Bahamas grocery store

Some things are expensive and some things aren't.

Grocery store

We stopped at the grocery store tonight and this cute kid brought our cart to the car.  Apparently these kids only get paid in tips.  #epgonebahamian2016

These trees...

...are all over the island.  Apparently they are Royal Poinciana.

Jungle Joe

Carolyn and I took the jet ski to Old Fort Beach to collect shells.  There weren't tons of them but I still got some for my vacation jars.  I'm the biggest chicken in the world but Carolyn convinced me to go on this Jungle Joe slide.  Twice!  And I drove the jet ski.  #boostingconfidenceinthebahamas

Beach buddies

Proof I went to the beach.  Not in jeans.  #sandyportbeach #epgonebahamian2016 #iamwearingmysuit #itsadressunderthisdress #mybasetan

Sipherd family photos - Sandyport Beach

Shells for sale!

We bought some shells and starfish right near where the cruise ships dock.  #epgonebahamian2016

Sharing shave ice

Alex and Lucy are good buddies.  They enjoyed sharing some shave ice.

The swimming Sipherds

There are 5 pools in their neighborhood and it took us about 4 minutes to walk to this one.  It was our own private pool and very refreshing.  #epgonebahamian2016 #thesekidsswimbetterthanme

Ellen fan

The fan was $5 and she stitched my name on it!  I'll need this fan in the hot Bahamas.

Alex and his conch shell

He spent over an hour cleaning this shell with a boothbrush.  He reminds me of my nephew Jamel.  #epgonebahamian2016

Straw Market

I really enjoyed talking to the people and seeing all the things for sale.  The Bahamian people are so gracious.  I got a few souvenirs.

Aquarium

Lucy Ellen enjoying the Dig (aquarium) at the Atlantis.  We were after hours and enjoyed it for free.

First stop: Atlantis

The Sipherd kids

These kids are bright and delightful!

Why not?

#vacation #runningerrands #creamsiclesoftserveisanerrand

Emmett and Clayton

I love how Emmett held on to him.  #brotherlylove #weneedeachother #lillroseboys

I love photographing this family

They're home!

Lee and Dottie gave powerful talks today.  They are even more awesome after three years of doing the Lord's work and serving in Argentina.  They're home!  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #argentinaposadasmission #theyaremormons

More AW visitors

I love when Arlington Ward friends visit.  Ashley's family moved when she was a young teenager (I think).  She's pretty good at wrangling her boys and it was really great seeing her.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Hermana Romano

I snuck this photo of Hermana Romano before her farewell.  She is headed to the Portland Oregon Spanish speaking mission and she's prepared and ready to serve.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

The Balmforth Boys

#theyarearockband #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

I love making coin purses

The cute oilcloth-y fabric is from Ikea and the pattern from Freshly Picked (but I can't find it on her blog). 

Boston's loss is NYC's gain

I caught a few minutes of Emily's goodbye party tonight.  I'm part jealous and part sad part happy part proud of her next adventure -- Columbia Business School!  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #returnwithyourMBA #shesayssheiscomingback #whencanivisit

Phoebe the proprietor of Yummy in My Tummy

Phoebe's restaurant

My friend Phoebe (age 6) had on her summer bucket list to have a pop-up restaurant.  The grand opening was tonight and I had a reservation for one at 5:45pm.  I had chips, guacamole, lemonade, pizza and ice cream -- all for $8.25 (plus a tip).  They service was fantastic and she has a top notch chef (her mom Emily).  It was a really fun experience and I'm waiting for its Yelp listing so I can add a review.  Oh, the restaurant is called Yummy in My Tummy.

IKEA fabric

I found this cool oilcloth-ish fabric at IKEA last night and see lots of cute coin purses in my future.

July 4th conglomeration

My friend Ally and I have joined forces the last few years and saved space for lots of friends along the Charles River on the 4th of July.  We're a good team and I don't know which one of us loves it more or brings the most friends.

July 4th finale!

4th of July parade

This was taken at Gault Street School in Van Nuys.  I was not happy about riding that scooter.  The big trike was MINE but Robert insisted on riding it.  Here's to today being a happier 4th.  #pattonmemories #thethingsweremember #johnseemshappyonhislittletrike #pattonsarebikers #vannuys #iwilleventuallygetoverthis

The Meijomes

The Arlington Ward has a revolving door though it doesn't revolve as fast or as often as some other wards in the Boston area.  It's not unusual to have 12-15 people/families move in and that many more move out in a year.  The Meijomes moved in and now they are moving out but #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever.  That's my testimony today.

Crafty flag

I saw a flag like this on a blog a year or two ago and have been wanting to make some and I finally did today.  This one is for my very patriotic friend @marydstaples.  #havegluegunwillglue #craftastic #redwhiteandglue #happy4th

Smoke alarm blueberry pancakes for lunch

#orisitbrunch #atleastiknowthealarmworks #ihavetroublemakingperfectpancakes #ithinkineedabettergriddle #orapersonalchef #bubbysrecipe

Betty's spaghetti

Betty grew up in Tooele, Utah and met her husband Gus Manderino (from Arlington, Massachusetts) when he was in the Army and working at an Italian POW camp in Tooele.  Their love story is wonderful and their life story is pretty great too.  They married and took the train across the country and started their life together in Boston.  They raised six kids here and though Betty goes out west every winter this is definitely her home.  Gus joined the LDS church after ~30 years of marriage.  he was an Arlington police officer for years.  He passed away about a dozen years ago.  To know the Manderinos is to love the Manderinos.  Tonight I asked Betty to re-tell one of my favorite stories.  #dontmesswithbetty

The Arlington Ward matriarch

After work I stopped to visit my sweet friend Betty Manderino, the matriarch of the Arlington Ward.  She's 91 and as delightful as ever.

Getting ready for the 4th

The barge is set for the fireworks on Monday.  #july4thinboston #thebestplacetobe #boston