Sand and Sea

Matthew has had a great time playing in the sand. Beautiful white sand, clear blue water = perfect days at the beach.

Matthew and his dad built a whale in the sand. It lasted a couple of days, and drew lots of admiring comments from folks walking by. Not exactly a giant sand turtle, but just right for a little boy and his daddy.

Haleigh and Darci didn't really help with the building, but they all posed for a family picture beside the whale. Haleigh isn't so great at building, but she is pretty good at demolition. Kind of like Baby Godzilla on the beach. :)

Matthew likes to find coral for skipping.

That looks like a pretty big one, but Andrew can probably manage to skip it.

Haleigh watched from her float.

She is definitely a water baby. She'll walk along the water's edge for a minute, then she heads straight for the water.

Nothing better than a giant sandbox.

When we were ready to go to dinner, I managed to get a few pictures of the kids all dressed up.

Lucky this Granny has such adorable and willing grandchildren!

These are a few of my favorites.

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday at the Beach

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Grand Cayman Style

I'm linking up again this week for a little Wednesday Hodgepodge, even on vacation!



1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem.

What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

Spring Break, of course. Especially at our favorite beach building our traditional giant sand turtle.

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who would choose our friend Ree. I feel like I can call her our friend, can't I? Actually, I would rather go to her kitchen to eat dinner and play cowboy for a few days. When I was teaching first grade, I always told the first graders that I want to be a cowboy when I grow up. Still do.

3. When did you last fly a kite?

We like to try a little kite flying at the beach, with varying degrees of success. This was a couple years ago. This picture always reminds me of one of those AT&T ads, you know, more bars in more places.

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?

Most things math related end up sounding like Charlie Brown's teacher to me.

5. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

Pink carnations always take me back to my college days as a Phi Mu at Hanover College. They are the official Phi Mu flower, and I also had them in my wedding.

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school days?

I remember getting to stay up late to watch the first lunar landing when I was nine. My parents took a picture of my brother and me with the newspaper in front of the TV.

7. Do you swear? Do you pseudo-swear? (You know crap, shoot, friggin'?)

I don't swear, but I guess I do pseudo-swear if "crap" counts for that.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

All dogs go to... church?
On Sunday, my mom was doing the children's sermon and asked if Gumbo could make an appearance. The main sermon title had to do with teaching old dogs new tricks, and she thought he would be a good prop for the lesson.

Gumbo is pretty much the best dog ever. He doesn't bark, he doesn't shed, and he doesn't have an even slightly aggressive bone in his body. And he loves kids.


However, he doesn't really do any tricks. About the only thing he can do is sit, so that's what we had to go with.  Matthew was her assistant, and Gumbo cooperated and did sit when asked. Of course, Matthew had treats, which always helps.

Pastor Jimmy said the biggest miracle was that Jere' (Mom, Nana) actually held the dog. She's not really a dog person. :)
Gumbo got to go upstairs for Children's Church and continue his visit with the little ones. It's always nice to offer a new twist on sharing Jesus with the kids.

And we are, each of us, blessed with the opportunity to continue learning, all the days of our lives.

Some Went East, One Went West...

This has been a couple weeks of travel for our family.

Adam went to Florida with his buddies for spring break. He didn't share any pictures with me yet.

Jennifer and Bryan went to North Carolina to visit David and Shylah, so David and Jennifer could run a half marathon together.

Jennifer and Bryan went to the coast one day while they were there.

Jonathan went to Chicago to watch the Boilers play. This was the view from his hotel.

Here is the greatest ever, outside the United Center.

And here is the view from their seats. Unfortunately the MJ aura was not with the Boilers, and home they went. There's always next year.

Gumbo went to Dogs All Day to hang out with his friends there. They take such good care of him.

The rest of us headed to our favorite little slice of paradise, Grand Cayman.

Here is Haleigh in the airport ready to go.

I think she's showing off her new shoes.

Matthew is ready for the beach too.

Ahhh, the view from our condo.

Haleigh loves the beach,

and the sand.

Matthew decided to dig a hole.

He tried out his beach football.

The wind made it hard to keep your hat on.

The cutest little sandy bottom.

Matthew and Andrew tried a little football together.

The play call.

Get set.

The handoff.

Haleigh watches.

Haleigh loves the water with her mommy, Darci.

After a big afternoon on the beach, we were ready to watch our first sunset of the week.

Nana and Boomie ready for the sunset.

Grandpa and Matthew.

Haleigh and her daddy.

Big orange ball...

sinkin' in the water.

A beautiful end to a beautiful day.