonade but it was still refreshing none the less...even more enjoyable drinking it out of a margarita glass! I'm hoping tomorrow stays as nice as they say it is going to so that Paisley and I can enjoy a long walk together and more porch time relaxing! 

it's April 25th aka the perfect date

today has been a good day strictly because it's April 25th....I mean, it's the perfect date! And yes, the weather was nice enough for only a light jacket. Bonus! Get out there and enjoy the perfect date doing whatever it is you have to or want to do! 

Friday Funnies - 4.19.13

I love Friday's and I especially love only having to work half-days on Friday's! I could only be so lucky to have a real full-time job where I only have to work half-days on Friday's....maybe that will happen! This week has sort of drug by after having such a fun weekend with my family last weekend and with all the horrible things happening this week through the US. Not to mention, since the semester is winding down, that means it's time for semester end final projects, papers and presentations so I have been busy chipping away at my to-do list for school! I'm just so relieved and happy that it is my last semester...so these are all of my LAST papers to write and presentations to make! It's exciting to think about being done with school but also kind of scary. I mean, I've been a full-time college student for the past 6+ years so it will be quite the adjustment to the real world but I'm sure I will find the perfect job to help me make a smooth transition! This weekend the weather is FINALLY supposed to be sunny, ahhh!! It has been rainy and gloomy for the past 4 days it seems so the sun is definitely gladly welcomed! Jordan plans to work at the golf course and do some golfing of his own while I do some school work and things around the house like some serious spring cleaning and organizing...can't wait! Hope everyone has a fun weekend and some nice weather to top it off with!

image via Pinterest
even with a loose tooth, I would still avoid going to the dentist...

the laughing gas didn't phase me!

riiiiight...and husbands don't film things like this to humiliate their wives later!

Friday Funnies - 4.5.13

Wow! Well it has definitely been quite the exciting and eventful week around here to say the least! We have completely went public with our news about Baby E by posting the announcement and by updating all of the weekly pictures onto my blog. It has been so fun and heartwarming that's for sure! So many people love and support us and are sooo excited for the arrival of Baby E. That just adds to our excitement and we can't wait! Things are good so far and I hope they continue to be this great! Anyway, it's Friday, whoop whoop!!! Jordan is working at the golf course this weekend since it is officially golf weather so he's going to be busy working there tomorrow and Sunday! Looks like plenty of time for me and Paisley to get some chores done around the house, snuggling watching some movies and caught up on school work! I love lazy weekends! Next weekend we are heading up to Madison to be with my family and I FINALLY get to see my parents! Ahhh! I haven't seen my Dad since November and my mom since February....super crappy! So I'm bursting at the seams with excitement knowing I get to see them in one week!!!!! Hope you all have a fantastic weekend and do something that you enjoy with people you love!

image via Pinterest
well I WAS going to be productive this week but since our big announcement, my phone and Facebook have been blowing up!

who's your favorite? mom? or dad?

smart girl to say Mom is her favorite... :)

Friday Funnies - 2.22.13

It's Friday and I am finally feeling like a normal person again! No more fevers and no more flu symptoms, whoo hoo! That was the worst I have ever felt in a looong time and definitely the longest I have felt that crappy too. Double woof! Anyway, it is done with and thankfully it is Friday so I survived the illness and even better that Jordan didn't get it either. Man, he is just so great though. He made countless late night store runs to get me some Sprite, gatorade, soup, saltines, bananas and anything else to help cure me. He took over full duties with Paisley and was constantly checking in on me when he was gone at work and I was at home to fend for myself. I wouldn't have survived without him I am sure so I'm thankful to have such a loving and supportive husband by my side, especially during my sickness! We have a very low key weekend planned with nothing on the calendar which is just what we need after this week...time to rest, recover and get caught up on school stuff that I've been putting off for a few weeks! We are looking forward to watching The Oscars on Sunday night though and besides that, who knows where the weekend might take us! Probably only from the bed to the couch...and back. Gotta love a lazy weekend but we will make sure it is full of laughter as always. Hope you have an enjoyable weekend and safe travels if you have to drive anywhere in the new 5 inches of snow we got today!

image via Google
what the judges don't see while Olympic divers are making their way into the water...

sooo....here are the highs...and here comes a cold front...

turns out being a meteorologist is not an easy job!

Friday Funnies - 1.18.13

Yes, I survived another full work week and made it to Friday! It was a rough week none the less that's for sure, but I survived it at least! And it you're reading this, then that means you did too and that's something worth celebrating! Of course, today didn't go without it's let downs BUT there was one great thing that happened...aside from receiving two more rejections for internships (these people seriously have no clue what they will be missing out on by not having me around!) I did receive one interview offer! Whoo whoo!!!! It is for Comer Children's Hospital in Chicago and after talking to my close friend, she informed me that it is a very prestigious hospital and a HUGE deal that I am even getting an interview offer. So, I will take this opportunity and run with it....better start getting prepared and my interview outfit ready now because I have to rock that interview! I feel excited and honored to interview with them and am crossing my fingers that it all works out! So Jordan and I will be celebrating my one success for the week because it totally overshadows the other let downs and we are celebrating Jordan completing school and officially being done as a STUDENT! He rocks and is going to be a phenomenal teacher! Here's to one heck of a three day weekend and as always, I hope your's is full of love and laughter! This weeks Friday Funnies is dedicated to some comical football events...since the Superbowl is around the corner, I am embracing all of the football that I can before it's gone until the fall!

image via Google

Invisible and imaginary girlfriends are the best girlfriends. Right, Manti?!

Tebow, better step up your game otherwise Tebowing will be long forgotten.

NFL Bad Lip Reading...So THAT's what they were saying!

You got an orange peanut for me? Wow! I found Fido! I found Fido!

crochet infinity scarf: broomstick lace

After starting one project and then giving up on it a few too many rows too late, I switched gears and found a different pattern that I wanted to follow. And turns out, while it looked a lot more difficult to do, it proved to be significantly easier! I worked on this over a three day span while lounging at home and watching some movies! It was a perfect side job to be working on between napping and relaxing! I found the pattern on All Free Crochet (thanks Mom for leading me to this website...I'm already looking for my next pattern!) and I followed the Broomstick Lace Collar pattern but I extended it to make a chunkier full scarf instead of just a collar! The pattern looked intimidating at first but if I can figure it out and successfully make an entire scarf for my first ever crochet project, I think it is pretty do-able for anyone else then too! Happy crafting and have a good week!

my first finished crochet project!
Broomstick Lace Infinity Scarf

Friday Funnies - 1.11.13

Ahh it's Friday, Friday! The first Friday Funny of 2013 I might add because last Friday doesn't count since it was our 5 month wedding anniversary! :) And I could NOT be happier to be home, in my sweats, and relaxing on the couch. I NEED some funnies and a pick me up after the week, especially this day, that I have had! It was a long week hammering out those 40 hours and a brutal day at work when I checked my email and got my first two rejections from hospitals saying they are going to pursue other candidates for their internship. Ouch. BIG ouch. So that sucks, not even getting considered for an interview and completely turned down. That leaves me with 10 options so I haven't lost hope yet but panic mode has definitely increased to say the least! Well, Jordan and I have NOTHING planned again this weekend which is always a plus. There's something about a weekend of nothingness but relaxing, napping, movie watching and snacking with Jordan and Paisley that I really love and enjoy! The only thing we have planned is to watch the movie Pitch Perfect tonight. And that is because it is so damn funny. If you haven't watched it yet, you are seriously missing out! Watch it tonight for a good laugh, great music and to watch a really cute dude! And on that note, it is time for some funnies and good laughs to start off this weekend! Back to some old school Disney revamped...

Image via Google
Uh oh...drama in the kingdom! Look out!

Mean (Disney) Girls

Oh Ariel, you would only be so lucky to fit in with Aurora, Belle and Cinderella!

and may the odds be ever in my favor....

Well, here they are. All of my hard work and countless hours poured into my internship applications all sealed up and ready to go. The top picture is what my life has looked like for the past two weeks trying to get everything completely finalized and organized. I had a very systematic way of doing each application packet and I triple checked each envelope to make sure I had included everything. It was a great sigh of relief today as I mailed them off but now a whole other set of panic and anxiety has set in....there is SO much riding on the line for these internship applications. I have applied to 12 and all it takes is 1 offer. Just ONE! That is all I need and want! As of right now, this trumps any wedding stress and worries I ever went through because I knew the wedding was still going to happen no matter what. This is a whole other playing field! Well all I can do now is wait until I hear from each hospital and hope for the best and an interview to start with! I will be sleeping with all my fingers and toes crossed for the next four weeks and trying to keep my attitude positive about the next step of the internship process! Now it is definitely time for a drink and to relax for awhile...poor Jordan and Paisley have been getting the brunt of my stress and completely ignored for the past 48 hours as I was on edge and trying to finalize everything. Thankfully Jordan knew it wasn't anything personal and just the stress and nerves talking....I'm lucky he is so patient! Time to get a cold one and enjoy some snuggling to a movie as we enjoy this lazy weekend together!

Life At Sea on the Carnival Destiny!

our first official Cruise picture!
all aboard the Carnival Destiny!

Carnival cruise line, you did it again. I went on a cruise 10ish years ago with my family and remembered having an awesome time and fun running around on the boat with my brother and sister and touring the islands with my family. I knew when Jordan and I booked our cruise that we would (obviously!) have a completely different trip but still the same amazing and rewarding experience. And we definitely did just that! I have told several people since our trip that if you're looking for a VERY budget-friendly and cost-effective vacation that includes a lot of EVERYTHING, then a cruise is the perfect choice! We couldn't have been happier with our vacation because we got the combination of perfect sunny skies and weather every day mixed with warm temperatures, fun adventure excursions, the beach, the ocean and countless views, funny entertainment and delicious food! It really was the best decision for us and a wonderful vacation to celebrate our marriage and escape from the world for awhile after a stressful semester!

Anyway! Back to the actual cruise itself to sum up our honeymoon recaps...not that I want to admit that our trip is over and I am out of things to talk about from the trip (but not really...I just don't want to keep boring you all, ha!) but we do have plenty of other things coming up and happening soon that I will be blogging on! The first day of the cruise we got through security super fast and were on board before we knew it with a drink in hand so vacation had officially started!

full shot of the top deck with the Miami skyline as we were leaving the port

ready for vacation to start!

We spent the afternoon touring the boat and checking out all of the hang out zones and where we would be spending our week. We unpacked our bag in our room, got settled in and then headed to the top deck to enjoy some drinks, dancing and celebrate setting sail! We roamed through the casino which turned out to be torture for Jordan each time but at least the one time we sat down to play, we won $30 and walked away so it paid off! We went to a comedy show and "game show mania" the first night then after dinner, headed back to the top deck to finish the night off by watching The Notebook on the big seaside theater. Yay for chick flick night and a husband who actually likes chick flicks!

our room...we picked it ourselves because of 11

Jordan loving the Christmas decorations!

"it wasn't over....it still isn't over!!"
one of the best chick flicks around!

The next day, we had a day at sea which meant a day spent in the sun while napping, reading and straight up relaxing with not a single worry in the world! It was perfect weather with clear skies. I can't say it enough how perfect the weather was all week while we were on vacation! Since it was Sunday, that meant NFL Sunday Football games so when the boat announced they would be showing two games on the big screen, Jordan was pretty stoked for that. Seriously, laying out AND watching football?! Sign me up! It was also the fancy formal night at dinner so after a day of sun, we got to dress up for the evening and enjoy feeling elegant! We went to another entertainment show then watched the football game and called it a night since we knew we had an early morning the next day with our stop in Jamaica! 

first day at sea!

dessert with a view!

prime time Sunday football

elegant night before dinner!
Merry Christmas from The Easton's on the cruise!

one of our many towel animals...
we loved seeing what our room steward made up for us each night!

one of my favorite pictures of us together from the trip.
love you Mr. E

The next two days were our days at the islands which left us with one full day at sea on Wednesday before we made it back to the mainland. Surprisingly, the week did not fly by which we were both pleasantly surprised about because I thought for sure the week was going to fly by in the blink of an eye. We spent our last full day at sea by getting in everything that we had been wanting to do throughout the week! We bought our photos along with a Carnival shot glass and a big fin Christmas ornament to commemorate our special trip together! Of course the day wouldn't have been complete without a couple of hours laying out in the sun so we did that as well to get a few more rays in before heading home to the cold winter weather! Since it was so close to the holidays, the boat was all decorated for Christmas with fancy trees and wreaths/garland every where which was beautiful! The last night they had a big holiday show and played ELF and White Christmas on the sea side theater. It was the perfect way to end the last night on our cruise and get us back in the holiday spirit to head home for Christmas! 

hanging out before dinner!
isn't that dress the most perfect dress for a cruise and sunny vacation?!
Thanks Gordmans for the great deal!

posing with Long Neck

another towel animal....we at first kept calling it a puppy
but now looking at it, I think it's supposed to be a pig!

lazy night in after our past two days of adventure!

snuggling with the puppy towel and pretending it was Paisley!

the path our ship took...it is crazy to think how far away we actually were
and that we went all the way around Cuba!

last full day....

why do all good things have to come to an end?! 

now that's love. 

Elf!!!! my all time favorite Christmas movie
while on vacation...perfect!

last morning so it was time to enjoy one last delicious breakfast
and mimosa before saying goodbye to the boat! 

good bye cruise! We loved you!

And there it is...our whole vacation! We had the trip of a lifetime and are so grateful and thankful for the help of my family especially along with several other family members and friends who helped to send us on this trip! It was a beyond amazing experience that we got to share with one another and I think proof that we could handle being on The Amazing Race together as a team (that is, if Janelle let's Jordan be my teammate although I would happily take either of them as my teammate even though I'm sure the two of them together would dominate...is there anyway we can do a team of three?!!) Anyway! We loved every minute of it and are happy to still have a golden tan and enough memories and pictures to last us a lifetime. Here's to many more amazing vacations in the future for us...and possibly the kids if we decide to be that crazy and let them join us! We already would love to go on another cruise with some couples so that I can enjoy laying out and some fruity drinks with the girls while Jordan and the guys enjoy some beers and gambling in the casino! All in all, it was an incredible nine days and I couldn't have asked for a better vacation with a more perfect husband to spend it with! 

6x6 Miles of Beauty: Grand Cayman Island

That's how big the whole island of Grand Cayman is. 6 miles by 6 miles. And it is pure beauty and amazingness that is for sure. When we got to the island, there wasn't a big port for the boat to dock up at so we got to board a smaller tender boat to take us to shore. We could see the bottom of the ocean and some coral and fish already just on the short ride in so I knew we were in for one memorable day. There were four other cruise ships ported at the island so when we first got off, it was sort of chaotic with a mass amount of people trying to find their excursions and tour groups but thankfully, we found our group quickly. We had about half an hour before leaving on our excursion so we just took in the beauty, sights, sounds and smells of the island...then before we knew it, we were walking towards the shore line to board the boat to cruise around the island and do some parasailing!

To start with, the two guys that took us out on the boat to parasail were both rockstars. One was from Australia and we aren't sure where the other one was from but he definitely had some sort of accent...and he is dating a girl from Ankeny, IA! We were amazed at what a small world it really is especially when we found out two of the other parasailers were also from Iowa, about twenty minutes away from where we live! Anyway, so we took off and were cruising around the shoreline and it was awesome being able to see the beach, the coral, the resorts and enjoy the sun and breeze all at the same time. The two Iowa boys went first and it was scary watching them because I didn't realize how high we actually would be released so I was nervous but excited! Next thing I knew, we were getting life jackets on and our harnesses straped up and ready to go.... The boat driver said that when we were being brought back in he could dip in either "small, medium, big or surprise" and of course Jordan wanted to say surprise but I was too chicken and shouted, "SMALL!!!!" The guys both laughed and said, "yeah we will see what you get..." Not exactly what I wanted to hear right before taking off because right after that, they released the rope! We were quickly lifted off the back of the boat and flying backwards up into the sky. The first word that comes to mind when I think about our parasailing experience is peaceful. We had ten minutes sailing high in the sky completely to ourselves and separate from the world! It was so peaceful and relaxing mixed with amazing views and breathtaking sights...I wish we could relive that moment again and again! It was truly incredible and we loved every minute of it. Once we were being brought back down, I was nervous at how much we were going to get dipped and finally, we hit the water only to our knees so it was actually pretty refreshing! BUT, I'm glad we didn't get dipped any further than that! After we sailed, three other groups went so we got to enjoy some more time cruising around on the boat before heading to the beach...

Once we got to the beach, we knew it was going to be tough to leave. Nearly impossible actually because it was pure heaven. The beach was the softest, brightest, whitest sand I have ever seen and the first white sand beach Jordan had ever been on. Paired with the blue and turquoise water, it made us feel like we were on a beach that you would see in a travel magazine. Which would be true since Grand Cayman is ranked and known for being one of the most beautiful islands and 7-Mile Beach, the one we were on, is one of the world's most beautiful beaches. And it definitely deserves that title! We spent the rest of the afternoon laying out and soaking up the sun on the beach while enjoying the peacefulness of the island life and each other's company. The sand never felt hot and the water was the perfect temperature to swim in and cool off in. We walked all the way down the beach before heading back to the port then walked through the town back to the main shopping area and ship. We felt 100x safer walking around here than we did in Jamaica...it is clear that Grand Cayman is a pretty wealthy country and one where people move to live there or have vacation homes. While waiting to board the boat, Jordan and I discussed what we would do if we stayed on the island forever...first things first, I said we would need to get a way for Paisley to join us! Then Jordan said he would work with the parasailing crew and other water activity companies. I decided I would open a craft shop and sell crafty handmade items to all of the tourists. I think that would be quite the life to say the least! Well I have done more than enough talking so I will let the pictures bring my words to life...

Welcome to Grand Cayman Island! 

water and coral on the tender boat ride to the island

arghh matey!

up next to parasail!

all hooked up and ready to go!

and we are off!

we were really up there and far away!

one of the crew guys took pictures for us and this one makes me laugh every time!

kissing and sailing high in the sky together :)

the dip! 

first things first at the beach...writing in the sand!
notice our rings on our "ring fingers"?!
Thanks Pinterest for the photo idea!

a perfect day at 7 Mile Beach

"we should be on a Ray Ban commercial"
-Jordan

my Mrs. towel and ring

my Mr. with his ring and towel
(thanks Mom for the special towels...we loved them!)

Hi Husband :)

this is the life.

We are already looking forward to the day when we can return to Grand Cayman Island...or at least another island and location that ranks just as high up there in beauty, adventure, relaxation and everything! It was the most perfect day and weather that we got and it was so hard to leave the island! We couldn't have asked for a more relaxing and fun day to spend together away from the world!