How does an American spend the 4th of July in another country?

Lucky for us some of the locals knew it was an American holiday and the fireworks were a necessity. A booth was set up across from campus with a small array of goods. We bought a few boxes of sparklers, bottle rockets, fire crackers and crackle balls. I'm not sure on the cost and I don't think I want to know because a small box of sparklers that you can get at any fireworks stand in the US for $1 was 5ec here. Chad's comment was simply "Man they are outrageous in their prices"
We didn't get to do any bbq's simply because we just weren't that organized :( So we ate left overs from the fridge and then set out at dark to hopefully find the illusive fireworks everyone was saying would happen at this beach or that place. At 9 PM we caught up with the Allred's and ended up going to their house and watching the fireworks from NY live via the wonderful technology of satellite TV! YES, pathetic I know! But hey; the music was good, there were no bugs crawling on my legs or mosquitoes biting at me and best of all it was air conditioned :)
As we left for home we did luck out and see a few little fireworks shoot off over the ocean, but we missed the 5 minute display one of the beach bars put on a half hour earlier then they said it would happen. (which is really strange because usually things happen a half hour AFTER they are supposed to start) We came home to light our little stash we had bought and sing Happy Birthday to our native land. Due to the late hour I didn't let Chad have all his childhood fun and get every dog barking by letting off all the firecrackers. So tonight he finished them off and I'm sure all the neighbors are thinking "What are those CRAZY american's up to now!"
I'm sure if the West Indies cricket team had won their game we could have gotten our neighbors out to celebrate with us! Better luck on Sunday West Indies

Summer Camp Week Two

Welcome to Wild, Wild West Week!



The week started off with tending to the garden and playing some games outside before it got to hot!




We went down in a grove of trees near the ocean to cook hot dogs and make s'mores.














Morgan had a good time climbing the trees and being with her friends.




Of course they went and played in the water. This week was at a pool of the parents of a student and then the beach at the Marriott. On the two days Morgan and I stayed home Tisondra came over and they had a good time in the sprinkler. It was a new thing for Tisondra and she was asking at 8:30 in the morning to turn it on. Good thing it's warm here ALL the time!



They were taught how to square dance and line dance. Square dancing was a big hit with all the kids!




We finished our week with a picnic at Brimstone Fortress. Notice the 4th of July themed placemats they made for the occasion.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

Good Luck to the West Indies Cricket team!
It's a national holiday in St. Kitts today also in honor of the game being played.

Summer Camp Favorite

The children at camp get so excited on days we bring out the water slide. It hopefully will make it through the summer before having to go into retirement (notice the duct tape job to hold the air in). So of course, I had to see what all the hype was about the slide! We look forward to a few more weeks of fun.

Summer Camp Week One: International Week

School officially ended June 21 for the girls and they started summer camp the following Tuesday (Monday was our one day out of each semester we get off). Morgan and I decided we wanted to have time with Jordan and Tori this summer so why not help out with camp.

Tori planted lettuce. Jordan and Morgan planted cabbage. We will have to wait and see how their little garden grows.






































They made crafts from all over the world. The pinatas were the favorite because of course they were filled with candy and toys, then broke open later in the week.




































Went swimming at the Marriott pool and then later in the week to the beach!



























The week was ended with an international lunch. Dishes were prepared by the parents from their heritage. The decorations that had been made all week were put on display. The girls enjoyed getting to try on the masquerade hat!

Pig Roast

Two weekends ago (I know slow at getting the word out, but I was waiting on pictures from a friends camera) we had a pig roast at the beach with a bunch of our friends. Chad and the guys planned for weeks to get the pig from the local market. Then they went and dug a big hole in the sand (have you ever tried to dig a hole in sand?) It was an all day process, they started at 4:30 AM! We all enjoyed the food, waves, fun and friends at the beach.

Car washing

Monday morning Chad and I were out working on the car. Chad decided to wash the car so I came in to get the bucket and rags but in the meantime the heavens opened up their flood gates and the rain came tumbling down. So I didn't go outside, Chad did and I thought he was just going to sit in the car with Tori and Morgan to wait it out. But when I opened the front door to see where he went I found this! I couldn't resist getting him on film. Jordan and I were laughing so hard!