What I did on my winter vacation...

We've been back from St. Croix for exactly one week, but it seems like eons ago that we were basking in the warm trade winds, swimming in the ocean, drinking rum punches and pina coladas (and crucian confusions and strawberry daiquiris and, well, you get it). The trip home was horrific. Some day, when I stop twitching at the memories, I'll recount them for you. The actual vacation, while we were there was, well, wonderful.


Lily's artistic side came out in full force with all the creatures -- from Ariel to Persephone -- she and my mom formed in the sand. And she transformed from a little mommy in to a great big sister. For real. She and Anna played -- they actually PLAY-ED!! -- with eachother for hours. It was awesome. And it gave me a glimpse in to the future...as McDonald's would say, I'm lovin' it.


Toughie Anna delighted in the water. Pool... Ocean... She's an equal opportunity lover of all things liquid. Her language just exploded while we were away. (I'm not sure if it was a developmental milestone that she just hit the last week of December '09 or if it had to do with the fact she was surrounded by English, not Spanish, speakers all day.) Her curly hair also exploded -- poor kid almost had dreadlocks by the time we left the islands.


I actually got to READ. A. BOOK! Holy cow. Not sure when the last time that happened. Maternity leave, almost 21 months ago, perhaps? Although, fear not, my blackberry worked just fine. Turns out that the office can find you anywhere, although it sure helped to be lounging poolside while responding to emails.


Noah, bless his heart, stayed on top of the new house while we were gone. Separate blog posting on that to follow, some day soon. But seeing as though we're in the homestretch of decisions -- from exterior color to drawer pulls -- Noah didn't have the luxury to stepping away for 8 days. It's going to be so well worth it once this new house is built!


St. Croix has roughly the same population (55,000ish) as St. Thomas, a neighboring USVI, but is approximately three times larger of an island. End result -- much less densely populated, and tons 'o island to explore! Each day we set out to explore a new beach. Chenay Bay... The Buckaneer... Cane Bay... Rainbow Beach... Hard to pick a favorite.


Two thumbs up for a totally awesome vacation. And a mondo huge THANK YOU to my mother, our hostess, who chose to celebrate her, um, 21st birthday by taking the entire family to paradise. Happy birthday mom!

The pool at, and view from, our rented villa




Boat ride/snorkel trip to Buck Island, a national monument (as designated by President Kennedy) and one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world (as designated by National Geographic)






Rainbow Beach






The beach @ The Buckaneer




Cane Bay (a BYOC -- bring your own chair -- beach)





Chenay Bay Beach (that was crawling with hermit crabs!)








New Year's Day Parade, St. Croix style




Farewell St. Croix!