Waiting to board the Norweigian Spirit!
Once on board, we all just acquainted ourselves to our new home for the next 7 days. Each of the kids kicked back while some of us just were amazed at the view. (and others of us did head stands on the bed)
Once on board, we all just acquainted ourselves to our new home for the next 7 days. Each of the kids kicked back while some of us just were amazed at the view. (and others of us did head stands on the bed)
First Stop: Costa Maya, Mexico - We rented two-man speed boats and went zippin' out to a reef to snorkle. At least this time the snorkles were clean and new and not pulled out of the bottom of an old fisherman's boat (like in Cancun). We also did a little bit of shopping after and the kids got to hold a cute monkey. Chase hasn't stopped bugging me to buy him one. Reminds me of Veruca Salt on Willy Wonka who wants a squirrel now.
The boys - way too cool for us
This man was amazing with a thin blad saw. He made rings for Ty, Brooke and I. He would saw into the ring whatever we wanted. Ty did TEVO and Brooke did her name and i did R heart L. Awww.
Formal night on the ship - about as formal as our family can get.
Second day - Guatemala (This was all of our favorite day-- if that made any sense). Rick served his mission here 22 years ago and really wanted to go to one of the areas where he had baptized several people. Only problem, we didn't know how to get where we needed to go, how long it would take, how we would find the people he baptized one we got there and if they would remember him. But that didn't stop us.
By the way, if you haven't noticed, Brooke can't take a serious picture. There's always some sort of goofy face.
Upon arriving in Guatemala, which is absolutely gorgeous with the green rainforest everywhere you look, we figured the first thing we needed to do was find a tax driver that wouldn't mind going on an adventure with us.
You can see Rick in the background negotiating taxi fare. Finally he agreed on a price and we got Julio for the day (below). Our own Guatemalan tour guide. We grew to love Julio in the 9 hours that we were with him . He drove us around Teculutan and was so patient while Rick tried to find the "River" where all of his families lived. The people in Guatemala are so incredibly kind and loving and happy. I never really appreciated or understood what Rick was talking about when he would talk about his love for the people. he would also talk about the children in Guatemala and how beautiful their faces are and in spirit. Now I understand. He was right.
Teculutan was a 2 1/2 hour drive. They drive like crazies but are so incredibly nice to each other as they are cutting each other off.
As we were driving around aimlessly lost, we saw this woman on the side of the road making tortillas just like Rick used to show us. Julio stopped and Rick asked her (in Spanish) if we could please buy some. We paid a premium because Rick can't help it and he was instantly in Heaven eating the tortillas that he always talks about.
You can see Rick in the background negotiating taxi fare. Finally he agreed on a price and we got Julio for the day (below). Our own Guatemalan tour guide. We grew to love Julio in the 9 hours that we were with him . He drove us around Teculutan and was so patient while Rick tried to find the "River" where all of his families lived. The people in Guatemala are so incredibly kind and loving and happy. I never really appreciated or understood what Rick was talking about when he would talk about his love for the people. he would also talk about the children in Guatemala and how beautiful their faces are and in spirit. Now I understand. He was right.
Teculutan was a 2 1/2 hour drive. They drive like crazies but are so incredibly nice to each other as they are cutting each other off.
As we were driving around aimlessly lost, we saw this woman on the side of the road making tortillas just like Rick used to show us. Julio stopped and Rick asked her (in Spanish) if we could please buy some. We paid a premium because Rick can't help it and he was instantly in Heaven eating the tortillas that he always talks about.Once in Teculutan, nothing looked familiar to Rick since it had been such a long time since he had been there. After driving around for a little while and everything looking different, we stopped on the side of the road and went into a small hair styling place and Rick asked this woman (below) if she knew any of the families that he was looking for. She said she could help him and spent the next 2 1/2 hours driving around with us helping Rick find the families that he had baptized. It turned out the she happened to be LDS and knew how to find the people that Rick was looking for. Tender mercies.
This little boy was at the first house we stopped at. He visited with us for awhile and then as we were in the van getting ready to go to the next place, he came running outside with this pink chick. I tried packing him and the chick in my suitcase.
This little boy had a baby sister that was only 16 days old. I love her. I want her to be mine. You can see a picture of President Monson in this home if you look hard.
I guess I can't get my computer to load any more pictures during this session so I will try again tonight.
5 comments:
LOVED the monkey. How cool to hold that! Jealous! Fun... So glad you guys had a good time!
On your first pick where you are sitting at the airport, the angle makes Rick look extremely tall! By the picture I would guess he was a professional basketball player.
Cruise looked like fun!
Guatamala looks amazing. Im so glad you finally got to go there.The cruise looked fun to.
Guatamala looks amazing. Im so glad you finally got to go there.The cruise looked fun to.
Thats strange, I served my mission there in 2004 and I recognized that sister. You should ask your husband if they ever built a full size chapel there I am dying to find out!
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