My sister and I made our goal of a vacation together every 2 years a reality by taking a cruise this summer.  We sailed on the Carnival Sensation to the Bahamas.  I love my sister and I love spending time with her.  It's easy.  It's comfortable.  It's meaningful. On this vacation we had a wonderful time just being together.  We talked and we stayed silent.  We laughed and were serious.  We enjoyed the sun and the rain. 

 Adults only Serenity deck

 Day 1 - Freeport (the only sunny day)

 Love her

 Our eyes were closed

 Toes in the sand. AWESOME.

 After the rain in Nassau.  I have got to stop giving myself a double chin in these pictures.

 At the end of our day at the Atlantis Resort.  It rained but we still did the lazy river (which wasn't so "lazy" - Tidal Wave).

Time to get back on the ship. Sadness.

Cayden's baseball season

Tonight was Cayden's last baseball game of the season.  I kept forgetting to bring my camera (and to be honest it was always too cold to get out of my bundles).  Finally, tonight was a beautiful night for baseball and I had my camera.  Here is Cayden's first up-to-bat:     

Yep, he preferred his pants short.  What can I say?  I didn't have to buy anything new :)

 And, his second at-bat:

He hit twice and struck out once.  I did not get the picture of the great catch he made as short stop. He had a pretty succesful season overall but he isn't sure if he wants to keep on with baseball or not.  I just wish Spring weather cooperated a bit more around here.

P.S. Jeff helped coach with our good friend Stacy Smith.

More hiking

Bryce on the hike

Too bad he's not having any fun!

beautiful "creek"

And, finally, a picture of Cayden.  He doesn't stick to close to me during hikes anymore so getting him on film is a bit difficult. He is there with a friend, Max.

Bryce collecting boats to throw in the creek.

And he humored me from long distance.  I can imagine the "awww, Mom, I'm busy" tone to this picture.

Piano recital

 

Cayden has just completed 3 years of piano and his recital was on June 1st.  He was nervous, nervous, nervous.  The last two recitals he has participated in have been at our house but this one was in a pretty big church on a BIG piano with lots of strangers watching.  His song was "Home on the Range" and he played it fast, but great.  I am so proud of him for keeping up with piano along with everything else he is involved in.  Our wonderful teacher Heather will not be teaching for awhile as she is expecting her first baby.  We will be starting with a new teacher next year.  Cayden got to listen to a couple of very accomplished pianists while at the recital and I think that was a good thing to see. 

And, yes, I have also been taking piano and, no, I did not participate in the recital.  

 How cool are they?

 We took these pictures before the recital and he was a nervous wreck.  Smiling was apparently not an option.

Cayden and our piano teacher, Heather. 

Bryce's hair

Bryce checked out a book from the library on Tuesday called "What's Wrong With my Hair?"  It is a seriously cute book that has places for you to "insert your face" with some awesome hairstyles.  This is Bryce showing off his "sun" hair cut and his "lion" haircut.  Today we will think about making our own with some more pics to follow!