Grand Cayman

The first port on our cruise (last Monday) was Grand Cayman.

This was a beautiful island and we had beautiful, warm weather.

Drew chose our shore excursion for this island. We had a short bus ride to a stable and then enjoyed horseback riding along the beach. The scenery was absolutely amazing!

After the morning horseback ride we stopped at Margaritaville for some lunch. This is a great place to stop on a hot day because they have a pool and a waterslide right in the middle of the restaurant.

Drew at the top of the slide.

Did a little shopping.

And just walked around taking in all the sights.

It was an awesome day!!!

long awaited cruise

Last Saturday, after literally a year of waiting, our family boarded a cruise ship for a week long vacation. We went on a Western Caribbean cruise that stopped at some amazing ports: Grand Cayman; Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel; and Princess Cays, Bahamas.

This was the same cruise that we went on (but did not finish) last year. And I am happy to say that this year we made it the entire week. :)

Over the next few days I am going to try to sum up our vacation by sharing some highlights and favorite pictures. We took over 1500 pictures so this may not be easy, but I am going to try. :)

This first group of pictures is from our first 2 days on the cruise. The first was 'Sail Away' from Fort Lauderdale and then Day 1 was 'At Sea'.

The boys stateroom. (Tyler pretending to fall out of the bunk bed. Ha ha!)

A hole in one.

Losing money at the slot machines.

More to come tomorrow. :)

Happy Easter!

(photo taken a couple of days ago - a beautiful view from our stateroom)

view from here

Grand Cayman

view from here

I am not ready

for this.

We ordered these graduation anouncements through school many months ago.

And they came in yesterday.

I am not ready.

end of season

After six fun, but very busy months, hockey is over for the season.

Jake’s season has been over for a few weeks now and Drew’s team played their last game on Sunday in the district tournament.

Sunday’s game was probably one of the best games the team played all and maybe the most exciting. They were losing 1-4 in the third period and came back with 3 goals to tie the game. And Drew scored the 4th goal that tied up the game!

The game then went into a 10 minute overtime. Neither team scored. They went into another 10 minute overtime. No one scored. They went into a 3rd overtime!!! The other team scored to end the game. Although Drew’s team didn’t win, they played their hearts out and we were so proud of them- and what a way to end the season!

Last night was the end of the year party for Drew’s team. These parties are always fun and a great way to wrap up the season.

The coaches (Pete and Tyler) got up and did a little speech that summed up the year and also had some very nice words to say about each player.



This is what they said about Drew:

“Drew has a very strong competitive spirit. One of the hardest working kids on the team. Drew has the ability to put himself in the right spots and understands his offensive and defensive responsibilities. Drew led the team with assists. Drew has truly pushed himself this year to becoming a stronger skater and a play maker. Drew had 18 goals, 16 assists, and 49 penalty minutes. He led the team in points and assists.”

Yes, Drew is a bruiser out on the ice and spent his fair share of time in the penalty box. This last picture is totally posed, taken before a game, but still maskes me laugh.

And now baseball, soccer, ultimate frisbee and spring hockey start. :)

Sadies?

Saturday morning, while Tyler was gone coaching a hockey game, his girlfriend came over to decorate his room to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance.

Very cute and of course he said yes.

It is always so much fun to see all the different ideas that the kids come up with to ask each other to dances. They are so much more creative than when I was in high school when we just asked someone to a dance. :)

spring is springing

We have had some amazingly beautiful weather here in Minnesota these past few weeks. All of our mountains and mountains of snow have  finally melted. And we have been enjoying some unseasonably warm weather with highs in the 60's.

And yesterday, while I was doing some yard work, I peeked on my garden and saw that my chives were already springing up!

I am loving the spring weather!

I am from

Yesterday, at conferences, Drew shared with me a poem that he had written for one of his classes. The assignment was simply to write a poem that had at least 16 lines. I had tears in my eyes (in a good way) while he was reading this out loud to me. I thought it was such a beautiful poem and I could tell he had put so much thought into it and his choice of words. This poem completely sums up Drew and what is important to him. I LOVE it!

I am from

by Drew

I am from the smell of fresh painted rooms

And the trees in the woods

I am from golden fur and the loss of pets

I am from XBox 360 and PS3,

From the Black Eyed Peas and 3 Doors Down

I am from home made meals from every cultture

And tons of relatives

I am from metal in my arm

And broken bunk beds

I am from Busy Nights.

I am from Chicago

Where the B.... Family Tree lies

I am from Minnesota

Where the A.... Family Tree lies

I am from Hockey Sticks and Baseball Bats,

From Church every Wednesday and

Preschool at Hosanna,

From O... Elementary and

From a busy bus stop

I am from Golden Retrievers.

I am from Caribbean Cruises

And the scar on my arm

I am from a circle street

And a big back yard,

From walking my dog

And chasing her around

I am from a good life.