Gidday you guys!
There we have it. Another year gone. Is it just us or do they seem to be passing by faster and faster. Anyway, we have had a brilliant year. Lots of happenings and lots of travel, parties and fun times. We won't be doing a year in review as all you have to do is scroll through the months anyway. But we do want to wish you a very merry (belated) Christmas and all the best for 2011. Maybe we'll catch up soon!
We hope you had a nice break over Christmas and had a little fun as well.
Apologies for the delay in getting this one out to you. The Holiday celebrations continued a little longer than anticipated.
So, without further ado, enjoy the following read and keep smiling!
Busy day at the office....MOvember
As mentioned in the last issue, MOvember Cayman didn't actually finish until the 4th of December this year, giving budding MO Growers an extra few days to 'bush up'. Michelle was especially pleased when she heard that news. Even on the 5th of December she could be heard begging and pleading for Dave to keep his new look going.
And how about that! The good looking one is Dave, and the other is Miss World Cayman 2010.There were about 170 participants this year in Cayman, and they raised around $70,000 which was a pretty good effort. The had a big party at MOgaritaville and there where all sorts there. Here's a few pics and others can be seen by clicking on the Facebook link below.
Oh Dear.... Maybe Sherlock can help.
To see even more MOvember photos... click:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=245397&id=766998601&l=a4c859a414
Don't ask...
The Cayman marathon was also held in December. Michelle was part of a relay team of four who did about 10km each. The kids also took part in the Kids Marathon, which was roughly about 800m. But a heap of kids did it and it was pretty cool to see them all racing around the streets of George Town.
SUBMARINE
We decided to take the kids on a night dive, except this one would be without getting wet. Off we went one night and jumped on the Atlantis Submarine. It had actually taken about three weeks of cancellations due to rough seas before we were able to go. But we made it on and went out for a cruise down to about 110 feet. There were some big fish hanging about and also a relatively small Nurse Shark. The kids got to see 'The Wall' where the drop off goes to about 2,000 feet. Up until now, they'd only seen pictures that Mum and Dad had taken when out diving.
SCUBA SAM!
Speaking of Diving, for her birthday Sam got a Voucher to do a PADI resort dive. So she did that the other day (couldn't wait!!!). She started off with some introductory drills in a very cold swimming pool before venturing out for a boat dive.
Getting readyJake and Dave also went along, but only to snorkel. They watched from above as Sam completed her decent to 40 feet and then had fun looking at the fish and sea life down on the bottom. She was so pleased with herself and even the instructor said she was very relaxed and natural. She wants to do the full course now, so watch this space!
All SetThere was one tense moment for her when they came up for the safety stop and 15 feet and encountered a rather large Barracuda who was quite interested in the goings on. The Barracuda stood his ground while Sam and co, swam around the other side of the boat to make their exit.
Big step!
40 feet down
And back. A very happy wee diver.
More diving pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=250826&id=766998601&l=924ffa0bc8
CHRISTMAS HAPPENINGS
Merry Christmas to everybody! Love, Sam and Jake, xxxx
Christmas concert at schoolChristmas Day for us this year started at a reasonable civilised 8am (the kids had had a late night... as had another couple of family members). The presents were opened... and so was the bubbly. Breakfast consisted of some hot freshly made croissants courtesy of our baker friend, Steve. They were huge! After that it was time to stock up the Chilly Bin and head around to a friends place for Bubbly and Nibbles by the pool. That went on until around 3 pm where we had to duck home to restock the chilly bin, uplift some other goodies and head around to another friends for Christmas Dinner. There were four families and the kids had the big table while the parents sat across the room a bit. Dave wanted a Xmas pudding, and got one. Only it was the size of an average muffin. It was shared by a couple of the menfolk, after it was set alight by Dave brandishing a cup of hot brandy and a box of matches.
Hmmmm... I'm sure Mum's are bigger than this!A very large Dinner slowed everybody right down, but the faulty skyrockets soon had the heart rate up again! One rocket didn't leave the ground and exploded at ground level showering sparks and debris all over the onlooking kids and parents. No damage done... thankfully. Everyone went home with full bellies and slept well...
Sam's birthday was the next day (Boxing Day). She turned 10. There will be more on that in January's issue as the kids decided they wanted to combine their parties.
Here's some pictures from two of the more extravagant Christmas light displays around town. Both are private residences but the owners have traditionally put on these amazing displays every year much to the delight of the kids (big and small). For videos of both properties, have a look below and click on the video clips at the end of this months issue.
Dave and the kids went out on a friend's boat for a cruise on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. They went to Starfish Point and Stingray city and generally had a fun time, even if the temperature was a little cool. Unfortunately Michelle was stuck at work, but caught up later at the Santa party at another friends house. Luckily Santa had time to pop in for a visit, much to the delight of the kids... and the parents!
Coming back into Camana Bay on Christmas Eve
'course I been good Santa!
Some Christmas Cheer! Actually it was a mate's stag do...a couple of quiets out on a rather large boat! Or maybe it was some large ones on a rather quiet boat...
New Years Eve... more to follow!More pics:
Next Month:
New Year's happenings
Gaelic Football.
A visit by some Papua New Guineans.
Kids Birthday Party
and more.....
There are two video clips below, both of Christmas lights at two private properties in Cayman. Both go to a huge effort and the kids just love it, although both could be just a little over the top... Check it out.
