What's the perfect way to spend a week in the Caribbean? First throw in a gracious host, Dan and Kathy Oaks and family whose luxury accommodations were off the charts. Add a huge dose of white linens, stone shower and a fridge full of coca cola to drink by the private pool. Pour in colorful wooden houses, friendly natives and beautiful blue Larimar - the gemstone of the island. Then mix in great sunshine on fantastic beaches complete with private beds, towels, and fresh made crepes. Add a pinch of warm, soft, rain here and there, and that's how our family spent Thanksgiving week courtesy of the Cook'n family.
If you don't want to spend any time outside the villa it qualifies as a great vacation. But the adventures are plentiful! From 27 waterfalls to a cable car, zip lines, swimming with dolphins, or a historic fort and looking around town, you can stay downright busy. A blast! That's it. That's all.
None of us was quite sure what to expect when our Cook'n Club friends joined us and stayed in our villa. But, it turned out to be a fantastic experience! We felt just like family! This is a photo of us gathered around the breakfast table getting ready for the chef to serve breakfast.
Shannon and her grand daughter, Emmalyn, really enjoyed the swimming pool.
Emmalyn is such a doll baby.
We all doted over her...especially my boys!
Emmalyn and her mother, Kim, enjoyed the beach too.
Shannon and her family got to swim with dolphins at Ocean World.
Shannon's son, McCall, had quite an experience at the aviary at Ocean World.
The villa is huge! We were all very comfortable. This is Shannon's husband, Jim, waving from his bedroom at the end of the hall.
Our Cook'n friends joined us in the service activities too. They were great sports! We crammed 15 people into this small mini-van. We are SO grateful that our Cook'n Club friends joined us!
Then, we drove to where the Foundation had this container delivered.
We unloaded shoes from this container...
...and then we sorted them.
It was a great project that really brought us together. There's nothing like the feeling you get when you serve.
