The Last Ones I Promise

Just a few more photos from our Puerto Vallarta trip. This is it. No more. I promise. This post is all about the pirate cruise we took. The pirate cruise was a show, two meals, and a trip to a protected island for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and banana boat rides.

So here's Mike and I on the Pirate Cruise with the kids and the Grandparents. At first I thought, "Wow, I look like crap!" But given that it was like 102 deg. out that day with no breeze and insane humidity levels, I think I look well under the conditions. ;-)




"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this tropic port...."

On the island. The water was aqua color, clear and warm! I thoroughly enjoyed swimming there!

I was looking at this photo and thought, WHY is this guy video taping us? I don't know him! Why does he want footage of some gringos ? (And no, that wasn't the boat that took us out on our banana boat trip! That thing looks heavy enough to sink itself.)




The ride was fun for all of us, except Charlotte who sat in front. She said she got all the water sprays.

Family Vacation

Here are a few more photos from our trip to Puerto Vallarta.

Dad and Candace

The family - what is up with my kids?

I think this is only photo of me except one Mike took looking down my shirt at the Phoenix Airport. Not sharing that one of course. ;-)

Mike in the roof-top pool

Mike tries the waves

Our second favorite past-time while on the beach - dodge the waves

(First favorite past-time was sipping Coronas!)

Mr. Safety surfs safely

Still has the most awesome eyes ever!

Charlotte with her new friend from Montreal. The fact that neither could speak the other's language didn't deter these two from having a fabulous time together.

Posing after lunch with the Mexican Dancers sculpture on the Malecon

Dodging the waves

Scenic Puerto Vallarta

At the end of July we left for a week-long trip in Puerto Vallarta. We joined my Dad and Candace who were already there at the condo-on-the-beach. Here are a few excerpts from the trip.

A famous church that I never got around to going inside to see. It's supposed to be really beautiful, but I gotta admit by the time we made it down there on foot we were dying from the heat and humidity, so a passing photo of the steeple as we headed back to the pool was about all I was able to manage.




Every morning the 'Muffin Man' came by with his tray of fresh-out-of-the-oven muffins and pastries. He knew where to find us on our 4th floor balcony. Here's Dad, Mike, and the kids making their choices. I'm dreaming of an apple custard pastry right now.



The view from the roof (pool deck) staring south down the beach.



The view from the back of the condo where we were staying.



The view from the front of the condo where we were staying.

That Freaks Me Out

While on our trip up north, Mike had the luxury of spending some one-on-one time with each kid. He took Eric on a little hike into the woods near Lake Superior. Both of them loved their little adventure!

Charlotte had wanted no part of going out on the boat fishing with the boys, her Daddy and Uncle so she stayed on shore and played Barbies. However, Mike had promised her he'd take her out on the lake just the two of them. Finding time alone with each one of your children is such a challenge, so I'm glad Mike got an opportunity to do that over Labor Day weekend! Here are a few photos of Charlotte and her Daddy.

Charlotte gets into the boat and is looking a little unsure about this whole rowboat QT with Dad.

And they're off!

Every time the boat rocked a little bit, she'd say, "That freaks me out!" Ahhhh, nothing like some quality time with Daddy! :-)

What Did She Say?

While in the north woods we spent a day at the private lake on my inlaw's property. I happened to be on the pier getting photos of Mike and Charlotte out on the row boat when I found myself in the position of capturing a totally boy moment. See, Zachary had already been in the water (in his jeans) and was changed by Mom and told not to go back into the water in his jeans. As his Auntie, who would never dream of snitching on him, I had to take the photos for the story they told.

The water calls me......

See how it goes splish-splash??

Hmmm. Momma told me something, but I can't seem to remember.

Oh I remember now. Don't chew on my shirt.

Wet jeans were made for decorating.

But that's OK. I can just slip right back into the water and wash the sand sprinkles off!

Randomness

We drove up to the north woods again this Labor Day. It may become an annual trip for us. We all enjoy the time we spend there hanging out with family, the weather is still nice, and the autumn foliage is just starting to turn. This trip was made even more special by being able to meet our newest nephew, Mason, who is the cutest little peanut I've seen since my own kids were
"lil peanuts". :-) I could hold him all day long! I've picked a few random photos of the weekend to share (and maybe I'll be able to post a photo of me if it gets emailed to me by my mother-in-law....hint hint). Stay tuned next week for a funny recap of an episode that I was able to capture on camera.

Charlotte, Eric, Zachary, and Aaron on a frog hunt.

Mike & Charlotte at the lake (Lake Ethel?)

The Cousins
(purely coincidence that they lined up in height order!)

Mike takes a dip in the frigid Lake Superior waters. Brrrrr......

Zachary has these amazing eye lashes.....

My Mother-in-Law's walking mop. ;-) Actually, Zeke (or "Z") is a very sweet dog.

There's Nothing Like Mama

Last week we headed down to visit my Mom, who is recovering from her latest cancer treatment. Besides our family of 4, we also went with my brother and niece, so our van was full of people and luggage! We had a nice time visiting, and as always, the time flies by much too fast. Here are a few photos from our trip.

My niece, Lynae

Uncle Tom helps Eric build a spaceship with Legos.

Grandparents are easily impressed by their grandchildren. Charlotte reads a book to her Grandma.

Florida Vacation - My Favorite Photos

With nearly 800 photos, there's bound to be a few that stand out and speak to me. Here are a few of them.

Sunrise on our last day in Florida

Yay, Mike got a decent shot of me!

Florida Vacation - Days 7 & 8 - St. Pete Beach

It's another day in paradise......