Boy, have we been busy….

Caribbean Cruise

We met our BFF’s in Ft. Lauderdale for an 8 day cruise to various locations in the Caribbean.  We had an awesome time in St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan, PR and Grand Turks!  After the cruise we all stayed a couple of days in Ft. Lauderdale in order to visit with our friend Mark Fox and see a spring training game where the Nationals beat the Cardinals – 11 to 3!  Woohoo!!

The Good, the bad and the ugly…

Okay, it wasn’t so bad or ugly!  We helped our niece Jennifer out so she and her hubby could go visit her mother and sister in Mobile, AL by babysitting the twins (7 year olds) and the youngest child (5 year old).  We did this for 5 days.  Jeanne said this was the hardest she has worked in a long time.  We don’t know how Jennifer and Dustin do it but by the time we got them up, dressed, fed and dropped at school we were exhausted. Getting them home from school, homework done, fed dinner and to bed by 8pm was no less than performing a miracle.  There were melt downs, crying fits and temper tantrums, but Jeanne and I kept telling each other it would be okay and we didn’t need to react this way!!  LOL!!  We had fun and now have some great memories with these little squirts.  The best memory for Jane was when Dax gave her a birthday present made from legos.  This little guy loves everything about ships and trains.  We got a lesson every day about the Titanic and why is sank, how it sank and what could have prevented it from sinking. He made the USS Aunt Jane and made her a homemade card.  The gifts were so sweet!!

Jentry (5 year old) received an award for student of the month and we attended the ceremony.  We were honored to attend. 

Jentry’s teacher said she knew when her mother was home because Jentry’s hair looked good and stayed in the same style all day. Needless to say, we were not skilled at braids, pony tails or even brushing hair!  Or for that matter, dressing them for school (plaids and stripes don’t go together??)  We would walk them to and from school with our dog Codey.  Reid would tell all his friends to come over and meet “our” dog!  It was adorable.  After the 5 days of babysitting we were very tired but felt good that no one got hurt and we all still loved each other!!

Red Rocks, Monuments, a Castle, Winding and Bumpy roads

We left the Phoenix area and headed to Sedona, AZ where we stayed for a week.  What an amazing area.  We explored as much of the area as we could. We took several hikes in and around the Red Rocks.

Other areas we explored were the Tuzigoot National Monument, Montezuma Castle which is in the side of a mountain and we took an off road jeep tour through the canyon.  Our guide for the jeep tour told us that it’s hard to purchase land in Sedona because a lot of celebrities were buying up the land including Denzel Washington, Oprah and Lady Gaga.  We were bummed because we were ready to buy a piece of land, but they got to it first!  What an absolutely beautiful place.

Sin City!!

So we left the beautiful area of Sedona and headed to Las Vegas which has some pretty exciting places to explore as well!  And we’re not talking about slot machines, craps, dancing ladies or blackjack.  Our friend Melissa flew out to spend some time with us and we had a blast exploring the Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Fremont Street and the Neon Museum. We also visited one of Jane’s former employer/friend Carol and her husband Ron.  Despite the reputation that comes with Vegas meaning what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, we are able to tell you what we did and saw while there and didn’t need bail money!

Prior to leaving Vegas, Codey Bo got sick and required a vet visit.  The vet diagnosed him with pancreatitis!  Needless to say, we are worried about him.  He stayed in the vet for a day where he was given pain meds, antibiotics and IV fluids.  He continues on antibiotics and appears to be feeling better!  Thank God!  We left Vegas and are now in Parker Dam, CA for 10 days.  Our camp site is right on the Colorado River.  We know Codey is feeling better as he is eating and spends time in the river floating around!  Silly boy!  He has to stay on a low fat diet and no people food.  We struggle more with that then he does!!  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers as they are working!!!

We head back to Phoenix, AZ to store the trailer while we take a trip to Greece with Jane’s sister and mother!  We are blessed to do all the travels domestic and abroad!  Next blog when we get back.  Until then, enjoy  life!!