Get Aways

Surviving a long winter in the northern climates is made much easier by some kind of get away to a warm locale. Both Nate and I had the opportunity to escape the snow in the months of February and March. While he headed far south to the Bahamas to meet his old friends, Dick and Linda Colville in late February, I was able to get a weekend with my college friends in Phoenix the first weekend of March.

Getting away is necessary...without trips like these, one actually might do something crazy like attempt the elaborate hairstyle a princess-obsessed daughter demands. See below:

Of course, Hemmie wasn't included. When the weather turns really cold, he is forced to stay inside more than he'd like. Can you see the "stir crazy" on his face?
I'm sure the fact that he was a member of an entire collection of stuffed animal tea party doesn't have anything to do with it either. (see picture below) Nate's mom came to keep me company while he was gone--so nice for both Claire and I. We had some mini crises to work through--a house showing, -25 degree weather, and a furnace that stopped working one night--but overall a great visit.

Meanwhile, in the Bahamas, Nate and the Colvilles were fishing for bonefish off Stanley Cay. The weather and water were beautiful!

Off the beach of one cay there are swimming pigs who come beg for food scraps from the visitors in boats. Very strange sight.
They enjoyed gorgeous sunsets on the veranda overlooking the water.
Nate's always happy to have a successful fishing day!
Of course, I didn't take many pictures on our trip (and Sara actually took this one). After coming from all over the country--Jane from Denver, Elisabeth from Arkansas, Sara from Chicago, and me from Montana--we were too busy enjoying the time relaxing by the pool, talking, drinking a few margaritas, and being concerned only about our own needs and desires for a weekend. Since we had lots of photos sent by the dads and grandmas to let us know the kids were just fine without us, we could lounge enjoying the warm desert sun! It's hard to believe we all met freshman year in the Rooks Dormitory at Calvin College. How many years ago was that?? We look the same right?

Back to routine now...another possible two months of winterish weather for us here...though there will be a few warm days thrown into the mix now and again to keep us happy. At least I hope.