Cayman Islands? Yes please.

Dave and I had the privilege of going, yet again, on a wonderful trip.  This time we went to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.  It was so beautiful there.  I wish I had taken more pictures of the water, but I was too busy working on my tan to take pics.  We had a wonderful trip.  We are so lucky that Dave works so hard, and that AFLAC rewards us with all these trips.  It has been a really great experience and it rewards us with much needed alone time.  We love those kiddos but it's still nice to not have to herd everyone everywhere.  

The kids keep asking us when they get to go...my answer is never.  Ok maybe not never but it'll definitely be a while before they get to go anywhere foreign, besides Canada, and even then I still need to get them passports.  I should probably do this soon since we only live 2 -3 hours from the border.  

While we were in the Caymans, we went around the Island.  We even got to drive thru HELL on our way back to the hotel after the turtle farm.  It was pretty nice, surprisingly, a little warm.  Anyway I'll get to that.  

The first day was travel, or I guess I should say night was travel, we took a red eye to Charlotte, NC and had a lovely 4 hour layover.  Then our next flight was to Grand Cayman.  It amazes me how they fly these big planes onto these little Islands, and when we lived in Arkansas we had to take small planes to get anywhere.  Arkansas is huge compared.  Anyway, I'm not a good traveler.  So when we finally got to Grand Cayman, and were awaiting our luggage, it wasn't there.

What??  Yep no luggage in GC.  What they were doing in NC the whole 4 hours we were there I don't know but ours bags never got on the plane.  Fortunately we were one of the first ones to realize it and got to the service desk before the other 25 people on our plane lined up behind us.  Apparently an entire car of luggage didn't get put on the plane.  They later delivered it to our hotel for us. 

Dave and I were smart or possibly had jinxed ourselves, because we had swimsuits and a change of clothes on our carry-ons.  Yay us.  Because it was humid.  Anyway after lunch and a nap we were ready for dinner.  I think that's all we did was eat, sleep, and sweat on the beach.  Ok we swam a little and Dave went golfing.  Dave also went swimming with the stingrays.  I don't do boats, so I laid on the beach and read my books. 

We decided that if we were going to go that far we needed to stay at least an extra day.  So we talked our friends the Streetman's into staying too.  So here is what we did our last day without the rest of the AFLAC West Territory State Managers.  

We went to the turtle farms.  It was cool to see the turtles and a little sad too, because it turns out they are breeding them to eat.  So all of the turtles you see will one day be someones turtle steak or soup.  

Dave holding up a friend.  They were so funny when you held them.  They would start to flap their arms like they were flying.  They would also hold onto you as you can see it doing to Dave's hand.  

Her is another one a little smaller.  They had different tanks for all the turtles.  They were separated by age.  There is also a breeding pond.

A baby baby.  So very cute.  They were just swimming around in a bin.  There were about 6 or so of them.  Very soft shells, compared to the older ones.  The older ones also had algae and stuff growing on them.  Kind of gross.

Here I am holding a baby.  It's true everything baby is cute.  I don't care what you say.

Dave having a baby turtle sandwich.  Ok not really but look how tiny they are compared to the 500 pound adult turtles.

Here are some of the adult turtles.  They are in the breeding pond, but not they aren't doing anything naughty.  They were climbing all over each other trying to get out of the pond.  It was crazy.  It's like they knew they were going to be dinner sometime.

Here is a little bit closer look at the adults.  you can see all the yucky stuff on their shells.  They really were amazing to see.  I can't imagine what it would be like to see them in the ocean.

Here I am with the Mauri and Damon.  I can't even tell you what the cannon was for, but it looked cool so we took a picture.

My sweetheart and a couple of new friends.  The Tortuca Rum Pirates.  We were making our way around town.  One of the main desserts there was rum cake.  Everyone said it was delicious.  I didn't have any.  I prefer chocolate.  Or Key lime pie, which was fabulous there.  

When we went to the turtle farm we decided to take a "local bus"  which is basically a big van that honks at you and if you nod they will stop and pick you up wherever you are.  So we decided to try out one of those, but they have bus routes they need to stay on so we drove all over GC and got to see some of the Island we wouldn't have visited otherwise.  That is when we drove thru HELL.  I have to do it in caps because I think it's funny.  While driving thru HELL the driver was talking to a lady and I can't tell you what they said.  It sounded very Jamaica-ish.  Anyway we made it back to the hotel and had a lovely dinner.  At least I think I did.  We ate so much food that all the nights are one big blur.  

We did go to the movies on Sunday because the Island shuts down for the most part because of the Sabbath.  While we were there I noticed a sign that said they won't play any R rated movies on Sundays.  I thought that was interesting.    There was also a sign at the theater that told you who could see what movie.  It made a lot of sense.   It said G - Bring the family, PG - Might want to stay with your kids, PG-13 - might want to think about what kids can see it and stay with them.  R - no kids unless you are with them, and NC-17 - Leave your kids at home.  

What a fun trip, and the kiddos had a blast as usual hanging with Grandma and Grandpa.  The only thing they wanted to know was what we brought them.  

Oh and just so you know we went end of March beginning of April.  See how behind I am on everything?  I still have to post about Cancun...

Flat Stanley and the Museum of Flight

Our sweet cousin Lily sent us Flat Stanley in the mail.  We had to show Flat Stanley around the area we live and take him fun places.  He just happened to show up when we had a field trip, gymnastics and volunteer time at the school.  So we took him with us.  I think he had a lot of fun and I know the kiddos had a blast with him.  There were lots of other things he did with us too because he hitched a ride in the pocket of my purse.  Of course we didn't get pictures everywhere, but here are a few we did get.  

Here is Sydney in her Kindergarten class.  Flat Stanley and I helped out at their centers.  This one they were stamping parts of words with pictures and filling in the blanks.  

After our visit to the museum Abby and I stopped by Dave's office and had a picture with the giant AFLAC duck.  Flat Stanley also got to sit in Dave's chair behind the big desk.  

Here is Jacob and Sydney at the start of gymnastics.  They both take and so does Abby on a different day.  Flat Stanley had great balance when he was laying down.

At the beginning of the museum.  It looks promising.  

A little blurry.  This is Abby in front of a giant parachute.  I really liked how bright it is.  My guess is so you could see it.  But it's just a guess.

In the cockpit of a blackbird.  I think that's what it was called.  Anyway a little too cozy for my comfort.  

Abby even went into space.  Just for a short while.   

In front of a space capsule.  Way to tiny for floating around outer space.  I would definitely need more room to float around.  Who am I kidding?  I can't even fly on airplanes with out stressing out.  

Moon buggy or rover or car.  Whatever it's called.  It was pretty cool.

This is an old Air Force One.  I think it was from the '70's or early '80's.  It was cool to go in and see.  They had tables and chairs, TV's, bunks that folded down.  Kitchen areas.  There was a bathroom complete with shower.  Oddly though the area with the toilets, still really small.  I guess you really don't need too much leg room but still.  You can't fit too many people on it but it would be a more relaxing way to fly.  

Here is Abby and her friend Megan (also Flat Stanley) about to board the Concorde.  I was really surprised at how skinny it was inside.  Really long.  Seats were 2 and 2.  I'm guessing the whole plane was pretty much 1st class since tickets cost $6000 - $12,000 one way.  I think the seats at the back of the plane were the cheap ones even though they all looked the same.  There were some plaques in there that also said the plane flew so fast that it actually stretched in the air.  Crazy. Sounds like my kind of flight.  Instead of 6 hours to England it was 3.  They also were only allowed to fly over seas because they caused the sonic bomb.  Or breaking the sound barrier.  I'm never sure if I use the right words.  I'm sort of the goonies mom. (you know what I mean if you've seen the movie.  If not...I recommend seeing it.)

One of the Blue Angels planes.  There were all sorts of other kinds of planes, helicopters,  jets, biplanes, gliders, you name it.  If you are ever up in Seattle I'd suggest going and taking a peek.  It was pretty cool.
I thought a lot about my Grandpa Rich while I was at the museum and how much he would have loved to be there.  He loves planes and everything flying.  I wish my kids could have known him.  Jacob is writing a report on Orville Wright, and I bet my grandpa would have had fun talking to Jacob about the planes.  

We had a fabulous time hanging with our friends and Flat Stanley.  I can't wait to take the rest of my kids to the museum.  I also hope Lily and her class enjoy our adventures.  

Another year gone by...

Here we are another year gone by.  I can't believe that my baby is 4.  That is her showing us how big she is.  I can remember the day exactly.  Abby was my last baby and my very first induction.  I had never been able to prepare for a baby to come.  They usually came all on their own.  We lived 1 hour from the hospital in Portland.  I was wanting to have the Dr. who delivered Noah to deliver Abby because he is awesome.  So he decided to induce because I have quick labors.  So 3 weeks early we went in on a Wednesday at 1:00.  We were ready.  They got me all hooked up and Dave and I started watching a movie.

The nurse kept checking on us to make sure I was doing ok.  I wasn't in pain or anything but according to their monitors I was in labor.  So after a couple of hours she came in and upped the pitocin.  She wanted me to deliver by the end of her shift which was 7.  Otherwise she would have to stay late.  She was nice about it, joking really so we were all in a good mood.  About 20 minutes after she upped the dose of piton things started working.  I called her in... We shut off the movie, and called the Dr.  He came over and got all ready in his scrubs and birthing shoes.  Made me laugh a little bit.  And sort of grossed me out.  But I bet he saves a lot of money on buying shoes he messes up.  

We got to work, and by we I mean me.  Dave is awesome as always and my mom too.  She has been at the birth of all my kids.  They kept me focused and Dave kept giving me my ice chips.  Finally, and by that I mean 4 1/2 hours after they first hooked me up to the pitocin our sweetest baby was born.  At 6:40 pm so the nurse got her wish and was able to go home on time.  

She reminded me a lot of Jacob and so as I looked at her I had a hard time deciding who she was.  Was she Abigail or was she Laurel?  Finally I spent the whole night with my sweet baby girl and knew she was definitely Abby.  So that is what we named her, one day later...Abigail Laurel Hannant.  What a blessing she has been.

Here she is showing us how old she is now.  The big 4.  I'm sorry I fixed the picture in my photos to be upright and blogger switched it back and I am just challenged enough to not know how to fix it.  I'll work on.  It might get fixed someday.  

Here are the start of her gifts.  She got a set of Princess story books.  

Again challenged.  Here is her new princess CD player with special princess songs.  She loves it and dances around to it.  So cute.  I know, I know... Still she is soooooo cute.  

This is her Tinkerbell art easel.  Abby loves to draw and paint and make a mess so this is perfect for her.  

I think this is her favorite toy.  It is a puppy that walks and barks.  If she puts her  (she named her Lucy, all her toys are named Lucy) down she walks back to her and makes Abby so happy.

The final present is Skipper and her little sister Chelsea.  Abby says Sydney is Skipper and she is the Chelsea doll.  

Abby wanted a Dora cake for her birthday for the second year in a row.  I couldn't stand to do the same thing again so here are her Dora Cupcakes.  They were fun to make and tasty too.

A close up.  

So challenged.  Sorry.  Here is Abigail blowing out her candles which read ABIGAIL.  I know she was only 4, but I couldn't find ABBY.  I guess I should have gotten one that said BABY, but I didn't think about that at the time.

We had a wonderful day with miss Abby and the cupcakes went really fast.  I think Abby ate 4 on her own.  Ok she only eats the frosting, but who doesn't?

It was an accident

We have been potty training for what seems like forever. Ok probably only a year, but in potty training years that is a long time. Abigail our stubborn one has decided she is doing it her way. Which was not at all.

We tried rewards. That worked for a little bit until she ate all the candy and then stopped going in the potty again. Boo Stinker.

We tried cold water on the bum. She hated it but not enough to stop having accidents. She would just ask if she had to have a cold shower. Ok not working.

We tried taking away a toy. She has too many toys.

We took away her favorite purple blanket. She... WHAT? That was the one. She doesn't like to not have her purple blanket. It's a sad sad day. So the rule was if she had an accident she lost her blanket until she went a full day with no accidents.

Surprise surprise. It didn't take her very long to decide she wanted her purple blanket. So the accidents have been very few since then.

The other night Noah yells from outside the girls bathroom that there was poop on the floor.

WHAT?? Who pooped on my floor. AND GROSS. Why would you poop on the floor?

Guess who got blamed? Abby. She has never pooped on the floor but I thought maybe she had had an accident and tried to clean herself up. So I asked her. She was adamant it wasn't her. So I went upstairs to check out the poop and clean it up.

It wasn't her. It was Foster the dog. He's old and is losing control of some of his functions. Anyway I laughed and told Abby I was glad she got to keep her blanket. Here's how our talk went...

"I'm so glad it wasn't you, and I don't have to take away your blanket"

A: "me too. What are we going to take away from Foster?"

M: "What?"

A: "Foster had an accident. I think we need to take away his ball."

M: chuckling "ok, sounds good."

So I cleaned up the poop went downstairs and started the dishes.

10 minutes later....

A: " Here mom."

M: "What is that?"

A: "Foster's ball. Where should we put it?"

M: "Just set it on the counter."

I have no idea where she found Foster's ball, but she was not letting an accident happen with out some sort of consequence. She is so funny. I think she has finally got the point and now no one is safe.

In like a lion...

Isn't there something about March coming in like a lion and out like a lamb? Well the lion is in full force and it's disguised as the stomach flu.

Last week I decided to take Dave on March 1 to a Blazer game in Portland as part of his 12 dates of Christmas. (it's a date night once a month that I plan) So we had his mom come stay with the kids for the night and went to the game and then spent the night at the Heathman Hotel. Kinda weird to spend the night at a hotel instead of my parents but we were after all on a date.

We picked up Abby from school and took her to meet Grandma in Tacoma. Not five minutes after we left she started to throw up and did so the rest of the night. Sad Sad Sad. I hate it when my kids are sick. I thought she was having car sickness, but nope, turns out to be the stomach flu. So we get home, of course abby is feeling better. We have a great night of Puss and Boots.

Saturday arrives and the boys go shooting and us girls hang out and work on some house things. That night we go see The Lorax. Cute movie. The family enjoyed it. Then guess what? Yep...kid number 2 gets it. In this case kid 2 is Sydney not Jacob. I thought we were doing good since she only got sick once. Yay!! Not so lucky she was worse the next night. So by the time Monday rolls around she has to miss school.

Monday Night or actually Tuesday morning kid number 3 gets it. That would be Jacob. I see a little pattern here. He was so sick for all of Tuesday. Today Wednesday he was better but still stayed home from school.

As I look at the time frames and patterns involved in this yucky bug, my calculations predict that Noah is next and it should be tonight. I'm wondering if I should take a nap now? And if this is correct it means Dave will get it next with me bringing up the rear. The worst part is he is supposed to go out of town. So he might be sick at his meetings and I'll be sick while he's gone. Boooo!!!!

But as Dave told me... I am not getting sick. I refuse to. So I'm going to hope and pray that the rest of us get out of getting the bug. I've been lysoling like crazy. I'm sure that's not a word. But I just invented it. :) So maybe that will help.

I'm also going to hope that the rest of the month gets better, because right now I'm not really liking the first week.

abby

Abby...that's all.

at the beach

We had a great week at the beach. Most days it was too stormy to go out, but a couple of times we got some sun breaks so we went as fast as we could.

These are some of the things we did at the beach during our mid-winter break.
At the park. Oddly we got all the kids in this one picture. It looks like it's about to rain but behind us the sun was shining.
Running from the waves. So much fun for kids and adults. Thank Heavens for rain boots. No wet feet for us.
Jacob and Noah chopping up the big kelp that floats in. Abby was shoveling the sand.
Working on the dam. See the big log? It's supposed to block the water. That's Haystack rock in the background.
Noah working on the dam. Pretty strong kid. I think he carried most of those rocks over there himself.
Grandpa walking by. Sydney and Jacob rolling in the log for the dam.
Abby loves to play in the sand. It's her favorite. I'm just glad she decided not to get soaking wet this time.
Headed back to the waves.
Loving the sand. See there was sun. I even see her shadow.
Jacob looking for sticks. Such a fun kid.

Abby and Dave made popcorn for the family while we watched a show. It was Disney's Oceans. The kids loved it. Saw so many cool marine animals.
Abby having her first beer at the Wet Dog Cafe. Don't worry it's a Cream Soda.
Trying on her hat. Always has a messy little face. At least she's cute.
Noah and some legos he built. He loves to build.
Jacob and his lego closed sign. He had fun building too.

It was a great week at the beach. The ride home not so fun. 3 of 4 kids got car sick. It was a barf a rama. But it all stopped once we got home.