Diamond Dash

Sites, a local jewelry store, had been advertising for weeks about a Diamond Dash. This was to be a scavenger hunt, where they had hidden a diamond ring in downtown Clarksville and couples could participate in the scavenger hunt to find it. This wasn't going to be any regular type of scavenger hunt, but rather a high tech hunt, using cell phones.

I signed Thomas and myself up to participate after much thought. I started doubting this decision though, when the email came that participants might want to bring a bike, for easier movement around downtown! So, we got our bikes ready and headed downtown for the fun of a scavenger hunt!

After registering and listening to the opening remarks, it was time to race! Clues were sent to your cell phone that told you where to go, once you got to the right location you had to send answers to the clue, then the next clue would come. Since there were about 250 couples, different clues were sent out to different couples and points were awarded based on difficulty of question, how many times it took to answer the question, whether you asked for a hint or not and other factors. Then at the end of the race everybody meet up at the Blackhorse Pub and Brewery where the winners were announced.
Our clues took us all over downtown, we went to APSU, where we had to write out a cheer, we went to Public Square, Strawberry Alley, and First Baptist Church! But this was A LOT of fun...we greatly enjoyed ourselves and had the greatest time!

I am super glad I didn't take any spills on the bike, I was a little worried about it, especially going down some of the big hills! I did almost run into a car once and wondered why I couldn't stop...come to find out my brakes weren't working on my bike!!! It really is surprising then that I didn't have an accident! Thomas and I had a great time and will definitely sign up for it again!

Day 2 - Disney Cruise Embarkment Day

Day 2, October 25, 2009
Today we get to board the Disney Wonder! After a leisurely morning, we board a bus and drive to Port Canaveral where the boat is waiting for us! Once we arrive at the port, we take care of a few basic duties like enrolling the kids in their specialty programs and receiving our beeper and wristbands. But very quickly its time for us to walk through the portal!

"The Disney Wonder welcomes home the Bowers/Lucas family!" Every family the boards the ship is announced and welcomed by part of the crew!

When we boarded the ship, our stateroom wasn't ready right away, so we visited the welcome buffet and ate a yummy lunch and then walked around and saw some of the ships sites. The Disney ships have a couple special features including two smoke stacks, which one is actually not real, it is a lounge and teen area. Its very hard to stop the kids for a picture in front of one of these smoke stacks! From the 10th deck we got a very nice view of the Mickey pool. On our previous cruises the pools were always salt water, these pools were fresh water, which was a nice change.

After visiting the top decks, we went to the Kids club to check it out for the boys. Of course, Tapanga enjoyed playing in this kid area as well. Unfortunately, she was not old enough to be a part of the kids club, but we could always bring her in to participate in the activities. The kids club area was designed to look like a ship for the kids to play in, including huge steering wheel, cargo nets and slide!

The kids club also had a computer room, where the kids could read quietly, play on the computers, color and create.

The windows had a nice lounging ledge!

When we arrived at our room, is was a nice surprise to find our luggage waiting for us. So, it was time for the boys to get to work and bring the luggage in. The hallways were tiny, the aisle way into the room was skinny and the suitcases were heavy, but the kids were determined to do their share!

Before setting sail, the mandatory safety drill must occur! On the Disney Wonder, all the guests put on their life vests and go to deck 4 for the safety drill. What fun was it getting the kids into their life vests! After Tapanga got into hers, she fell off the bed, luckily her safety vest cushioned her fall! Then she laid down on the bed in a position that looked very uncomfortable, in a position that reflected "I've fallen and can't get up!"

After the mandatory safety drill, it was time to hit the deck for the setting sail party! Unfortunately, Tapanga was ready for a nap! Couldn't believe she slept through all of that!

When we booked our cruise we had to decide which dinner seating we wanted, thinking that we would be really busy and going, going, going, we decided on the later dinner time. Having chosen the later dinner time, means we attend the early show time. The first show titled "The Golden Mickeys" showcased some of the great moments of Disney shows, but as you walked to the show you were treated with the red carpet treatment...cameras flashing, people wanting your autograph, and the kids were pulled aside for interviews. Tyler wanted to be interviewed and was asked a few questions. What I didn't know was that this was showed on the screens inside the theater. When we walked into the theater and took our seats one of the people around us, was like "we just saw you on t.v." towards Tyler, they told he did a very good job.One of the great benefits of a Disney cruise is characters galore! Tapanga had been to Disney once, but she was only 2 months old, so of course she doesn't remember it! Here she got to see the characters almost anytime she wanted!

Another custom thing with Disney cruises is their dining rotation. During your cruise you visit 3 different restaurants, each with different themes. Your wait staff travels with you, so they get to know you and your preferences. Our first night on board, we ate at the Parrot Cay. By the name, you may pick up the theme was more of an Island theme.

After a very busy day, we are ready to return to our room for the evening. Our steward had already been to the room, turned down our beds and created our towel animal ...tonight is a "cool" rabbit. Don't forget the evening chocolate!

Day 1-Seaworld

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Last night we flew in at about 8:30pm. We stayed at the Hilton in the airport got into our room at about 9:30. Staying at this hotel was pretty neat, it was a really nice hotel and a great location.
Tapanga found the Snow White statue and had to sit with her princess!

In the original plan Seaworld wasn't really a part of it, it was about 2 months, maybe less, before our trip when I thought it would be a nice addition! Changing flights and reservations wasn't very difficult or expensive so we went for it! When we arrived at Seaworld, Shamu was there waiting to greet the children. Luckily, Tapanga loved him and every other character we came across, especially since this was her first time to really see characters!

Bowers family is happy to be on vacation, in sunny, hot Florida!

One of the highlights of our day was feeding the dolphins. All of the kids were excited about getting to feed and pet the dolphins. At one point, one of the dolphins slide onto the ledge right in front of Tapanga and another one was right there also...it was pretty neat for them to be soooo close!

Last year when we went to Seaworld, one of the highlights was petting the stingrays. The boys even a year later remembered doing this and when we walked by the stingray building first, they were so upset! So we had to make a trip over to the stingrays, where the kids got splashed on by those wild stingrays, who flap water everywhere!

The boys, especially Tanner, have been very interested in reading directions. So, when we got to Seaworld they both had to have a map and would often stop to "read" the map and tell us which way to head.

Tapanga enjoyed visiting with the Seasame Street characters, even though she doesn't really watch them on t.v. She does have an Abby Cadabby book that she likes to read.

Part of the reason we decided to visit Seaworld was because of the Halloween Spooktacular event occurring. So early afternoon, we began trick or treating around the park. Along the way we came across some interesting characters including a "school" of fish and a lovely mermaid!

There is a very large net play area for older children and while the boys and daddy went climbing Tapanga played in the sand...that is until some other child, who wasn't being watched closely by their parent, walloped Tapanga with a shovel full of sand in her face!

After getting cleaned up and riding a few rides, we came across a very tall creature...which Tapanga was in awe of!

Day 1 was a very long day, but overall good. Thomas and KG got to ride the new Manta roller coaster, in which they basically flew through the air on their stomachs as the roller coaster twisted, turned, and flipped! They both said it was one of the best roller coasters ever! Tomorrow, we get to get on our Disney Cruise, which we are all excited about!