Spring Break

Last fall we began planning a tropical vacation for spring break. Finally, after months and months of daily discussion about it (we told the kids about it way too soon!), it was time for our trip to Turks and Caicos. Joining us were Grandpa Al, Ava, and Grandpa and Grandma C. It was everything we'd hoped for and more. The most gorgeous beaches and water you can imagine, lots of laughs, and tons of fun. None of us were ready to leave the warm weather for the Midwest, but at least we have a lot of wonderful photos to remember such a fabulous vacation!

At 5 a.m., this girl was ready for vaca!

Breakfast at the airport.

And we're off!

Beach #1 (Grace Bay Beach)

Beach # 2 (Sapodilla Bay)

Grandpa Tim was quite the sand architect all week. 

Ava was a paddle board expert. 

Ella found a couple of snails. 

Liz's turn.

Jack was a fish all week. 

Ava was a great big cousin.  All three kids loved playing with her.

Ella's turn. 

And now Maeve. 

Ice cream time. 

Maeve found some friends during our souvenir shopping.

She tried to hide with this one so that I wouldn't make her put it back.

One of Maeve's many car naps.

Beach # 3. Bight Beach (amazing snorkeling)

We found a crab.

Such a handsome duo. 

Beach #4 Leeward. 

This was before dinner so trying our best to keep everyone dry. 

Dinner at Hemingways.  Fish Tacos = Awesome. 

Jack thought it would be fun to eat a lemon. 

It was. 

Ella and Ava's turn. 

Jack was not happy with a story Ella was telling about Maeve getting hit by a wave. 

Ella wanted a photo of me with her hat on.  Not too shabby. 

Eyeing the real estate:)

We made Ella narrow down her sea shells to take home.

One of the many attempts at a family photo. 

Bedtime reading time. 

These two were quite a challenge at bedtime. 

Boat trip!  

Snorkeling in the middle of the ocean.

A boat nap.

Joseph, our captain, showing us how to get the meat out of the conch shell.

Joseph insisted that the guys had to eat the "worm" out of the conch shell. Ew.

We saw lots of iguanas on Iguana Island!

Jo Jo, the friendly dolphin.

Jack was a jumping machine off the boat. 

Another crab. 

The highlight of his trip was jumping off the boat.

Lunch at Las Brisas. 

Beach #5 Taylor Bay

A mermaid tail.

These two came up with disguises one afternoon.

Larry the Lizard pretty much lived in our house. Fortunately, he wasn't as big as this guy.

One of Grandpa Tim's creations.

With limited kitchen resources, these were the pancakes one morning. The kids still ate them!

She was afraid she was going to get wet from the waves.

Ava getting her hair braided.

Grandpa Tim's face sculpture. He said it was Uncle Brian. 

World's largest wading pool. 

Star fish. 

Sunset at the beach by our place. 

Jack got soaked by a wave right after this photo. 

Back to Sapodilla Bay

Ella chasing Ava and Liz in the canoe. 

Dinner at the Thursday night fish fry. 

Beach #6 (Grace Bay, further east)

Go Hawks!

Jack working on the confidence to jump. 

Maeve was cheering him on. 

Now the entire group can jump. 

Ella was copying the yoga group on the beach. 

Sunset the night before we left. 

Beach girl. 

The girls. 

The TCI group. 

Ava's hands grew during the trip...

Waiting at the Turks airport. 

One last photo...

These guys were great plane travelers. 

Ava and I found a friend waiting for our bags. 

She refused to sleep during both flights home, but finally gave in once we landed.