Island Living

After months of waiting, we finally did our big kid-free vacation. We dropped the kids off in Abilene, drove to Liberty Hill, and flew to St. Thomas for a week. We arrived on Sunday night after a grueling all-day flight schedule. We checked into Island View Guesthouse, met our hostess, and settled in.
On Monday we picked up our rental car, figured out how to drive on the left side, and commenced a driving tour of the whole island. We also did a little shopping that day and went to Morningstar Beach. On Tuesday we visited Blackbeard's Castle– which actually has nothing to do with Blackbeard– and rented a jet ski at Sapphire Beach. On Wednesday we took the ferry to St. John. It was even more beautiful than St. Thomas, and is kept mostly as a national preserve. we shopped a little, visited the ruins of a sugar mill, and then hiked about a mile to get to the beach we wanted. There are not many roads in St. John. Once we got there, we swam out to a smaller island where we had our first snorkelling experience. I almost bailed initially, but in the end decided to "be a sport". On Thursday we did a kayak tour to nearby Hassel Island. It was a 3-hr tour, though by no means as ill fated as that name suggests. We got a vigorous workout in the kayak and came home with a really outstanding sunburn. On Friday we returned to favorite, almost-private spot– Bluebeard's Beach. We had discovered it the night before. After that we spent a little more time Hull Beach, just reading & relaxing. Every day we enjoyed amazing meals comprised of mostly local seafood. The whole weeks was bliss– no working on our marriage and no car accidents!
Special thanks to Memaw & Pepaw and Papa Wes & GG for your loving care of our kids while we had our getaway.




At Hook, Line, & Sinker



Blackbeard's Castle

the jet ski



Epernay Wine Club & Bistro

At on overlook on St. John

part of the hike to the beach at St. John

In the background is the island we swam to for snorkelling

A 17/1800s fort on Hassel Island

Another fort, oldest on Hassel Island

Our kayak



At Gladys' Cafe

Our favorite beach





Udder Delite dairy bar

The Busiest Week Ever

Ok, I'm finally getting this one up. Two weeks ago tonight, we had the big premiere of Matt's movie. The week leading up to this event was the busiest ever for both of us! On Tuesday, the kids & I traveled to Abilene to spend a couple days with Nathan & Jennifer, who were home from Germany. We came home Thursday evening. On Friday, I whipped things into shape as best I could in time to welcome the Griffin family. Wes & Jan attended the premiere that night whil Kate & I stayed home with our kids. On Saturday, the entire Motz family joined us. We all went to the premiere that night, while Wes & Jan watched the kids. Both nights of the premiere were a success. The event didn't sell out, but there was a good attendance. The crowds on both nights seemed to enjoy themselves and asked a lot of questions afterwards.
After church and a family lunch, we drove to Liberty Hill for yet another treamtent with Dr. Fullerton on Monday. After the appointment, our trip home included a stop at Enchanted Rock. It was a hot day so only Matt & Morgan made the tip to the top.


Uncle Nate and his "mini me"

Playing with toys at Memaw C's house.



The Q&A after the show






At the premiere...



A few of our Providence friends at the premiere

Baby V finally warmed up to Uncle Nate



Emma loves the new baby!



The Motz + Griffin group

The Griffin + Hopkins group

After Haleigh bribed Baby V with cake, they were friends.

Morgan on top of the mountain

At the mouth of the cave on top of Enchanted Rock

Midland Fair

This year we decided to try out the Midland Fair. Compared to the one in Odessa it was pretty low key, which is good and bad. I did kind of miss getting an eye full of denim bustiers and 11-yr-old couples intertwined amongst the carnival rides...but I digress. Midland's expo center is new, so this is only the 2nd year we have had a fair in town. We braved 100+ degree temps for a few hours this evening. We ate dinner, visited the petting zoo, rode several rides, shared a funnel cake, and watched some bull riding.

"Little Matt's" Wedding, Meeting Evangeline, and Hamilton Pool.

...and a bunch of other stuff. We went to Liberty Hill about 2 weeks ago for Matt Parker's wedding, and I'm just now getting the pics up. We drove down on Friday, met Evangeline (the kids were all quite taken with her!), went to the rehearsal dinner, and then left the kids while we squeezed in a date. On Saturday evening we all attended the wedding. Congratulations Matt & Bev!
On Sunday evening, we attempted a trip to Hamilton Pool. We arrived at 5pm only to find out it closes it 5:30 (we thought it was 6:00). Epic fail. So we ended up at the Iron Cactus at Bee Caves. And after dinner, the kids played in the little sprinkler park area nearby.
On Monday morning, Matt & I had our 2nd prolotherapy treatment with Dr. Fullerton. Then we finally made it to Hamilton Pool as it was on the way out towards Llano. The stop was worth it!


The kids love their new cousin.

"Little Matt" is a married man.



Baby V at the sprinkler park

Mercedes & Baby V







The babies at Hamilton Pool

This was not a planned part of our trip so some of us are swimming in clothes!

The waterfall was just a sprinkle overhead, but the spring-fed pool was seemingly bottomless.

Abilene Trip (and bonus videos!)

We have a couple of pics from last weekend's trip to Abilene. The kids enjoyed their first Grandma Motz style shopping trip. You can bet that made a big impression on them!
Also included in this post are two somewhat recent videos that have already debuted on FB, but are now making their official blog appearance. We have the one of V "praying" and demonstrating a few of her words, including Morgan, Emma, oh man, and obey. And then the video of Morgan & Emma's Psalm 19 recitation. We worked on this for over 2 months. There are still a few bugs to works out, but I wanted to get it on video before it was too late.

The great grandparents

Grandparents