Vacation

To say we've been busy the last couple of years is an understatement. Two kids, 2 countries, 2 plus years, and thousands of work hours later, it was absolutely time for another vacation.  It was a no-brainer to make a return trip to the Cayman Islands, the site of our "babymoon".  We booked the trip in January in anticipation of being able to celebrate securing a job, finishing fellowship, and becoming board certified amongst other things.  After everybody made it to Dallas by various modes of transportation, we got ready for the trip.

Grand Cayman was just as pretty as when we were last there.  7 mile beach was still pristine and being able to take Campbell and Mackenzie gave Katherine and I such a feeling of happiness and satisfaction.  Our little people's personalities are so distinct, and they carried over almost seamlessly to the beach.  Calculated Campbell preferred chillin at the pool playing with his boat avoiding the unpredictability of the ocean while wild, fearless Mackie liked running full-speed head-on into the waves and then rolling around in the sand.  Campbell would carefully design and construct sandcastles while Mack would just crash into them.  We also took the kids to the turtle farm to check out the giant sea turtles.  It was a really hot day so we didn't stay long, but I think they enjoyed getting up close and personal with them.  After all, Finding Nemo got us through many a cold winter day in Toronto.  I think Campbell knows every line of the movie especially the part with the giant sea turtles.  We had the best time.

Perhaps the best part of the trip was celebrating Cman's third birthday.  We went to Casanova by the Sea.  The italian food and cheesy flare was perfect.  We took turns taking Campbell and Mackenzie out to the peer between courses to run around and see the crabs.  The sunset was amazing.  The waiters and staff all sang "Happy Birthday" to Campbell and there was even a harpist singing Sinatra songs to boot.

Another highlight of the trip was being able to take Morgan who has meant so much to our family during our year in Toronto and who has become a part of our family.  It was great getting to spend time with her and also, in some small way, reward her for all of her hard work.  Her dedication to Campbell and Mackenzie was inspirational.  She would ride the bus 45 minutes each way every day to get to our house, which was on the other side of the city from hers.  The day she showed up at our door for an interview Katherine and I just knew she was somebody special.  She was truly a Godsend.  She's off traveling the world currently but we hope to have her visit in Springfield in the future.

We are already starting to plan a return trip!