Disneyland was a blast! We left on Wed March 25th and came home on Sunday, March 29th. The only thing that would have made it more perfect is if Shawn & Ang could have joined us! We missed them....grown up world sure stinks sometimes when responsibilities get in the way of fun!
Mick & Brandyn took advantage of the vacation and left early Tues morning. They spent the day taking their time, checking out Las Vegas Bass & Bait, M&M World, and just enjoying some personal family time! It's been fun to watch them really grow into their own little family. I told Rick the other day that I'm not sure what it is...but it seems that Mick is more of a grown up lady now. And Brandyn this grown man with such a huge responsibility to take care of each of them. He does it so well! Not that they have been anything less...kind of hard to explain, but Mick's a beautiful woman with a darn cute family! We can hardly wait to meet littly Preslie!Payson is the little man of the house who is all boy... always our buddy and always so playful and full of boyish activity like hunting for snails...swimming...swimming some more when we were all soooo tired...then finally dropping where he stopped! It was such a treat for me to make sure he got to the "jedi training" at disney. Talan LOVED the characters! He would run up to them and just hug their legs, grab their arms and kiss them...just like they were his long lost friends! He truely enjoyed having his Dad around for the week.
Chris & Tahnie and cute little Kallie are becoming their own little family as well. It amazes me to watch Chris throw his entire self into this little family he will call his own. He is so selfless as he shares his love and support for both Tahnie & Kallie. Tahnie...makes us laugh with her goofy personality and willingness to stay happy and carefree with the kids. She will be a great teacher one day. I watched her as she spoke to other children at the park, one in particular that has special needs. She truely has a special gift! We're excited for her to join us "officially"!
Rick & I feel so blessed to have the great family that we do. It's a dream come true to play with them and be not only their parent, or grandparent, but their friend. They are truely who make me who I am...they complete me...corny, but true!

Monday, March 30, 2009
This is what I get to witness each week I take my Dad to see my Mom.....they can't keep their hands off of each other....it's the most tender thing I have ever seen. Mom just can't understand why Dad can't stay there with her...there's plenty of room right next to her on her bed, just ask her! They will be married 61 years on April 5. WOW! A lesson of true love! I love how they have always shown affection for one another! Always needing a kiss and walking hand in hand!

So this is one of Chris's best friend's from soccer that goes way back...what am I saying...he's part of our family....he's our loving step child! Marky! He makes us laugh at everything! He was over tonight with Chris after a game while Rick & I had a good friend going over some financial planning....all I can say is...hey guys, he makes us laugh and we love him! Mark is getting married on Friday...can't even imagine...but she's perfect for him. Natalie...you will NEVER have a dull moment in your lifetime! You will be laughing all the time. Your so lucky and we're so happy for both of you! Hey, don't worry, there's a place on the mantel for his wedding picture...remember, he said it will be of just him--hee hee!

So the past few weeks of been TOUGH! My parents have been sick and 2 weeks tomorrow, we separated them, taking them both out of the hospital, Mom to a long term care center and Dad back to the Charleston by himself. Boy, if your heart has never broken, watch two people who have spent the past 61 years together deal with being apart!
Tonight Rick & I took my Dad to visit Mom. Mom was lying on the floor next to her bed....where she wanted to be and Dad asked her how on earth he was going to get down there to give her a kiss! After visiting for awhile, he crawled on his hands & knees to get next to her, just so he could touch her, run his hands through her hair and maybe get a kiss...she played hard to get with that part...! It was the sweetest thing ever. I wish I had taken my camera in. Tender does not describe it to it's best! Mom wants to go home where George can take care of her! My Dad could not hold it in! He just sobbed. What do you say to your loved ones, watching as their hearts are aching to be with another! Even when my Mom's mind is no longer with us, she know she wants her George!

escape completely! Wow! what a fun filled week with some of our favorite people! Can we go back! Where's the buffett....where's the steward who picks up after us each time we leave our room...where's the soft sand and warm sunshine....oh man! Take me away again!
We traveled to Jamaica.....poured so we didn't even get off the boat...about the time we decided to try it, we would see some people get back on the boat from being out and about...soaking wet and freezing...not to appealing and the company was good on the warm, beautiful boat. The next stop was the Grand Cayman...what a beautiful island. Are there any that aren't? We chose to just chill on the beach this day....Dan was a bit quiet..not quite himself...and we missed the carefree Dan...he wasn't gone for long though! The pictures don't show much more than eating or chilling at the beach...that's about what we did...it was sooo sooo nice to relax!
Cozumel was a beautiful place as well. We shopped a bit, and then found a taxi driver who suggested a private beach for us...what a treat. We paid him $20 something a person for the taxi ride back and forth, and was delivered to a beautiful beach with our own beach chair and all the special attention he could give us. He hooked us up on snorkeling with the fish food and equipment, would have a waiter at our side the minute we looked as if we were going to stand...just spoiled us and made the day for us! The last island was the private island owned by Princess the Princess Cayes. The water was so clear and blue! So beautiful. They had a barbeque set up and had all the fixin's for anything we could want to eat. Small shops along the beach and a little swap meet type along the outskirt where we had to show our passport to walk across...locals selling their crafts. I was a little antsy at this island and wanted to play...Rick joined me but the rest...well, a bunch of "old farts!" But I love them all! Couldn't ask for better friends who we hold so dear to our hearts! We always laugh and have such a good time when we are with them! I've waited to long to remember all the details..but they were all good! Such a fun experience and I hope that we don't wait another 10 years before we go again!