Belize Day 1

Jim and I (with the fabulous Walker's) went to Belize last week. You may (or not) remember the Walker's from our cruise in 2012. We had such a good time. We chose Belize for the snorkeling and Mayan ruins. I'll apologize in advance for the pictures. They are completely put of order. Some are from my phone and others from my camera (until it died....more on that later). We stayed at the Coco Beach Resort on Ambergris Caye just off the mainland of Belize. It was stunning. 

This is from the pier outside the resort. It was such a quiet, beautiful spot. I can't say enough good things about this place.

It was so quiet. Even though they were at 85% capacity (we asked) it felt secluded. We rarely had to share the pool. The beach was all but empty most of the time too.

This is Coco Beach Resort. Beautiful beach, gracious staff, great food, near the second largest barrier reef in the world, tons of things to do and did I mention the warm weather??

This is the view from the from door of our room. This view never gets old.

This is the pool we spent the most time in. Our room is in the building on the left of the picture on the top floor last room on the right. It was perfect.

We had Pina Coladas (virgin, of course) every day. Such a treat!!

This photo should be first. It was all of us on the first plane (of 6) of the trip. We are such a wild and crazy crew!! What a time we had!!

Blue sky, blue water, white puffy clouds....relaxing already!!

The first thing we see coming into The Belize City, Belize airport...A CHRISTMAS TREE!! Perfection!!

Then onto this little island hopper. Must say....I was not a huge fan. But if that is how we get to the island...then so be it!! There was a 2 hour boat ride for an alternative. No thank you!! I'll take the 20 minute plane ride and hope for the best!!

Ilise rode shotgun!! She is a stunning co-pilot. Buckle your seat belts!!

Oh boy!! The ride was like a very unpredictable roller coaster. Luckily it was a short ride.

It's a tropical paradise. Lush greenery met us at every view. I couldn't get enough of the warm beautiful scenery!!

Of course the boys enjoyed the flight. I don't think they could have been less concerned.

Waiting for the water taxi to take us the 10 minute boat ride to the resort. We were so excited to finally be here. We have been planning this for a very long time!! (Yes, those are my fancy "going to town" sweats. They were comfy traveling pants!)

Ilise and I got massages on the beach (no pics of that!!) shortly after we arrived. We felt so relaxed after that there wasn't much we wanted to do. When we left NE it was -22* with the wind chill. The schools were closed for the day. When we got to Ambergris Caye it was 78*. We wanted to stay outside and enjoy every minute of the beautiful weather.We ate at the restaurant at the resort that night and turned in early (like 9:00). That's early for the Walker's but late for us!! We had all been up ridiculously early for our 5:45 a.m. flight so we were all beat.

Trying to Remember

Trying etch every second into my memory so I don't forget. He was so small...once he could barley see above the TV stand. 

The cutest baby I've ever seen. And he is the best baby too. Barely makes a fuss. He couldn't be more loved.

He has his Auntie tied tight around his little finger. He really is something special.

Christmas 2014

This is a little late...but you know what they say about late and ever and all that. We had Christmas early last month. Kevin and Abby were flying out on the 22nd for Utah so we wanted all our festivities while they were here.

We ate our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of ham and cheesy potatoes. It was yummy. Then we exchanged gifts. Michael still didn't get it and was happy with the first thing he opened. I love this age!! Abby had to put together a puzzle and go find hers. The size and shape of the box (and the fact that there was only one for her) would have ruined the surprise.

Kevy loved his Coke glasses. He's a fan!!

Jo got a gift card (and half a plane ticket to Idaho for her cousin's wedding).

Abby did the happy dance to see her very own KITCHENAID MIXER!! She has wanted one for a very long time. 

Michael got a phone for his house. He loves the one here so much that we thought he needed one for home too!!

Abby hugged that thing for the longest time. I think she thanked us 104 times that night.

Both of the kids gave us homemade gifts this year (which is what we asked for). Kevin wrote us poems of appreciation and Jo wrote beautiful letters to each of us. We loved them and a few tears were shed reading them. Our kids are the best!!

This smiley baby is the reason I smile!!

He loves hanging out with Auntie Jo!!

We also bought Kevin tickets to a ballroom dance show in town. They have some of the pro's from Dancing With the Stars in their company. Should be a FUN night!!

We also got Michael a crocheted dinosaur. His favorite show on PBS Kids is Dinosaur Train. He loved it and packed it around the rest of the night.

I am loving having them all so close. Jo is less than 10 minutes away from us now and Kevin and his family are less than 5. I just don't think it gets much better than that!!

Catching Up

Clear back at Thanksgiving we got to have Jane and Doug (AKA Great Grandpa and Grandma) come to visit. Kevin was so excited to show off his little man. Can't say I blame him. He is pretty much the best thing in the history of ever.

Jim gets to see his parents a couple times a year. It's always nice when they brave to cold to come see us. We had pretty good weather and our Thanksgiving food was amazing!!

Jo and I got to go to Tyler's wedding in December. We had such a good time. You wouldn't know it because I don't take many pictures. I was having such a good time that I forget. We did celebrate our December birthdays while we were there. These babies (who aren't babies any more) turned 11!! I just can't believe it!!

Ugh...out of order...Oh well. Back to turkey day. Michael did love the extra attention. More people to read him a story is good news indeed!!

We are just so blessed to have this baby around. We have such a lovely time. Even his tantrums are cute. So half hearted....I hope they stay that way!!

Our days are relaxed. We snuggle and play and watch Tangled and Frozen. We read books and sing and dance and color. I can't imagine being happier.

Random Musings

I was thinking today...musing really. I was letting my mind wander as I made Ginger Snaps (Jim's favorite cookies....ironic). I was thinking about seeing Michael today (and Kevin and Abby). I was thinking how thankful and blessed I feel to live so close to them. 

(He really likes taking pictures on my phone)

I was reflecting on my own childhood and how my Mom lived so close to her sisters. What a comfort that was for her. How FUN it was for us to grow up with so many cousins close by. And then when I was older I just assumed we'd all (my parents and siblings) live close to each other. 

(He loves to be read to)

But then life happened. And honestly, our family has been so blessed by our move to Minnesota and then Nebraska. But I miss living close to my sisters and for a while Kevin and Abby lived far away too. And Jo was gone for a year. But for a while we (my kids and I) are in the same town.

(Other than his parents, Jo is probably his favorite!)

I love that we can have movie and pizza Friday and family dinner Sunday. I love that I watch Michael 4 days a week. And if I miss him on Saturday I just have to run over and see him. I love that Jo and Kevin and Abby are right here too. I love them all so much.

(He is the funniest little guy. Look at that swag!)

The sweetest thing of it all is watching this little guy grow and change. I can see it from week to week. He learns and grows and changes so fast. I feel blessed to be a part of it.

(We like to go shopping together. He is easy to take places)

If you had asked me 7 and a half years ago if I thought moving half way across the country was a good idea, I'd have said NO! I couldn't imagine the good that would have come from it all. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who has a plan for me. I know that by sticking to the plan we will be happier than if we go out on our own. I love the Christmas Season and the joy and kindness it brings. I love my family and my friends (they really are more like family too). My life right now feels pretty good. You know what that means...Yeah...probably going to be shook up. I hate when that happens. For now I'll just appreciate how perfect it all is.

(He loved running to answer the door on Halloween. So dang cute!)

The Best

So we had a family photo shoot a while back. Those don't happen around here a whole lot. Some of our tribe don't like them. Last year we had some real issues.

So this year I made a general announcement that we would be having family pictures on such and such a date and at that time anyone who shows up with a good attitude will be welcome to participate.

And if you really don't want to be in the picture then that is totally fine. I will be having them taken  regardless. 

Everyone showed up. AND THEY SMILED. It wasn't a huge fight with pouting or tight lipped, "I am smiling" phrases tossed around. It was a beautiful (windless) Fall evening. It was perfection.

Until Michael decided he was done, and since he really is the boss, that was just fine.

We got some really great pictures and I didn't end up resenting the people in them after I hung them on the wall. Bonus.

But of course this little guy can do no wrong.

We got some artsy shots too. Loving the clouds.

Michael was great. As long as you didn't want him in a group shot.

He was way too interested in the water. Can't say I blame him. It was magical!!

So until next year we are finished being posers. hahaha Really though I am so beyond thankful for these people of mine. I love them dearly.

Some Pictures

I fell of the wagon again. I said I was going to do more posts and here I am....letting a month go by. Well I am just throwing a bunch of pictures on the page with a brief description of what we've been up to and calling it a day. I think my Instagram account has had a better detailing of life right now. But I WILL do better. Jo and I went to the ward luau in October. Good times. I love that girl. She is so much fun!!

My little buddy loves to be read to. He has a few favorites but will bring over all of his books at some point during our day. I love this time we are getting to spend together. It fills my heart and makes me happy.

He is loving the rocking horse that was his daddy's when he was small. He is growing so fast. It amazes me to see the changes in him every day. He is liking having his own room in their new apartment too. It is so fun to be this close to where they live. I couldn't ask for more!!

We had some family pictures taken last month. We even got some good selfies too. I will post my favorite shots next post. There were so many good ones. Everyone cooperated. It was short and sweet. It made this mama happy.

Jim doesn't do selfies as a general rule...but for Jo he let his rule slide. He loves spending time with her. I can't say I blame him. She is pretty fantastic. We got pretty lucky in the kid department. Both our kids are rock stars!!