Happy Holidays from the Williams Family!

MBJ Flytographer Session

I love the idea of having our photos done while on a vacation.  Sometimes there just isn't time with a busy itinerary, but once I saw that Flytographer had a local photographer booking sessions in Montego Bay, Jamaica, I did not want to the miss our opportunity to get our holiday card photos taken in paradise.

I corresponded with our photographer, Raheem, leading up to our session on the Friday of our trip, mostly using WhatsApp, to coordinate meeting up.  He selected Doctor's Cave Bathing Club in downtown Montego Bay as our location.  It was a beautiful setting and, especially since we had to pay to get in to the beach club, I wish we'd brought bathing suits to enjoy more of our day in this beautiful club.  I loved seeing more of the area and listening to our taxi driver tell us that Fridays in Jamaica were no cook nights (KFC is a favorite option that night) and Mondays are for soup. 

Raheem was a fun and patient photographer (yes, I'm referring to you, Jonathan, when I say patient...the man apparently can't open his eyes even a crack if he sees the sun).  Raheem sounded like an extremely prolific photographer, mostly shooting weddings, and it was interesting to learn that he'd only ever visited Montana in the U.S.  I still wonder how he ended up there of all places.  We all enjoyed meeting Raheem and am thankful for the many beautiful photos he shared with us within just a few days from our 30-minute session at Doctor's Cave Beach.  Thanks you, Raheem!

My family definitely indulged me a bit on this one, taking time away from the resort to dress up and get our photos taken, but I think they're pretty happy with the results, too.

Jamaica: December 1

Last day of those views, last day of the sand in our toes, last day of unlimited piña coladas and bottomless mojitos, last day of the jerk hut, and time to head home.  Luckily we had a 3pm flight so we got to enjoy a good half day in the resort before heading home.  We took full advantage.  And, with access to the lounge in the airport and first class upgrades for Jonathan and me on the flight home, we were definitely living the high life on this vacation.  Ya mon! 

Jamaica: November 30

It's another day in paradise--this really doesn't get old.  This was our last full day in Jamaica and, now that we'd really found all of the best foods, drinks, and activities around the resort, we really knew how to make the most of the whole experience.  On our last night we enjoyed a fancy Italian dinner at their Luna di Mare, the only reason Jonathan and Jack had packed pants.

Jamaica: November 29

We made the most of our third day in Jamaica!  We ventured out of the resort around midday to head to downtown Montego Bay to meet local photographer Raheem, who I had booked through Flytographer, for a short family session.  I figured I would take advantage of having our big trip at Thanksgiving time to get photos for our holiday cards.  I'll post those pictures later, but there's plenty to look at from the rest of our day spent in the resort.  Some highlights include: that water (amazing how blue it looks and the many shades are just breathtaking), Ella and Jack making their way through the virgin daiquiri menu (although they both really eventually settled on piña coladas), discovering the amazing jerk chicken and pork (and festivals, fried dough) from the Jerk Hut (although we learned to forgo the spicy sauce because it was spicy enough without it), fresh juices all day from the juice hut, drinks from the bar any time you like (which we often mixed with the fresh juice), exploring the nearby aqueduct ruins, sunset views from our room, and (finally!) a dinner at one of the reservation restaurants, the Seaside Bar & Grille (definitely another favorite meal--loved the bouillabaisse). 

Jamaica: November 28

On Thanksgiving Day we were up bright and early, earlier than most of the resort, ready to explore the grounds and find some good lounge chairs for our home base for the day.  Jonathan and I hung out near the pier and bar (which also happened to be near the coffee/juice bar hut and jerk hut) while Jack and Ella explored the pools--lazy river, slides, and swim up bar (where they of course ordered piña coladas and daiquiris as soon as the bar opened).  At one point we hadn't seen Ella and Jack around for a while so Jonathan went to look for them and quickly found them eating lunch together at Mangoes Café.  It didn't take them long, apparently, to get comfortable with just being able to order food at any restaurant on the resort that's open.

While we were in Montego Bay the water was pretty choppy so we were unfortunately unable to book any snorkeling or boating excursions.  We were able to take short catamaran trips off of the resort's beach which was pretty fun, especially since the gentleman sailing the boat could make it tip really high as he turned the catamaran back towards the beach. 

As it was Thanksgiving, the resort had planned a big buffet on the patio and pool deck complete with all of the trimmings for traditional Thanksgiving plus many Jamaican specialties.  It was a very happy Thanksgiving!  ...and, I was very thankful to not spend all day cooking--we should travel for Thanksgiving more often!

Jamaica: November 27

After a big trip to the UK for Christmas last year which included being in London for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the family vote this year was to spend the Christmas holidays at home.  They also wanted to go somewhere to just relax on a beach.  As much as I love the historical sites and research, I was kind of looking forward to having a year off of the intense planning, coming off of the UK trip. 

We're really just a 3- or 4-hour flight from many Caribbean islands, so we thought a 5-day trip would really fit the bill.  And that made the Thanksgiving holiday the perfect timeframe (the kids have three days off and Jonathan only needed to take one day of vacation).  Other than Jonathan and my vacation in Aruba on an award trip with his company in September 2017, I had never been to the Caribbean and really had no experience planning trips to there.  It was kind of daunting exploring the many many options but not really knowing what would be the best fit for us.  So, embracing the concept of this trip involving just being along for the ride, without itineraries or much research outside of selecting the resort, I decided to go the easiest way possible for booking our trip--let Costco Travel handle it.  I booked our travel package online, complete with flights, airport transfers, and resort reservations, all through the Costco Travel website.  Of all of the islands available to us, Jamaica seemed like the easiest to access over the Thanksgiving dates we selected.  Our flights were direct and under 3 hours each way, the resort was a Hilton with good reviews so I had some confidence in its level of quality, and none of us would really have to lift a finger for the entire trip (including me) which is just what we wanted.

The day before Thanksgiving, we arrived in Montego Bay, Jamaica by about 3pm (and I have to note that Jonathan was sweet enough to let me enjoy the first class upgrade he was able to snag).  I look forward to one day seeing the other popular resort areas of Jamaica (Ocho Rios and Negril), but considering how short the drive was from the airport to our resort, I am glad we picked a Montego Bay resort for this trip.  By the time we got through customs, found our transport bus, made our way to the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, and got to our room it was early evening.  The views from our room of the sun setting over the aqueduct ruins and the palms blowing in the wind along the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea were a stunning look at the paradise we would be enjoying over the next four days.

By the time we checked in the, the resort restaurant reservation desk was closed so we had to chose a restaurant for dinner that didn't require reservations. This actually worked out, though, because we timed it just right to get one of the first tables at Annie's Smokehouse BBQ (which is the pizza place and bar by day and only serves BBQ at night).  This was actually one of my favorite meals during our trip.  We sat on a patio right on the beach, listening to steel drums playing and the wind rustling through the palm trees.  I enjoyed shrimp and veggie grilled kebabs and Jonathan had grilled fish, both embracing the island fare, while Jack and Ella were perfectly happy to have wings and buttery noodles, respectively.  We had a little trouble adjusting to the idea that you each order something from each course and portions for appetizers are meant for one person, but it didn't take us long to catch on to the all-inclusive ways.

Instagrammin' in November

Looking at our November through phone pics and it feels like summer again!  I spent the beginning of the month having a fun weekend in Wild Dunes near Charleston with tennis friends at a tennis tournament called Racquet Wars.  My partner and I won our first two matches in the waterfall bracket and ended up in the top division.  We have an awesome match, losing 6-4 7-5 to the eventual winners.  We definitely earned our beers!  We also celebrated Jonathan's 44th birthday with a homemade cake that was light and fluffy, using all the tricks we've learned from watching The Great British Baking Show.  The weekend before Thanksgiving, my parents came to visit so we took them to our new favorite Charlotte walk that takes you through the fun sites of South End.  We also got to visit with my mom's sister, Aunt Cathy, who has now moved back to the Charlotte area--so excited to have her, and soon Uncle Doug once he retires, back in town!  And, to close out our November, we went on our big trip of the year.  The family vote this year was to be home for Christmas and to go somewhere in the Caribbean.  So, we booked a 5-day trip over the Thanksgiving holiday to a Hilton all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  We definitely did not miss the turkey this year...

racquet wars with wsrc tennis friends elaine, melissa, angie, teneika, and my partner suzy | suzy and enjoyed some post-match beers while we watched angie and teneika play a match. | it was an unseasonably cold weekend, but you couldn't beat the views and seafood dinners. | jack performed a zombie play with his honors drama class--he literally told us the day of that he would be performing after football practice, but ella and i managed to catch the play regardless. jack was pretty good. | happy birthday to jonathan! | we love nonni and papa! | we took them to some of our favorites--south end rail trail, ping pong table near futo buta, jenni's ice cream, hearts wall, and omb. | lunch and new house tour with aunt cathy | and jamaica!  our view from our hotel the first evening. | we took one day trip out of the resort to head down to downtown montego bay for a photo session with a local photographer (raheem) who we had booked through flytographer. | the last photo is his beautiful sneak peek that we received before we'd even left the island.  

Instagrammin' in October

October brought us middle and high school sports, homecoming for Ella, Jack's Jr. EYC retreat, a continued interest in fishing for Jack, a super fun visit from the Horn family, and October 100 for me.

jack was #7 this year on his middle school team as a wide receiver and safety.  | i didn't get to tag along to take pictures before ella and her friends headed to the homecoming dance, but i grabbed what i could. | isn't she lovely? | jr. eyc retreat for jack definitely means mud pit. | running some miles at beatty park for october 100 | tough football season for jack--unfortunately he was sick for the one game his team won. #somewerereallyclose #othersnotsomuch | ella and her doubles partner, olivia, played in the conference championship and placed well enough for regionals. | ella and friends supported friend julianna at a few field hockey games. | jack goes fishing more and more often these days. | we had a great weekend with aunt jacqui, uncle randy, harper, and hudson that included fun at the play 60! football playground at freedom park (we'll make panthers fans out of these guys yet!), duck donuts, and beers at omb (they really do have the best grounds and play area of all of the breweries in town, perfect for high energy 5-year olds). | and, when i wasn't running my miles for october 100, olive helped me get in several more walking our nearby flat branch trail.

Instagrammin' in September

For a second straight year, my September was so busy I counted on other people to capture the photos of what my kids were up to.  I literally only took the picture of Jonathan and Olive walking on our favorite trail connected to the neighborhood.

walking flat branch trail | brooke brown and her son noah caught some of jack's first football game of the middle school season away at noah's middle school. | and, ella had an amazing time on the sr. eyc retreat.  she missed it last year, but it looks like she made up for lost time this year!

Instagrammin' in August

Happy birthday to Jack!  August brought us Jack's 14th birthday, the end of summer, the start of soccer and tennis seasons, and the start of school, 8th grade for Jack and 10th grade for Ella.

jack spent his birthday with a day at sports connection and sleepover with noah brown. | complete with publix football cake | we brought friends up to the quarry for a fun day. | ella and kylie (not pictured: jack and his two friends, will and austin) | love how olive's sweet brindle comes out when she's groomed. | jack played off-season league this fall (his club team will now play only in the spring due to high school team's fall schedules, even though jack's not in high school yet) and his hodge podge team were finalists in their first tournament, up against some teams who play year round together. #gojack | ice cream at bruster's, a last day of summer tradition | ella's first day of her sophomore year of high school which starts so early her pic is in the dark (and notice the huge tennis bag she has to lug to school each day) | jack's first day of 8th grade--last year of middle school! | high school football game (we were working concessions with the tennis team parents) | girls' night out to see orchestral maneuvers in the dark (omd)!

Casa de Slaton

It's always a fun and relaxing time, including pool, Mexican Train Wreck, movies, delicious food, daiquiris, and darts (for Jack), at Casa de Slaton resort, as we like to call my parents' house.  Thanks for having us, Nonni and Papa!  And thanks for hosting Olive!  It was so nice to not spend another full week away from our sweet pup after boarding her for 9 days for our trip to Beaufort and HHI.

Instagrammin' in July

We were living the high life in July!

more highlights from hhi week, including, of course, the beach, pool, and bike rides, but also seeing legally blonde with nonni and papa at the hhi community theatre, and ella and i played tennis at the harbour town courts. | jack had fun with friends at dave & buster's, coming away with some good loot. | more highlights from our time on tybee island, including some beautiful pictures by aunt jacqui of jack and noah cast netting during sunset. | olive enjoyed some pool time at nonni and papa's house. | thanks for having us, nonni and papa! | we explored the university of florida (my alma mater) campus with ella and jack and my how the reitz union has changed. | we ate lunch at my beloved el indio and their patio has been spiffed up since my day, too. | aunt jacqui, uncle randy, harper, and hudson met us at ginnie springs, my beloved watering hole from my college days.  i remember it a lot more quiet (even on summer weekends) and a lot less dirty.  (they've kind of spoiled it a bit--the beautiful blue and refreshing water is now over crowded, filled with floating huge speakers playing techno music, and with cigarette butts floating by because they allow people to smoke there...i was pretty disappointed with the changes, but we still had a very fun day with the horns.) | after several hours at ginnie springs, a huge storm chased us back to gainesville and, after drying off at our hotel, we met jacqui and fam at swamphead brewery, our first look at their new, bigger location. | on sunday, we rose early and made a stop to check out lake alice and the bat houses (more scenic uf campus) before picking olive up at her boarder and then heading back home to charlotte.  | and finally, at the end of july, my doubles partner, sally davidson, and i won the 3.5 terri's ladder doubles league championship for the summer season!  | and look how petite we look compared to the mother-daughter duo we beat in the finals.  

So Long, Tybee!

Thanks, Nana and PopPop, for bringing us all together on Tybee Island! Some stayed for a little more pool time on our last day on Tybee Island, but we headed out early on Wednesday to pick up Olive from a pet boarder just off the island and continue on south to my parent's house.  It had been a while since we'd visited my parents at their house and we figured we were half way there already, so we extended our vacation week for the rest of the week.  We also planned, after a few days at Casa de Slaton, to meet Jacqui and her fam in Gainesville the following Saturday before heading back home on Sunday.  So, goodbyes were sad, but at least it would just be a few more days before we saw some of these sweet faces again. 

Savannah: July 16

On Tuesday, our whole crew headed down to Savannah and signed up for a hop-on, hop-off historic trolley tour.  This was a great way to cover a lot of ground in Savannah.  We ended up riding the complete tour twice, getting off and on at several different stops.  We explored the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, walked through a few of the many squares in Savannah, checked out The Pirate's House (not worth the stop), snagged a couple of tables for our large group at Paula Deen's The Lady & Sons restaurant for lunch, and ooohed and aaahed at a lot of beautiful architecture along the way.  Jonathan and I had both just finished reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and my mother-in-law had read it many years earlier, so we wanted to explore the Mercer-Williams House while in Savannah.  Aunt Jacqui, Uncle Randy, and Uncle Chris took Ella and the younger kids to explore Forsyth Park while Jacob joined Jonathan, his parents, and I on our tour of the Mercer-Williams House (no pictures allowed).  It was interesting, but you don't get to see some of the more interesting spaces in the house, like the upstairs ballroom or basement where antiques were worked on to be restored, so it's a definitely one-and-done kind of tour. 

Savannah is a photographer's delight.  I hope to return one day and slowly walk the streets, toting my camera and taking in all of the details--and preferably in the spring or fall when it's not so dang hot and humid!

Tybee Island: July 15

On Monday, July 15th, we were up early and out of the house to explore a little more of Tybee Island.  We headed to downtown Tybee and walked out on the Tybee Beach Pier.  It was fun to see some of fishing off of the pier and seeing the crowded beach near the peer made us thankful for our quiet North Beach, but it was H-O-T hot out there.  After stopping for some ice cream on our way back to the north side of the island, we went to the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum.  Most of us just explored the grounds, but Aunt Jacqui, Uncle Randy, Harper, Hundson, and Ella were all brave enough to climb to the top of the lighthouse.  That's them at the top of the lighthouse in the last three pictures I posted of the lighthouse below!

A few of us (Uncle Chris, Ella, Jack, Jacob, Noah, and I) spent some time in the afternoon at the public tennis courts.  Ella enjoyed playing with former collegiate player Uncle Chris while the boys all mostly goofed off.  That evening, another group of us (PopPop, Jonathan, Aunt Jacqui, Uncle Randy, Harper, Hudson, Jack, Noah, Ella, and I) headed to the Savannah River side of the beach which is apparently the place to go for fishing and cast netting.  We saw one gentleman pull in a shark and Jack caught his biggest fish yet in his cast net.  Jack enjoyed this part of the trip so much he went back a few more times with Noah for more cast netting over the next few days.

Tybee Island: July 14

Just a little over a week after returning home from HHI, we headed to Tybee Island with Jonathan's extended family where his parents had rented a beautiful house near the North Beach, where the Savannah River meets the Atlantic Ocean.  On our first full day on Tybee we spent a lot of day on the Atlantic Ocean side of the beach, but the best part of our day was probably the parts I didn't photograph--card games, cousins hanging out, adults having a beer tasting contest (for two of our four nights, although there was plenty of drinking the other nights), and delicious food.  Unfortunately Aunt Chrissy couldn't join us on the trip, but we're so thankful for our time spent with the Williams clan this summer.  Thanks, Nana and PopPop, for bringing us all together!