Jack and Cate Update -- January, 2008

Monday, December 31, 2007

We arrived the night before in time to hop on the "Jungle Bus" and forage for dinner, so we didn't take any photos. Monday morning was warm and sunny -- perfect weather for a beach vacation. As you can plainly see, our hotel didn't have it's own beach, so we shuttled back and forth to the beach each day.

Monday, December 31, 2007

After a leisurely breakfast, Cate (and everyone else) was ready for the 10 AM shuttle to the beach. You might also call this Cate's "before" shot...

Monday, December 31, 2007

...and you might call this Cate's "after" shot. The evidence clearly suggests that I'm not an accomplished sunscreen putter-onner because Cate was burned around her eyes (the photo makes it look a little better than it actual was). Jack was less enthusiastic about having his photo taken after a long and napless day at the beach.

Monday, December 31, 2007

We celebrated New Year's Eve at Rick's Cafe which was a ten-minute walk from the hotel (and a $10 taxi home). We got there just in time to see the last of the cliff divers, and we enjoyed a nice meal at the upstairs dining room while listening to a reggae band. (A reggae band we probably could've heard from our hotel rooms.)

Monday, December 31, 2007

This is apparently what happens when a reggae band takes a break. Who knew? Even Jack was impressed.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

On New Year's Day, we traveled into the Jamaican interior for a "river walk." We weren't entirely sure what that was, but it was great to see a different part of the country.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

It was a nice hike to the start of the river walk. A bamboo bridge spanned a small stream, and you could feel it move and flex as we crossed. The hike (including an interminable set of stairs) was less appreciated a couple of hours later when we left.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

We thought we'd be walking along a river with occasional swimming opportunities. We quickly discovered we'd spend our time in the river. At first, the water seemed a bit cold, but one of the guides quickly set the tone by showing us a deeper part of the river where we were each instructed to do a cannonball. After that, there was never any doubt: we were there to get wet and enjoy the Mayfield River.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

It was hard to believe everyone in the US was watching college football, but we didn't miss it in the least.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

We thought this might make a nice we-couldn't-get-our-act-together-until-after-Christmas card, but then we saw I wasn't wearing a shirt.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

There were several places where we could stand under small water falls, but this was as close as we could get with either of the kids. Jack effortlessly combines a smile with a death-grip around my neck.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

After we trekked up the river for more than an hour, we walked along a jungle path back to the camp. Given the distance we covered on the winding river, we were amazed by how close we were to the camp.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Cate is six-and-a-half but can convince her mother to carry her through the jungle. She should go into sales. We had a (very) long bus ride to a remote restaurant a few miles away from our hotel. After a good workout in the water and spending time in the sun, it was the best meal we've ever had.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

After our day on the river, the kids somehow mustered the energy to swim in the hotel pool. The adults somehow mustered the energy to watch them. Both kids got snorkels and masks the day before. Whether in the ocean or the pool, Jack could swim a long time with his face in the water.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

When we saw Peggy and Courtney (pictured) jumping from the lighthouse, Grandpa Dick and I quickly grabbed our cameras. After a couple of minutes photographing their respective jumps, we asked ourselves, "Who's watching the kids?" Please don't mention this to Lisa or Grandma Irene.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

It was a long jump from the platform to the water -- we guessed it was about thirty feet, maybe a little higher.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Little miss energy didn't even miss us at the pool. She was playing with some of the other kids staying at the hotel (not pictured).

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

As the sun set, Jack proved there are indeed limits to his seemingless limitless energy.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

The aforementioned sunset.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

We didn't have the energy to find a restaurant and arrange logistical support, so we ate dinner at the hotel restaurant. Although Jack had eaten well the night before, he filled up with fries and a malt and then declined to participate further. While Cate enjoyed a malt too, she declared, "I'm really not into all that sugar."

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

There was practically no wind and no surf on Monday, so the kids were really excited to see all the waves on Wednesday. Before we headed to the beach on Wednesday, Grandpa Dick and Lisa played tennis at the hotel. With intense concentration and selfless perseverance, we managed to lose a can of tennis balls to the road outside the hotel.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Cate forgot her show-no-mid-section modesty from our beach vacation last July. This time she went the full-on bikini route.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Sand. Surf. Smile. Cate enjoyed the waves so much that she ran down the beach chasing the waves for several hundred yards before Granda Irene ran after her. They were both far enough away that we were afraid we'd lost them both.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

The kids were in the breakers all day except for lunch. Like Monday, we walked down the beach to the Bar-B-Barn hotel for jerk chicken sandwiches at lunchtime. Like Monday, Cate stuck our drink umbrella through the holes in my cap and deep into my scalp. Oh, joy.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Jack wasn't the only one enjoying the surf -- if you look carefully, you can see it's Cate getting buried by the wave. In addition to playing in the waves, I snorkeled out about a hundred yards. There wasn't much to see except sand and more sand, but I did manage to see two sandy colored stingrays that were only about a foot long.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

More waves. More Jack.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Not even Mom was immune to the crashing waves. That evening, we went to 3 Dives for dinner -- it was a great place near the beach with a kitchen housed in little more than a shack and a dining area covered with a tin roof. As you might expect, it was decidedly low key -- Cate got a can of Roberts Tropical Fruit Punch opened with a church key, and Jack fell asleep on the picnic bench while we waited for our food. After dinner, Grandpa Dick tried to get into the right side of the taxi, and the driver had to tell him a few times that he had to use the other side. It took us all a moment to realize he was about to get into the driver's seat (and Jamaican cabbies seem to frown on that). Jack summarized it nicely on the ride home, saying: "you drive on the right side in the left lane."

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Throughout the night, both Lisa and I thought we heard frequent claps of thunder, which is an unusual thing to be hearing on a Caribbean island. In the morning, we discovered we were actually hearing violent seas crashing on the nearby shoreline. It also happened to be the morning of Courtney's wedding, so there was a little consternation that the weather might impinge upon the festivities.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

I'm guesstimating a bit, but I think the top of the lighthouse is roughly forty-five feet above the sea, and many waves were completely obscuring it. The water in the photo is continuing to climb higher, and you can see the results (a split second later) in the next photo.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

One of the staff commented that the conditions were very unusual, and it forced them to move breakfast to the second floor. He explained that seas like this typically occur only during hurricane season.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

After each onslaught, a tremendous waterfall would form as the water found its way back to the sea.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cate and I ventured downstairs to get a closer look. I took this photo from the exact spot where Courtney and Pat would be married just a few hours later.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cate posed for a few photos before one of the staff gave me a "you're a horrible parent" look. We then retreated back upstairs with everyone else.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Watching the sea crash on the shore, Jack discusses deep philosophical issues with Grandpa Dick.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Like the rest of us, the kids loved watching the waves crash against the shore, and I don't think anyone regretted missing a morning at the beach. The seas would've been too rough to swim anyway. I had been hoping to scuba dive this morning. The dive master at our hotel said there were some nice reefs within swimming distance, and they were shallow enough to permit uncertified divers (read: Grandpa Dick) to join us. With the seas so rough, however, there was absolutely no way to get in or (more importantly) out of the water.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Courtney asked both kids to be in the wedding. Cate was the flower girl, and Jack was the ring bearer.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

At the end of our river walk two days earlier, Cate fell and hit her chin while petting a dog under the table. It really scared her (and us) and left her with a decent cut. Fortunately, it didn't require the attention of a Jamaican doctor.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Wednesday was our fourth day in Jamaica, but we had yet to take a hot shower. We were reduced to taking cold showers after each day's activities, and even these showers were interrupted when the power occasionally failed (and the water stopped). As Jack completed his cold pre-wedding shower, he succinctly summarized the experience, saying: "I hate this hotel."

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Jack has made amazing progress since the start of first grade, and he's able to briskly read most first grade books without sounding out the words. People were especially impressed when he repeatedly "read" Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- he was occasionally able to read the entire book in as little as thirty minutes. Amazing!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

He's well-mannered like this all the time. Really. In addition to Harry Potter, swimming in the ocean, walking in rivers, and watching fire-breathing reggae bands, Jack's favorite distraction during the trip was playing Rush Hour.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

The kids haven't had a chance to spend a lot of time with Scott and Peggy. When we travel to Minnesota, we make a point of getting together for an afternoon or for a meal, but it's hard to get schedules to align for more than that. How ironic, that we had to travel to Jamaica to find some quality time.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Still clinging to the illusion that we might send an after-Christmas Christmas card, we took several potential family photos. It's now clear that they'll stay relegated to the web page rather than anyone's mailbox.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

In a flash of inspiration (or a fit of lunacy), Courtney and Pat ventured to the gazebo on the shore for some of the wedding photos. After a few shots, everyone thought better of it.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Just a few minutes before show-time...

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Without the benefit of a full rehearsal, we thoroughly confused Jack and Cate with our pre-ceremony instructions. We carefully (and repeatedly) instructed them to walk up the center aisle, but they were actually supposed to use the side aisle and go directly to the altar. Jack made a couple of fly-bys before getting more explicit direction from the wedding coordinator. In the end, it was part of the charm of a laid-back island wedding.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Courtney and her father, Doug, coming down the aisle.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

The kids stood with the wedding party throughout the ceremony. When the big moment came, Eric lent Jack a helping hand.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Arguably, the two girls most photographed throughout the day. It seemed like every time we turned around, someone was taking pictures of them both.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

The wedding party: Eric, Eric, Pat, Courtney, Jori, Megan, Jack and Cate. At the reception, Megan was kind enough to share that she and Courtney had smoked something-not-to-be-mentioned-on-this-website behind the garage. Isn't that exactly the kind of thing you hope your kids hear at a wedding reception?!?

Thursday, January 3, 2008

I think I took a couple of hundred photos of the kids at the wedding and the reception. While I love photos like this and many others, there just isn't room on the website for them all.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Note, of course, that I could never get them to pose like this for me. They're putty, however, in the hands of a professional photographer.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cate would've been content to take photos by the sea for the balance of the evening.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Again, a professional photographer can get women to do things like this. Sadly, I cannot. But one day... One day... I still will not.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Jack was a little more self-conscious about the whole exercise, but he listened carefully to the photographer and looked like a pro. Eric was an especially big help for Jack.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Jack; sunset.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Scott and Peggy; sunset. Grandpa Dick and Grandma Irene; sunset.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Sunset.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

After a shedload of photos by the sea, we decided to head upstairs and have a party. Others soon followed.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Lisa, meet Dirty Banana. Dirty Banana, meet Lisa. They were instant and life-long friends.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

She looks a little tired, but she found her second-wind once the food was served and the music started.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

I think we filled about three disposable cameras within the first fifteen minutes.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cate obviously approves of Jack's photographic technique.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

We really should've made a point of saving a few frames for a bit later in the festivities when people's memory might have become a bit more "fuzzy."

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Uncle Scott was a big hit with Cate. In case you didn't know, Cate can also be a big ol' flirt when she really puts her mind to it.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Courtney and Pat's first dance.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

It was only about 7:30, but the kids were definitely starting to fade. At our advancing ages (especially relative to the wedding party), I'm just proud that we "adults" were still partying like it was 8:30! Yeah! Rock on, bro!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

It was great that Courtney set aside a dance specifically for Scott.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Scott married Peggy when Courtney was thirteen, and she's always treated him like a second father.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

I asked Cate if she wanted to dance with me. "No," she replied, "I'm waiting for Courtney." It was a refrain she would repeat.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Apparently, Lisa does rate a dance.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cate's preferred dance partner? There was little doubt...

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Cate made room for Scott and Peggy on her dance card too.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Then it was back to Courtney for the umpteenth time. Cate literally hung on Courtney's every word.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Meanwhile, Jack declined to participate in the dance portion of the competition. He wasn't actually sleeping, but he was close.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Yes! Yes! Yes! I finally rated a dance with Cate! It's hard to tell, but I am dancing in this photo -- it only looks like I'm simply standing there with poor posture. Trust me, I'm dancing like a madman.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Eric and Megan tried to coax Jack into the party. It turns out Jack's a better wallflower than they are coaxers.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Eric finally asked, "Jack, how many girlfriends do you have?" It started to break the ice.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Jack replied, "I'm not telling, it's private." He then burst out laughing.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

To seal their new fraternity, Eric taught Jack a dudes-only handshake. Then he went straight to bed (Jack, not Eric).

Friday, January 4, 2008

On our second field trip, we went horseback riding. Cate chose to fly solo on Rude Boy while Jack opted to ride Jackie Chan with Lisa. Whenever Jackie Chan broke into a trot, Jack would say "ow ow ow" in rhythm with the horse.

Friday, January 4, 2008

We rode about half an hour to the beach. While the guides changed the saddles, we had time to play on the beach as well as sample some fresh coconut (even Megan eventually tried it after first claiming it could lead to Ebola or some more serious disease).

Friday, January 4, 2008

This is Jack doing what comes naturally. In general, this means he's running himself (and those around him) ragged.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Just looking at the photos, I feel the sudden need for a nap. The boy has that effect on some people.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Wearing water saddles (the horses, not us), we rode into the sea until the horses were neck-deep. A unique experience to be sure.

Friday, January 4, 2008

They encouraged us (kids and adults alike) to stand on our horses while still in the water. Cate was enthusiastic about the opportunity. Jack's expression sums up how the result of us felt about it.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Rather than riding with Lisa, the guides insisted on riding with Jack while we were in the water.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Even in the water, Cate seemed perfectly comfortable riding solo. She's already talking about taking riding lessons. That'll learn me to go horseback riding on vacation...

Friday, January 4, 2008

Grandpa Dick succinctly described the soft water saddles, saying "If you didn't have hemorrhoids before, you've got them now." Imagine riding a broomstick with no stirrups -- yeah, you get the picture.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Could anyone enjoy this more than Grandma Irene? No. No, they could not.

Friday, January 4, 2008

He was pale and scrawny. Then again, so was my horse.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Jori and her posse. Since she's an accomplished rider, the guides let Jori run her horse down the beach some distance while the rest of us started our walk/trot back to the stables.

Friday, January 4, 2008

I. Have. No. Idea. Either.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Grandpa Dick rode Slim Boy which, coincidentally, was his high school nickname. Probably. OK, I made that last part up. Cate was constantly urging Rude Boy to "giddy-up," and she had passed virtually all the other riders by the time we reached the stables. She's a natural.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Grandma Irene rode Longshot.

Friday, January 4, 2008

On the bus ride back to the hotel, we asked Cate how she enjoyed horseback riding. "Good," she replied without much enthusiasm. We challenged her: just good?!? She immediately changed her mind and pronounced her day emphatically "awesome!" Hearing our exchange, Jack said, "It was the best day of my life!" On the way home, Cate drifted off to sleep.

Friday, January 4, 2008

It was our last sunset in Jamaica, so Cate thought it appropriate to include both My Little Ponies.

Friday, January 4, 2008

It was our last sunset in Jamaica, so Grandma Irene though it appropriate to include both Cate and her My Little Ponies.

Friday, January 4, 2008

We spent our last evening with Scott and Peggy at The Rockhouse. It's a really popular place, and our hotel managed to botch the reservation. Luckily, they were able to squeeze us in under the condition that we were done by 8 PM. More luckily, the restaurant was on island-time and forgave us for staying until 8:30.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Shortly before dinner, Cate picked a scab from her arm and proudly presented it to Lisa. Trust me, she comes by it honestly. Before we left the hotel, I asked Lisa if she wouldn't mind staying in the room to pack everything. Never one to mince words, she replied, "I would just for the alone-time, if I knew I could get some dinner." Unfortunately, just getting some dinner from our hotel requires not insignificant logistical planning.

Friday, January 4, 2008

A girl and her crazy brother. Two English kids are also pictured. Jack and Cate met these kids from East Anglia. They played "chess" together which primarily involved putting pieces on top of other pieces. It also involved Cate periodically skipping from the chess board to our table and back again.

Friday, January 4, 2008

In between playing chess and eating (who am I kidding?!?), Jack found a little time for Harry Potter.

Friday, January 4, 2008

We've got the whole clan including two My Little Ponies, but where are Grandma Irene and Peggy?!? It was a brisk twenty minute walk back to the hotel, and sometimes it was easier to hoof it rather than try to locate and then negotiate with a taxi.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Yes, this was "home" (using the term very loosely) for the week. A lesser man would've fled in fear. If only we could find one.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

The previous evening (our sixth and final day in Jamaica) we finally enjoyed hot showers for the first time. We were so excited, we no longer noticed the general dumpishness that pervades the bathroom. The night before we offered a reward to Jack if he would take a shower as soon as he awoke in the morning with no complaining. When he arose, he immediately headed to the bathroom and said, "I need to take a shower now." Neither Lisa nor I can remember what we offered Jack, and upon reflection that really seems like something important to remember for future use. Jack was so enthusiastic, he did what he called his "Hot, Hot, Hot Shower Dance.". You should've been there.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

On the left, the one amenity afforded by our "suite": a medicine cabinet. On the right, the door to the aforementioned bathroom, and something we're glad we didn't have to explain to the kids.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

We had several hours to kill at the Montego Bay Airport, so we were fortunate to discover Jimmy Buffet's Air Margaritaville in one of the terminals. The kids found a television playing cartoons, and (after not watching a minute of TV all week) turned off their brains for a couple of hours. Meanwhile, Lisa and I enjoyed a tall, cool beverage. I was thrilled that Jimmy Buffet's took credit cards. We discovered that many Jamaican businesses wouldn't accept credit (this is my definition of a third-world country), so we had to carefully ration our cash throughout the week. There was only one ATM in Negril that dispensed US currency, and there seemed to be an endless line of people waiting for it.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Cate came home from school today and announced (for the first time) that she had a loose tooth. While brushing her teeth just a few hours later, it fell out. We couldn't believe it. And there was much rejoicing.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Jack and Cate's good friend, Sophie, celebrated her seventh birthday at AllGood Cafe. Cate celebrated with a lei and some stretching exercises. Good times. Good times.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Cate with the birthday girl.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Killer boots, man! Can't you just feel Sophie's excitement?

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Following the party, Sophie had Cate and two other girls over to her house for a slumber party (Cate's first). In the days before the party, Lisa kept asking Cate if she really wanted to go to the sleepover, and Cate emphatically (and repeatedly) stated that she wanted to go. Cate was ready. Mom, not so much.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

As if a catered party at a Deep Ellum music venue wasn't enough adult entertainment, the girls enjoyed a limo ride to Sophie's house. Although he wasn't invited to the slumber party, Sophie asked Jack to ride in the limo to her house. At the last moment, Jack decided he didn't want to go, but he changed his mind almost as soon as it pulled away from the curb. Jack's composure also pulled away at roughly the same time.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

The four girls stayed up until 2 AM (a mere six hours past Cate's bedtime) and were up again by 7 AM. Cate was home by Noon and still in good spirits, but she quickly fell apart until she got a nice lunch and a long nap.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

We flew to St. Louis to help celebrate Grandma Mary Kay's sixty-eighth (but who's counting?) birthday. Because our flight was packed, we all had to sit separately on the flight. Afterwards, Jack told us in a hushed and utterly amazed voice: "The three people in my row didn't say anything during the flight." Jack and Cousin Johnny agreed to pose nicely if I promised them I'd take their photo doing "bunny ears."

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Johnny is one of their favorite people. Whatever he says goes.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Thank goodness this big old tree fell down on the neighbors house years ago. If it weren't for the big ol' stump, I don't know if we'd get any photos taken.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Grandma Mary Kay really wanted a photo with all the grandchildren, but it just didn't happen this trip. Until next time, we'll have to make do with Cousin Johnny, Jack, and Cate.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

When Grandma is doing the bunny ears too, you know we've lost all control. WE'VE. LOST. ALL. CONTROL.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

We spent Saturday afternoon and evening at Uncle Larry and Aunt Kathy's new home. All the kids piled onto the trampoline (including Sean, Evan, Luc, and one of Luc's friends) and took turns (don't make that face, they know how to take turns) attempting unbelievable feats of daring-do.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

I call this a three-quarter fling with a half twist. Nicely executed.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Cate executes a high-bounce in pike position with enormous smile. It's the smile bit that separates the girls from the older women who no longer like to trampoline.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Meanwhile, Cousin Sean grows increasingly desperate. Look out! He's gonna blow!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Titled: Three Happy Cousins

Sunday, January 27, 2008

[Title Unknown and Unexplained]

Sunday, January 27, 2008

The exposure for this photo 1/1000 of a second. Which, coincidentally, is exactly how long Cousin Johnny can maintain his tough-guy face. With Super Bowl hype building, he must be gunning for a Howie Long Tough Guy award...

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Again with the bunny ears...

Sunday, January 27, 2008

We were scheduled to leave St. Louis at 7:50 PM, so it was already going to be a late night (especially considering that bedtime is 8 PM). Unfortunately, our flight was delayed until (gasp!) 9:30. After initially despairing, Jack buckled down and did some math homework.