Thank you!

Big shout out to Catherine Wilson and my older sister for the many thoughtful things you've mailed me since we've been here. The collection is much larger than this... but some highlights are below. Thank you to all our friends and family, as each of you have been so wonderful and supportive with this experience. I love and miss each and every one of you!

One of the many gifts from Catherine... lovely card and book!

Gift from Sara... Trader Joe treats, mascara, and a painting from my niece!

All good things must come to an end

Our time in paradise sadly had to end... but not without a final hoorah! We spent our last day in Fraser sailing around the island. It was a wonderful day to be out on the ocean... and rumor had it we might spot a whale or two. Sad to report, it was just a rumor...

We still had a fantastic day, and Kate discovered her new career as a sailing captain...

Jeff and Bryson hanging off the back of the boat...

this seemed like a terrific idea...

until they felt the temperature of the water.

Cold.

I was served a double dose of sadness when we returned from Fraser and Kate and Bryson told me they were actually returning to the USA. After several unsuccessful attempts to kidnap them, I gave into a celebratory farewell evening, filled with trivia and karaoke (for those who know me well, they really had to twist my arm for this). The night began and ended in triumph... we placed first in the Australian trivia game, winning a hat and a case of beers (displayed below), and concluded everything with a tribute to Meatloaf and Celine Dion.

That's the hat and a smile of a winner

Those are mini beers and smiles of winners

That's our winning score sheet, hat, and beer

Doing what I do best...
No clue why Nick is laughing... no clue.

The boys had a go at the fun as well...

And thankfully my husband loves karaoke as much as me!

The winners of the evening...

I miss you Kate! Thanks for visiting us. Come back anytime... the spare bedroom is waiting. Love you little sis.