Paradise

Wow - if I'm not careful, this could be the longest post in the history of posts. Let me just give you a short re-cap ....

#1 a sweet Jamaican told me he could put Photoshop on my computer (for free mon' - no problem) - somehow that messed with my I.P. address -- which made it impossible to get back online ... therefore, no updates daily as previously planned.

#2 we had a fabulous time. the kids had a ball - they are tan and happy with the memories of riding bikes, the swim up bar, and seeing the enormous crabs (as big as basketballs) crossing the streets at night!!

#3 I didn't lift a single finger to clean up ANYTHING this week. Except for being sure that my children's things were out of the main living area - honestly, I didn't do a thing. (a cruel hit back to reality on Sunday however)

#4 It is HOT in Jamaica in July.

#5 Clearly, mosquitos in Jamaica like O Negative blood. - cause Adriane and I were eaten UP - and no one else was. Seriously, the 2 places that I didn't have OFF on my body (this includes spraying myself down before I got in bed - I know, romantic, huh?) - I got bit. Face? Yep. Bottom of feet? Yep -- they had no mercy. My legs look like a pin cushion.

It's always so great to go on vacation and we are so thankful to my parents for taking us on such fun ones. We could have NEVER done this without them, and we feel so blessed for having 7 days to relax and enjoy life.

So, without further ado ... here are some pics

oh - how i love black and white ... and the off centered look of this picture of my sweet ones.

The inside (not airconditioned in the main area - doors open all the time) You are looking upstairs to our room. There were 6 bedrooms ... so roomy. And the rooms were like ICE - which was a welcome feeling after the Jamaican sun all day!

Villa 57 ... this was our home for 7 days

My 2 boys .....

Funny thing ... he is always ready for a picture.

Ry Ry (Adriane's hubby) who is a kid at heart. The kids would LOVE it when Ry Ry got in the pool because they KNEW that fun was going to abound.

Doe Doe and his grandsons.

T's decorated bed for his birthday.

Dad ... with his oldest grandson.

i love it that on vacation ... when the kids see the ice cream at check out ... and they ask me for it - i feel FINE saying "sure!" - we even make special trips to the store to get them. i think that is the things i remember most about vacations as a child - getting to do the things you normally can't do.

One of the many of these 2 .... I pray that they will be friends growing up.

This guy finished an 800 page book while were there there ... this was how we found him most of the time.

Or, sometimes we would see him like this ... Red Stripe - the official beer of Jamaica mon ..... is this is the picture of relaxation?

the infamous "Swim Up Bar" - i have no doubt that my children will be telling thier Christian School teachers about the time we spent there.

these sweet people threw a party for my boy who turned 8!! the day we left. Complete with Christmas lights, banners, and a decorated bed .... and to finish it off - Beverly made him a delicious cake! he told us he will remember this for the rest of his life. (Left to Right - Sheryl housekeeper, Beverly cook, Anthony Butler)

Oh dear Sheryl. Thank you for cleaning my sheets everyday. Thank you for tucking them in nice a tight. Thank you for the clean clothes for me and my family that I just unpacked and put in my drawers when I got home. Thank you! Do you want to come live with me?! (i think you took my Japanese Cherry Blossom perfume - and although, I wish you would have asked - I hope that the mosquitos are enjoying the smell on YOU as much as they did on ME.)

Providence bound .... look out.

a view of the pool from the upstairs balcony.

They are as much fun as they look.

NONE of these boys had brothers ...so, they are all brothers.

T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

just a casual lunch by the pool

surf and turf the last night .... these babies were crawling around earlier ... (see below)

Look at these ladies in red.

5 out of the 6 cousins....

this one just to prove that i was there....

and another for proof

are y'all bored yet?

Happy 8th Birthday!!! Jamaican style!!!

the staff was amazing ...look at this party!

the 14 of us! (wow - used to be only 5)

dinner, complete with a centerpiece cut from trees outside our villa for the centerpiece.

a typical dinner out by the pool. kids fed, bathed, and in bed .... it's adult time for din din.

this little one was a sweetie pie - first time to Jamaica and he loved it. The night after we got home, he asked his mom if they could go to the "Swim Up Bar" after dinner ....

and this one was equally as wonderful. the plane rides - she slept. she ate well, spit up well, smiled like a princess ... and even got in the pool with us! what a trooper!

a.c. and maddles covering up Doe Doe's toes in the sand.

A.C. wasn't sure about the lobster .... she did NOT want to touch it. (Ms. Beverly here with the lobster before she chopped his head off)

Cooking up that bad boy lobster with Anthony.

movie stars ....

"Beat you to the bench!" --- childhood.

my ALMOST kindergarten baby girl.

Lots more updates in our lives ..... stay tuned.