Byron and I were so blessed this last week to get to go to ARUBA with his company, all expenses paid! We thank our friends from church the Pittmans who were willing to stay at our house and take care of our 3 crazy kids for 5 days!
This is a picture of the tour bus we took around the island the first day, for 8 hrs! but it was well worth it, street signs do not exist, and dirt roads are everywhere. We saw wild goats and donkeys, a cave, indian writings, and went snorkeling and saw a lot of beautiful fish. In Aruba there is a constant cool wind off the ocean, so it never gets hot and bugs don't exist.
Just for Mikayla I was chasing iguanas around the pool one afternoon trying to get a good shot.
We had 2 dinners on the beach, which was awesome. I had the best food ever! For breakfast we had made to order omelets and fresh fruit, for lunches we usually had fajitas, salads, fresh fruit. For dinners we had chicken and steak and fish. One night we went to a Japanese tepanaki grill where they cook and do tricks with fire and knives in front of you, that was a fun and new experience with awesome food! Best food ever! We also had an unlimited supply of pina coladas, and strawberry daiquiris, virgin of course!
One is a picture of our hotel the Westin (the one on the right) from a snorkeling cruise we went on the 2nd day after scuba diving in the morning, that was a busy and tiring day. The seas were kind of rough so I panicked and wanted to get back in the boat but Byron said no way you are going down! This was my 8th time scuba diving and this time the snorkeling was actually better. I think I have decided I don't like scuba diving anymore its too scary and claustrophobic feeling. We saw a school of squid on one of the snorkling trips (we went on 3). Diving we saw a eel and octopus.
On the last day Byron learned how to windsurf and I opted for a back massage. My back felt so much better after that and not lifting Zach all the time. then we tried to relax on the beach but only lasted a couple of hours before getting ancy. (we aren't use to getting to just sit!) I have to boast I did not get burned at all! That was probably becuz I was the only dork wearing a towel around my shoulders most of the time cuz I was cold (I get cold easily), wish I had a picture. The last night we had another group company dinner and then packed to come home. This is the day we started to miss the kids.
We loved our vacation and really enjoyed each others company. It was so nice to do what we wanted without having to fight with the kids.
It has been kind of hard returning to reality. The first 2 nights home Zach has had a fever and been waking us up in the middle of the night, not taking naps and just whinning/crying all day. The house is already a mess and I so do not want to do the dishes! Did I already mention I really loved not having to cook, clean, do dishes or pick up after anyone??? Makes me want to plan another one already!
I would recommend ARUBA to anyone for a vacation for a few reasons: everyone there speaks English, they accept US dollars, its safe, beautiful, perfect temperature year round and from Miami only 2.5hr flight.
Easter for us included Amber speaking at church, scones for breakfast, the kids finding their candy trail to their Easter baskets, turkey dinner and Easter pics. Poor buddy with his pink butterfly basket! You can kenzie's personality showing thru on most of her pics...can we say silly princess??
candles which Byron and the girls put on while I was trying to listen to confrerence, he is only 2. this is how the conversation went...hurry up mom we are trying to have buddys birthday cake for a snack, "lets wait till after conference--NO (everyone else)--wait I need the camera then,"(Amber)--just hurry he is already starting to blow the candles out (everyone else)...does anyone wait for the Mommy? so that is why there are 3 candles, cuz Byron was in charge!) But of course Buddy 
didn't care as he reached up on the counter and grabbed a fist full to eat. Then he is off 
to explore the world with his tiger flashlight. It feels like I am saying "NO buddy" and "stay Zach" (as he steps in the banana or water that he spilled all over the floor) all day long as he tries to get into EVERYTHING. He just wants to be big so badly. I sure do love my cuddly, curly haired cutie though. (I go between the golden locks and the mowhawk, I just hate to cut off the cute curls cuz none of my girls had them)
Mikayla lost like her 7th tooth (bottom right) last night. She bravely pulled it out becuz it was bothering her. So a funny story: she found some baby teeth in my drawer and I per my mothers suggestion told her they were mine from when I was a kid and that I wanted to keep them instead of getting money (still not quite sure if she believes me or not) Mikayla keeps begging me to put them under my pillow now to see if I will get more money for them (since back in the day I only got .25 and she gets $1) now.
