Easy beaded Anklets

Joie made a bracelet for Rocket

 Alright!  These pictures were being difficult.  They didn't want to be shared on my blog, but my persistence paid off.  Here they are!!  Not exactly the way I wanted them, but oh well.  Sometimes I have to let go of that perfectionist in me.  I see it in both my children sometimes and how being a perfectionist is stressful!  We are human and imperfect unable to be flawless.  Luckily, we have a God that is so merciful and patient and loves us unconditionally.    

Jayden's hemp bracelet is my favorite.  I had to search the internet to remember how to make it

On the right, the anklet is a simple braid with beads added for fun.

Fostering Nipper a.k.a Rocket

This is Nipper.  A pup we walked the very first time we walked dogs from the Humane Society.  Joie and Jayden's friend, Aly, named him Rocket.  All of us agree that Rocket is a much better name than Nipper.  What do you think?  We weren't allowed to foster any of the puppies the first time we walked dogs, but last week we were able to foster Rocket.  Joie had so much fun playing with him on the beach.  Check out these adorable photos. 

He's gonna be a beautiful AWESOME companion!

 I was completely astonished that Nipper was so willing to be buried in the sand.  Total Beach Pup!

Squashing sand castles

or eating them.

 There is something about having a dog that makes a home feel more homey.  When I visit the Humane Society I wish I owned a large piece of land so that I could adopt a few of the dogs that are currently living in kennels at the shelter.  It's sad to think that many of them will spend their lives there.  As much as I would love to adopt them all, I have to say it was nice to have Rocket stay with us for a few days, but it was also really nice to give him back to the shelter.  Owning and caring for puppies and dogs is hard work!

Tortugas

 Do you know the meaning of Tortuga?  The thought to know never crossed my mind until I moved to Grand Cayman, formerly known as Tortuga.  It means turtle in Spanish.  Grand Cayman was a refuge for pirates back in the day and turtles were one of the delicacies they feasted on.  Turtles were easily caught and kept alive for fresh meat.  Turtles are still a staple food here.  We have tasted turtle burgers and turtle soup.  The turtle burgers are mighty tasty especially if they aren't the frozen kind.   So far, we like Paradise Grill's turtle burgers best.  If your ever come to Grand Cayman you have to eat a turtle burger or soup and conch fritters...Yum!  Billy Bones at Treasure Island Condos has the best conch fritters in my opinion.

Grand Cayman local beer, Caybrew, and Conch fritters from Calico Jacks

Turtle burger

 Because turtles were hunted for food their population decreased and thus the creation of Grand Cayman's turtle farm.  

The turtle farm raises turtles to be released into the wild and also for consumption.  Sometimes visitors are lucky enough to be involved in releasing turtles.  Tortugas are released multiple times throughout the year.  A popular release is during Pirate Week.  Here are some of the photos we took when we went.

A pond/pool for guests to swim with turtles that will be released into the wild

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 week old turtle

 Jayden holding the baby turtle

and Joie...

 This picture was captured underwater

 

Jayden and Daddy swimming with turtles

 

A picture of me taking pictures...


Please don't mind the large white border surrounding these pictures.  I am still learning how this whole thing works.  For some reason my text is attached to my photos in half of this post.  Oh well.  =)

Let the creative juices flow:)

Joie and Arden have been having so much playing outside. We have been outside almost all day lately so I haven't been able to post pictures and share about it. I have to catch up. I am truly enjoying having both Joielin and Jayden outside interacting with new children, playing and learning. Before the last 3 weeks I was having trouble getting them outside. I am loving this!

The head piece Arden made

A bracelet Joielin made

Actually

Have you ever paid attention to how often the word actually is used?  Joie, at one point, would use this word excessively.  Nearly every sentence she said started with the word "Actually".  Rarely was it used in the correct context so Jacob decided it was time to point it out.  Since our family meeting about "actually"  we are on "actually" patrol.  Anytime anyone says"actually" we point it out and if I catch myself saying it I say it twice with extra emphasis the second time acknowledging I used the word, actually ACTUALLY.  There are other words to replace actually:  really, indeed, as a matter of fact, in reality.

I am not saying that this word should not be used.  I am only saying it is over used.  There are many times that "actually" is the only word that makes sense.  Listen for yourselves.  You may go on an "actually" strike, too!

ACTUALLY

OH YEeeeah!!!!!!!!! My perfecttly round Muffins.........what????? they were Good!

I am the only one that is allowed to laugh at these ugly, yet very delicious blueberry muffins made in our 12" electric oven, with NO muffin pan, might I add.

 
  Yes, they were only semi-homemade.  For some reason with the ity-bity oven/kitchen I have I am not very excited about baking from scratch. 

Joie's whiteboard Art

 

Joie States," This is a weird funny awesome man with a crazy hat."  I love how she always accentuates the shadows above lips with solid lines.   

White board Art work

 

Let me explain...per Jayden.  The green things are trees.  The black airplane looking thing is a dragon and Jayden is riding him.

Happy Birthday Jayden!

Jayden turned 6 today.  It's hard to believe that he is 6;  he is still my baby.

Really close quirky photo

 Jayden decided for his 6th birthday he wanted to slide down the water slide located at Margaritaville, Grand Cayman.  Talk about an easy out for me!  No party, balloons, or goodie bags, woohoo!  We met a family with four children that arrived here Christmas day and both of my children enjoyed their company so they came along for the fun.

Sophie, Joie, Hannah

Luke, Jayden, Sophie, Lane

A terrible picture of Jayden's cake

 This picture is truly insufficient.  Although it was a box cake, this triple chocolate cake was decadent.  Moist, fluffy and super chocolaty, a cake only for chocolate lovers.  Unfortunately, the lighting and angle of the picture doesn't show anyone else that.  You just had to be here to taste and enjoy it.   Joie and Hannah added the decor to the cake for the perfect touch. Voila!

Jayden cut the cake

Six children, each one got to pull a candle from the cake and suck off the icing.  What fun it is to be a kid!  Can you believe one of them actually tried to eat the candle, hahaaha.  

Our New Camera

We bought a Cannon Powershot D10 after borrowing one for our honeymoon cruise last year.  Which reminds me that I haven't told you much about my husband and our story yet...I will share soon, but not right now.  Anyway, we bought this new camera because it can go underwater.  It is soooo awesome to take photos beneath the water!  I love this one of my little guy...

  As much as I love this new camera it can be frustrating at times when I am unable to snap a beautiful picture the first time.   Guess it's time for me to break out the manual, learn what all these new icons mean and take lots of practice shots.  Yay!  I'm excited!

A Natural Diver

Jacob... 

My husband has been working extremely hard since he started his diving college a few weeks ago.  He bartends at least 7 days a week often times working double shifts.  When he's not working he's diving and completing the appropriate courses needed for him to run his own dive shop.  It's pretty amazing how God is opening many doors for his dream of owning his own dive shop to become a reality.  He will be a dive master by next week and on February 22, 2012 he will have his IDC, Instructors Development Course, certifying him to teach all levels of diving!  His instructor, other divemasters, and divers are constantly amazed by his natural ability to dive.  He has a natural sense of direction underwater, an important skill needed to safely and successfully lead dives.  Jacob has always worked in the service industry so I am extremely excited to see him branching out into another field and the fact that God is directing his steps makes it even more special.

I love our underwater camera!  Technology is amazing!

These are some divers Jacob instructed