Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Home Again, Home Again

Once our vacation of a lifetime ended, it was time to get home to baby girl and rescue Grandma Kathy and Pop Pop from their 10 days of boot-camp (aka: baby-sitting).  It was TOUGH to come home!  But what a blessing to know that Lauren was safe, happy and didn't miss her parents one bit.

Bryon and I barely have time to get our laundry done, but the Grandparents managed to create artwork, help Lauren write a book, cook three months of food to put in our freezer, take the cat to the vet, get Lauren to daycare, work a full-time job, and go to Wal-Mart three times in one day.  And that was just on Saturday (ha!)  

Thank you to Grandma Kathy, Pop Pop Jerry, and Grandma Susie for being with L.  And thank you to everyone else who offered to watch her if needed. So loved and so thankful for such a wonderful vacation.


Our Welcome Home Sign..



Our Welcome Home Book...











Monday, February 4, 2013

St. Bart's or Bust - THE TRIP

In January of 2011, Jerris and Michael invited Bryon and I to St. Bart's to celebrate our upcoming 10 year anniversary and to get away from the hustle and bustle of work and parenting. One year of planning later, bags packed, Grandma and Grandpa arrived to watch Lauren and we were on our way!  

Daily Agenda:

Wake up in your 4-poster bed while listening to the sound of crashing waves down the hill below.

Head out to the open air kitchen, and drink a fabulous cup of cappuccino (or four) while enjoying the view of the teal blue ocean in front of you.

Now here is where it got stressful...
  • Should we go to the French market and buy baguettes, meat and cheese for lunch? Or should we go out and sit at an ocean-side restaurant with our feet in the sand?  
  • Should we lay around the villa pool and read books/play Gin Rummy, or should we hit up one of the fabulous beaches on the island?
  • And should we clean up in our outdoor shower or skip it altogether? 
After our afternoon activities, the next decision was weather or not to take a nap, go shopping, or begin Happy Hour (they start earlier on the islands you know).

By day's end, Bryon would make us a fabulous dinner in our open air kitchen or we'd go out for French fair.

Another game of Gin, a shot of St. Bart's Rum, and back to the 4-poster bed and do it all over again the next day.


This was our living room. No better place in the world to stay and play


Who knew even your feet could be happy and relaxed?


This sure beats eating lunch at our desks


Michael shows his enthusiasm for vacation


The most expensive boats that we will likely ever see...


To go with the most expensive/bedazzled pair of shoes that Sydney has ever bought.


The perfect hosts


Look everyone. We actually showered today. Or did we?


Jerris and I headed out for a hard day's work at the beach


Bryon is hard at work too


Too many games of Gin Rummy to count.  Can you say "Competitive"???


Flip on my back or get a cocktail?  That is the question.


Clearly, we are having a miserable time


Jerris...our lady of leisure


We aren't in Kansas anymore baby!

We can honestly say it was the vacation of a lifetime.  Quite possibly the most relaxing vacation, in the most beautiful location, with the funnest people ever.  Thank you to Jerris and Michael for taking us and for everyone that stepped in to make it happen.  Seven days in St. Bart's = HEAVEN!