Highs and Lows

 A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks, including some moments of great highs and some very low lows.  

Since I last posted, we bid goodbye to Nana Mil, who passed away on February 21st.  We miss her already, but we're also grateful for her long life and that we had so many years with her.  I will never forget the joy on her face when she met Evie and Noah after they were born, and she always lit up when we went to visit her, right until her final days.  The love of family is a strong bond, and we know she is still watching over us.  If you want to read about her incredible life, her obituary is posted here.

Millie visited me at the hospital the day after Evie was born!

Millie and Noah meeting for the first time.  Babies loved being in her arms!

Another smaller, but not insignificant loss, was the closing of our favorite local market, Sweet Clover.  It was such a great place to wander and find a treat, a specialty ingredient, or just escape from the world for a few minutes.  We did one final shopping there and scooped up as much as we could before they closed their doors.  We are really going to miss that place!

Our haul from the 50% off sale at Sweet Clover

Just a few days after Nana Mil's passing, we embarked on a bucket-list, belated (by a couple years!) 40th birthday trip to Turks and Caicos.  We had mixed emotions about heading off for a fun trip after such a sad week, but it was just what we needed.  Turks and Caicos was indescribably beautiful, friendly, and relaxing.  The water is the bluest I've ever seen, and the sand is powdery-soft.  In addition enjoying to the beautiful beach, pools, and hot tub at our resort, we also went horseback riding in the Caribbean Sea, went on a snorkeling tour, and did a clear kayak eco-tour, which were great ways of seeing the island and experiencing its natural beauty.  We indulged in ice cream, drank pina coladas, enjoyed time with our friends, had some great fresh seafood, and just soaked in the family time and slower pace of life.

First glimpse of the island from the air

View from our room

Yes, we got matching bathing suits!

First visit to the beach

Snorkeling Irish dancer

Pool snorkeling

Horseback riding on the beach!  It was incredible!

There were big conch shells on the beach, and our horseback guide cleaned this one out for Noah and gave it to him at the end of the ride!  Noah had never been on a horse before, and he was super brave!

Vacationing with friends makes it even better!

The Thursday Night Fish Fry - it was like a big farmer's market with food, local products, and live music.  Lots of fun!

Having drinks at the swing bar - why use a chair when you can swing?!

Embarking on our snorkel tour

Exploring Iguana Island

Iguanas!

A beautiful rainbow...we thought maybe it a little sign from Millie that she's doing okay

Evie had fun on the slide off our snorkel boat

Evie was also the only one of our family brave enough to jump off the 2nd story of the boat!

The reef underwater

Beach reading time

Beach cocktails

Ready for kayaking!

We got to see lots of sea turtles!

The boys in their kayak

Our guide Ted teaching us about Conch and mangrove trees

Last night at the beach

Evie was so glad to have her bestie, Lila, along on the trip!

Turning 40 isn't so bad!

Out to dinner at Da Conch Shack

This friendly kitty lived near the resort, and we named it "Judy Noodle"...and then we found out it was a boy.  Oops!

On the way home, we had a little sign from Millie at the Philadelphia airport.  There are art installations all along the concourses of the airport (literally miles of art), and I did a double-take when I saw this painted tin can as we walked past.  The print matched a little framed print Millie had always had in her house, and just a few years ago, she gifted it to Evie, because the girl in the painting reminded her of Evie.  I have never seen this painting anywhere else, but it gave me goosebumps when I realized the connection. 

Philadelphia Airport on the left, Evie's bedroom on the right!

We are now back to reality, and Evie is busy getting ready for St. Patrick's Day shows for Irish Dance.  Noah is also beginning a spring basketball league and getting ready for baseball season, so we're glad we had a week of vacation to recharge our batteries!

Evie made dinner for us!  Such a treat!

Noah also helped make dinner one night!