5.19.2009

Porter and Steph's trip

Porter was going on a trip with Chris, his boss, and I got to tag along. It was so nice of them to invite me. We had such a great time!!! We went to Washington D.C., Grand Cayman and to New Orleans. It was a great break from everything - but I was also excited to get home. My wonderful mother watched the kids for me so I was able to go. Here a some pictures from our trip.


This is Chris and Porter in Nebraska where we stopped for gas on our way to D.C.


This is after we landed in D.C. We visited my cousin Mindy and her husband Ricky at their apartment in D.C. It was really fun to see her.
Here we are visiting some of the sites in D.C. There is soooo much to see. We only had a day and a half - so it wasn't too much time - but we saw as much as we could. I swear we walked like 15 miles a day -okay maybe not that much - but I started having contractions and cramping. You would need a month or more to see all of the monuments and museums there. We had a great time with just the two of us.
Natural History museum:


Here are some pictures of all the monuments we went to.
This is the White House.


This is at the World War II monument.




Washington Monument

We are at the WWII monument with the Lincoln Memorial behind us.

After about a mile or so walk, we made it to the Lincoln Memorial.
Vietnam memorial


One of the coolest things we did was go to Arlington Cemetery. We saw the changing of the guard and some other really cool things.


There is an endless sea of headstones.
Here we are at the Capital Building, I was surprised at how close you can get to it. Although, you have to be careful there are armed guards with AK-47's everywhere. I wanted to get my picture next to one of them but I was too afraid to ask.


This is the sunset over Cuba on our way to the Caymans. I was a little nervous flying over Cuba, I didn't want to get shot down!!!

The first day on the Caymans we all went on Chris's boat and he showed us the island. It was a blast!!! It is such a beautiful place. He took us down Dinosaur Ally where these huge Iguana's are swimming in the ocean, he took us snorkeling, we went to this great little restaurant on the other side of the island and he took us to Stingray City. Stingray City is this sandbar far out in the ocean where people can feed stingray's. I guess people have been doing it for 30 years, so everyday 100's of stingray's come and wait on this sandbar. I didn't get any pictures there, but it was amazing!!! I was totally freaked out at first - these huge stingray's 4-6 feet across come up to you and want food. You feed them squid and they suck it right out of your hand. They chase you if they think you have food and swim along your body and in between your legs - creepy! But is was amazing to be so close and touch these huge animals. The female ones were really aggressive, the males were a lot smaller - I even stepped on one - but it didn't sting me.
Porter in heaven - anything that has big engines and goes really fast is right up his ally!

This is where we ate lunch. Porter living it up!
It is paradise there.
Dinosaur Ally - the Iguanas sunbathe on this wall and then jump in and swim to the grove trees on the other side.
We ate at the best restaurants!!! Chris and Melody go there all the time - so they know many of the locals and the best places to eat and shop.

This is Chris and Melody. They were so nice to invite me and so wonderful to us on the trip.



This is looking south - I think- from where we stayed. We are right on 7 mile beach.
This is the Ritz, where we stayed!
This is looking North - I think.
There are two towers at the Ritz Carlton that are homes -or I guess condo's -that people own. Chris and Melody own almost the whole 2nd floor on this tower. You can see the balcony on the very right of this picture and about the next 4 balconies that go back on the left - that is their home. It is beautiful and they were so kind to let us stay there with them.
Porter took this picture for posterity! This is the first time in my life that I ordered seafood at a restaurant. He couldn't believe it. He ordered tuna the night before and it was so good the next night I ordered my own.
This is everyone at dinner for Chris's 50th bday party. There is Porter, me, Melody, Chris, Stephanie and Steve (they are Melody and Chris's best friends that were on the whole trip with us - great people) and Penny and Rafe (Rafe is Chris's cousin that lives on the island and Penny is his wife - also great people).

Leaving the Caymans :(
You can see 7 mile beach where we stayed.
We made a stop in New Orleans on the way home. This is on Bourbon street- I don' recommend going there. It was interesting to see, but not a place I would ever want to go back.
It was a whirlwind of a trip but it was so fun to spend time with Porter. I missed my kids and it was so great to pick them up and hug them when I got back.


















10 comments:

Leo and Jill said...

So jealous!!! We went to DC with Leo's family but they are always late for everything so we missed the guard change. I was pretty bummed.
Maybe after both babies are born we should go on a trip and live it up for sacrificing our bodies once again for a child!!

Jacqui said...

What an incredible trip!! So much better to see the pictures, even after hearing about it. You look terrific, btw.

And you ordered seafood? I am so impressed! ;) Thanks for sharing your trip. I could almost feel the humidity in the Caymans...

Louis and Alice said...

Wow, what a trip Steph! I love to travel, so that was so great! Thanks for sharing the pix! I find out on June 2nd what I am having! I will let you know! Take care of yourself and the little guy!

Anne said...

looks like a ball! I'm so glad you were able to go.

Jess said...

So glad you got to join in on the trip!! I love DC and you are right too much to see ....a little overwhelming. You are one lucky girl, tell Porter we think next time you all take a trip out this way you need to stop for lunch on Wrightsville Beach, NC---great seafood and great company:)

Evans Family said...

What a fun trip! No more being jealous, you got to tag along- what a blast for you guys

allison said...

How fun! Rocky has always wanted to go to D.C. and the Caymans look beautiful!! I have a question...my mom was telling me about your cool belly band that you were wearing the other day, what kind was it? She said you hook it onto the button of your pants? That sounds awesome! I just don't want to buy a cheap, crappy one that won't do me any good!

Ricky and Mindy said...

That looks so fun! We were so happy to have been able to see you! We were so glad you stopped by and hope that next time you come in town you will come visit us again!

Louis and Alice said...

Thanks you for your birthday email! I hope you are doing great too! I want to see more pix of that new cutie of yours! XOXO

Coleman Family said...

Ok Steph.... where are those pics of your new little man?! I am waiting!!! : )