QE2 Botanic Park

We finally made it over to the Queen Elizabeth 2 Botanic Park in Cayman a few weeks ago. The park was opened in 2003, during the island's 500th Anniversary, and the Queen herself actually came to Cayman!

My mother loves flowers and would always take us around this time of year to the Wichita Lawn and Garden Show at Expo Hall. Walking around this park's flower garden I felt like I was back at the Garden Show, looking at all the exotic plants. It is crazy to see how large some of these "house plants" can get!

The other draw to the park is their collection of blue iguanas. They look bluer as juveniles and more grey as adults. Below, in the center of the picture, is a blue iguana. They are super endangered and only found in the Cayman Islands.

I'll take you to the park the next time you come Mom. Sorry we didn't go last year!

Cat trick

This is my friend Alanna's cat, Pepper.

She prefers her water in the glass. :)

Christmas in Cayman

This year we were in Cayman for Christmas. This was the first Christmas spent away from our families, so I was a little apprehensive. How do we celebrate properly and make the holiday extra special? Luckily I have a few friends that were on island for the holiday that wondered the same thing.

I started by bringing every Christmas movie I love down on DVD (from A Christmas Story to A Muppet Christmas Carol) and some Christmas decorations from Target. Then we watched the movies with our friends over the week leading up to Christmas. On Christmas Eve Alanna and James had a Christmas open house including mince pies with brandy butter (no meat is in them any more, just dried fruit), meats, cheeses, and mulled wine. And of course, I brought a cheese ball :)

After the open house, the four of us headed out to St Ignatius for Christmas carols and midnight mass. The best carol was a west indian classic (apparently) "De Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy".

Christmas Day we went to the Ritz Carlton for their Family Christmas Brunch. It was AWESOME!

There was a long foyer filled with food stations.

There were multiple snow machines, so when you see little spots on the photos, you know it was just festive awesomeness falling from the sky.

Here is a view of the ballroom, all dressed up for Christmas. There was a harpist and a special arts and crafts station for children.

Here is Bob with Alanna and James, getting ready to enjoy the Moet!

Here is a photo with my new work friend Maria and her bf Joe. I have work friends now!!

And because the Ritz is ridiculous and he was there, Alanna and I had our photo with Santa!

Podany Visit

After Christmas Bob's parents came down to Cayman. Though the weather was a little cloudy and cool the first few days, I think they had a great time!

One of the highlights was the Red Sail dinner cruise on their last night. The food was catered by the Westin and really tasty. It was a nice catamaran ride up Seven Mile Beach. Great suggestion Bill!

Bob was off while they were here, so there aren't many more photos. It was good to see the Podanys, come back soon!

28 Years

Well another year has come and gone, which means I am now 28 years old. Yikes! If you would have told me at 28 I'd be married and living in the Caymans I never would have believed you. Unless it was last year, in which case I might have :)

We went for a happy hour with friends. They surprised me with gifts and cupcakes!!

Later in the night we went to dinner at La Dolce Vita, a new(ish) italian restaurant on the water. It was super yummy!

And my family sent me the most beautiful flowers! Thanks Mom!