May 2018 Update

Welcome to real spring in Western New York!  I think the weather has finally figured out that it is supposed to be warmer, but we still know where our shovels and boots are, if needed (please, God, no!).

 

On April 21, Levi participated in a Trek (7th and 8th grade Awana program) Bible quiz at our church.  There were only two teams, and the other church’s team won, but it was fun to watch.  Krista and I helped with the scoring, and Zach was a judge.  It was just a small local event put on by our church with one other church participating.

 

The next day was one of the first really nice spring days we’ve had, so after church and lunch with everyone (local) at our house, we all went for a walk.  We ended up at a small park near our house to let the Mickle and Sommer kids play.  OK, some of the old folks played a bit too (not mentioning any names). 

 

 

Alex trying to figure out how to climb the stairs without letting go of the football

Josie enjoying her swing

 

Alma trying to pass him because he's taking too long

Ivy getting ready to slide

Hazel (and Abigail) tandem sliding

Alma on seesaw

After I got home from work on Friday, May 4, we left for a quick weekend visit to Philadelphia to see the Wilkinsons, Updegroves, and Cai and Amy.  We spent Saturday morning enjoying Ruby.  She was really wonderful and let us hold her and play with her even though she really doesn’t know us.  Saturday afternoon we met Cai and Amy and her family for dinner at Red Robin.  We sort of made it a combination celebration for Amy’s college graduation and Cai’s birthday that day.  We told the Red Robin staff about the celebrations so we could get some free dessert.  That was really the only motivation—it certainly wasn’t because of the quality of their singing.  Then we went back to the Wilkinsons and Updegroves with Cai and Amy to spend some more time together before Caimy had to leave.  “Caimy” is their celebrity couple name, sort of like “Brangelina” was for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.  Every couple should have one, so if you are part of a couple, and you don’t, please work on that.  I’m not sure if we’re Gresta or Kristory or what, but we’re something.  Anyway, Sunday morning we went to church with the Wilkinsons and Updegroves before heading home exhausted but very happy with the quick trip.

 

Ruby and Mom-mom

I know these pictures are practically identical, but she was so cute!
(You decide whether I meant Ruby or Krista by "she"--both are correct)

Caitlin made this blood orange spice cake for Cai's birthday. Delicious!

Ruby in all her cuteness



More cuteness

Here's a video of Ruby talking

As we did two years ago, Kevin and Hannah invited us to join them on a trip to Mexico, this time to Cancun (two years ago Krista and I went with them to Riviera Maya).  Kevin’s membership in the Hard Rock resorts makes the trip very affordable.  This year we took Jemmie and Levi with us.  The weather was beautiful, and we all got sunburned on the first day there, and then suffered the rest of the week, but it was well worth it.  Krista, Levi, and I took a zip line tour that was really fun and exciting.

 

We spent a week there and loved every minute of it.  It was sort of hard to return home, although home is definitely more, I don’t know, homey or something.  There’s something about your own home and bed and car and routine that is comfortable.  So, yeah, it was a fantastic trip, and we have lots of pictures and wonderful memories.

 

At the Cancun airport

On the shuttle to the hotel

In room Jacuzzi!

Going to zip lining

Posing with parrots before we risk our lives

Ready to start!

Did we know it would be this high in the air?!?!

The last line was a roller coaster!  Krista and Levi went tandem

Greg went solo

We finished the day with a swim in a "cenote" (sinkhole)

Levi and Krista did the daring plunge!
(Greg was chicken)

Alma playing in Kids Room with black lighting

The view from our deck

View #2

Our room

Going for a walk

Happy Alma!

Back: Kevin, Alex, Hannah, Krista, Levi
Front: Jemmie, Alma

Saying adios

The Monday we were there was Kevin’s birthday, so we took Alma and Alex with us so Kevin and Hannah could have a special birthday dinner.  The kids were really well behaved for us, and it was great to spend so much time with the Mickles for a whole week.

 

I’ve been studying Spanish with the DuoLingo app on my phone, so it was fun to use a little of my still weak Spanish skills with the staff at the resort.  Most of the staff there that work with tourists a lot speak English, but the housekeeping staff doesn’t really.  It helped when I needed to ask for towels (toallas) and to tell them not to bother cleaning our room one day (no limpiar, gracias).

 

I thought the trip might turn out badly because they assigned us room 666, but we had a good time anyway.  You have to give people your room number all the time, so I did it by saying “seis seis seis.”  Somehow that sounded less demonic.

 

I’ll close this month by remembering that today is my Mom’s heavenly birthday.  Seven years ago by our time, eternity in hers now, she left this earth and went to be with her Savior.  I look forward to our reunion when my time here is over!

 

Until June!