Nicholas was invited to be the Ring Bearer for our good friends, Melinda & Kent. But this was no ordinary wedding - this was a wedding on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on a 4 night caribbean cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL! Nicholas got his sea legs and performed his ring bearer duties wonderfully! We weren't really sure of how an almost two-year-old would do on a cruise ship, but he was quite the little trooper and an excellent traveler! Due to the travel schedule and fun wedding festivities, there were a few days where he didn't get a nap at all - and he would take a 20 minute power nap on Mommy or Daddy's shoulder and then power on through. During the rehearsal dinner he skipped a course, took a nap on Dad, but perked right up when the entrees arrived. (Clearly he gets his napping skills from Daddy, but his eating skills from Mommy.) We had a few rough bedtimes due to his overtired state, but at that point we were back in the room - so who cares? Mommy and Daddy are no strangers to a little crying. Overall, we all had a ball and were so happy to be able to share in Melinda and Kent's big day. They certainly know how to throw a 4-day party!
**Note to the eager family members out there (you know who you are!): The professional wedding photos are still to come, so stayed tuned for an update with extra pictures of our extra cute little guy in his wedding tuxedo. Mommy and Daddy were so busy making sure he would walk down the aisle, we didn't get to take to many ourselves.**
Pre-wedding Pre-cruise:
Melinda and Kent really thought of EVERYTHING for this event - an adorable Ring Security t-shirt arrived in the mail a few months before the big day.
We picked up a snazzy pint sized tuxedo for Nicholas to wear on the big day:
All-aboard Liberty of the Seas:
Nicholas boarded the ship and headed straight to the Ledo Deck for the sail-away party! Ring Security is on deck! Go ahead, just try to steal those rings - I'll give you a time-out like you've never seen . . .
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| Surveying the joint - playing it cool |
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| Ring Security - who wants to know? |
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| Ladies - I have arrived! |
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| Peace out! |
Rehearsal Dinner:
For the rehearsal dinner, Nicholas donned his Captain's attire - courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Busso! He was looking quite dapper and the crew totally thought he was in charge! Aye Aye Cap'n!
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| Steppin' out in style! |
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| Where's my room? Why does the hallway keep moving? |
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| Already making his move on the flower girl, Madeline! |
The Wedding Day:
Nicholas scanned the audience, looking nervously for Mommy, pillow clutched tightly to his chest - but as soon as he saw her, he marched down with his signature little smile and pillow held out in front of him! Such a little performer. He even went back to look for those adorable flower girls, who got a little distracted with all the pretty petals they were dispersing.
Melinda was a beautiful bride and her Daddy was one proud Pappa!
Melinda and Kent's vows were beautiful, but very unique - I can't even explain it, let's just say these two never do anything by the book - they are over-achievers in every way!
Nicholas managed to hold still for at least one family shot:
Let the cocktail hour begin! We're ready - someone get us a drink!
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| Nicholas & Madeline - fast friends! |
"Mom, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"
"Please??? C'mon, Mom, let's go!"
Nicholas loved the live music - Melinda and Kent had a unique cocktail "hour" - it was at least 3 hours long, with a live band, and full of heavy delicious appetizers! We all got our dancing shoes out - especially Nicholas.
Nicholas made sure to make time for some photo ops! Doesn't he look like a tiny James Bond? By the end of cocktail party with no nap, he was staggering around with his shirttails out and shoes off, kind of reminiscent of the morning after prom!
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| Mommy, Melinda, Nicholas & Daddy |
And so begins the after-party! Things got wild and crazy!
Excursion Day to Isla Passion:
It was a beautiful day at the beach! Nicholas loved digging in the sand and even relaxed a bit in the lounge chairs.
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| Our ship was the one on the right - so big even from afar! |
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| Beach bum alert! |
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| "This is the life! I re-lax" |
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| Into the deep blue sea . . . |
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| our little waterbug! |
After a long day in the sun, and a quick nap on the ferry, it's time to get back on board for dinner:
Out and about on the Liberty of the Seas:
Nicholas poses for a pre-dinner photo with Daddy - and his loveys!
"I'm here - where are my girlfriends? Didn't we say 5:30pm? Hmmm running late, just like Mommy, must be a girl-thing"
"Here comes one - flower girl Juliana!"
"And here's the other one - flower girl Madeline!"
"Ok we're all here - now take our picture . . . on three. One . . . Two . . . Three! Go!"
Nicholas got pretty snuggly with Mommy, after a late night of samba dancing!
Melinda and Kent treated us to breakfast with the Dreamworks movie, Madagascar. Nicholas was a little shy (read: petrified) of the giant lion - although he liked him from afar and shouted out "lion" as soon as he saw him!
Nicholas loved the toddler pool - he even shared his beach toys with some of the other kids.
Melinda and Kent arranged to celebrate Nicholas' 2nd birthday a few days early with his very own cake! Luckily, he shared with everyone very nicely. He got a kick out of everyone singing to him in the big formal dining room, and he blew out the candle with gusto! Everyone applauded and overall he was quite pleased with himself.
Back to the room and time for bed!
"Hey, this shower is Nicholas sized!"
Thanks for a great excuse to take an amazing trip, Melinda & Kent! We had a great time and are already dreaming of the next cruise with our little matey!
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