Looking back a few years . . . .

(See pic below) This is Hayley and Ryan a couple months after we moved to St. Maarten. Aren't they adorable? Ryan was maybe 7 months old at the most while Hayley was a couple months shy of 3. They were all ready to go swimming, and I was too, believe or not. We moved to the island the end of April 2005, and upon our arrival at the "oh-so-lovely" Princess Julianna Airport, we were met with a heavy, unyielding humidity. There was no air-conditioning. And the tropical heat combined with mosquitoes, sand flies, etc. was an experience like no other. This picture also sparks memories of running up and down four flights of stairs outside our apartment each evening (we were on the fourth floor) as many times as I could stand. And that coupled with avid water drinking led to successful weight loss. (It helped, of course, that I would sweat profusely and continuously . . . like there's no tomorrow :))

Here's my little Rooster and Big Boy in Philipsburg in St. Maarten (2006) a few months before leaving the island for good. Hayley had recently cut her own bangs and was enjoying her new look. Ryan was still my little baby, but definitely getting bigger. Still as adorable as can be . . . both of them.


Here they are in May 2007 (a post-island pic). They are just too cute! FYI, I'm not biased or anything.

Now I've got a big 6-year-old first grader and a handsome 4-year-old, both as smart as the smartest whips around.