Kids had a week off school for the November holidays in Panama so we jetted out of here for some play time together.
Destination: Domincan Republic - Punta Cana
Hotel: Ocean Blue and Sands
Fun Factor: AWESOME!
Beach: Beautiful
Pictures: Way to many.. haha
The Ocean Blue and Sands was an all-inclusive that represented itself well. We enjoyed the concept of multiple restaurants on the resort, so we did not get bored with only buffets that so many all inclusives have. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly in the privileged section. The "Mikes coffee shop was a great hit as well as the bowling alley. The evening preformances were great... they did a production of the movie "Grease" which was awesome. I like to read reviews of places so I hope this is helpful information and I need to keep record of where we stay because I forget usually. :- ) (is that a sign of age... I say NO WAY just to much going on in my head I tell myself)
(We left November 1st early morning so the kids could have a chance to trick or treat around Panama. The boys wore their scary teeth on the plane which gave many people a good chuckle)
(Welcome to Punta Cana family... notice Everett's winter wear... he always dresses like we still live back in Canada. Ev has officially lived here in Panama longer in his life than in Canada. Wow time flies)
(Our little trooper asleep on the bus on the way to the resort. Halloweening the night before was tough work)
(they definitely know how to relax... cuties)
A few views of the Hotel
(This resort was pretty big. We got our exercise walking since our room was right by the beach and the restaurants/bowling alley/ and entertainment was at the opposite end of the resort. If we were to tired though we would just jump on the trolley that circled the property.... a nice treat some days :- )
(the little trolley that circled the property. The kids would chase it on foot as Trent and I would lazily get a ride back to our room. It was a great run before they fell into bed)
(Mikes Coffee Shop... We loved this little coffee house on the property. They made excellent cappuccinos with Dominican coffee... Delicious)
(the kids waiting for their cookies and Trent for his coffee... very cozy in the big chairs. The kids are growing up so fast)
Emma turned DOUBLE DIGITS! 10yrs. old now. We were away for Em's birthday (she lucks out each year that her birthday falls during a week off school... and we go away)
(here is the daily activity sheet for the resort and they put in a Happy Birthday message for Emma... under the little China character. Em was so happy about the surprise)
(the hotel made a cake especially for Em... half chocolate half vanilla. With loud instruments and singing staff Em had the whole restaurant blarring (feliz cumpleanos (happy birthday) to her. Your special chicky... glad you enjoyed your birthday!
The Bowl Dance!
The bowling alley was a fun evening activity with the kids. Like true island form the music was blarring and our kids were dancing, This is how all bowling should be.
My two grooving boys!
A quick video of Easton showing what bowling is all about!
(I love bowling with you cutie)
Mini Boat Ocean tour - crazy stuff
Our adventure of the week was going on a tour in these 10 foot two men boat on the ocean. This was crazy as the safetly could be questionable but it was a blast. The boat went about 80-90km/hour. No one asked if you knew how to drive a boat or even if you had a license, the joys of relaxed countries.
(we were picked up at our hotel in a tin roof bus. The airflow was great as well since it had no windows. These are the things that make other countries so fun)
(Em and I right before we are about to board our mini boat. All Em wanted for her birthday was a camera and took some great shots. It is nice, I now have someone else to capture memories. What is funny is that this trip there is actually pictures that show I was with my family... Thanks Em)
(The boys fitting into Trent's life jacket... can you say Oh MY :- )
(The boys and I in the "3 man Family Boat"... this boat was fast)
A quick video of the ride with Em... watch her face it is priceless!
(I love Em's face... I told her she had to choose to either be a girl who watches all the thrills from the beach or jump in with two feet and love it)
Ev our animal lover!
Ev loves loves loves any of God creatures. He is our animal lover in the house. Every night he catches geckos outside our house and would love it if we could let him keep them all. Ev particularly is interested in sharks and snakes... funny how those to animals are my least favorite.
(Ev found this HUGE grasshopper (I think) on his sand castle. He picked it up with no hesitation to check out the little guy)
(Ev befriended a beach dog... equivalent to a street dog where we are from. Just wash your hands buddy! I can't keep him away, he has such a draw towards dogs)
(there was a wedding ceremony one afternoon. I loved the simplicity of it all, so beautiful)
(The Market - my kids love going to markets. Trent gave them each $10 to spend but the deal was they had to negotiate... and it had to be in Spanish. The shop keepers were very confused at first, they wanted to talk with Trent but Trent kept directing them to the kids. Emma got right into the bartering process, Easton was not so comfortable and Everett he just wanted his goods. It is interesting how the local people talk away in Spanish and then when you speak back to them in their native tongue their whole approach changes)
Beach Pictures - Always fun to take!
(tourism is down the locals told us. We had the beach to ourselves for most of the week... I love you family!)
(My water babies. They are really fishes out in the water...precious fish)
(As life goes ... we have been through many trials in our years, now grey hair is trying to peaking through as well as the wrinkles but I am married to an wonderful guy, our kids are fantastic and we have our health. This picture is a snap shot of how I feel about my life... These are... my WOW moments or as my husband pointed out an old commercial for Toyota. Either way we had fun )
(Emma caught Trent trying to push me in ... sweets you should really pick on someone your own size. xoxox)
(can you guess who these beach babes are?)
(LOVE your smiles)
(My Diva man! Trent in major relax mode under the cabana. He is waiting for the waitress to bring him a cold drink for his parched pallet. You work hard honey I am glad you enjoyed your moment of peace before the kids came by running and screaming)
Playing around in the pool!
If we are not at the beach we are in the pool. The kids are just not happy unless they are wet. (seriously)
(great shot Ev... life in the underworld. Two thumbs up Pal)
(We are up for anything. This picture was no easy shot but it was fun trying to get it. I balanced the camera on a ledge while we counted at the surface to 15 then we all held our breath and went under. The kids did great it was me who had a hard time with this one... it was fun though) We most definitely were getting looks from other people in the pool... but I got my picture! Trent just shakes his head at these crazy ideas but is a good sport)
Our last dinner!
Our last night we went for a seafood feast. There was so much lobster we could not finish it all (embarrassed to admit that) I have never seen such enormous portions of food and the atmosphere at the beach was a perfect playground for the kids.
(beach restaurants, are so relaxing)
(my beach kiddos. Em got her hair braided to complete her Caribbean look. Ev was our photographer this time and Easton is always good for a great picture)
Selftimers!
(I am so thankful for self timers on a camera...haha.. Love you family, we are very proud of being "Purple Cows")
(I LOVE THIS PICTURE! Thank you for having patience, it is perfect! I can't wait to see where else these growing feet will go)
East lost another tooth!
(East came running into the house as we were getting ready to go to church. He yelled "I lost my tooth!" "How did you loose it?" I asked. East casually answered... Everett punched me. OH MY... The story went that the boys were wrestling (which they do every chance they get) and Everett was alittle to rough and out popped East's tooth. I love my boys even though they test my sanity..haha.. Love you my little men) East was not bothered, he was happy that Everett assisted in the visit of the tooth fairy) Our Dentist told us Easton has some very large permanent front teeth coming through.
Ah chocolate!
(The kids love going for a special treat at a chocolate fondue place in the mall. Good thing it does not bother me to be stared at... these two cuties really enjoyed their chocolate covered marshmellows and then walked around saying Hola to everyone. Crazy Gingos)
Em's birthday celebration!
Better late than never - A few of Em's buddies came over to celebrate Em's birthday. It was a fun night of bowling (again), dinner at our favorite deli and giggling girls way to late into the night.
(Em . Adrianna.and Morgan with their beautiful sparkly tattoos they made on their cheeks)
Gingerbread decorating!
Happy Thanksgiving - American style. We have the advantage of being here in Panama to celebrate Canadian, American and Panamanian holidays. With our American friends we celebrated the US Thanksgiving with a big turkey and all the yummy side dishes. Next week is Panamanian Mothers Day, a National Holiday! - I know have my family at my beck and call twice a year... :- )
(East dove right into his beautifully decorated gingy house... There sure was some sugar high kids in the house)
(Em made a cute Ginger Girl. Thanks for the great Thanksgiving)
Sunday in Curundu!
Down at our church location in Curundu (a very poor and dangerous part of town) was a Community Family day on Sunday. The people living in this area are the poorest of poor.
There was alot of food, music, a clown and soccer games going on in the Curundu location. Our kids bought some handmade Christmas ordaments from a local lady and I bought embellished tacks for our cork boards from these cute little girls. It was a great feeling to buy these simple items from the local people, it put such a big smile on their faces.
This is NOT my video.. this video was done by the church. It gives an inside prospective on what is going on in Curundu and the outreach program that has started there. Powerful stuff.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance"
- Socrates
(the kids loved this clown they kept following him for balloons)
(This girl kept following me, what she wanted was for me to take her picture then show it to her. This day gave the local kids an opportunity to be kids. Outside the front door of this building was two armed National Police with shot guns ready. These kids live in a tough area that we can not comprehend, the unthinkable happens here everyday so it was great to see these kids come in to have fun)
I encourage you to take a peak at the website... www.juntospodemos.com.pa there is an option to change to English. This is real stuff 10 min from our house, this community is pretty isolated from the rest of the city. It is Christmas time which makes it a great time to remember our fellow man.
Merry Christmas!
- Feliz Navidad!
- Feliz Navidad!
(the kids are on the count down... We put up our tree with our mish mash of ordaments once again. We did our annual trip to Arrocha for everyone to pick out ordaments they wanted to put on the tree. Our kids deserve all the compliments on the decorating... they love doing this each year)
Christmas season is here... a joyous time of year. I hope you can slow down enough to enjoy all your blessings, family and friends. At our house the kids are preparing for their Christmas performances that they are very excited for. I think I have mentioned before that down here everything is a big production and since the country is 90% Catholic, Christmas is widely celebrated.
All our love to you and like always it is so great hearing from you.
Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas!!!
Until next time.
Trent. Jody. Em. East. Ev
x x x