the haircut

Addison is a freak about her hair. She barely lets me brush it. No clips or ponytails allowed. Every once in awhile I can style it, but she pulls it out 5 minutes later. It's summer, it's hot and she's always sweating. Since she won't let me put it up and get it off her neck I took matters into my own hands.

I had it all chopped off.

She was a little upset with me when she realized it was actually gone, but she's getting used to it. It's stacked in the back and angled in the front. I absolutely love it and think it looks adorable.

This was all done right before Addison took our New York trip. I have a million pictures showing off her new do and all the sights we saw. I can't wait to share.

jamaica - the end

A couple of random pictures to end these posts.

There were peacocks that roamed freely on the property. They're so beautiful and loud. They sound like a monkey in heat. You could easily walk up to one to get a picture and at times it felt like they were purposely showing off their feathers.

This carved wooden bird sat on a post. It was actually all one piece. We passed him every time we walked to and from the restaurants. For some reason I liked him. We were best buds by the end of the trip.

Just some shots of Michael and I. I'm really putting this out here to show you the difference between someone who uses sunscreen the correct way and someone who doesn't. Also as a reminder to not fall asleep in a hammock. Hint: I did it right.

This is Prince. He was part of the entertainment staff at the resort, but did many other jobs as well. We saw him everywhere. All of the staff is so friendly, always stopping to say hi and see how you are. Prince was super nice to us and stopped for pictures several times. He even cut a rug with me on the dance floor.

The morning we went on a boat ride we were sitting next to this couple. I even made a comment to Michael about how the girl looked like someone I knew. Fast forward a couple of hours to when we were hanging out by the pool, after I recovered from the sea sickness. That same couple from the boat comes up to the swim up bar and we all start talking. Emily and Bart are also from Jacksonville and Bart work right across the street from Michael. They were there celebrating a late honeymoon. We were friends instantly. We spent an hour or so talking and made plans to meet up the next two nights. We all laughed so hard and had a really great time. I hope we can get together with them soon.

The drive to and from the airport is horrible. You think taxi drivers in NY are bad. These drivers are nuts! It's one lane roads on the side of a mountain and they are all over the place. Michael and I sat in the single seats because I needed space to breath. I took this of him behind me. And there's me at the airport. I actually really like this picture.

I had my big Canon camera on the plane with me and took some pictures, but Michael snagged this one with his phone. I know, no phones during the flight. We're such rule breakers.

Good bye Jamaica. Until next time.

jamaica part IV

Our last full day there we went to YS Falls. It take about 45 minutes to get there and the bus ride is a lot smoother and scenic than the ride from the airport. It was also informative. The tour guide had the bus pull over so she could grab the fruit that produces the cashew and the all spice leaf. She had us putting that thing on our tongue to feel the tingle. Did you know they use the leaf to make Novocaine? Interesting. Once at the property you have to take a tractor ride to the actual falls. The farmland was so pretty.

No fooling around now. It was time to go zip lining. I was equal parts scared and excited.

We got all geared up and it was time for our quick lesson on taking off, turning, and breaking. After that they assume you are a pro and off you go.

Somehow we managed to be at the front of the line. That was not happening. I insisted that the couple behind us, who had been zip lining before, go ahead of us. That way I could watch and see how it was done.

With the first line done I was able to relax a little. We really had a great time zipping through the falls.

One of the reasons I was able to enjoy it more was because of our fantastic guides. They were both so funny and knew how to make us all have a good time. Like the time the one told the girl to go and Mario was saying, "No. Not yet. Go back!". Funny stuff. Here's me with Mario.

After the zip lining we were able to walk around in the falls, jump from the rope swing and explore the property. I really had no desire to get in the cold water, but they made me. They have some local who walk you around in the water, show you exactly where to step and take pictures with your camera the entire time. They earned their tip.

At first we were not going to do anything off the resort, but I'm so glad Michael talked me in to doing this excursion. We called that morning to see if we could get on the tour and lucky for us there were still some spots. It was so much fun. And now that I'm a pro I can't wait to go zip lining again.

jamaica part III

I've come to the conclusion that me and excursion boats don't get alone. I always end up being sick.

The morning we choose to go on the glass bottom boat ride to the reef happen to be the only morning that the weather was crappy. It was overcast and the water was choppy. The current was so bad that they couldn't even get us very close to the reef. While Michael looked at the fun coral and the starfish I was focused on something stationary on the horizon. It took a lot of mind over matter for me to keep my breakfast.

Because of the weather there really wasn't much happening under the glass. So the boat driver sent his first mate into the water to find some fun stuff. Like a live starfish.

And a live sea urchin. This thing was moving around in my hand. It only freaks you out a little.

Once we got inside the reef, closer to the shore, the current wasn't as bad and the waves not as choppy. It made the ride back to the dock a little easier. Nonetheless, I was still ready to get off that boat.

Once we got back to land all I wanted to do was lay down. We went to the main pool on the property...

...and I found this spot. I didn't move for 30 minutes.

I'm really going to think about this small boat excursion thing from now on.

jamaica part II

The beach, the sand, the unlimited access to chairs, the girl delivering fruity drinks. It was all pretty wonderful and gorgeous.

The resort sits on about 2 miles of beach. Twice I went running in the morning to get used to running in the sand for the 5k. Low tide gave me about 2 feet to work with.

These trees were everywhere. The kids would have had a blast climbing them.

I'm happy to say that I was very diligent with the sunscreen and only got burnt in one little spot the whole week. That was the spot I missed with the sunscreen. It also helped to be sitting under a tiki hut.

The resort is in Whitehouse, Jamaica. Behind us is the actual city of Whitehouse. The sky is black, but it looked like that every afternoon. It would usually ran, but not for long. It was a good time for a nap or the spa.

 I begged Michael not to wear that shirt for pictures. He wouldn't listen.

This is the resort from the glass bottom boat ride that we took (next post). The tiki hut right in the middle was our spot.

Sunset on the beach. This was taken right after we face timed with the girls and got details of the tropical storm that was heading straight for our house. No hurricane where we were.

If the beach here in Jacksonville was anything like this, I would go more often.

jamaica part I

It's been about 5 years since Michael and I have taken a vacation. We've been on some weekend trips here and there, but not a REAL vacation. Alone. No kids. No family. No friends. Just us. We met with a travel agent and told her what we were looking for. A beach that I can sit on, read a book, sleep, and not do anything else if I didn't want to. She talked us into going to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. At first I was against it because I eat and drink a lot less than the average person. But since it was our cheapest most frugal option and had everything we wanted we went for it.

The view from  the porch of our room. It was so nice to just walk right out to the pool or the beach whenever we wanted.

Since the resort is all inclusive, you can eat and drink as much as you want. For me that included one or two fruity drinks a day and a plateful of sweet treats at midnight. All of the food was amazing.

Most of the mornings we had breakfast at the buffet. They had everything you could think of, plus some. Michael even tried the fish they were serving.

Lunch was usually pizza at the Italian restaurant or outside seating at Bluefield Beach Club. I had the jerk chicken quesadilla's twice. So yummy. Keep in mind that when you live in a bathing suit for days you don't worry about fixing your hair and just look rough. And this day I was really worn out. Sorry about that.

Another lunch at Bluefield's and an afternoon coffee break.

We both cleaned up pretty well for dinner each night. We tried all of the restaurants and each had something different to offer. The first night I ate these little octopus looking thingys. It was tough, but I did it.

Each night they had some kind of entertainment. A band, the newlywed game, talent show, karaoke, even a big beach party. Keep in mind that one of our reasons for going was to get some good sleep so we didn't stay out too late. Except that one night. Different post.

This is me pretty much ready for bed.

my baby daddy

Yesterday was Father's Day, but for Michael it started on Saturday afternoon. You see, the U.S. Open was on and I had to hear over and over that him sitting on the couch, watching golf and doing nothing was part of his Father's Day gift. Fine by me. It's cheap. The girls made gifts at school. Addison's was this sweet little book about her dad. I was shocked to find out that Michael is a Justin Bieber fan. Morgan brought home this sweet picture in a handmade frame.

We went to church yesterday morning and then to Mojo's kitchen for a barbecue lunch. Five minutes into lunch Morgan reached for my sweet tea for a sip. The nice full glass of tea spilled all over her and left a small lake on and around the table. The waitress says it happens all the time. I'm sure it does, but she was still probably cussing us under her breath. I left her a good tip.

After naps we went for a hike. We saw a giant snapping turtle and a boy in a boat that Morgan was insistent we take a picture of. For the record, he was a man in a kayak, fishing and drinking beer. I'm sure he loved my kids yelling hello at him.

Michael stayed up way past his bedtime to finish the U.S. Open. I went to bed. I hope you had a great Father's Day honey. You keep us grounded and sane. I probably would be in a loony bin without your awesome fathering skills. You truly are a great dad and we all know it.

Shout out to my dad. There was some miscommunication this weekend, but he knows I love him. We all do.Thanks for understanding me. You're a great dad and grandpa to the girls.

Jim - We all love you and appreciate everything you do for us. Thanks for being there and spoiling my girls.

Hope all you dads out there got some time off this weekend. You deserve it!