So You Think You Can Dance

I'm finally watching last week's episode. OMG!!! The opening dance was so good I had to watch it twice. I just love those dances that tell stories! If you aren't watching it, you need to check it out. It's the best dancing show----hands down!

Sister's weekend recap coming....it was a good one!

Our Sister's Weekend Begins!

I hear we may have a couple of "cousin crashers!" That would be okay by us! I hope they do!!

Anyway, I'm waiting for Jeanne and Janet to get here. Unfortunately, it looks like there's nothing but rain in the forecast. It's hard to be sad about that when we need it so badly. But I think we'll be able to get in the pool between showers. It's certainly hot enough---and humid! At least they'll feel right at home.

St. Louis beat us by one day of triple digits---they had 10 we had 9. But we still hold the record at 109. Crazy. We're down in the 80's now---more normal temperatures.

We'll have a lot of fun despite the rain. If we have to play games, drink, watch movies, drink, eat, drink, play poker, drink, then we'll just do it!

Here we are:

Circa: 1963.  Joyce is the baby and is not in the picture below. 

Unfortunately, Sharon won't be with us after all. Her mother has unexpectedly gone in to the hospital. We'll miss her.

More to come of our fun weekend.

Home Again and Cute Pictures

You know how it is on the day you are coming home from vacation. You just want to get home. Everyone is tired and airports, lugging your bags, security, customs and immigration is no fun. It all just takes long. Us Nashville folks had a long layover in Charlotte. That gave us time to get something to eat. Unfortunately for the Lapps' family, they had to rush to make their connecting flight to Detroit. They had a 2 hour drive from there.

When we finally got home at 9:45, there was a tree down in our driveway plus other large limbs around the yard. Butch couldn't find the house key right off and was a little aggravated. Mindy found it and saved the day---or I should say a window!

We unloaded and everyone went about their way. Butch and I were upset that his fish all looked like they were just about dead---some even floating on their sides. All he could figure was that the automatic feeder he bought didn't work properly and they were starving. He put some food in, but they seemed too weak to eat. He just figured they would die---and he has a beautiful bunch of fish. We were both bummed about it.

This morning, when I got up at 6:15, I checked on them right away and they had ALL perked up. Now it looks like they are going to make it. They seem perfectly fine. Crazy. Maybe they were too hot---I don't know. We have had those record breaking temperatures here. And we raised our thermostat while we were out of town.

By the time we left for church at 8:10, I had all the laundry done and we both were completely unpacked. I had gone through the mail too. When we got home from church, that gave me plenty of time to wade through emails, play Words with Friends, watch The Bachelorette (sorry Janet, you're "out" since Chris was eliminated) and read my book for book club---Maine---very good---about a dysfunctional family.

While I was catching up on emails, I got these darling pictures of my great niece from Jackie (I got permission to post them---thanks, Jackie):

 She's mad about something---you can definitely tell a mad face!

 Greg and Evie---she's still so tiny! The flower is bigger than her head. It looks like the outfit is cute too.

 There is nothing more satisfying or cuter than a sleeping baby! She looks so cute all curled up.

I'm noticing she really needs the headbands to keep her bangs out of her little eyes! How darn adorable is she? I'm sure Janet will be bringing pictures to show at our sister's weekend. I can't wait to see her in person when I go to St. Louis in August.

I have a cute picture of Travis to share too, but I'm just waiting for permission to post it. I got a reprimand from Mindy and Stephanie about posting photos without permission. Of course they want veto power for their own reasons.

That's it for now. I have a busy week, so I don't know when I'll be back.

Final Photos

 Elizabeth came early for me to French braid her hair before dinner.

This is the dress that I bought Mindy that started the whole "dress buying for all the girls." Nordstroms showed a similar necklace that I wanted to surprise Mindy with, but it was $300. We found this "knock-off" at Charming Charlie's for 20 bucks. Her purse sort of ruins the effect.

 Jordan, Victoria and Morgan

Jordan got mad at us for something---none of us can remember why. Anyway, she went off to sit by herself and play her video game. Before she knew it, a whole family moved in. We figured she decided to join another family.

 Mindy and Elizabeth worked on their "act" all week!

Just one of the many pictures that Mitchell was not happy about. We all think it's cute.

 Mindy wanted me to be sure to document her "fabulous" jewelry. She got this cool necklace for $7.00 at H&M. We all love jewelry and we don't care what it costs.

This is my favorite photo of my girls. 

I had one more photo to post, but I was forbidden. Still, there's a story to go with it, you'll just have to imagine the picture. 

Morgan and Jordan took some awful photos of Stephanie while she was sleeping on the plane. Everyone around them thought it was hilarious and got in on the act---making faces in the background, doing bunny ears, etc. Steph was mortified. She threatened them that if those pictures showed up on Facebook, there would be consequences---in her best, firm, teacher voice! Teenagers! We've all been there!! Personally, I do think they are hilarious!!

Our Last Day

No movie last night either. Now I think they include all kinds of activities in the daily newsletter to make the resort sound like it's bursting with activity. They did do a few fun things---photos with colorful birds, monkeys and an iguana.

We started the day at the pool with our book club discussion. We read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. We all enjoyed it and had a lively discussion. It's a lot of fun to include the teenagers now. We always did 2 books---one for the kids and one for the adults. Unfortunately for Victoria, there's too big of an age difference between her and Elizabeth to do that anymore.

After that, we walked down the beach to the little market---all the fun souvenir stuff. The kids got to see first hand, their grandparents in negotiating mode. We got a lot of good bargains. Everyone was happy with their purchases.

After lunch, we spent the rest of the afternoon on the beach. It was only my second time as I hate the beach. Here, it is very cool with the ocean breeze. We all laughed at Sandy as she tried to get her kids to cooperate with some orchestrated beach poses. You didn't have to be within earshot to pick up THAT body language. Then Steph and her girls got in on the act. They wanted all 5 kids to stand in the water and jump up at the same time. They probably had them do it at least a dozen times. They could never get it together, but they did provide entertainment for everyone else on the beach.

We went back to the pool to meet up with the photographer for pictures with the iguana. While waiting, Sandy insisted on some goofy poses in the pool. Mitchell was not at all happy. I told him that when he turned 16 in 2 months, he wouldn't have to do it anymore. He said he was holding us to it. I get that. Teens don't want to make a spectacle of themselves with their families. That's so UNcool!

That's it. Dinner tonight and it's over. There will be time for breakfast in the morning, but everyone will be on their own. I can hear the fighting in Steph, Mindy and the girls room now!

As for me, I'm organized, pictures downloaded and sorted---just waiting for a good photo deal.

Next post will be from home---and I'll be happy to be there!

**Update: I posted after the pool but I have to add, that we had a really nice final family dinner before the hotel's version of Cirque de Soleil. We were surprised at how good it actually was.

Day 5 & 6

Day 5

I need to start off by saying that the kids left our door open all night. They’ve been using our patio as their hanging out place. Oh well, between Butch giving away the safe code (and he actually left it open one day) and the kids leaving the door open, it’s a wonder we haven’t been robbed!

 The kids were "creeped out" when they saw the rose petals on the bed. I told them that Butch had ordered them! They're young, they don't know any better yet!

 Last night at dinner, we surprised the family with our plans for today---the 4^th of July. We chartered a private catamaran and crew to take us snorkeling. I didn’t want one of those big party boats with a bunch of people we don’t know. We like to book private guides, drivers and tours on all of our trips. Sure, it costs more, but it is so totally worth it.  This trip was no exception.

They picked us up from the hotel at 8:30 and drove us to the marina of the “rich and famous.” Julio Iglesias, Bill Clinton, and Sukura have homes and boats docked there.

Our boat was called “Why Not?” Exactly! Why not take a cruise? I wish I’d have taken a picture of the boat docked so you could get an idea of the size.

 It's pretty darn big!

It was a gorgeous day. There were unlimited “premium” drinks. They always refer to alcohol her by the term premium drinks. It’s really just regular stuff, but I guess that differentiates it from the local blends.

When we reached our private snorkeling destination, the family was outfitted and took off. I stayed behind with Victoria and Elizabeth. The ocean was a little choppy, but they all had a good experience---except for Greg who had to come back right away. He kept getting water in his mask because he missed the part of the lesson that if you had a mustache, you were supposed to smather it with sunscreen to get a good seal.

The gang snorkeled for about 45 minutes. They all saw a lot of beautiful fish and coral. Fresh fruit----grapes, cantaloupe and pineapple---awaited their return.  We were then taken to a calmer swimming area. The crew put a floating bar in the water and served nachos with salsa in cups so you could enjoy it in the ocean.

 David and his floating bar.

Such a great experience----just our family, the gorgeous aqua water, party music, food, drink and the crew of 5 to cater to our every need. Now that’s livin’! Here’s the best part. You might think this cost an absolute fortune. It was only $7.00 per person more than the “public” party boat.  For us that meant $77.00. As far as I’m concerned, that’s one of the best kept secrets. The only reason I found out about it is because I ASKED for something private. They NEVER offer that up. Obviously they make more money if they can cram 50 people on a party boat. Lesson learned---always ask!

We got back at 1:30 p.m. Everyone headed to the beach. We all did our own thing for dinner. Half the family went to the 4th of July celebration on the beach. I enjoyed a little down time reading. Busy days make for one tired gal! I miss my naps!

Day 6

I got a little burned on my face yesterday as I didn’t have my hat on---it was too windy. I completely forgot to put sunblock on my face. It’s not bad at all and doesn’t hurt, but the downside----it triggered a huge hive that covers my entire forehead. I’m just hoping it doesn’t get worse. (I'm updating this in the evening and my hive hasn't gotten worse. I should be gone by tomorrow).

We had a relaxing day at the pool. Butch and Greg played golf. They played with Mitchell on Tuesday.  

This place is pretty disorganized. We are a family that likes to participate in ALL the activities. It's frustrating when they tell us one thing and it never happens. 

We all had dinner together tonight at the hibachi grill. I'm not a huge fan of that, but it was good. I still don't like sushi.

After dinner, we went back to the casino where I managed to lose my winnings. Technically, I still had my $50 stake, but Steph lost her money (as in lost it, but not at the table), so I gave her half of mine.

Mindy, Morgan and Mitchell are trying for the 3rd time to see a movie on the beach. I'll find out tomorrow if it happened this time or not.

The rest of us were pooped!

Our family book club discussion is tomorrow, poolside! Last day at the beach too.

It's almost over!