Christmas in Dublin

This was the first year we spent Christmas at home. Brett put up the lights on the house this year with the rest of the neighbors and the entire culdersac was lit up. We were definitely the most modest in terms of lighting decor, but I'm sure Brett is more inspired to kick it up a notch next year.

We bought our first 9 foot noble fir to decorate. That was fun. I had been saving all these ornaments for so many years and it was nice to put them up. Sangita came over and joined in the fun with hot chocolate.

I made a christmas cd for all the kids this year and for Sydney. She started singing Jingle Bells right away and loved Santa Claus is coming to town. So much fun singing Rudolph the Red nose reindeer again. I missed singing all that stuff.

On Christmas, both parents came over for a Panetone French Toast breakfast that was soooo good. I think that's going to be our new breakfast tradition. Sydney got a tea set, books, puzzles, a purple dinosaur (not Barney), a bowling set, and a doll. The doll was to prepare her for her new little brother, but that got tossed into the tent immediately. Her favorite by far was the tea set.

We kept the tree up for another couple of weeks because it was still alive and it was continuing to look nice in the house. Great christmas, next year, we'll be a family of four.

Jennie and Alan's Wedding Day

It was the perfect twilight evening. Alan in his seersucker and Jennie in the most beautiful gown. Sydney was the flower girl and we all stood along the flower path made for Jennie and Alan. They were both accompanied by a flute and lots of love.

At the end of it all we celebrated with cocktails and appetizers under a string of lights poolside, then had an amazing dinner with all of the family. We were truly honored to be part of this occasion.

From the Nuckols family, we wish you both the best life.

The Wedding Party Arrives

Jennie and Alan arrived Wednesday night with her family. We all met at the famous Chicken Drop at the Spindrift Hotel to kick of the Wedding festivities. Basically, there is huge floor board with numbers and a chicken is dropped in the middle. Everyone pays a buck for a random number. Which ever number the chicken poops on, you win the pot of money. Nobody in our crew won, but that's ok. Whoever wins, has to clean up the poop off the floor.

We hosted a little cocktail and appetizer welcoming party at our house the next day which was fun. We got to meet the rest of the Lins and Edminstons. Lobster tostadas, guacamole, nachos, and of course margaritas. Good stuff.

The following evening was the rehersal dinner in town, also, excellent food. While we were eating, a christmas parade started outside our dining area with lots of young santas and elves dancing in the street. All the streets were lit up with over the top santas and blow up mickey mouses on the rooftop of houses with large strings of lights criss crossing the streets.

Here Comes the Family to Belize

On thursday, the rest of the Nuckols/Patel family joined us for some fun in the sun. We all moved into our new beach front house, The Victoria House. One of the best resorts on the island. We all went snorkeling again the next day which was definitely an experience since my dad did not feel comfortable swimming, so the guide towed him around with a life ring so he can experience all the cool underwater wildlife as well. When he first jumped in the water, he was surrounded by mantas bumping up against him. He started yelling "Help, Help" in about 4 feet of water.

Enjoying the Ambergris Caye

We started our vacation just hanging out at the resort, the pool, and yummy food. From there we planned the next couple of days, snorkeling trip and Brett's diving trip.

For the snorkeling trip, we went on a glass bottom boat so Sydney could see all the Dory fish, sharks, manta rays and turtles while Brett and I took turns snorkeling. Brett went first because all I saw when we got there were sharks. It was incredible. Sydney was going crazy for the fish, Dory this and Turtle that. When I went out, all I kept holding on to my belly so I would scrape up against the reef and protect it from the baracuda we passed by. That baracuda was UGLY! and scary looking.

The next day, Brett went diving a half day and Sydney and I went around town and hung out with the locals. We kept running into this family with a little girl named Cindy, so Sydney and Cindy played on the beach while we waited for Brett. We kept going to the same place for lunch and dinner where the chicken drop happened (I'll get to that later), but it was the best food in town.

It was such a relaxing couple of days and we were excited for the rest of our family and friends coming into town for Jennie and Alan's Wedding.

Trip to Belize - Getting to Ambergris Caye

This was our trip for the year, Belize. We went around the same time as last year to Jacksonville so all we hoped was that no one got sick. The trip to Belize was half-way smooth. When we got to Dallas, we hit the 3 hour delay that unleashed a domino effect of adventure to come. When we got to Belize City, it was dark and luckily our charter 12-seater plane waited so we could head out to Ambergris Caye. It was a 15-minute flight to the island and it was scary for me and I was scared for Sydney. I could not get her seat belt on properly so I just held her tight and we both sang Yellow Submarine for 10 minutes straight until we landed. We were greeted with a heavy rainfall and from there, we took the bumpiest 15 minute water taxi ride imaginable. I was more scared for baby boy Nuckols. It was dark but all the stars were out. It was spectacular. We got to our hotel, Capitan Morgan's Retreat (where Temptation Island was hosted) by 9pm, had some dinner and started our relaxed vacation on our beach front suite in Belize. What a Day.