More USVI Action...

On the way to the Botanical Gardens in USVI, we stumbled upon an overlook spot.  It was the most beautiful look of St Thomas from above the city.  Truly breath-taking...

We spent a morning wandering around the Botanical Gardens.  We saw some of the most beautiful flowers and plants and trees. 

One evening we caught the sunset on the beach.  The skies lit up the most beautiful color and who doesn't love a beach sunset?!

One experience that was on Sullivan's bucket list was to swim with dolphins, so we made sure to make that happen.  We visited a rescue center, where we got to see turtles, sharks, seals, dolphins and more...

We also got to get in the water and swim with Noelani, the dolphin.   Fun fact - they think that she is blind or almost mostly blind but uses her other senses to "see" people and things.  

Sullivan had a BLAST and it was the highlight of her trip...

The week in USVI was amazing.  It was exactly what Sullivan had hoped for for her 16th birthday trip.  The only thing missing from this trip to make it absolutely perfect was Quinn!

USVI, how we miss you already!  

Glorious USVI...

We celebrated Sullivan's Sweet Sixteen trip a few weeks back in the most beautiful place - the US Virgin Islands.  It was the perfect mix of sun, sand, pool, relaxation, and fun! 

Aside from staying on St. Thomas and soaking in the pool and the beach there, we also got to take a day trip over to St. Johns to visit the USVI National Park there and enjoy the beautiful beaches and amazing snorkeling opportunities. 

The day started by loading up our car on the car ferry and being shuttled across to the island. 

Then we hit up the visitor's center before hitting the beaches.  

We visited some of the most noted "World's Best Beaches" and they surely did not disappoint.  

We did TONS of snorkeling at the national park and (sadly no pictures because no waterproof camera) saw some of the most amazing fish and sea life.  We swam with turtles, saw plenty of nurser sharks and lots of stingrays.  We even saw the most majestic Spotted Eagle Ray that was easily over 10 feet long and wide.  It was incredible!

We took a small hike in the park and saw some flamingos in the salt pond - although not great pictures were captured.  

We saw termite hives bigger than us along the way.  

When we had snorkeled all we could snorkel and swam all we could swim, we headed to a quaint little village for some shopping and a beverage (or maybe 3?!)....

The day on St Johns was both long, but incredibly exciting and fun!  We could not have asked for a better day!

More USVI adventures to come...!

Time Has Gotten Away...

Time has a way of flying by, especially during the summer.  I have obviously neglected the blog, but that must mean that we were busy having fun and didn't get a chance to document it.  

I spent a week back in South Dakota helping my mom go through her things in her storage unit and decluttering some of her things. 

Before, During and After...

It wasn't all work though.  We got a chance to go to the cemetery on Memorial Day to see my dad, my grandma, and one of Ryan's childhood friends.  

We also made it to the zoo one afternoon...

And I got to go to the driving range to watch Judson hit some balls.  Boy, does that kid have talent!

Oh, and you can't forget an amazing evening outside eating s'mores!  Yum!

What a great trip back to SD - packed with some work, and a little bit of fun!