Sunday, December 24, 2017

A Surprise Snow

On December 9th we got an unexpected early snow.  So I made my family dress up, while it was still snowing, for family photos.  They were so excited......well, they tolerated it.

We don't get much, so we have to capture the beauty of freshly fallen snow whenever we get the chance.




The Handsome Boys







The Great 8


Just Us



The Lovely Ladies














First Snow for the In-Law Cottage 



Friday, December 8, 2017

A Trip of a Lifetime

So every now and then, if you're lucky, you get to experience something that you know is likely once in a lifetime.

This summer was one of those times.

We drove, then flew and flew some more and then sailed to beautiful islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.


Our flights included teeny tiny planes (which I do kind of hope was once in a lifetime).

Aimee's face sums up our flight experience.



But once we landed.....and after a slightly frightening drive in an open air truck


We met up with the amazing April.


Our friend April is one of the most generous, fun and loving people that we know.  She happened to marry the owner of a world class sailing company who happens to owns lots of luxury catamarans and so she invited us along for a week of sailing.

I will admit the first sail was ROUGH (can you say sea sick?).

But we got use to it and


 we settled in quite nicely.


I mean, can you believe the water???


Nick and I were celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary and with 8 kids, any time away is a blessing, but this, this was unbelievably peaceful and relaxing and so much fun!



We were literally the only ones on this beach.


The trip was double the fun because Carl and Aimee joined us!





Just hiking on an island in the middle of the Caribbean.







The boat was amazing.







Freshly caught fish for lunch...as in Nick and April reeled it in.


We were pretty spoiled with fancy breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.



A beautiful church we came across.









Nick got to scuba dive and I learned to paddle board...which I loved!



As if we hadn't had been enough of an adventure, 
Nick and Carl insisted on jumping off of this cliff on the last day.


Nick did the safety check to make sure it was deep enough.


And then this happened.


and this


 We can not thank you enough April for inviting us on this trip of a lifetime!