Vacation! -The Dominican Republic

 We went on vacation - without our children - from February 15-22 with our brother & sister-in-law.  We went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to enjoy some sun, beach and relaxation!! 

So I apologize, but my pictures are completely out of order but I'm going to just go with it!

This picture was taken in Punta Cana at a local restaurant - not in the tourist area- (recommended by our dive instructors) where we found great seafood that was really cheap.  Here is a photo of the fish we ate.    

More photos of our meal.  The round yellowish things were tostones which are fried plantains.  Plantains are starchy potato-like fruits that are sliced battered and fried.  I really loved them!  

Troy & Angela at the restaurant

Here is the beach right outside our condo.

More beautiful beach

El Presidente is the local Domincan beer.

So Saturday, February 21st, Angie and I took a  day-trip to Santo Domingo - the capital of the Dominican and also the oldest city in the new world founded by Christopher Columbus.  Here is a national park in The city called "Mirador Este Park" and these three lakes were located in a cave system.  The lakes are called Los Tres Ojos.  They were so beautiful.

The following are all photos from this park.  The lakes and caverns were originally inhabited by the indigenous people of the Dominican called the Taino people.  

We had to take a boat to the second lake which was really cool.

This lake had an open "ceiling" which was really neat.  The guide told us a James Bond movie had been shot there.  It was very unique!

Another location we visited in the capital was the "Zona colonial" (colonial zone)  This area is the oldest area of the city and has been preserved beautifully. One landmark we visited was the home of Christopher Columbus. It was built in 1509.  It was where he and his family lived while they were in the Dominican.

Here is Angie inside the home of Christopher Columbus.

Here we are again in front of the home of Christopher Columbus.

This was an old church that is now where the heroes of the Dominican are buried.  There are always soldiers guarding it and an eternal flame.

Inside the memorial church

Here we are in front of the soldier who guarded the church.

Here is the oldest church the the New World: La Catedral Primada de America.  It was built between 1512-1540.  

Inside the cathedral.

I wasn't allowed to wear shorts so they gave me scarf to cover up my legs.  

Impressive. Beautiful.

Here we are in front of the Cathedral.

Here is the national palace where the president lives!  

Here is a little town we went through named San Pedro.  Here is the Catholic church for that town.

There were all kinds of Dominican flags flying as they were getting ready to celebrate independence day. (Feb. 27th 1844)  They celebrate their independence from Haiti on this day.

Here we are on our way to Catalina Island which is located in the southern part of the island called La Romana.  It is a beautiful island about 2 miles from the mainland.   The Caribbean waters were breathtaking.

A little bit of the island,

Look at this water.

On our way to the island we saw the sugar can factory (Sugar Cane is one of their biggest exports)  The factory has the black smoke piling out of the chimney.

The wealthy homes on the coast of La Romana.

A little fishing boat.

Little boys on the bridge as we went under it.

A view of the city of La Romana.

There were multiple rainbows as it rained off an on there.  They were beautiful.

Here is a sunset view from our balcony.  Can you say "heaven!"

Here is the town behind out building.  From our rooftop terrace we could see the entire town.  

So pretty. 

Here is another sunset photo.

Another day, we drove to the southern coast to a small fisherman town called San Rafeal Del Yuma.

It was a beautiful little town.  We were going to dive off the coast of Bayahibe.  I think this was my favorite town and my favorite diving.  

We were drinking coffee, surrounded by Italians, (There were a TON of Europeans there!) watching the boats load up with divers.  Perfect.

The ocean view on the way to our dive site.  Isn't it perfect?!

After diving we ate at a cafe by the sea watching these little boys playing in the water nearby.  So picturesque.

Here a photo of out condo.  It was so nice.  We were on the 4th floor, our balcony overlooked the beach and we also had a roof-top balcony.

More photos on out way to Catalina Island.

 The whole crew

 out to eat!

 The water.

 Us - right before we dove

 All of us diving.

 More condo photos.

 The view from our balcony.

 Getting ready to dive!

 On the roof-top terrace.

 All of us eating

Us - on the beach

Photos from our flight home - "The heavens declare the glory of the Lord."

  "O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens." -Psalm 8:1

Christmas with Family!

We spent time with family over the holidays - I only remembered my camera for this one event.  Here is Nick drinking eggnog & waiting for gifts! 

The cousins!

His gift!

Corinne opening her gift!

Baby Alex is not too happy on Grandpa's lap right now!!

Junior LOVES his cape!!  

Drew opening his gift!

Daddy helping his girls!

Avery LOVES babies!!!

Here's baby Alex in the outfit I gave her!  I just love that owl!

Avery loves gifts!

Always a clown!!

Avery & Addie got new dance outfits form Grandma!

Addison reading the clue to where her gift is hidden!

Sweet baby Alex getting ready to go home!

Christmas Morning!!

The girls woke up early Christmas morning to see if Santa had arrived!  Much to their delight, he did!!! He ate their cookies & even drank most of the milk we left out for him.  He didn't eat everything - you know, Santa has a lot of cookies to eat!!

 Since I insist on doing Christmas all together, the boys had to get up early too and they were a little bit tired...just a little.

 Here is Addie with her gifts

 Here's my Drewster with his gifts.

And Avery with all of her things!

 I found these adorable Hello Kitty hats which the girls loved!

 They were both so happy and we had such a fun morning!!!

Drew finally woke up!!

 My Nickus - just hanging out.  We just love Christmas morning!  The kids make it so fun!!

Decorating & Christmas Eve Service

Sorry its been SO long!   I got a little behind due to the holiday activities!  I took a few pictures of the girls as they helped me decorate the Christmas tree.  They loved the tree & all the decorations!  We actually did this in November becasue I was anxious to get it up!  I love Christmas so much!

They find all the little ornament so amazing and it is always so cute to see the wonder in their eyes.

Christmas Eve Service

 here are all the kids dressed up and ready for the Christmas Eve church service.  We attended church with Mark's family.  

 Here are my handsome boys.  I just love it when they get all dressed up!

 Here are all my kids.  I just love these kids!!

 Merry Christmas!!!

Dance!

 The girls had a parent night at dance the other night and I was able to take some pictures & video while I was there. Here are some of Addison in her ballet class.  She was stretching, and she's quite flexible!

 Here she is waiting to do her next move. (sh'es always very focused too!)

 Here was Avery in her creative dance class. I had forgotten to put the dance clothes in the dryer so all her clothes were wet  - hence the pink leotard.

Cuteness from 3 & 4 year olds!

She was really into this particular dance!

dancing it up!!!

Below are some video clips of their dances,