Freakin' Free Willy.

For Christmas Austin's family was kind enough to take my sister and I on a 15 day cruise with them. We went to 5 different countries and our ship was amazing. I don't think I have ever been so tan in my life. Our first stop was in Aruba, its by far my most favorite beach. The water was turquoise and the sand was white.. ah it's so breathtaking, pictures do not do justice. Plus we had the coolest party bus ever. Loudest music, no windows, and graffiti all over it. 

We then stopped in Columbia, the birds and monkeys were everywhere. Staci is going to school to be a veterinarian so she was talking about what birds liked and disliked… she said they dislike the color red,  not knowing this fact and not knowing we were going to run into a zoo of birds I of course wore a red dress that day.. so I was panicking getting those close up's of the little stinkers. I do have to say that I held one and he loved me :) he climbed right up on my shoulder. We also fed the little monkeys some oranges, they come right up to you, its insane.

We then stopped in Costa Rica. We boogie boarded and Stac taught herself how to surf, I acted like a proud mom watching her. It was a black sand beach and it was scorching hot and sticky. If you've never boogie boarded and its on your bucket list… do it. but wear a t-shirt. The material of the board mixing with the ocean water creates super sore nipples… poor boys. -Sorry for the inappropriateness… but you will thank me later. promise. ;)

Then we stopped in Nicaragua and rode those horse buggies… probably the most exhilarating thing of my entire life. Austin's dad stands over 6 feet and his brothers are big buff athletes, so while they climbed into their little buggies the driver maybe lasted 5 minutes. They were all 10 times the size of the taxi drivers… next thing we know I turn around and Austin's dad and brothers are driving the buggies because the taxi drivers couldn't handle it. Hilarious. Our plans that day were to go on a zip line. The majority of the group rode up on horses, while Staci, Austin's parents and I rode up in a jeep.

Then our last stop was in Cabo. This memory definitely goes in my top ten most amazing things I've ever seen in my life. We took a catamaran out to go snorkeling and whale watch. This was one of mine and Staci's goals… we just had to see one. We were on our way back to the cruise ship and our boat drivers pointed to where the whale was so we slow down and I'm frantically looking, all of a sudden a huge blast of water shoots away from the surface… I couldn't believe my eyes. THEN… I saw its tale and I died inside, my heart was pounding. Two minutes later this whale comes shooting out of the ocean like freakin' free willy. No joke. I was screaming, clapping, jumping, talking in whale like Dori… just every emotion you can imagine. Best way to end our trip.

I loved it and couldn't be more thankful to Austin and his family. I am incredibly blessed. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I love you guys.

xo. k.