This was the day we came home but it was the only group shot with the shirts on.
Here is Daelyn and Elias at the Jamaican Airport while we were waiting for our luggage, just to show you the back of the shirts. They say "Team Fefchak" The front is a palm tree on an island and says, "Jamaica '07"
We all got to the city on Saturday and enjoyed an all together meal at BP's. The aunties and cousins from Iowa were up and it was great to all be together with the aniticipation of what was to come. The check in at the airport was a little... ok very unorgainized. Scott went very early to make sure we could all get seats together on the plane. He phoned shortly before we were to head there to say that he got them but the line was long and not to rush over. The line was so long and so slow that even being 2.5 hours early we didn't have any time between check in and when we had to go through security. Once we got through, we had a few minutes to get to our gate, and before sitting down they were calling for the pre boarding of travellers with small children! YIKES! (No time to play cards or video games that morning!) Daelyn did super well and had no problems getting on the plane and sat nice and quiet to start with. Well the check in process was so long that while we were boarding there were still people checking in and going through security. We sat in the plane for over an hour waiting for everyone to get on. Once we got going everyone was happy. We flew with Air Transat but for some reason they had contracted Sky Service to do their checking in. They gave us the number to call and complain and the crew was very apologetic the whole way. Daelyn had fun playing with the new mp3 player she got and the Leap Pad she inherited from cousin Elias. She also got a bit of a movie in before the battery of the DVD player died. Hayley sat with cousin Ian and played their DS's most of the way.
Upon arrival to the airport and a bit of a wait there to get our luggage it was a short trip to the resort to see what paradise looked like. Unfortunatley it was after 6 and dark by then but we loved it! We unpacked and then went for a bite to eat at the buffet. The first few days consisted of breakfast at the buffet and then hitting the beach. We had lunch (hot dogs, burgers, grilled cheese, or jerk chicken or pork) at the Bare Foot Bar and Grill or the Jerk Hut. If you weren't into that there was always the lunch buffet but the kids liked the easy foods. Then it was back to the beach. This particular resort has a small island right infront of it that is a great place for sunning, swimming, and playing. The water between it and the main beach is only waist deep at the deepest point so it was great for the kids. There were only two small palms on it and it was kind of a challenge finding the shade but we made due. I was only really unbearably hot once and then we moved the particular lounge chair that was taking up the shade without resident all morning. *insert mad face here* ;)
Hayley taking a break from snorkling!
Aunti Laura brought these neat little water toys that Daelyn just loved. Her favourites where the Turtle and Starfish. Thanks Aunti!!
Usually around 4, 4:30 we would pack up and head in to the rooms. By that time we'd had enough and everyone was tired. We'd head in and shower and clean up for supper. Daelyn would take this oppurtunity to crash out cold for as long as we'd let her, which usually only ended up being an hour and a bit. Hayley would watch some tv and Scott and I would enjoy the quite time to have a coffee and read a few chapters out on the patio.
The food at our resort was amazing! It was the best we've had at any of the three others we've been at. Very Americanized and common to our diets. We spent three nights at the supper buffett and four at the A la Carte's (off the menue). The a la carte's have often been worse that the buffet's but not here, they were the best food in the place and even had kids menus with stuff they would like. You can drink the water in Jamaica as well so it was perfect all around in that way! A couple people felt a little yucky near the end of the trip but nobody had diarhea which can be common in these situations.
The evening entertainment usually started early before supper was out, which did get a little loud as the stage was right next to the buffet. It was usually good for something to do in the evenings but with the kids this trip we were often back in the rooms by 9-9:30.
The girls all dressed up after one of the fancier A la Carte meals.
Sunday came and it was time to go home. I could've stayed a few more days but was ready to go all the same. Hayley was ready to go, Daelyn.... not so much. She could've played on the beach for days! We had breakfast, did some last minute things and then met the bus at 10:30 am. We got throught the airport proceedures without hassel and had time for lunch. Boarding was quick this time (they felt bad about last week) and the flight was good. The plane was less than half full, so we were able to move around and spread out a little which was nice. Daelyn slept for about an hour this way and played pretty good otherwise. The landing was hard on her ears and she cried a bit but was okay once we got down.
Reading with Aunti Laura before boarding.
Hayley and Cousin Ian, inseperable this week!
Grandpa wanted us all to go see the lights at Portage so we did that on the way home. They were nice and the kids loved them! We got home around 10:30 so it was a long day. We had a blast the whole time and everyone loved Jamaica. That being said, the next vacation will be without kids. LOLOLOLOL
Consider this part one of the trip, I will post again later with the events of Christmas Day and the tours.
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