The Caymans Days 4-8

Our trip has been fantastic! Starchy, the kids and I are in paradise. The prospect of coming home is weighing on our minds as we try to soak up every ounce of sand and sun. As always, I do better when I let the pictures do the talking. In random order...

The Dude's home away from home. Mr. Man has been making sure all of his bathing suits get equal time in both the ocean and the pool. He has REALLY improved his swimming and snorkeling skills on this trip.
HP and Ashley after renting jet ski's. The salt water kept splashing HP in the face so she used Ashely's glasses (so nice of her!). Ashley said they hovered right around 10 miles an hour. To put that in perspective, The Dude and Uncle Do-It hovered right around 40 mph. It looked like Ashley was driving Miss. Daisy!

The boys giving it a go on their "faster" jet ski.

Starchy and I at the wedding reception after about 15 rum punches.

This isn't the best picture, but you can see HP at the wedding reception showing off her moves on the dance floor. She kept swinging her arms in the air (like the "up-came-the-sun" part in Itsy Bitsy Spider) like a madwoman. It was adorable!

The Bride giving her speech. One of them...

Here are a few of the Ottawa guests that made it to the islands. We had three other tables like this plus the head table. Very intimate and very pretty.

Starchy, The Dude and Uncle Do-It.

HP on the boat between the ceremony and the reception. We ended up going pretty fast and she was screaming her everloving head off.

The Dude was more reserved at the reception. He wasn't keen on dancing and I think he was a little tired having to be "fancy" all day. Here he was taking a moment to himself.

The Three Amigo's on the boat ride! Side note: HP did have a gorgeous flower girl dress on for the ceremony. But after hearing her complain about how itchy it was, she changed before the reception. A comfortable 3 year-old, is a happy 3 year-old.

The Bride.

HP and I (her wearing the itchy dress), me wearing one two sizes too big.

HP's pretty hair and tiara.

The Bride before her big day. In another moment of class and grace.

HP and I in the holding room before the nuptials.

Do-It and Ashley in the pool at Margaritaville on 7-Mile Beach. Yes, there is a water slide in the restaurant!

The Dude with a baby lizard on his arm. He was so brave (I was totally grossed out).

The Caymans Days 1-3

We have been having a BLAST here in the Cayman Islands. Here are some pictures from the first few days.

HP has been getting good use out of her prescription sunglasses. And they are so fashionable to boot!

The Bride and Groom...

The kids at the Turtle Farm. We were in the bird section and The Dude was asking the quide a question.

The Dude holding a Cayman bird. This bird was perched on another tourist's shoulder about 2 minutes after this shot was taken and proceeded to take a giant turd all over the poor woman. It was HILARIOUS!

Starchy and The Dude in matching outfits (we didn't plan it!).

HP being brave and actually holding a turtle (I did not).

Starchy and I at stingray city. We got in the water and swam with stingrays! You can see one by my leg in the water.

Both kids have been loving the beach. They have spent countless hours on the beach making sandcastles and digging holes.

Carnival!

The O-Town carnival rolled into town last night.  Here is a photo play-by-play of our night...

Here are the three stooges on the pirate boat swing.  HP was about 1/2 inch shy of the height requirement for this ride.  So when the Carny came around Starchy showed her how to stand on her tip-toes so she met the 42" line.  It worked like a charm.  We fooled every single ride operator there (not such a hard feat I'd say).  AND we taught our daughter to be deceitful to boot!  Parents of the Year! ;)

The kids on one of the more tame rides.
This is the speed at which The Dude ran the entire time at the carnival.  Fast.

I've said it once and I'll say it again...isn't she lovely?
HP coming down the "fun house" slide.
Starchy in a moment of contemplation.  MEOW!  He is so cute.  

Getting tired.  This pic was taken about 15 minutes before leaving.

Navigating the fun house.  HP had is down pat.  She got on her hands and knee's and zipped right under the bungee cords.  The Dude on the other hand, went over the top.  Luckily he was able to catch up to her and make up for lost time by running through the rest of the house.

See...

Another ride in which we fudged HP's height.  They LOVED this one!

Brother and Sister on a mini roller coaster.

HP and I.  We were waiting for Starchy and The Dude who were on a ride that HP was CLEARLY not tall enough for.  

But the boys sure had fun on it! :)

Starchy giving The Dude a pep talk.  He was a little nervous on this one.

Going on the giant Ferris wheel!

For every ride she went on, HP made a beeline towards whatever she could find that was pink.  Like she had to coordinate with her outfit or something.

Grinning from ear-to-ear after her 11th time (I'm not kidding) down the giant slide.