Gilligan's Island

Perhaps against our better judgement, we decided to travel to a remote island with two babies while Jordan's sister and family were here.

It was a 1.5 hour speed boat ride out to a tiny little island that we all started calling "Gilligan's Island".

As our boat anchored, we literally jumped into the surf and carried our luggage to the beach because there was no dock.

It turns out that there is no form of motorized vehicle on the entire island, so we flagged down the next best thing to a taxi and headed to the house we had rented. We would spend the next 2 days riding bicycles to and from the beach or restaurants...did I mention that we took TWO babies?

Our little villa...

Even though we did not have electricity or running water for the next 48 hours, Cadence was delighted to find that we had a private pool...which served to remedy our need to cool off and bathe while we were there!

The fish were so plentiful that women carried them on their heads like hats. I couldn't talk Katherine into being this fashion forward while we were there.

We enjoyed watching monkeys climb palm trees and bring us fresh coconuts to quench our thirst.

There was even a turtle hatchery where sea turtle eggs laid on the island are kept until they are big enough to survive and then released in the ocean.

Jody and Michael enjoyed diving with the turtles in the turquoise waters off the shore. Can you see their dive boat in the distance?

Fun Fun Fun in the Sun!

Don't they look like a fun family?

We had a blast with Michael & KK (Jordan's sister) and cousin Harper. We tried thrilling new adventures like water slides...which Cadence demanded to do again and again.

We got a visit from a traveling man with his pet monkey who does tricks and wears costumes...can you spot the monkey here?

We enjoyed watching the local wildlife...in our own home.

We taught Aunt Katherine how to floss her teeth, which is Cadence's favorite pass time.

We enjoyed watching the babies play together.

We went swimming in beautiful places.

Cadence is a natural little fish in the water.

But this is one of her favorite spots...watching a Praise Baby video.

Cousin Harper

We've had the best time with Jordan's sister, Katherine and her family over the past month. Cadence wakes up each day wondering where'd (cousin) Harper go. She will be crushed after they return to the US in two days.

Harper's hair just gets better and better in the humidity!

We have to watch what Cadence puts in Harper's mouth...


and make sure that she shares with her younger cousin

Cadence adores her aunt "Kk"

We've all been a bit under the weather with runny noses...

The girls enjoy playing dress up together

Little Lady

Breakfast for a ballerina

Afternoon tea in the tub

Thanks Mae Mae for the gorgeous vintage dress

Thanks Honey for the sweet tutu

Cousins

Jordan's sister, Katherine, flew half way around the world with her husband, Michael, to bring us Harper Kate Valdes, Cadence's first cousin.

The humidity on this island does funny things to everyone's hair...Harper is no exception!

Cadence is enamored by this new little bundle of joy...


She tries to be helpful by sharing whatever she is eating with Harper




We caught Cadence pushing Harper over so that she could change her diaper...

But usually they play well together



They especially love bath time together

"Cousins are usually the first friends we have as children. No one will ever understand your crazy family like your cousins do."
-Anonymous

Valentine's Day

Jody and I often joke about romance being like a hidden treasure that he is constantly looking for and I am constantly hiding. It is seldom in the same place twice in a row. What is romantic today may not be what is romantic tomorrow. The other day, he painted my half bath in a new shade of grey paint, and I had been meaning to get around to that for a year. It was romantic. But if he gets the wild hair to paint the whole house grey tomorrow...not so romantic. Jody really found the romance this Valentine's day! He brought me flowers!

And he arranged for some friends to stay with Cadence so that we could have lunch at a new little restaurant.


But the most romantic thing to me is the way he loves his little girl.

He bought her a balloon for Valentine's day, which she thought was great. I was touched that he wanted this holiday to be special for her as well as for me. I hope that Cadence will learn from the way that her daddy loves her to always expect other boys to cherish her well. I am grateful that my parents loved me so well and gave me a high standard for what to expect in a husband. Thanks Jody, for 6 and a half wonderful years of marriage.

We also appreciate the Valentine book and care package from the grandparents! You made us feel special.