Mexico in April

XCALAK, MEXICO 2010

Our destination this year was a little Mexican fishing village 5 hrs
south of Cancun. Our nights were spent inside a charming guest-
house, our days were spent just as we like them--adventure mixed
with relaxation.

Our apartment was on ground level and 10 feet from the sliding
screen doors we step onto white sand. In another 50 feet we walk
into the warm Caribbean Sea. The electricity comes from solar
panels, the water is collected from rain and stored in cisterns. For
a week I lived "green".

In the distance lies the barrier reef where the waves crash far from
shore. Their constant sound is heard above the steady breeze. The
only other sound heard is our voices.

Even Dave can relax in between adventures.

A day trip took us to a surreal looking freshwater lake. As we crested
a small hill of green jungle growth, seven shades of brilliant turquoise
fairly leaped out at us. The contrast was breathtaking!

We also visited the Mayan Ruins of Chacchoben. As we roamed
around the vast site we climbed upon 3 large temples and walked
up stairs used by people 1500 years ago.


The underwater life is what we came for and we found plenty. Just
100 feet from the lounge chairs we encountered a coral head
packed with vibrant fish and sea creatures. Snorkeling was never
so good as it was here.

Of course Dave and I ventured into the deep waters outside the
reef. The scuba diving was spectacular as we wound our way
through caves and underwater slot canyons. The water was
warm and clear, just the way we like it.

By candlelight I read "The Old Man and the Sea" to a rapt audience
of two (Hailey and Jen). They begged me to read to them each
night, wrapping up the wonderful day we had just experienced.

Fresh Powder in April

Just when I'm ready for spring, dad calls for the annual Park City Ski
Day. So I sweep the cobwebs hanging from my skis, make sure there
is no mouse nest in my ski boot and hunt around for my ski poles.

Nearly everyone makes their way to Park City where there is
more than a foot of new, fresh, light, beautiful powder. The kids
ski in and out of the trees making fresh tracks. When they fall,
snow clings to their hats and goggles. It is a bright and warm day
as we all go down the same run at the same time.

Some of us go fast, some of us go slow.


Some of us stop to rest


Some of us stop to pose for a photo


Everyone in this picture is FAMILY. WOW.

For Rent

Welcome!
Hailey is renting out a space in our backyard. She realizes that times
are tough these days so she made a little fort out back . The small
apartment comes with a wood plank bed and a kitchen area. Sorry,
but no running water or electricity and if it rains, just plan on
getting wet. Still, it is a lovely setting especially with the spring
flowers starting to bloom.


If interested please talk to Hailey, I'm sure she'll let you stay for
almost free.

Hailey's April Fools

Hailey amused herself on April 1st by playing tricks on her mom.
When I opened my drawer to get dressed....I found a toilet plunger.



Then she switched the sugar for the salt.....hilarious!


And finally, the cereal boxes had the wrong cereal in them....ha ha ha

But the funniest thing of all is that she accidentally left out her
"list of tricks" so I was privy to all her shenanigans the night
before. While she was at school I changed back the salt and
sugar, putting them in their correct shakers. When she got
home I surprised her with her favorite snack: Minute Rice
with lots of salt and pepper. But really it was rice with sugar
and pepper. I got the last laugh!!

He's Very Passionate About Music

As Tanner was browsing through our grand selection of Classical
Music he was particularly touched by Dvorak's New World Symphony.
The beautiful, melancholic tune tugged at his senses and brought him
to a delicate and highly emotional state.
This was no ordinary cry for Tanner, he was so affected by the music
that he shed real tears, wailed in sorrow and pointed to his heart.

As if to say "Oh why must this music be so sad, so passionate,
so punishing!!
And when the piece was over, he replayed it and cried again.

Odds and Ends

I got back from work one night and wondered why there was flour
all over the kitchen. Hailey decided to make bread dough "all by
herself".Flour plus water equals sticky dough.....cool....

How does it taste Hailey?

Kneading the dough in hopes of a golden brown loaf of bread....
will it work?
uh, no


Hailey always closes her bedroom door so that Tanner
doesn't rummage through her things. Last week I
opened her door for a little cleaning/snooping and I
was shocked by the smell of a cigar. Hailey had
promised me that she wouldn't smoke cigars until
she left home. I began to feel betrayed until I realized
that the smell came from the guinea pig's new cedar
bedding. What a relief! There is nothing worse than
a 10 year old with a cigar smoking habit.



Tanner's head has abused the walls too many times.
Finally the wall bit back



I've always known that Tanner's brain has a fair amount
of damage, but this week I discovered how damaged
it really is. He has spent a lot of time staring at the
psychedelic screen saver while listening to Pink Floyd
music. If he could talk perhaps he would ask for some
medical marijuana.

Hailey's Wonderland

Inside Hailey's brain there is a vast landscape of imagination. From the very beginning of her life she started collecting treasures to become props for her "imaginating". I saved every cardboard box, every extra button and every scrap of anything she thought had potential. Thus her room is stuffed with what I call "junk", but to Hailey her "junk" is a gateway to a special world all in her head.

A fully furnished 3 bedroom cardboard house for her
little plastic friends. Notice the wallpaper, notice the
windows, notice the kitchen appliances.

Everything has it's own details.



This is the neighborhood school. There is a blackboard
and desks with miniature books for each student.
See the bike rack? The next room is the lunchroom
with nutrition labels on the walls. Each lunch table
has a ketchup and mustard bottle on it.


This is a movie theater where every one of Hailey's little
"characters" can sit and watch the TV with her. Notice
the bowl of candy in the back. Each little guy gets a piece
while watching the movie.



Hailey is doing a little dental work on her hippo. Open wide!


A great "box fort" for hours of fun pretend time

A rollercoaster! Everyone strapped in? Weeeee!