Our first few days in El Salvador

We flew into El Salvador overnight! :-( Boy, were we tired. I believe that I got a total of 30 minutes of sleep and Paul about 2 hours. But man did we fly into quite a sunrise and the clouds over San Salvador were beautiful!
Our first day we spent at Jon & Kelly Simpson's house (Paul's brother-in-law and sister) because they flew in the same day as we did. It was nice just to catch up with everyone and help them bring in and set up most of their home again.
Sunday we went to Paul´s dad´s church to listen to him preach. It was nice. Everyone here is SOO nice and inviting and some of the people even remembered me from 2 years ago (surprise!). This past year of spanish really paid off!! I was able to sing along with the songs and I understood most of what Paul´s dad said!
On Monday we left for Panajachel, Guatemala to stay for 4 days. It was so nice to just relax, walk the streets and play games with family. I also got to take senior pictures for a friend of ours that came down with us to El Salvador - Kelsey Kimura. I took about 6 rolls of film. It was nice to do that again...I love photography!!
Anyway, here are the photos so far. Tonight is our anniversary - Paul is taking me to a nice restraurant downtown in San Salvador...stay tuned....




this is right outside the airport! Paul's dad

Here is where we stayed in Panajachel, Guatemala...

...And here was our view!!!!

and our view at night!

Here are a few pictures from around town and down at the lake:

Garcia's New Home & Baby Room

Here it is - the Garcia's new home. There are so excited to have a new home for their new baby!!

more picts to come.....

My beautiful prego sister!

Here are some pictures of my cute little sister in law - Chrissy. Here is what I have for her expanding little belly - August 25th is the day she is to pop!

My Nanny's Farewell

I believe that this was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. My Nanny (grandma) was one of the most wonderful women that I have ever met. She was a woman that once you met her - you'd never forget her...in the best way possible. She had an infectious laugh, a tender heart and love for all those she came in contact with. Even in her last days with us on this earth - she still was bringing smiles to peoples faces and lifting the spirits of those around her - even during some of her worst days. When she smiled - you just had to smile back.

Before she flew to be with Jesus, she asked that we not hold a memorial - rather she wanted people to remember her as she was, not just as a body. So our family: my mom, dad, sister and I, took my Nanny's ashes to a secluded spot and sent her ashes to be with God's beautiful creation.

In rememberance of my Nanny, I decided to get something that would remind me of her everyday and that I need to live life to the fullest. Below is my memoral for her. I will miss her - she was the best grandma and friend that a granddaughter could ever ask for her. Can't wait to see her in heaven!

My Nanny with my baby sis

My tribute to my Nanny

More pictures to come...

Brynn's Birthday

My friend Tina's baby just had her 1st birthday!!! She was such a sweetie and so content with opening the gifts, and eating the cake. What a cutie-pot-pie. Here are some pictures of her birthday party!

Paul's 27th Birthday

This year for Paul's birthday - we celebrated at Paul's Auntie's house with "Dexter's Laboratory" decorations. Paul loved it!

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Paul just loved the cape that I made for him!

Paul decided to make the centerpiece his party hat!!!

Easter

Easter is here again! This year we got to spend it with Mom, Chrissy, and the Simpson family - Jon, Kelly, Elizabeth & Jonathan. Paul and I got to do a little flash back and color eggs! It was fun and we all made some pretty (or for the guys - manly) eggs. Then after the eggs were nice and dried, the adults got to hide the eggs from the kids - Elizabeth & Jonathan. I am not sure who had more fun - the adults trying to figure out where to hide the eggs or the kids trying to outwit the adults. Either way - we all had a lot of fun!

Jonathan Simpson's Birthday

Jon & Kelly, Jonathan's mom & dad, set up a whole birthday party with balloons and streamers! Then all the kids went out and played mini-golf!

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Kelly's Birthday

For Kelly's 31st birthday - her hubby (Jon) decided to make her her favorite meal! CHINESE - from scratch! Kelly's friend, Nicole, and I helped Jon make up the dishes. It was great! She was surrounded by people who loved her and helped her celebrate her birth. Great fun!

Dad's (Large) Birthday Party

For Paul's dad's birthday we celebrated here in the states at our place. Mom made him his favorite meal with german chocolate cake. He got some great gifts BUT the best one was Chrissy & Edwin's news of her pregnancy! Don't think it gets much better than that!