King Richard's Faire

 We headed back this year to visit King Richard's Faire.  This time we dressed the part making our experience very different than last year.  We suddenly became a part of the Faire.  The girls would giggle and smile when curtsied to and addressed as "your highness".  Micah was addressed as "sir" or "noble knight".  A few others came as men of the cloth.  They seemed to have a connection when one saw another in the crowd.  Izzy decided next year to be an archer instead of a princess.  I guess that means we are heading back next fall!

 A knight wouldn't be a knight without a dragon.

 Unfortunately the plague arrived at the Fare.  John and I received inoculations to protect us.  Those really HURT! 

 One of Izzy's request was to have her face painted again.  What are the chances that she would pick the exact same design as a year ago!

 Wings were on Victoria's list.  She too recalled these from last year and wanted a pair.  She forwent having her face painted so she could have these.

One of the highlights is the jousting tournament.  Our knight was Sir Gregory.  Alas, he was defeated in round two.  But winning round one made up for it allowing us to cheer excitedly. 

Bermuda!

I have found a new favorite place to add to my list.... Bermuda!  John and I were thinking of taking a trip without the munchkins partially to celebrate my 40th birthday.  Iceland has been on my to do list for awhile.  But logistically it wasn't meant to be.  We turned our focus to some place that was a short flight from Boston.  Bermuda is a whopping 2 hour, nonstop flight.  What could be better!

 This was the view from our hotel everyday.  Perfect turquoise waters and sunny weather.  We stayed at Coco Reef, one of three hotels on Elbow Beach.  This is located in the middle of the island letting us go in either direction easily.  The beach is bordered by rocks keeping it secluded and far from crowded.  The beaches were lovely and... pink!  Hard to see in the pictures.  It’s caused by tiny red organisms that grow beneath the coral reefs just off the shore. When they die and fall to the ocean floor, the organisms mingle with bits of coral and crushed shell that are washed onto the beach and make the sand appear an otherworldly shade of pink

 John enjoyed partaking local drinks.  The Rum Swizzle is Bermuda's signature drink.  It's made from Black Seal rum and very yummy!

Not far into the ocean were gigantic rocks you could stand on.  We bought snorkeling equipment and frozen peas (a trick picked up from dad when we snorkeled in Hawaii) to feed the fish.  What an experience to see them come out of all nooks and grannies.

Getting around in Bermuda is a bit challenging.  As tourist, renting a car is not an option.  The country only allows 1 car per household.  Locals and tourists use scooters to avoid the challenges with a cars or taxis.  We were no exception.

 One day we headed north to St. George's Island and stopped at the Crystal Caves.  Beautiful.  We learned that the cave stay a delightful 71 degrees year round with 100% humidity.  How odd to be sweating but feel cool.

 John got in trouble by not staying on the left side of the road when driving our scooter... King's Square in St. George.

 The buildings were vibrant everywhere we went.  Their roofs are white and resemble small stair steps.  The function is to collect rain water for household use.  Wells bring up salt water.  Fresh water is a commodity on the island.

 We headed to Bermuda over Labor Day weekend.  We learned that Bermuda also had a holiday that Monday (Bank Holiday).  The majority of Hamilton was closed which was a bummer as I wanted to do some shopping.  We decided to take the ferry to the other end of the island and see the Royal Navy Dockyard.  Lucky us things were open thanks to two cruise ships being docked there.

The Commissioner's House.  No wonder this was built on a hill... a good strategic spot but also breezy.  The humidity was amazing making the breeze very much welcomed.

 My cannon is bigger than yours.

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One of the most unexpected experiences was running into one of my patients and her family.  They were so welcoming and spent the rest of the day escorting us around Bermuda.  We capped off the day by a delightful mean at the Bermuda Princess Hamilton.

One of Bermuda's national symbols, the fabled moongate is said to bring good luck.  This is the one at the Princess Hamilton.  But you can find them all over the island.

First Day of School!

This year was a special year for the 1st day of school... all 3 kids going to school together.  Its still hard for me to see Micah & Victoria as kindergarteners.  Victoria had no problem cutting the cord.  After the first day she informed me she has already made a best friend.  Micah on the other hand had many stomach aches.  Having Victoria in his classroom has been super helpful.  Izzy is in 3rd grade and had managed to stick with her BFF Bonnie all 4 years.  I'm dreading the year when those two will be separated.  Here's to an amazing school year!

Ryan Family Reunion

 This summer we headed back to the farm once again for the Ryan Family Reunion.  Though the weekend was short, it certainly wasn't short on activities.  The best part was experiencing this with extended family.

One afternoon we headed up to the Homestead National Monument.  I remember this place as a child when we visited on school field trips.  This ignited a spark with John and I to visit our national parks more often. 

 Learning about the various equipment used for farming in the past.

 We went on a hike to see what the prairie was like when settlers were here.

 The kids participated in the Junior Ranger activity.  When completed they were sworn in by the park ranger and received their Junior Ranger badges.  We were dubbed the Not-So-Junior Ranger (not making this name up) and even received a pin stating so.

  One last stop was to visit the Freedman school.  Hard to believe this school still held classes until the 1960's!

 Opa delighted most everyone's stomachs with oysters.  It didn't take long for the 90 some of them to be gone.

A few fireworks were also lighted.  Everyone participated in the parachute contest (always a highlight).

One of the more fun activities was the Ryan talent show.  Each family was charged with showing a talent.  We did this for the Bures family reunion a few years back which was hilarious.

 John, Emily and a shy Michael.

 Cathy and Avery playing a duet.

 Opa stole the show with his magic tricks and hooey stick.

 The Dieckman's luau special.

 Yoga time with Pat (and a now not-so-shy Michael).

The Silverplatters (aka Barkoudah family) - from the Brady Bunch

 The weekend we were back, Odell held its annual Odell Community Days.  This drum group from Omaha was very entertaining.  Of course nothing beats a parade that throws out candy and frisbees. 

 The pool bus is back!

 Izzy entered the watermelon eating contest.  We were all surprised by her winning first place.  She beat second place by minutes.  Who knew she has this talent!

 Izzy's prized winnings.

 The kids stood in line long enough to get airbrushed tattoos.

 There was a sidewalk calk contest.  Micah and Victoria joined forces.  They won their age division.

 There were a few chuckles because of this clown including picking on the 2 Johns and making a pregnant Emily into a bunny.