Western Caribean Cruise 2011

Ryan and I were able to get away with my brother Bryan and his wife Becca to the Western Caribbean on a cruise.  We went to Cozumel, Mexico, Belize City, Belize, and Grand Cayman. We were supposed to go to Isla Roatan, but while you were all getting snow, we were getting rain and rough seas and the ship could not make the port.  Those 20-25 ft waves were a killer.  We enjoyed ourselves at all the stops, but Belize was not a place I need to go back to.  I'm just sorry we missed Isle Rotan because I've heard it is the best of all the stops.  Oh well. 

Our first stop in Cozumel we went to Tulum and saw the Mayan Ruins.

The had a great beach there.  Nice sand and warm water.   

Our second stop in Belize, we went on a Jeep expedition and saw some Mayan caves.  Ryan was thrilled to drive in Jungle terrain.

Our third stop in Grand Cayman, we went to the beach, Hell and did some shopping.  Supposedly the Caribbean is the best place to buy diamonds and tanzanite.  I did not disappoint I got some of both.  Love ya Ryan.

Hell.

In our room every evening, we were greeted by these cute animals.  We took pictures because we thought kids would really get a kick out of it.

Morgan's Birthday

For Christmas, Santa brought us a new camera and we immediatly lost the cord that connected it to our computer.  As luck would have it, I found it yesterday while cleaning the house and Ryan and the kids were at Deanna's playing.  Here are some pictures of Morgan's birthday.

She picked our her cake and was happy to show it off.  It was an ice cream cake from Cold Stone.  Yummy!

Preschool Pictures

Here are some more pictures of Gracie, Jaxen and Rachel at school.  I love it that their teachers take pictures and post it on Shutterfly for the parent's to see and download. 

Gracie with her Reading Partner

Jaxen with his JD his reading partner (JD used to go to our church until he moved in December).

New Years 2011

Ryan's brother Andrew and his family came to visit during Christmas break and to spend New Years Eve and New Years day with us.  The kids love it when their cousins come to play.  We had a great time.  We went to the Mall and played, saw Yogi Bear, went to the Aquatic Center to swim and play water games, watched movies, ate until our stomachs hurt and just had a great time this last week.  Here are some pictures of the kids swimming and jumping off the diving board.

It's just as fun to take pictures as it is to pose for them.

Here are some fun pictures of the kids posing for the camera and being silly.

Christmas 2010

Here are some pictures of the kids at Christmas this year.

Morgan at her class party. Ryan went and helped out for a couple of hours.

Morgan dressed as Rudolph.

Morgan visiting Ryan's office at Heinz.

The kids were very excited to open gifts. I finally wrapped the presents from Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve and put them out. They  begged all day to be able to open just one. Here they are sitting on the couch ready to open the new gifts. It was pajamas, so they all quickly changed as to have new PJ's to wear for Christmas morning.

The kids let us sleep in a little on Christmas for them.  Jaxen was up by 7:30 with the rest following one by one.  Everyone was up and ready to open gifts by 8 am.  Since Santa didn't wrap his gifts this year, they all compared their new toys.  We tried to get them to unwrap the family gifts one at a time, but they just couldn't wait.  It was a free for all watching everyone open their presents.  By 8:30 we were opening toys and putting them together.  I just love this part. NOT.  I know they want to prevent shoplifting, but seriously do they have to be packaged so well?

 Rachel and Gracie opening gifts on Christmas morning.

Gracie with her La La Loopsy doll.

Jaxen opening his gifts.

Morgan wearing her slippers that her teacher at church gave her.

Joshua with his race track.

Jaxen playing his guitar while singing Jingle Bells.

Joshua playing his guitar while singing Jingle Bells.

The girls looking at Santa's gifts to them.