Saturday, September 20, 2014

Spring Lake Hike

 So this was sort of our last big hurrah before school started.  This was last month in August, and sadly Daryle was in Chicago with his family for Aunt Ethel's funeral.  Uncle Clinton wasn't doing well, but we were grateful that Daryle could spend some time with his sister and a lot of family he hadn't seen for a while.
 So the kids and I took a Sunday afternoon and explored Spring Lake.  I was a little under the weather, thanks to a mild (yet horrible) case of food poisoning, thanks to BJ's at the mall. The pizzookies were great, but the main course, not so much.... Thankfully we found some camp bathrooms on the trails....






 Loved the wild blackberries!  Flashback to my childhood days in Missouri!









 Had to have a snack of ice cream at the swimming lagoon after our long hike





Cayman Brac Vacation July 2014!


 Strolling through the airport - these kids are savvy travelers!
 Everyone was obsessed with the World Cup - it was everywhere!

 Our view from the air

 Our cute little puddle jumper from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac
 I don't know why these pics are so cloudy (I blame sunscreen) but this is Rea doing the pool portion of her training for Junior Open Water SCUBA diving!

 My little beach bums
 Was so blessed to have my brother Justin with us all week!  After a rough start getting there, his trip got better I think!  Missed his flight, got rerouted, they lost his luggage, he jumped in the pool with his cell phone (eek) and then he stepped on coral and messed up his foot!  Yes it definitely got better :)

 We spent a lot of time in these hammocks....


 We love snorkeling!!!

 These two were so happy to finally be diving together.....  Her instructor said she's a natural!
 The group that Daryle (and Rea) dove with everyday!

 The Smith divers!!  Go, Rea!!!

 More hammock swing time

 My favorite spot to chill on the beach

We went on bike rides a lot, tried to go when it was cooler out, but there weren't too many opportunities for that....







 One of the evening festivities included crab races.  And guess who won?!?! His prize - a cute little turtle

 The baldies!
 Outdoor movie night


 I loved this picture of the bicycles all lined up in a row
 Exploring some caves.  We were so grateful to meet the Brandes family who graciously took us all over the island!!!  What a great tour!



 We drove out to the far east end of the island!
 Blow holes!!!  A nice and refreshing treat on a VERY hot day



 Who's the king of the world?!
 Loved this view...





 Above: Skull cave   Below:  Skull cave with "nose boogies"   LOL


 Outdoor barbecue night
 Pool time with daddy!
 Tyler and his boys took us out snorkeling to some great sites!  Thank you Warren, Ben and Carson for the fun tour!











I taught the kids the Nestea plunge!  They had no idea what it was, too young!  haha

 Tyler and Miss Norma, our dear friend that we met from Pensacola, Florida.  What a cool lady to be 76 and go out and about on a vacation by herself!

 Rea and Ben


 This was supposed to be a future underwater dive site - a bunch of creepy statues of local people from a gazillion years ago, but they never made it into the water.
 Loved the local houses - beautiful architecture
 I think these were poncietta trees - so pretty!

 Lisa and me
 Story telling at the dinner table, my favorite part of the day!
 A fun crew!

Steve and Lisa, our friends from here in Santa Rosa who met up with us with their girls to dive


Tyler and Ashley Brandes!
 The Brandes kids and the Smith kids!

 The dive shop

 Walking on the docks at night
 A few last pictures of our special place before we leave










 Heading home, what a perfect shot of our island!


Send me back!!!!  Can't wait till our next beach adventure - it can't come soon enough..... :)