Caribbean Cruise

Mema and Papa went for a cruise last week in the Caribbean. Mema had been before but this was Papa's first big boat cruise. We visited St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Kitts

Here is our little vessel, the 895 ft. Carnival Victory in port in Dominica, the Appalachia of the Caribbean.

We went kayaking while in St. Lucia. Mema was the better paddler.

We took a little hike up a hill to get a great view of the island.

This gentleman very kindly but very firmly told Papa that he couldn't wear his camo shorts on Barbados because he could be seen to be impersonating a soldier.Here is a waterfall in the rain forest of Dominica

Hayden Turns the Big O-One

Hayden is just about the cutest little boy! Just want to eat him up! He had his first birthday party Saturday and sister, Rylan, his cousins, Cayden, Cammie, Tanner, and Clay turned up to show him how to party hardy.

Any proper first birthday party has to start off with a proper Fish Cake, courtesy of Mom and Aunt Janet. It actually tasted a lot better than it looked.

Then there is the obligatory hanging sign and helium balloon.


Tanner and friend Victor out cruising for chicks.

Here is the Birthday Boy himself, the finest pitcher in the Pee Wee T-Ball league.

Mema shows Hayden how to raise that old batting average.
Clay, Cammie, and Rylan contemplate a spin in the old convertable.

It Must Be Friday

If its Friday, it must mean Mema's Day Care and Grandbaby Spoiling Center is open for operation.

Here is Hayden enjoying an ear of corn. He also prefers peas over watermelon. But grapes seem to be his favorite.

Tanner carefully works on another of Ginny's art projects.

Cammie mugs for the camera.
As we start the evening, and it is far from over, all the Wood kids minus Hayden are having a sleep-over. Whether or not they all make it through the night remains to be seen.

The Twins Turn Five

The "Big OH-Five for Tanner and Cammie was combined with a little late Memorial Day cook-out in our back yard. The rain held off so the kids could play in the back yard.

Tanner holds at first in a rousing game of kick ball.




Ruben thinks he is the short stop.

Alert base runner Clay
Relief pitcher Hayden
Score-keepers Nora, Cammie and Rylan

"Hey! Wasn't there supposed to be cake?"

She looks in. She gets the sign. She checks the runner at first. Here's the windup and here comes the heat!

Finlay Turns 10

Finlay hit the "Big Oh-9" this year. Double digits - almost!

If he keeps his nose clean, he might live to see the "Big One-O."

What a great kid!!

The Biltmore Estate

Judy worked near Asheville, NC this last week and we took the opportunity to tour the Biltmore Mansion - a nice little starter cottage nestled in the mountains of western NC. We learned that George Vanderbilt had this four-acre house constructed as a bachelor! The official party line is that he wanted to experiment with crops and such but my take is that he was kind of a nerd and built it to attract women. I mean, the house is a chick magnet.


Just a fraction of the fabulous flower gardensThis is just the estate's greenhouse!

Selma Goes to State

Using up more band width than we should be allowed to use, here is granddaughter Selma at the State Meet where she placed overall 5th in level 7 competition. We are so proud of her accomplishments!

Floor Exercise


Uneven Bars


Balance Beam