Bugs!!!!

Probably the worst thing about my trip to the DR would have to be the bugs. I am not a fan of bugs, especially not big ones. It's hard to tell but this bug is very large.

But just imagine if one of these bugs got on your clothing.

That is what happened to my aunt. Her sweet daughter Ellie picked up the bug and threw it on her mom's dress.

Kudos to the person who thought to pick up the camera and document this occasion. I just wish this same person would have gotten my aunt's reaction.

There was a lot of screaming and dancing around. Thankfully she found the bug and got it off her dress just in time. She was just about ready to rip her dress off.

I am also not a fan of biting bugs. This next picture is a of my swollen ankles. I had a reaction to some Sand Flea bites. My ankles were swollen and in pain for a week. They are no longer swollen but my ankles are still a little tender when you touch them.

Our Villa and the View

  

This is the Villa we stayed in during the couple days of the wedding.

Every time I walked out the door I saw this beautiful, breathtaking view of God's creation.

Sisters and Parasols

I am slowly but surely getting through all my pictures. I am now at 213 of 442 and then I get to move onto the 4 other memory cards that I have. These are my three cousins Heather, Carrie, and Ellie. We had a lot of fun with the parasols.

A Few From the Wedding

I finally started editing some of the pictures from the wedding. I haven't gotten very far but thought I'd post a few.

Isaac Turns Six!

He started out his morning with some chocolate chip pancakes. And then waited and waited and waited for dad to come home from work so he could open his presents. His favorite was his Star Wars Remote Control Hail fire Droid. He also got a new flashlight, lawn chair, baseball mitt and batting gloves.

Buffalo Wild Wings was the place he chose for supper.

Then we headed off to go miniature golfing. It was boys vs. girls. Girls were ahead most of the time but the boys ended up winning by 1.

Then it was time to head home for some cake. Isaac has been asking for a Star Wars cake for 2 years now. I found one online that I could copy. After all it fit my requirement of only 2 colors to use when I decorate.

He went to bed one happy, tired little boy.

It's hard to believe my baby Igaac (this is what his brother and sister's called him when he was a baby and I still call him this) is 6 years old already! How time flies!

The Beginning of My Adventure

This stay-at-home mom left home and went on an adventure.

I am now back home safely.

For those of you who are my friends on Facebook, you may remember that the beginning of my trip started out a little rough.

I woke up at 4am with my husband on Wednesday, August 10. He went off to work and I began to get ready. When I booked this trip months ago, I was unable to get on the same flight as my aunt, cousin, and a couple others that day but was able to book a flight about an hour and a half later. The plan was to go to the airport with them, they would take their flight, I would take mine and we would meet up in Miami. We then would all fly together to Santiago, Dominican Republic.

When they started boarding their plane, I headed down to my gate and sat by myself peacefully reading my book and enjoying some alone time.

I should have known when I paid $9.50 for a small mocha and a yogurt parfait that this day was not going to go well. Little did I know what was in store for me.

As I sat waiting, our plane pulled into the gate. A few minutes later they announced that this plane had an electrical problem and they were going to be making a decision by 10:30 on this plane. A few more minutes went by and I looked out the window and noticed 3 firemen standing underneath this plane. Later I learned that there was actually an electrical fire.

Needless to say, we did not take this plane. They sent us from Terminal K to Terminal L. You may not think this was a very long walk but believe me, it was not close. We boarded a new plane and waited and waited and waited. Finally after sitting on this plane for an hour they decided that we were not going to take this plane either. 

Everyone gets off.

They now decide that we should go back to Terminal K and take a different plane.

This plane is smaller and now we need to all get new seat assignments and get rid of some people.

Finally, we left around 2 or 2:30.

As we were flying I was pretty sure I was not going to make it in time for my connecting flight and was completely fine with that. I was enjoying my alone time, reading a book and enjoying God's beautiful creation as I looked at the window. It really was a very enjoyable peaceful day.

When we came near Miami, they started announcing connecting flights and actually announced mine. I had no idea when it was leaving but figured if they were announcing it, I had to try to get to it. When we landed, I ran! I got to the gate and it had left the gate 5 minutes prior to my arriving.

They put me up in a hotel, gave me some meal vouchers and booked me on the 11:20am flight the next day.

Before this trip our family had been praying for me to have a safe trip, through all these inconveniences I could only be thankful because God had kept me off two planes that were unsafe.

I finally arrived safely the next day in Santiago and was greeted by my cousin Carrie and her then fiance Eddy (now her husband).

Many pictures of my trip will be coming. I have about 1300 photos to sort through and edit (which I will hoepfully get to start this weekend). We all had a great time and I can't wait to share some of my trip with you.

I am also thankful for all those back home that helped out so I could go on this trip. My father-in-law and mother-in-law watched the kids a couple days, my friend Brianne took them a night, both my sisters each took a couple kids for a few nights, and of course Brad who took over for me too. I'm also thankful to my friends Eva and Jessica who were willing to lose a little sleep to come pick me up at the airport in the middle of the night.

Ready, Set, GO

The House is clean.
Child care is in place.
Food is prepared for my family.
Lists and instructions are written down.
Everything is packed.

There is nothing more I can do for my family while I'm gone. I hope they survive! I'm sure they will but will my house?

Tomorrow morning I will get up bright and early. Actually, it won't even be bright out yet. I will drink half a cup of coffee to wake up and then I will head out.

I am going to be going to the Dominican Republic to attend and photograph my cousin's wedding. The trip was booked so long ago, I thought the day would never come but it's here.

I'll see you when I get back and I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to post.

You Know It's A Good Recipe When......

You make a Potato Salad for a family party and then you are asked to make that same salad again.

On our way to the Second Family gathering that I made it for, my husband told me that this is the only potato salad that he likes and the only one that he will actually put on his plate.

Therefore, I thought it was a good one to share with you.

1/2 cup Mayo

1/4 cup Ranch Dressing

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

3 lb.  small red potatoes (about 9), cooked, quartered

6 slices Bacon, cooked, crumbled

1 stalk celery, sliced

1/2 cup thin red pepper strips

4 green onions, sliced

Mix Dressings and Seasonings in a Large Bowl.  Add Remaining Ingredients and Mix Lightly.

Since we have a love for bacon around here, I like to add a Tbsp of bacon grease to add a little extra flavor and to work on clogging our arteries.

 

Dusting Off My Old Suitcase

This poor lonely suitcase has sat in my basement for many years collecting dust. The last time I flew was over 7 1/2 years ago and I think the last time this suitcase was used might have been 9 years ago! 

Our house has been through much construction in the last 9 years which is why you see sawdust on it as well. Today I took it outside and hosed it off, now I just need to get the motivation to start filling it. Packing is one of my least favorite things to do but it's time to make my many lists and start preparing for my departure.

I will be flying to the Dominican Republic and leaving my family behind. I am excited and scared all at the same time. I'm excited to see my cousin and for the adventure that the trip is going to be but so sad to be leaving my husband and kids behind for a whole week.

 

More Fun With Photography

My camera was at Aperture 1.8

Shutter Speed 320

ISO 100

And just let my camera shoot away.

I love the water effects.