Scenes from the Dominican Republic

The kids (and their parents) and I just returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic. 10 days in beautiful weather, surrounded by locals and fun culture, and making great memories.
Here's a few pictures/memories from the trip.
(I'll skip posting all 300+ pictures and just narrow it down to a few of my favorites)
Enjoy!

Local littles.

When I asked T if I could bring them home to play with us, she told me:

"You're being silly Dj. They're not even ours!"

-aw, shucks.

Sweet kids.

G and I, caught in action.

Me and my loves.





Beautiful view.



Does this little man have a liscense?

I found myself the sweetest dog, whose 'family' doesnt feed her (they probably can't afford to) so she wanders the area in search of food. You better believe I spoiled her! I found out that her name is Guilin. I was in tears when I had to say goodbye to her. A few flea baths and I would've had her in my suitcase and on her way back to the States!

I wanted to bring this little guy home too.

And also this one.

G, looking his proudest during a game of mini-golf.

Whale watching in Samana.

Sweet boy, always seen transporting horses and donkeys throughout the town.

Such beautiful views.

T, looking her proudest!

I love this girl.

(and this picture)

GO TEAM USA!

A childhood friend of mine, J*ulia Clukey, will be taking to the speedy-ice-track of Whistler on Monday evening around 5pm, for her first run out of 4 (two on Monday, the final 2 on Tuesday) as a part of TEAM USA! She and I began to lose touch just before highschool (during her luge training) but I am SO incredibly proud to know her and support her in this amazing adventure she has been on. She is a first time Olympian, and was at the track on Friday morning when Georgian luger N*odar K*umaritashvili crashed during a training run.
Could you all please send prayers her way Monday and Tuesday? For peace of mind after witnessing such a tragic event, and most importantly- for her safety?

(Maybe a few Good Luck vibes too!)

Here's to the good ole days!

Julia and I *circa WAY back when.

We may have had figure-skating form - but she was meant to be a luger!

Her older sis, myself, and Julia.

J, her mom, lil sis, and myself.

And here's to the present!

(And Olympic Medal future!)

GO CLUKEY!

Front and center during the Opening Ceremony!

I was sure to snag a shirt the last time I was visiting our hometown!

(Julia was away preparing for Vancouver, but I stopped by their *very old* house to visit her mother and LOVED every moment of it. NOTHING in the house has changed, not even the kids' artwork on the walls, and it felt like I was a kid again, showing up to play)

GO Maine!

GO USA!

Happy Holidays!

Even my Parker got in on the fun of the Christmas Spirit! (not that he really had a choice, of course). But don't worry. No bunnies were harmed in the making of this photo. He was rewarded with a carrot and told me that he would gladly partake in a simple iPhone photoshoot anytime for a little piece of crunchy orange Heaven.

The little people and I survived our week without parents.

Even adding a few extra days together due to a crazy winter snowstorm that stranded Nana in Rhode Island, and Mommy and Daddy in Colorado. Which meant Super Nanny Dj stayed on for a few extra days. But all went smoothly, thanks to a few extra activities to keep us busy and out of trouble.

We had our first (EVER!) Christmas concert at school... (is he really in Kindergarten already? I swear he was just 5 months old yesterday!)



The early riser and I had a lot of 7am photoshoots to pass the time by... (there's no sleeping in, not even on snow days.)





(We're still working on not covering up the lens...)

We had coffee dates while big brother G was at school... (I wish I could take the blurry-ness away!)

We made gingerbread people...

And one lone gingerbread pirate... Arr!

We may have watched a bit of tv. But did find out that Moose and Zee are fans of Starbucks. Which we love! So we love Moose and Zee a little more now...

We Easy Bake Oven-ed for over an hour one day. And I wondered how I ever enjoyed that stuff when I was a little people...

We made real artwork for Mommy for Christmas. Using real canvases from a local art store, acryllic paints (with colors from Mommy's office even!), sponges, brushes, and tin foil for fun effects. We're turning into regular Picasso's... (Picasso's that are dressed as astronauts even.)

Eventually Mommy and Daddy returned, and a couple of weeks later we had our own little Christmas...

We survived the chaos/Holidays.... and may be attempting to get/be serious and back to the real world.... but can't help but have a little fun still along the way.

Being serious is so overrated anyhow.