Jake behind the ball.

Jake is our Chicago Land Grandson. He is 6 and in the 1st grade. Unfortunately, we can not make it to his soccer games so I had Jane to take some pictures for the blog. Aunt Joy was telling me a funny story about Jake making a goal and then trying to do a belly bump with a team mate in celebration. I might have to come back and edit this story. Jake is a cool kid with a great sense of humer. We all love him, miss him and wish he were closer.

The February Birthdays are Peyton and Angie. Peyton turned 13!!!! You have seen Peyton featured in the blog several times. She plays soccer, basketball, and volleyball. She is also in band and plays the saxophone and was inducted into the honor society in her grade. We are all very proud of her.

Angie turned 31. She is married to Brent. She is a supervisor at her work and volunteers for works of charity there. Angie said she has recently taken an interest in cooking. We look forward to being a recipiant of her cooking venture. Angie has never taken a bad picture that I know of.

Bob received an award where he works called "Circle of Excellence". Approximately 80 other people also received this award. This was an all expense, all inclusive trip to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico to stay at the Las Velas Resort for the employees and their spouses or guest. We had many activities while we were there including a boat trip to Las Caletas, and an ATV ride in the mountains and countryside, and many other things to choose from. Some played golf or went to the spa. It was absolutely a wonderful experience. Everyone working at the hotel was so accommodating. You could say we were spoiled for a few days.

Someone parasailing

On our boat trip to Las Caletas we had some whale sitings. We were hoping to get a shot of the tail coming out of the water but when the opportunity came someone stepped in the way of the camera.

Bob holding the monkey. It was twirling around is arm.

We were not sure what this boat was but it looks like a pirate's boat.

We took a boat ride to a little private beach called "Las Caletas." For many years the property belonged to film director John Huston. It is only accessible by sea. This is Bob holding the bird.

The flowers on the side of the hotel were stunning. The pedals would leave the flowers one by one like leaves falling from a tree and accumulate on the balcony. It was as though someone purposely placed them there to prepare for a romantic evening.

View from the balcaony of the pool and ocean at Grand Velas Resort.

The beach at the Grand Velas Resort,
Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico


The infinity pool overlooking the Pacific at the Grand Velas Resort.

White Pelicans on Eagle Mountain Lake.

This is Peyton, number 15, playing on her seventh grade basket ball team. She is very athletic and excels in all of the sports she participates in. Their team has done very well this year. Last Monday the team was at a disadvantage because their star player fouled out right away and things went downhill from there. Regardless, they have high hopes for the district tournaments next week.