Beaches/Turks & Caicos Trip - March 2025/Garrison's Last Basketball Game

 It's been a busy few weeks.  We enjoyed Garrison's final basketball game with the Knights which they did not win, but it was a good game.  Four boys on his team, including him, have played together since they were 4 years old.  They will play at school next year as 8th graders.

Amanda, Chad, Peyton, Garrison, Ron and I traveled to the Turks & Caicos Islands for our 5th trip to the Beaches Resort.   The afternoon before, Peyton, Amanda and I had pedicures together, a Christmas present from Amanda and Chad.  

Ron and I spent the night at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel so the shuttle could take us to the airport at 3:20 a.m.!!!!!  We met the Todds there.  Our flights to Miami then to Turks were unremarkable.  We arrived before noon at the resort and the fun began.  We had lunch at the Cricketer's Pub which allowed time for our rooms to be ready.  The Todds went to the pool, but Ron and I unpacked and rested before dinner at Schooner's for seafood, a tradition.  

We had sun every day and enjoyed the beach and the pool.  We had reservations to go out on a glass bottom boat, however, the trip had to be cancelled due to choppy waters and high winds.  Peyton was especially disappointed, but we had fun at the pool instead.  Garrison and Chad took some runs and walks.  The girls all went to the spa for facials.  Our favorite dinner was at the French restaurant, LePetite - our steaks were scrumptious.  

Amanda, Chad and Peyton wanted the Indian food buffet, so that night, Garrison went with us to Mario's for dinner.   Garrison had several burgers an fries from Bobby Dee's.  Peyton and Garrison went out several evenings to YoYo's for frozen custard and came to our room to visit us a couple of times.  

We had our pictures taken on the beach again this year which turned out great, even though it was windy.  

Amanda arranged for balloons, a card and cupcakes to be delivered to our room as an early birthday surprise since I turn 70 in July.  It was a sweet gesture.  

I went downstairs early - like 5:30-5:45 a.m. - to reserve our pool chairs.  It was amazing to me how many people were out and about that early reserving chairs.  

We had an amazing time as we did the other 4 times we visited Beaches/Turks & Caicos - first year was in 2013 when Garrison was 18 months old.  He's now 13 and 5'9" tall - taller than Peyton who is 16 and 5'3".  

We feel very blessed we had good health and happiness during our trip and arrived home safely - at 2 a.m. on Saturday morning.  Ron got up early and attended the Methodist Men's Breakfast, and I went to a couple of garage sales with Debbie Sieger.  Back to regular life.

God is so good to us - we love our family and enjoy being with them - the best part of the trip.