Hola from Puerto Vallarta

Gracias Mae Mae and Gaddy (Bradley's parents)  for a wonderful, relaxing trip to Puerto Vallarta!  We spent 5 days in beautiful, sunny Mexico (adults only, thank you Lainey, Papa Ike and the Stennetts for keeping our kids!) and here are some of the pictures. 

These are the views from our balcony.  It was very foggy the first morning we arrived but breathtaking nonetheless.

 Chilling in the hot tub on our balcony with Kip and Whitney

A couple of more balcony views at sunset




The first night we ate dinner outside by the pool. It was great food in a fantastic atmosphere!

 The newlyweds (Kip and Whitney) goofing off before dinner

 Robert and Roane obliging for the camera

 Mae Mae and Gaddy enjoying the moment

Deep sea fishing and golf kept us busy, although we did our fair share of lounging at the pool. I think we definitely caught more cervecas on the fishing trip than fish, but it was a lot of fun!

 Whitney reeling in a Mahi Mahi 

 We got a chance to see some humpback whales. This was probably the best part of the fishing trip for me!

We ventured into town for some sightseeing and shopping and ended up getting a cab up the mountain to a restaurant called Carmelitas. It was a beautiful view but our taxi drivers decided not to wait on us so we had a little trouble getting down the mountain....but we made it.

 Santa and reindeer sandsculpture

 I cannot fathom how he gets these rocks to stand like this, amazing!

 View at Carmelitas

We had cats, peacocks, and iguanas roaming around our hotel. Kind of crazy

This is the picture I am going to carry in my mind when I start feeling blue this cold, dreary Mississippi winter. Relaxing poolside... To me it doesn't get much better.  

Mississippi Snow

 I kept hearing about how it was supposed to snow here in Oxford, MS, and actually stick around a couple of days. I didn't believe it.  But here it is.  Eight inches of snow fell onto our beautiful little town on Sunday and it is still here two days later... unbelievable.  In the 33 years that I have lived in Mississippi I have never experienced (at least since being able to remember) such a wonderful winter wonderland. Usually we get an inch or two but it is always gone in a matter of hours. Our family took full advantage yesterday by going to my sister-in-law's home in the country to sled and enjoy the ground cover.

 Isn't it beautiful out here!

 Lila getting ready to head down the hill with Mo Mo.

 Sweet baby James is loving all this activity 

My nephew Sharp enjoying the thrill of sledding

 My niece, Mary Morgan (Mo Mo) helps Lila back up the hill. It is wonderful that Lila and James have such caring and sweet cousins to play with. I feel blessed being able to spend special times like these with our extended family.

 Getting ready to go again!

 Aunt Roane about to give the the push off

 James says "my turn"

"See ya later"....just kidding, sweet baby James will have to wait until next year.

Aunt "Whit Whit" on the innertube

 Mississippi style fun in the snow.....a ranger and an innertube. Awesome!

 Lila has just discovered the enjoyment of making snowballs and hurling them at Daddy

"I think this one may be big enough"

 Watch out Daddy!

 Now it's time to come inside and make S'mores by the fireplace

James says he can get used to these S'mores things, Yum!

Nothing left to do but smile smile smile...

Today as I write this at the beginning of 2011 I am smiling. Truly smiling. Smiling with every part of my being. I cannot say the same was true this time last year.  At the beginning of 2010 I was  filled with anxiety. James was just 3 months old and we had recently begun 3 of his therapies. I was trying to prepare myself for the onslaught of doctor appointments that are deemed necessary for infants with Down Syndrome: pediatric cardiologist, opthamologist, ENT, hearing tests, thyroid tests, and others. I felt that the stakes were stacked against us. So many children with Down Syndrome have some type of health issue, and I was fearful for James. One by one we we went through the list with anxiety overcoming me at the beginning of each appointment. But so far our little man has been very healthy. Thank you, God!  Ever since Lila was tiny I have prayed that she (and now James) would be happy, healthy, and secure. I believe that my prayers have been answered. I know that we will have unseen difficulties throughout life, just like everyone else, but at the start of this year I am feeling happy and blessed. I welcome 2011 with open arms. Happy New Year!


Bradley and I sent out an e-Christmas card this year and I am putting the link below because it shows pictures of our family during 2010.


view our Christmas card here