Somewhere beyond the sea...

Two weeks ago, the Maddens decided to try out our sea legs, and go cruisin' with grandparents, great grandparents, both aunts, a brother-in-law, and our favorite twin cousins. We went on the Oasis of the Seas, and let me just say, this ship is RIDICULOUS.

Our first stop was Nassau, Bahamas, where we went and walked around Atlantis. 

Atlantis from the dock at Nassau

Jane Bradley playing on these cute benches outside of an ice cream shop

Jane Bradley and aunt JayJay

Jane Bradley gets a hair braid

We also went to Megan's Bay in St. Thomas, where we thought the kids would have an awesome day at one of the top beaches in the world. Not so much.

On the way to the beach, Jane Bradley had a minor freak-out because there were no seat belts in the island jeep; she wasn't in a child-safety seat; and there were no windows or full doors. She sat in Janie's lap, and we were in one of those island taxis, but she couldn't get over it. She kept looking out the window for police coming to get us, and Beckham thought it was awesome.

There aren't so many photos because as soon as we got there, Beckham unleashed a newfound phobia of sand. During the 2 year old panic attack, the wind picks up and we all get fully sand-blasted. Back to the boat...

The perfect beach prior to crazy cold sand storm

The first couple of minutes before Beckham's freak out

Not our ship, but one of the awesome views on the ride back to our boat

St. Thomas greeting committee

The days at sea were jam-packed with activities and good food. 

Sisters at dinner 

Jane Bradley and our waiter, Michael

Right outside our room on the boardwalk were a carousel, boats, cars, and trucks to play in. 

The free carousel outside our hallway on the boardwalk - JB had just gotten her face painted.

Pretend boat rides with JayJay

Pretending to drive grandaddy around the deck

Dreamworks characters were also on board, and Jane Bradley gave hugs - Beckham preferred to avoid the unnaturally large penguins and green ogre women.

Madagascar penguins

Fiona during Breakfast with the Characters

Crazy-fun kiddie pool complete with a lazy river

Brad takes on the Flow-rider - he did great! He even stayed on long enough to do a few tricks!

Jane Bradley at the cupcake decorating class at the cupcake shop on board -
 in the process of creating a cupcake monkey

surprise towel animals in our cabin compliments of the room steward

My favorite part of the trip was the visit to St. Maarten. We were walking down the street shopping when we happened upon this fabulous hotel - The Holland House Beach Hotel. It was the stuff of travel magazines. It goes on my list of future 2nd honeymoon locations for sure!

The super-modern lounge deck right off the open-air lobby

The view from the street that lured us in

We ate lunch at the restaurant in the back of this shot

We had a trip that we will never forget!