Vieques

On our second full day, we drove to Fajardo and took a ferry across to a small island, Vieques.  This unique island turned out to be one, if not the, favorite part of the whole trip.  Despite the zoo animals (horses, chickens, cats and dogs EVERYWHERE), we embraced the island life.

This beach was just minutes from our house (walking).

And we only ever saw one or two people there.

While not decadent, we rented a quaint little beach home that was perfect for our large family.

And we had some of the most incredible food on our first night there.

 

Puerto Rico- Days 1-2- San Juan

For spring break, we took this crew to Puerto Rico for such a fun adventure week.  We landed in San Juan on Monday and went to an Argentinian restaurant (not our favorite of the trip, but nice to have on the first night).

We stayed in an odd hotel, but the perk was the rooftop pool that we all enjoyed.

On our first full day, we headed into Old San Juan and went to the fort there.

And walked around the colorful streets.

 

Mid March

B had a surprise guest at choir last week (one of LTs friends came to visit all the kids, but B might have been the only one who knew him).

Bri was in Thailand all week and my brother had reminded me that we should try Bastiens (a steakhouse on Colfax that has been there FOREVER),  I took these 4 randomly one night that we had free.

The lighting for photos was not optimal, but we got one photo.

Missing her dad, but so cute.

The leprechans have gotten lazier and lazier over the years at our house, but they did manage to buy lucky charms (which mom said no to having late the night before St. Paddy's day, to which she was left this note).  And below, a double bowl served by himself for breakfast.

The big kids didn't have school Thursday due to a teacher strike.  Jochi had some friends spend the night (and they kindly watched B while I went to the big guys swim meet and Bri was out of town still).  They made Spanish Pancakes, and B cooked apples.

Always climbing.

And making his own OJ (and taking selfies).

And she's anxiously awaiting her favorite dog sitter as we head out of town.

 

1st week of March

The first week of March was PACKED.  In all good ways, some of which are not pictured (a swim meet, going to see Mary Poppins, regularly scheduled school, days off of school, let alone Brian or my jobs).

Jochi really wanted to go to the zoo while she was with us, so B and I took her and her friend.

LT went to a military ball with his girlfriend.

Jochi turned 16, so we went to Casa Bonita naturally (and threw her a surprise party, see below)

B and I went to Vail with some friends for a night to ski.

LT and his girlfriend went to Montana for a long weekend to look at MSU.

Friday night was the surprise party!  LT was in Montana and Ads was at a swim dinner (but joined later with a friend).

Saturday B went to our nephew's birthday party (while Bri and I went to Ads swim meet), and then Sunday we had a big family celebration for our nephew after going to see Mary Poppins (LT was still in Montana).