Sticky Toffee Pudding!

Just as I anticipated, it was a very busy day relaxing at the beach. We did manage a walk to the Westin, where I had "Bumpin' Bananas." Very refreshing!

Adam and Ryan continued their walk down the beach.

At sunset, we got a nice picture of Andrew, Darci, and Haleigh.

Another beautiful (but cloudy) sunset.

Later, we headed to one of our favorite restaurants, Calypso Grill.

Here is the group waiting outside before dinner.

And for dessert, the famous Sticky Toffee Pudding!

Beach Baby

Another perfect day on the beach. Here is Andrew getting the little beach baby ready to enjoy the sun and sand. This is his favorite way to carry her, so I had to get a picture of it. Pretty soon she will be too big for this one armed tote. Funny how babies seem to grow so fast!

All covered up in her seat on the beach. Don't want her to get a sunburn!

A bit later, she tries out her cabana.

David says he's calling it a tent. It works great as a shady spot for Haleigh!

Sleeping in the cabana.

Andrew reads his book with Haleigh on his lap.

Andrew and Darci working hard to enjoy the beach.

Adam and Ryan looking at the scenery.

Time to watch the sunset, and Haleigh is ready with her shades on.

Looks like it's gonna be a good one.

Darci and Andrew.

Haleigh with Aunt Shylah and Uncle David.

Still lookin' good. No clouds below.

Haleigh watches.

Andrew doing his secret agent impersonation. Actually he's narrating into his flip video camera.

When the sun goes down.....

it's a perfect ending to another great day.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

We left Monday morning for Grand Cayman, with 6 adults, 2 college boys (I like to call them the "little boys" but they're not so little), and baby Haleigh.

Here are David and Shylah at the departure gate at IIA.

Jim getting in some last minute work... or is is last minute winks?

Adam and Ryan.

Adam listening to some music on the iPhone.

Darci, Andrew, and Haleigh are ready for her first airplane ride.

Haleigh was perfect on the plane. We will expect the same every trip now.

Sweet sleeping baby.

We arrived in Grand Cayman around 1:30 local time. We decided it's great to fly on a Monday, as we got through immigration, baggage claim, and customs in record time. Even with a check from the dept. of agriculture to ok our meat. No problem!

Shylah and Haleigh watch as the guys attempt to load the luggage in the van. The goal was to get 8 people + 1 car seat + 1 stroller +13 bags in the 9 passenger van in one trip from airport to villa.

They are up for the challenge.

All the bags...

in the van!

All the people too!

Once we checked in and unloaded at the condo, we had to make a stop here. :)

A traditional Wendy Cayman meal.

Next stop, the grocery.

Just a few of the items we'll need for the week.

Haleigh enjoyed her first day on the beach, looking cute.

First Cayman sunset of the week.

Adam and Ryan trolling the beach.

Haleigh and Andrew having a little talk.

Adam and Andrew doing a little sparring.

Haleigh gets a kiss from her favorite uncle. Don't tell the others.

The end of our first day in Cayman. All are ready for a good night's sleep.

Packing

We leave bright and early tomorrow morning for Grand Cayman, and the packing is almost done. Well, MY packing is almost done, Jim and Adam are just getting started. I have done this packing thing a time or two, and it goes pretty smoothly. I have a master list on the computer, so I just adjust it according to how many travelers we have, and it's as simple as that!

We take fins, masks and snorkels....

some necessary food and laundry items...

and of course, the meat. We have never had trouble taking it through customs, which is fortunate. I'm afraid some of our boys might end up in jail if anyone tries to take our meat! Nothing like enjoying a good juicy burger after a Caribbean sunset.

We'll also be needing lots of sunscreen.

A couple of our bags are ready to be weighed.

Gumbo won't be making the trip with us, so he gets his own vacation at

Dogs All Day. They offer dog and cat boarding, day care, and grooming, and I know he'll have lots of fun there. They even have play groups for the doggies.

Here he is getting settled in his own private suite.

Bye, bye, Gumbo! See you next week!

I'm not sure how much blogging I'll get done while we're gone. I will be very busy, you know, sitting on the beach, reading a book, and sipping a cold beverage. We'll be on island time, which is even better than daylight savings time! :)