St Croix day 1

We got up, ate a leisurely breakfast and hit the beach!! ;0)

Lael had just started an antibiotic that causes marked sun sensitivity, so I was so glad to have found a beach romper for her so she could play outside without burning!!

Oh how she loves the water !!!  The waves called to her... she was laughing, giggling, even screeching as they lapped gently up and played tug of war with her feet as we walked.

 Eli was "fighting" the waves:)  They would come in and tackle him, and he would run and attack the wave- usually with a karate chop or kick:) 

 A little beach time... And we were even able to play in the shade of a palm tree, very close to the water...Though the tide coming up soon obliterated our fun... But it led us to splash together as a family in the waves!

 Love the Sandy Butt!! So nice to know it is not filling up her swim pants:)

 As the waves continued to creep higher, Lael nestled safe in my arms as we splashed the waves together, jumping in and out of the water to keep it fun:)

 Then we rinsed of and headed to the pool!

This, she loved!! Like a huge bathtub.

Eli was practicing his snorkeling again, while Tim was giving his new waterproof cover for his new iphone a run for the money.  (It worked very well... and we have some great photos for our memories!!)

 Lael thought it was hysterical to blow bubbles in the water... She kept putting her whole face in the water and coming up laughing!!

 Eli had a blast getting reacquainted with the pool and his gear:)

 We headed back for an early lunch...Many yawns and several chattering teeth gave away the need for lunch and a nap.

Lael, of course, had to stop and smell the flowers... and poke the ground... and pick up some leaves, all sorts of new discoveries waiting around every corner!!

 We finally head around the bend to our place...

After lunch we all relaxed a little... electronically, of course!!

 Even Lael got in on the action, practicing her animal sounds.

Almost as soon as her little head hit the pillow, she was OUT!! She slept soundly for a couple hours...

While the guys hit the pool once again... :)

After a pre dinner walk, we tried out the hammock... Both kids seemed to enjoy it... Lael enjoyed her blossom she found immensely, rocking back and forth, gently rubbing the softness of the petal on her cheek.

Tim and I are now sitting in the quiet of our room, slumbering cherubs making nary a sound, waves outside crashing on the reef and shore, evening progressing to night... A beautiful end to our first full day in this tropical paradise!!