Naked Kids

We are trying to save money on our electricity bill, so our air conditioners are only run for a couple hours each night. This has led to many times where it's so hot and I can't stand to keep the kids in their clothes when they're sweating right through them. Hopefully they don't get too used to being naked.

I think he was posing for this picture.

Jack's Grandma Hummel gave him these spiderman slippers and he loves wearing them around the house...and then trying to wear Dad's shoes too.

This girl is all smiles if you take time to talk to her.

There's Daisy's bellybutton!

He kisses her belly and blows raspberries on it too!

They sure love each other.

Jack decided one night that he didn't want his diaper on anymore.

At least he hasn't learned how to undo the velcro part of it.

Jack Meets Ocean

We introduced Jack to the beach very soon after moving here. They became friends very quickly. Jack loves his shovel and bucket for playing in the sand. We were also given a ladybug float toy that is perfect for him to play in the water with, however it is not pictured here (I'm sure those pictures will come eventually).

Walking to the beach takes about one minute from our apartment.

Jack meets ocean.

Reaching down to splash.

Here it comes!

Hold on!

Save me, Daddy!

Playin' with shovel and bucket.

We're in St. Maarten!!

Hurray! I am finally caught up enough to write a blog about moving to our new home! So, we flew out of Dallas on Wednesday, the 11th. We got to the airport extra early (and it's a good thing!!) only to have them tell us that we needed visas or return tickets, which we didn't have. The school had informed Michael that St. Maarten has recently changed its laws concerning that so we would NOT need return tickets. So, we were frantic for a good long while at the airport figuring out if we could even get visas, but then deciding to just buy return tickets instead because it would be quicker and ensure that we wouldn't miss our flight. We had gotten rid of our cell phone that morning (bad idea), but luckily we had enough money to call Michael's mom's fiance, Ken (good idea). He had dropped us off at the airport on his way to work, but was able to come back to the airport and let us use his phone to call Grandma who arranged for us to get return tickets. It was a long beginning to our crazy day. While we were getting all of that done, Daisy peed on me (so it looked like I wet my pants) and then I found a wolf spider in our double stroller that the kids were chilling in. No, Mom Hummel, it wasn't a HUGE one...quite small compared to the average ones in your house :) . Once we got the tickets we ran to our gate and boarded the plane to Miami. Jack and Daisy did as well as one can expect. We did decide to give Jack some Benadryl for the second leg of our flight (Miami to St. Maarten)...it didn't work though. In the Miami airport we got something to eat and went to our gate. They changed gates on us three times and our flight was delayed about 2 hours because of mechanical problems on the first plane scheduled to take us. The second plane took a while to get ready. We were pooped by the time we made it to the SXM airport. A few people met us at the airport to take us to our apartment (the girl we bought Michael's vehicle from and a couple wonderful ladies from the spouses organization). We came home to meet our managers and got the tour of the apartment we are staying in. LOVE IT! We turned on the A/C and crashed for the night. Our apartment is great! We love it. Here are a few videos to get you oriented to where we live:

This is the walk to the beach.

This is my new car (we are leasing to own).

This is Michael's car ($1200 and it's all ours).

And this is the apartment!

(I apologize for all the stupid commentary...)

Visit to Texas

We stayed at Michael's mom's home near Dallas for three weeks this summer. We had an incredibly fun time while we were there. Mom spoiled her grandkids and us and we all loved it!

We went to the Bodies Exhibition in Dallas. We weren't allowed to take any pictures inside, but this one is just outside the door. It was really amazing. I have a new appreciation for the body, its complexities and how they all work together. If any of you get the opportunity to see this exhibition, do it! Simply incredible. You will also note in this picture that Michael is wearing his much-awaited hat he got for his birthday. He special ordered it (he even had to measure his head) online. It's the same kind of hat as the guy on 3:10 to Yuma.

Tori came at the same time we did and stayed for a week. Mom's fiance, Ken, has a dock in his backyard on Lake Tawakoni. We went out on his boat a few times while we were there.

Daisy didn't really enjoy the life vest, but it's the law that she wear one...plus it's safer.

Jack looked cute in his vest. He did pretty well finding his sea legs and walked around on the boat a little.

What a cute, squishy face!

Mom was the designated driver, but occasionally she gave up the reins and let someone else drive.

Captain Jack.

We also went to the Museum of Nature & Science's Children's Museum in Dallas.

Jack picked fake vegetables in the farming area,

rode a John Deer tricycle,

drove a fire-truck,

and stood in a mouth.

Mom bought this really fun pool for Jack to play in.

Sliding wasn't always easy.

Sliding.

Oh, but Jack loves to splash!

And play in any water. He actually got in the habit of taking a bottle of water and dumping it over his head and chest to cool off. Now he wants water dumped on his head all the time.

There are some funny things on the side of the road in Texas. On the way to Mom's house from Dallas there's a random flying saucer in a little field.

Jack is standing on a ladder which enters the craft.

There wasn't much inside to speak of.

Other funny/ironic things we saw were the First Baptist Church of Cash (Cash is a little town) and Lynch Funeral Services. Ha!

Megan and Sean came to visit for the tail end of our stay in Texas. Megan let Jack take pictures with her disposable camera. Let me tell you, she got some great pictures (please hear my sarcasm).

Say cheese!

Megan is an awesome aunt to Jack. She wrestled and played with him non-stop.

We went out to eat at a Chinese buffet. Here's Sean, the only one to use chopsticks.

Ken and Mom.

Sean, Michael, and Jack.

Daisy and the ever-so-rare picture of me.

Our Visit to Flagstaff

While we were living in Prescott, we decided to visit our friends in Flagstaff. We had a lot of fun with them. Daisy was able to meet Payton. Jack was SO incredibly happy to play with Riley again. We love our friends in Flag!

As you can see, it was love at first sight.

Isn't that sweet? Daisy and Payton shared a stroller on our walk.

Jack and Riley played in the sprinklers and puddles.

They fell down quite a few times.

Playing in puddles.

When we got back, they both needed a bath.

Don't you love how modest Riley is being?

Prescott Movies

I realized that I didn't post any of my videos from Prescott, so here are a few.

Jack - Little Fireball of Energy

Jumpin' Jack

Jack plays with the kitty.

Jack watches Papa dance.

Jack gets dunked.

Jack loves the mic, but it scares Riley.

Living in Prescott

Well, in looking at all my pictures from when we lived in Prescott this summer, I couldn't believe that I had no pictures with Papa and Mimi...sorry. Grandma Hummel came to visit us while we were in Prescott. We ALWAYS love visiting with Grandma Great.

Michael's sister, Megan, came for a visit too!

Jack liked holding Daisy, but she didn't reciprocate the feeling...

Some of our friends came to visit us in Prescott.

We went to the pool to keep cool.

The kids loved playing in the water.

Jack has no fear of the water, he just jumped right in.

Playing with a tennis ball in the pool.

Kimbi was SUPER pregnant. In fact, she had the baby on Sunday morning in the new Prescott Valley Birthing Center. We were surprised (as was she)! Peyton made his grand entrance in the wee hours of the morning, just minutes after Kimbi arrived at the birthing center. So fun! I know it's bad, but I somehow didn't get any pictures of the little guy while in the hospital, but I'll add some on a later post. He's a cute little man.

Jack, Riley, and dads.

Jack had a blast...he's such a water boy!

He did not want to get out of the pool.

We also went to play at the mall.

Riley: "No entrance!"

Jack: "I go where I want!"

Thru the tunnel.

And back.

Parents.

I know this picture is terrible, but I had to put it in here. Jack loved playing with Papa and Mimi's kitty! That cat was dragged by its tail, hit, kicked, petted, and loved. Not only that, but Jack also shut the kitty in between the wood door and the screen door pictured here...I had to go set him free. Come to think of it, he also tried to shut Riley in between the doors, but she wouldn't have it!

Jack loves his sister.

Carly and Daisy snuggling. It's Daisy's favorite position.