Abigail's First Trip to the Zoo

Today is absolutely beautiful out and broke the 60 degree mark, so we decided to go to the zoo. It was actually Jeromy's idea since it is his day off. I think we are going to go again on Saturday since it will be in the mid to high 70s. If we go, we will see who else can go with us.

Abigail fell asleep as we arrived at the zoo. She missed the whole Artic exhibit. She woke up after we crossed the bridge to the other side of the zoo. The only problem is that none of the animals were moving so we knew Abigail wouldn't see them. Jeromy tried to show her the penguins, but I don't think she saw them.

Here is Jeromy trying to show her an animal.

Here is the animal they were looking at...a hippopotamus (Jeromy told her that it was her cousin Elena's favorite animal)

The fish were about the only thing that she seemed to see. She actually started talking to them.

Abigail the butterfly

Watching the monkeys play

Showing shock at what the monkeys started to do. (You don't want to know)

Falling asleep after an exciting afternoon at the zoo.

Do, Re, Mi...

This video is hilarious! It's really funny to watch the random onlookers. FYI - this was a publicty stunt for a Belgium reality show.

Easter Sunday

Abigail in her Easter dress.


Jeromy and Jimmy watching the Masters (golf for all of you non-sports people) with Abigail and Aubrey.


Sylvanna, Abigail, Aubrey, and Landon (the four new babies of the family...in birth order)


The four cousins - Elena, Abigail, Alex, and Landon

We're Home!

One of the last pictures taken while on vacation.

We finally arrived home last night at midnight! It was a long journey home yesterday. We left the resort at 10:30 a.m. for the airport. Our plane was scheduled to take off at 2:30. We arrived at the airport a little before noon and discovered that our flight was delayed until 4:30. So, we found a Burger King to eat lunch and then found a seat to wait. To pass the time we played Phase 10.

We finally boarded the plane around 4:30 and took off. The flight was uneventful and we arrived around 9:45 p.m. in Detroit. My mom picked us up around 11 after we went through customs. We finally made it home around midnight and collapsed into bed.

If your interested in why the plane was delayed, the pilot told us. The crew arrived in Detroit this morning to no plane. Northwest had messed up and had sent our plane to somewhere in South America. So they had to wait for another plane (which took two hours).

No Problem!

That's what I hope you say when you learn there are no pictures today. We had another nice, relaxing day down here in Jamaica. We woke up and went down to spend time by the pool. After an early lunch, we went snorkeling. It was a lot of fun and some of the best snorkeling I have ever had. The water was calm and there were a TON of beautiful fish. The only negative is that the reef was so tall it was difficult to swim over it. As a result, you had to always have your head lifted in an awkward angle to see the fish and coral. It was still fun and we are planning on going again tomorrow morning.

Tonight we are going to a dinner for Select members which we became a part of last year before leaving St. Lucia. I've seen them setting it up along the beach (but on the deck) so it should be very neat.

By the way, Laura, we have seen a couple weddings here. It's kind of funny where they do them. They are right on the pool deck. It is away from most of the action, but there are people sitting in lounge chairs looking on like it's a performance. You were afraid you would have bikini clad people in your pictures. These people do, along with wave runners, and pool volleyball.

I'm the Boss Lady!

At least that is what all the Jamaicans tell me. Today was a great day! This morning we headed to Dunn River's Falls where we climbed the 960 foot waterfall in a human chain. It was a lot of fun! At times, I would say it was slightly dangerous. Very slippery, random rocks that you could trip over, and sudden drop offs. We survived the trip (and so did our camera). Jeromy had some problems with his foot, but he overcame them. Here are some pictures from this trip:



I was injured right before we took this last picture. I slipped off a rock and hit my knee. It really hurts when I go up and down stairs now. Luckily, I do not have to do that very often.

After returning to the resort and eating lunch, we went to the room so Jeromy could prop up his foot. I went out onto the balcony to read for a little bit. Then, we headed back out to the pool so Jeromy could play pool volleyball (yes, his injuries could not keep him from playing volleyball. Of course, they did keep him from playing beach volleyball. While there we met two couples who were firemen and teachers (one was from Georgia, the other was from California) and a couple from Minnesota (the guy has a grandmother in Lake Park - that's for Aunt Monique). We had a lot fun talking to them between games.

A little before 5 p.m. we headed back up to the room because we had a rendezvous with our little girl. We were able to see and talk to Abigail thanks to webcams and the internet. She was so cute (as usual). She seemed very confused on where Mommy and Daddy were. She looked like she was trying to climb onto the keyboard. :)

After talking to Abigail, we showered and got ready to go to dinner. We had reservations to go to Kimonos, the Asian restaurant. It is very similar to Nagoya's (I assume, since I have never been). We had a great time! We met couples from Georgia, Pismo Beach, California, and Anderson, South Carolina (remarkably, there were two couples from Anderson, South Carolina who met while at that table.) Our chef was great and helped make the dinner a blast. Here is a picture of Jermaine (He said he was originally from Tokyo and that he was blackenese.):

I took this picture because I am always amazed that they can carry all of these cups at one time. This was one of the tallest towers I have seen thus far. (Actually, he dropped some of these cups a few minutes before this picture was taken.

Ya Mon!

Yes, they really say that down here...A LOT!!! Yesterday was a lazy day! We simply hung out by the pool all day long. At one point I participated in water aerobics. It was fun, but a lot more difficult than the water aerobics that I am used to. They expected you to be very coordinated!

While I was doing water aerobics, Jeromy went down to the beach to play beach volleyball. While I was still in the pool (aerobics lasted a long time!), Jeromy came back up from the beach and I could tell that something was wrong. When aerobics were finished and Jeromy joined me in the pool, I found out that he had been injured. He had played a few games and then on the final game he fell HARD. His tailbone, wrist and foot all hurt pretty badly. He thinks he may have some broken bones, but is not worried about it because there is nothing any one could do about it anyways. We hung out in the pool, ate lunch, and then hung out some more. Then, Jeromy went up to the room to lay down (that's when I knew he wasn't feeling good). I went up later and sat on the balcony to read.

Later that evening, we headed down to dinner on the beach. On Mondays, all the restaurants are closed and everyone eats down on the beach. It was very neat.


We met some very nice people (couples from Phoenix, Chicago, and Vegas) and watched a fire eater. It was a lot of fun!

Today we are heading to Dunn's River Falls and I am sure I will have stories and pictures to share about that. We also have reservations at Kimonos (the Asian restaurant on the resort). We did not eat there last year in St. Lucia and honestly I can't remember what Andy and Laura said about it. In between our excursion and dinner we get to see and talk to Abigail Grace via the internet! I'm VERY excited about that! I miss my little girl!

I Almost Stepped on a Gecko!

This morning,after taking a shower, I was walking out to check my e-mail to see what had happened with Abigail overnight and I almost stepped on it. It's is so small it just looked like a smudge. Here is a picture of it:

That is super zoomed in!

P.S. Jeromy wanted me to add that he asked the gecko if he could save 15% on car insurance. Actually, every time we see a gecko he asks it about car insurance.

Journey to Jamaica!!!

This morning at 7:45 a.m., we left our house to head to Detroit for a plane trip down to Jamaica! I had been up with Abigail since 3:44 (with a short nap from 4:15 to 5), so 7:45 was not too early. Actually, Abigail slept through most of that time, but I just wanted to hold her since I would not see her for a week. I miss her! :(

Our plane ride was very uneventful. We had some turbulence (some of the worse I have ever flown through), but we survived. I was in the middle seat with Jeromy on the aisle and an eight year old boy by the window. I felt like I was his mother the entire time since he had never flown before (that he could remember) and didn't know what to do. I had to tell him to buckle his seatbelt, keep his tray in the upright position, get his drink order, and essentially do everything I would have had to do if I was his mother.

We were very surprised when we arrived in 89 degree Jamaica on how different it was from our St. Lucia experience. (Most of this next part is for those who traveled to St. Lucia last year) First, it is an actual airport which is nice. Second, the Sandals desk is actually a lounge area with drinks and snacks instead of a simple podium. Third (and most important), transportation was a luxury bus! Nice!

There isn't much else to tell at this point. We have arrived. Our room is wonderful!!! We are now going to change (since our luggage has arrived) and then find something to eat. We are starving!

Here is the view from one of our balconies (yes, we have two balconies):

Abigail's Four Month Appointment

I can't believe that my little baby will be 4 months old tomorrow! Time has really flown! On Thursday we went to the doctor for her 4 month appoinment. We were told that she is now 14 1/2 pounds and 24 inches in length! She is really growing! She also had her shots and she did very well. She barely cried. Of course, for the last couple days there have been some side effects. She has been very fussy, she eats very little, and her sleep cycle is all messed up.

I was going to write more, but she is crying so I probably should take care of her. :)

Introducing Landon Drew!

This week has been very busy! On Monday night, Laura checked in to Blanchard Valley to be induced (they actually started the induction on Tuesday morning). After a LONG hard day and night, Landon was finally born at 1:51 a.m. He is and even 6 pounds and 19 inches in length! It's hard for me to believe, but he is the same size as Abigail when she was born! He seems so little!

Abigail and I went down on Tuesday to await Landon, but left before he was born. So, we returned on Wednesday to get a look at her new little cousin. It was so weird to see them next to each other. We were also able to see little Landon last night (Friday) and as an added bonus little cousin Aubrey visited as well!

Here are some pictures from the week: