St. Martin- February 12-16

Doug made a little stone tower to match the stone towers at Happy Bay

Weird stone towers
From the top of Pic Paradis, you get a great view of Tintamarre.  We plan to go to Tintamarre on our next trip to SXM.
View from top of Pic Paradis (highest point on SXM)
When we came up to the top of Pic Paradis, we looked up and saw towers filled with... Andrew Corporation dishes!  (dad's company in Chicago)

It took more than a minute to get to the look-out

Hike might be an understatement!
Steel drum band in Grand Case
Sunset in Grand Case
Supper at a Lola (BBQ hut)

We were SO excited to see the Lawries!  We went to church in Phillipsburg Sunday and went to their house afterwards.  Joel, Orpha, and Marky have grown up so much since the first time we came to SXM in 2005!
Doug with Marlon and Subrena
I didn't plan to match the grapefruit Ting bottle...
Anse Marcel on the northern side of SXM

Sunset at Maho Bay

Lined up to get blown away (literally!) by the airplanes taking off
Sunday night we went to a restaurant in Marigot... this cat was wandering around outside.  Doug named him "Max the Sea Cat"

On our last morning we got up early and hiked to the top of Fort Amsterdam, the Dutch fort in Phillipsburg

Dawn Beach... possibly my new favorite beach
At the airport... sad to go back to cold Atlanta

Sweetheart Cookies

I'm so proud of my Valentines day cookies!  Thanks to Caroline for the famous "sweetheart cookie" recipe!  And thanks to my mom for my pastry bag!

More of Matt's wedding...

Matt went to like a million proms in high school... and has danced with his fair share of the elderly as well... so it was no surprise that he danced with his grandma

Recent Events:

Matt's wedding weekend (in reverse order)

Jeremy gives the best man speech

Dennis performing the ceremony

CBC gang 

Yummy baby shower cake from Whole Foods

Baby shower for the Taylors

Some pictures from Christmas:

Holly's new house in Centerville

Doug with his new Uke

Ric, Doug, Liz on Christmas morning

Hobbes wearing his Christmas scarf

Arlin and Pamela on furlough

Williams' visit ATL

Last weekend  the girls from our small group made soups, stews, and chilis... it took several hours, but now we have a freezer full of meals to take out whenever.  This past weekend Doug's parents came to visit.  On Friday night Doug's mom came to the Whole Foods class I was doing then we watched "A Good Year" at our apartment.  Saturday, we took them to Ikea, Taqueria del Sol, the Bodies exhibit at Atlantic Station, and back to our apartment for supper.  Sunday we went to church and the Flying Biscuit for lunch.  

Christmas

The past week has been busy with driving and seeing multiple families and groups of friends.  

On Thursday, 12/18, we drove to Nashville for the Andrew Peterson Christmas concert at the Ryman... Friday was lunch with friends... Saturday was breakfast with the Hendrixes and supper at Caroline's with last minute Christmas shopping with dad in between.  Sunday was church and lunch with Nana... and then a drive back to ATL to wash clothes and regroup for the next trip.  Monday we drove to Thomasville but then went to Winston to see some NC friends.  Tuesday we had lunch with Phillip and then went to High Point for the play of the 1946 radio show of Its a Wonderful Life.  Wednesday was lunch with Ric and last minute Christmas shopping... then cooking for Christmas.  Thursday was Christmas!  In the afternoon we went to Doug's cousin's house, with 25 other relatives.  Friday we left at 5:30AM (4:30CST!) to hurry to Nashville for my family Christmas lunch and presents... and then my mom's family came over for supper.  Saturday was Christmas in Centerville with my dad's side of the family.  Sunday was church and after-Christmas shopping and a couple movies at home.  Monday was errands, lunch at 5 guys, car serviced, and supper at Stan and Leanne's.  NOW, it is Tuesday.  Nothing to do... we might actually rest a little bit before we meet friends tonight at Calypso for supper.