Off to the Farm

We're back - and right back at it! We took our kids to the Kids Food Basket Farm to let them help out in weeding. All to create nutritious food for local kiddos. Great way to spend a night!

Costa Maya

Wonderful excursion to the Mayan temple in Costa Maya - Chochoban. What a great experience!

Cozumel

In an effort to be courageous and brave - we rented a car and toured the island ourselves! After...having found the rental place was not in its stated spot...and speaking in Spanish to find the new location...and taking a taxi....and not getting what we rented...but only paying $4.50 for the car. What an adventure it was!! We snorkeled, toured the island, did a little browsing of a local grocery store and called it a day. Gorgeous night view as we departed.

Jamaica

Our first stop is Jamaica. We are in Ocho Rios which is where Dunn's Riverfalls is. It's a partially man sculpted waterfall that is a tourist attraction. Lovely, cool water, but tons of people! We tripped across a couple from Chile and Argentina that help to skip a few lines and really enjoy the experience that much more. Grateful to meet people from near and far who still show kindness to strangers.

A quick stop at back in Port to connect on the Wi-Fi, send a message to our children, and have a red stripe beer. All in all, a good, but very hard, day!

Caymans

Hubs, off enjoying a scuba diving adventure, left me to wander the island for a bit. Having been there before, I was more prone to just enjoying the scenery. I really should have found a way to get on a local bus and take it for a ride around the island, but practicality prevailed and I decided to stay local.

In the end, a little stop at Margaritaville, a view of some amazing tarpons and blue sea as far as the eye could see. Gorgeous day!!

Birthday Boy

Day one… Miami… Where the club level concierge decided to really kick it up a notch and heard it was his birthday. Champagne, truffles and total relaxation. After that, we headed to the ship and got the lay of the land. Looking forward to a good week together

Off We Go!

It is time for our yearly trip… The one where we farm our children off to camp and we leave the country! This time, a cruise to the Caribbean. Miami, here we come. We are going to start by taking that extra upgrade to a really great room and kick off birthday week for hubs in a perfect way

Mì Familia

The depths of to which I love these people. And our yearly reunion.

So much though, that during a massive power outage every last one of us figure out a way to still make sure it happened. To my children, this is what love of family looks like. And it fills my heart to no end.

Dive Camp

Dive Camp in full effect. In just five short days! Two short, private YouTube videos. One of each kid.

https://youtu.be/AlZcCKk_8Uw 

https://youtu.be/_kwmGgJUt5M 

My hope is that you can click on the link and watch the short video.

Honey Bees and Clover

I saw this honeybee the other day. It was circling around a patch of clover. I hate clover. I work diligently all summer long to pull it all out, use the right fertilizer that still attempting to be eco-friendly, while maintaining a lawn that at least does not bug my neighbors and keeps me mildly occupied.

I really thought the clover was a nuisance and it really was not needed.

But in that little tiny clover flower, the honeybee found what I was looking for. It was the right shape and size. The clover offered it's a little tiny flower petals to the bee willingly. They had a lovely relationship. And the honeybee went on its merry little way.

What is lovely to some is frustrating to others. But far be it for me to tell the honeybee that her pal, the clover, was not up to snuff. 

Nature reminded me of that today. And maybe I'll leave a little patch of clover in the back corner of the lawn.

Just Time

Just fine to sit and look at the water

Just time to play with friends. 

Just time to explore creation and find new things. 

Just time to try one more science experiment. 

Just time to eat one more s'more and go to bed late. 

You can't buy that kind of time. You have to want it, create it, and savor it. 

So we did. 

Blue and green flames!

The Island

Time for Camping

So we are going camping. Or rather Glamping. Because our friends are joining us with their Cadillac of all Cadillac of trailers and we are in a cabin! With beds! And electricity!

We are TOTALLY cheating. But it is so. Much. Fun!!

Here's to a great weekend, with terrific weather on forecast, in Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. 

Snuggle Times

Some times they sneak down stairs ...

Ok...almost every night they sneak downstairs ...

And get in one more snuggle. 

Return of the Jungle

Uncle Jungle Matt came back to visit - it's been two years! Whoa, those kiddos grow a lot in that time frame!

He was here - and they still climb all over him like a jungle gym. And adore every moment of his attention. We all do!

Catching Fireflies

Too precious to not capture…

Parade Time

The bike parade continues to be a hit for our kids. And the weather forecast was trying to rain on their parade all week. Alas, Mother Nature decided to shape up and create a beautiful sunny morning. That immediately went to sweltering in a blink of an eye!

Here’s my little twin and her buddy just after the ride and before the parade. 

Happy 4th!!

Turtle Saver, Kid Thrower

He really is a one-of-a-kind guy! Just all in a days work.