Marvelous Maldives Moments

On the airplane

Sea plane to the island

Even Levi had earplugs for this plane

Male - the capital of the Maldives

Atolls

Finally on the island!

Levi sleeping by the pool

They had bathrobes for the kids too!


Outside at lunch

They even arranged all of Micah's bedthings at bedtime.

Path behind open umbrella leads to our villa

Inside island path

Playing with Daddy

Collecting dead flowers at breakfast

Levi loved chewing on the handle on his floatie!

Micah's first encounter with a hermit crab. By the end of our trip, she was picking them up with confidence - even more so than James.

This was Mr. Crab, the same name as all the other ones we found.

Micah was washing the table at the pool with her hat

There were fruit bats flying around - this one was right above our lunch table one day.

After dinner one night, we walked on the bridge that connected the two islands and happened upon this manta ray. We estimate him to be at least 6 feet wide!

Some more hermit crabs

Levi, Micah, Beth, and James

Levi asleep at the pool again

On the back patio looking into the room - it was a very romantic place! Too bad all four of us were in the same room.

We went barefoot everywhere on the island - even to dinner! This pot held water that we washed our feet with when we went into our villa.

Taking a break from the sun outside - even in paradise we couldn't get away from technology!

Finding Nemo

James here. I think we saw the entire cast of Finding Nemo (except the dentist, turtles and such) today snorkeling. We pass the time alternating between napping, eating, swimming, snorkeling and sunburning. Today the snorkeling was very cool. We alternated between holding Micah to look at the fish on a shallow reef and the other taking the mask and going deeper. Tons of fish. One even bit the strings of my swimsuit!
Yesterday was mostly spent getting sand in our suits. It is always interesting seeing how much sand collects in the shower. We build a sand castle, caught crabs (hermit) and saw more fruit bats. Luckily, they haven't sucked the juice from our fruit yet.
All of the waiters seem to be in a bit of a contest to see who can give the best gift to Micah. We've had pages to color, coloring books, flowers, a cool coconut leaf fish, a napkin doll, and a napkin hat.

I asked Beth is she wanted to say anything on the blog, and she said "No."

Well, that's all for now. I'm sure Beth will get some pictures up here this weekend. For now, just trust that it is really nice and beautiful.

An Afternoon of Nothing

What an afternoon! First, I watched the football game (I can't believe we blew a 17-point lead to a team called the Ducks). Then, we just sat around. Such a good afternoon! Tonight, Micah and Levi have been sleeping pretty good. I hope I didn't jinx that. Dinner was good; no pork chops tonight! Tomorrow is for more swimming, snorkeling, and sitting around. We did see a couple of small reef sharks swimming off our beach today. And, we've seen some collassal fruit bats too. I hear they suck the juice out of your orange when you aren't looking! Ha. Till next time. James

Ahhhh....thats nice

James here. We'll we're finally here. A nice 4.5 hour plane ride and a sea-plane ride later, we've arrived at our home for six days in the Maldives. We'll get some pictures up shortly. For now, just know that our villa is on the beach, we went snorkelling today from that beach to a small reef nearby and then went swimming in the pool. What a morning! It would have been better if Levi hadn't felt the need to keep Beth and I up for about 4 hours last night. Oh, well. Tonight will be better I'm sure.
Our shower is outside. Beth's comment was that she needed sunglasses to shower. It is pretty cool. It is inside of a garden with high walls so nobody can see in (if you have the blinds shut).

Stephen and Sigrid's Wedding

Here are a few (ha!) pictures of our trip to Austria for Stephen's wedding. We were in Graz, where Stephen lives, for a few days and then went to Deutschlandsberg, where the wedding was.

Levi was very content in the bassinet seat on the airplane. It made travelling with the kids by myself much easier! James joined us on Friday.

Micah kept herself busy by watching movies...not proud of it but it helps a lot! It was a picture-perfect flight - hardly any crying!

Levi with Sigrid - the Bride

Church across the street from Stephen's apartment...Micah was very intrigued by the bells all around town.

Dad and Micah on a bridge in Graz

Funny how you can see where the building used to be here.

We went to a palace in town and they had many peacocks on the grounds...as you can see it was hard to get a good pic because they move so quick! They didn't want the corn we had...they wanted Micah's cracker in her hand!

Looking at the moat with Grandpa

Very pretty gardens all around the palace.

Playing with Uncle Stephen

At the castle in Deutschlandsberg, Austria

View from our hotel room: Sunrise on Stephen's wedding day

Civil Ceremony will take place on the grassy area

See me in the window?

View from castle over the vineyards

First shot of the Bride and Groom getting pictures taken before ceremony

Nice flowers, Stephen


First part of a very long sequence of events. This is the reception before the first ceremony. There was a civil ceremony that was at the castle. Then after a second champagne reception, we all went down to the town for the church ceremony. Following that there was a bread and wine reception outside the church. Finally, the dinner reception ended the evening, including dancing and goulash served at midnight. I only made it until after the cake was served at 10:30pm. My children were up by 6:30am the next morning - which is actually early for them.

Micah is wearing a traditional Austrian dress called a dirndl. She was the flower girl. Some other Austrian ladies were also wearing a dirndl. If I were Austrian, it is definitely what I would wear - you always know what you would wear to a wedding!

Levi with Sharon and Sigrid's mother, Gerti

Levi is under there!

Pointing at her new Aunt Sigrid - sorry, didn't get any pics during the civil ceremony...I was concentrating on keeping my children quiet!

Church ceremony in town
Cousin Susie, Dad, Sharon, and Sigrid at the wine and bread reception outside the church

Very funny posing

Wheels up to the castle

Micah keeping herself busy during dinner by drinking water with a spoon.

Pig made by Sigrid's sister and Maid of Honor

Fire balloons

Not sure what happens when they come back down!

This is actually the newlywed's room - it is three floors!

In Deutschlandsberg the day after the wedding

View from the town with castle up the hill.


Since nothing but cafes are open on Sunday, we just hung out at a cafe with a playground for Micah until it was time to go to "brunch" back near the castle at 2pm. Stephen told Sigrid it is more like "lupper".

Uncle Stephen and Levi looking pretty tired.

Stephen posing with his new wedding ring!

View of the castle from "brunch" location

Friends and family at brunch

I don't remember the name of this thing but it kept me awake at night. It sounds like a kettle drum rolling down a hill. It is driven by wind and meant to keep the birds away from the grapes.

See the grapes?

Although it was a little hot, even for us desert folks, we had a great time! We loved seeing green and being with family. Micah became pretty friendly with everyone.