Jamaica Part I

We planned our 15 year anniversary trip to Jamaica.  We picked the perfect time of year~ mid-January. I was even looking forward to the plane ride and with motion sickness that isn't usually a highlight.  But knowing after an under 4 hour plane ride, we would be in a beautiful, warm climate for a full week, I was ready to embrace it all!

Relaxing airplane ride, complete with Bloody Mary, a movie (World War Z, had to stop the movie because it was crazy, freaky!) and no interruptions from kids :)

Borrowed Ben's Beats for the plane ride, they made listening much quieter in a plane.

Airport Bar on our exit from the airport

The first burst of sun hitting my face, vitamin D never felt so good!  Left a horrible winter in STL, the coldest and snowiest since the 1970's.  

Our crazy, expensive margaritas, worth every penny!

The rasta tweety bird on our bus

Apparently, one of the delicacies in Jamaica is goat.  On our drive to Ocho Rios, we saw goats wandering around everywhere, no stray dogs, just stray goats.

People even taking their goats for walks on leashes

Entrance of The Jewel Dunn Resort and Spa

First picture on the beach :)

After touring the resort we stopped for a pizza, yum!

Tree Bar

Seeing green and flowers was good for the soul!

Our bed was made with towel love art each day, by the 5th day they must have run out of new ideas because they kissing swans were on repeat performance.

There was a Steel Band on our first night, they were amazing!

My feet were warm for 7 days, it was incredible

Yoga on our patio in the morning to start the day :)

Quotes I like

Snow Day 2014

We started the snow day with a little crafting.  Maura made a tutu for herself and her American Girl Doll

Kids started making a snow fort out of the mound of snow in the cul de sac

Rumicube and Creationary

 Drinks with dad's cool new spare ice cubes

 Crazy static electricity hair girl!

 More snow fort digging

 Snow Ice Cream:  snow, sugar, half and half, vanilla, YUM!

Looks like mashed potatoes

New Years!

We spent New Years Eve at my parents for dinner, no pics :(  Then we came home and got set up for our slumber party in the living room. We banged pots and pans and scared away the evil spirits with the totem poles.   I had an upset stomach and was totally freaked out that I had the stomach flu!  So I went to bed early.    Charlie hunkered down with the crew in the living room.  Maura didn't make it until midnight, thankfully.  The boys did but they missed the ball drop because they turned on a different channel, dang!

And then I woke up looking like Angelina Jolie with my lips puffed out like a crazy woman!  As my mom said, people pay big bucks for those lips!  I went back to the Dr, probably an allergic reaction to the meds I was on, benadryl and zyrtek should help.  Also got an anti-viral prescription since that is what may be causing the puffy lips and swollen gums.  I am ready to put the past week behind me, get healthy physically and mentally and start a new year!  Here is to bringing on a healthy and happy 2014!

Bye, bye Miss Puffy Lips!

Christmas

This Christmas is one I am glad is in the past.  I caught the flu on Christmas, woke up Christmas morning feeling horrible.  I got swabbed for the flu the next day and it came back positive.  I got on tamiflu and a steroid shot to help with the cough.  The fever didn't break for 4 days and I basically slept for days.  Christmas day we face timed my parents to open gifts so they wouldn't get exposed to the flu.  I hardly remember the opening of any of the gifts.

Pre-Christmas flu photo