The Simonson's: Grand Cayman

It has been so long since I posted on here that I had to go back and read my last post so I knew where to start. This is never a good sign but today the kids are out of school and in between laundry and helping the kids I hope to get everyone caught up on all the busy things in our lives. As we enter the last full week of February and all the nice weather we have been having it has been hard for me to take the time to sit at my computer but here we go!
January 23-27
Monday we took Rachel to school then came home; I worked out on the treadmill and did some laundry before we took Becca to school. Monday afternoon I tried on outfits and laid out clothes to pack for our vacation. I made pork loin for supper and we all enjoyed a meal together. Tuesday we took Rachel to school then went to Jazzercise and coffee with Gwen. Then we took Becca to school and came home and organized more things for our trip. Wednesday the girls both had school and Johnna came out after school so that Mike and I could go out for dinner and drinks with friends. I have really been enjoying my Wednesday nights out. I love staying home with the kids but one night away makes the weeks go so much better and Mike and I are really enjoying going out to dinner and seeing friends.
Thursday Mike took Rachel to school while the little ones and I stayed home. I worked on the kid's schedules for the following week and getting the house in order before we left. Mike came home after work and watched the kids while I went to town and got my nails done. Thursday would have also been Jill Ever's 37th birthday. I miss her lots and really wish she could have met our kids. She is a big part of who I am today and how I look at this world. She taught me that it is okay to let loose and have some fun and she also taught me that everyone needs someone in their corner to watch out for them. I really wish the last four years of her life could have been different. She had the most beautiful smile and really cared for me. I will forever cherish the days we had.
Friday was finally here! Departure day to paradise! I took Rachel to school while Mike stayed home with the little ones. Mike and I worked on packing and playing with the kids. We picked Rachel up from school and Johnna came out to stay with the kids until Wanda got here. Stacy picked us up around 4:30 and we headed to Denver to fly out. We did not fly until midnight so we stopped and enjoyed a nice supper before checking into the airport and beginning our journey. Wanda went to Nathan's wrestling tournament and then come and stayed with the kids.

Ready for takeoff.

January 28- February 4

Wanda stayed with the kids Friday through Thursday. Then my mom and Aunt Patsy came Thursday afternoon and stayed with the kids until Saturday when we got back. They actually stayed over Saturday night was we did not get back until after the kids were in bed. While we were gone the kids had a great time with the grandparents. Unfortunately while we were gone Grandma Priest fell and broke her arm so Wanda stayed a couple extra days to help with her. The kids spent some time with Lisa and John while Wanda was in town helping with Phyllis and a huge Thank you to Becky DeMoude as she picked up the girls each day and either brought them home or took them to town. It is so nice to have amazing neighbors that will help out. It really does take a village and we have an amazing one here.

Now on to Mike and I's vacation: Saturday we landed on the island at 11:30 made it through customs and then went to our villa. They were still cleaning our place so we walked to the Marriott for lunch. When our place was ready we went back and changed into our swimming suites and lay on the patio waiting for Kate, Justin, and Lyndon to arrive. Our days on the island looked like this: We would wake up whenever, have some breakfast together, then changing into suits and go lay on the beach, we would walk somewhere for lunch then go back and lay on the beach until just before sunset. We would go up and watch the sunset from our patio, then shower and get ready for supper. We would go eat then come back and enjoy conversation on the patio until everyone wandered off to bed. Monday we chartered a boat to take us snorkeling, to rum point, star fish bay, and the stingrays. The guys and I enjoyed a round of golf on Friday and then we all returned home on Saturday. The picture are really more fun than my story so I will just leave you to look at them and imagine what you would do while there!