Dizzy Dancing on Deck

This is the life.

Last week the extended Dirk's crew took a seven day cruise down the Baja Peninsula, which included stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerta Valarta. We had a great time with Grams, Dog, Aunt Roomie and the Jackson family and friends. We ate our hearts out, enjoyed lots of fun activities on our ship and ashore. The kids didn't fall overboard, Maggie turned three, the Jackson's celebrated 51 years of marriage and no one got seasick. So, all in all it was a great trip, thank you Grams and Dog for a wonderful vacation.

These crazy creatures awaited us in our room everynight after dinner (and there were funny towels folded like animals too).
Maggie turned three on the ship and her Grandpa treated her to a virgin daiquiri, and like a good sister she shared with little brother. However, he became very frusterated when he'd drink it because he got brainfreezes every few sips.
She celebrated in style that evening at our formal dinner. Not sure how we're going to top next year, perhaps we'll take her to a spa or something equally luxurious.
Our housekeeper introduced Henry to her vacuum cleverly named "HenryXtra." They were fast friends, Henry was sucked in by his friend's charming personality.
Maggie and Henry both loved having their Aunt Melodee with them all week. Our only regret was that their future Uncle Abe couldn't make it. But, we look forward to spending some time with him this August when he and Aunt Roomie tie the knot!
Henry throws Grams a pass in Cabo.

Some very special grandparents!
The Dirks at sea. (Henry given the ole' Arsenio Hall "whoop.")
We took taxies at each of our ports of call and they were an experience in themselves. This one was in Mazatlan, and one of our favorite rides.
Tyler parasailing in Mazatlan.
Our assigned table at dinner with a beautiful ocean view. One morning (not in this dining room) we actually saw several whales splashing around, it was really cool.
The view from the Windjammer, the cafe on the ship.
Maggie likes Cabo!
Henry perfoms his safety demonstration.This was Puerta Valarta, the waves were enormous and roughed Melodee and I up a bit. We thought we could handle them, but apparently we couldn't. The waves slapped us around a bit and we lost our sunglasses (last seen in this picture) and decided we'd prefer to just look out into the horizon.

Maggie getting her hair braided in Puerta Valarta.
Henry enjoying the arms of his Dog, a salty/sandy pacifier and the wide open sea in Mazatlan.

more posts

If you'd like to check out more pictures and blurbs on our time in Honduras with the McCanns then check out there blog http://cosmocam.blogspot.com/

Honduras Trip

Last week was our greatly anticipated trip to La Ceiba, Honduras. It was such a wonderful trip in so many ways. We loved loved loved seeing and spending time with our friend's the McCanns. I don't know what I expected, but my expectations whatever they were, were far exceeded by our time together, by our team and even by Maggie and Henry. All I can say is that God is good and at work in Honduras, both in La Ceiba and Armenia Bonito (a poorer town not far from La Ceiba, where the majority of ministry happens). I have a new found respect for our missionary friends there and all over the globe. I know how to pray more specifically for them and for the people there. They are rockstars, but even more so is our good God that has shone His gracious light on a hurting and lost people group.

Maggie was super excited to see her friend Lucy. I didn't even see her when we initially arrived at the airport because I was so focused on getting Maggie to the potty after we deported the airplane, but Maggie said as we walked right by her friend, "hey Lucy."

We weren't the only hard workers in Honduras. These little guys were practically lugging an entire tree over a fence.
Our student's were amazing. They worked tirelessly during our week. They gave up their time, energy and spring break to share the love of Christ with complete strangers.
There were cute little people, like this crew, everywhere. Many of their stories, broke my heart, and I was moved to tears hearing about many of the hardships such young souls have experienced.
The children were eager to be a part of our team's efforts and loved the attention they received.
Even if it was crazy Tyler attention.
Lindsey and I had a lot of time with just us and our kids, while the Daddies worked with our JWU team. We brought the crew out to the work site for a picnic on Monday, kid's club on Tuesday, and girl's beauty day on Wednesday.
On Friday we headed to the beach to enjoy some R&R. Apparently we weren't the only ones looking for a retreat. These cows stormed the beach an hour or so after we arrived; something I've never experienced before. Sean bravely held them off with a whiffle ball bat while we gathered our things and hit the pool inside the gate and the confines of Hotel Canadien.
Mr. Sean was not only our cow herder, but also our pool-side entertainer inside the gates of the abandoned hotel Canadien. Henry was impressed, but was pretty excited about the "balls" found at the base of the coconut trees.
The view from the airport; Armenia Bonito is just a few miles behind the airport.

It was such a great trip and the Lord was so gracious to our team and to our family. Thank you all for your prayers and support for this trip, they were felt! And thank you McCanns for housing our wild family for a week, you guys are the best.

Joseph Evan Tyler

Joseph Evan Tyler was born Saturday, February 20, at 10:50 A.M. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces. He measured 21 inches long, and every bit of him is absolutely adorable. He was due to arrive while we were in Honduras, but knowing that his favorite Aunt would be out of the country then, he decided to come a little early. He knows how to win over a heart right off the bat. My sister was incredible and little Joe was quite the warrior. Congratulations John, Christine and Brody!

Gearing up

In a very short time we will be packing up and heading to La Ceiba, Honduras for a short term mission's trip. We are taking RUF students, and we're taking the Dirks crew too, so that we can have a little trip of our own with our pals the McCanns. Our mission, the kids and myself, is to love on, play with and encourage in whatever way we can our friends there. Tyler will help with this aspect of the mission as well, but he has responsibilities to the team mainly. But, the kids and me we have big big plans and can't wait to explode awesomeness all over the McCann's faces. But, seriously we are really excited and look forward to seeing the Lord at work in a place we have been praying for and caring about for the past few years. We've heard updates and stories and now we can see for ourselves, and we can't wait to be a part of it.
In preparation for this trip we've had lots and lots of packages sent to our home. Packages with all kinds of supplies from medical to beauty products, and we are bringing all of it with us. The kids are enjoying all the boxes found in our home lately.
And, they've even been helpful in the sorting process. Helpful by adding cuteness to the process mostly.

love every day of the year

Who needs Valentine's day to show love? Not this family, everyday is a day to love up in here. But, since we are American we did celebrate the day just a touch. Nothing says I love you like heart shaped ketchup on your breakfast plate.

But, not everyone got such a healthy breakfast. Why not have a heart shaped snickers bar for breakfast on the day of love? There really isn't a reason not to, so we did. And, love was in the air, especially given to the two coolest parents ever.
A little sibling love.
And, this picture was not taken on Valentine's day, but funny so I am putting it right here under the Valentine's post because...i love it. My two sweethearts watching Grover.