A birthday in Seattle

This year I got to turn forty four in Seattle with the Ramsdell family. I love my sister Jodie and her family. My actual birthday day was just me and my sister....and it was fabulous!!!

when enjoyed the day hanging out, getting our toes done and the evening with the family.

 

Lunch at one of Jodie's favorites

 These two sneaking teenagers thought it would be funny to load the cake with 44 candles

The first of many selfies on this visit

Cables X-Tremos in the Atitlan Nature Reserve

After arriving in the late afternoon the day before, Sunday was a free day. Half the group went to the ruins and then there was the daring who chose zip-lining. What a great experience...definitely on my bucket list of adventures to have experienced. 

 Getting all geared up

We hiked straight up in a beautiful mountain approximately a half mile with a 486 ft elevation.

My lungs gave me a little grief on the last part of the hike...but the group was totally supportive.

This water fall was beautiful. It was in our view everyday on our drive through the mountains on our way to clinic. Being able to get up close was breath taking. 

 We had to walk a fairly long suspension bridge allowing us the great up close view.

There were numerous suspension bridges that had to be crossed.

 

 A selfie somewhere along the path

 

 

This might give you an idea of the thrill. Our course had nine lines. the first four were pretty extreme. I think our longest line was 3/4 mile at 60 mph. It was a bit scary and an adrenaline experience that I am so glad I got to experience.

Mission Trip and Guatemala

Panajachel-Solola-Nahuala Mission Trip

helping serve the Mayan Families http://www.mayanfamilies.org

organization- Global Hands of Healing

For a few years now, I have wanted to go on a medical mission trip and serve those who are in need, while being able to adventure to another country. My health cooperated and I was able to travel to Guatemala with Global Hands of Healing for eight days.

The group consisted of eighteen individuals, who came from a variety of religious backgrounds and many different skills. Our group consisted of 1 medical doctor, 4 dentists, 4 nurses, 2 dental assistants, 1 paramedic, 2 vision workers, 2 ministers, 1 CRNA, and 1 young adult/college student.

We flew into Guatemala City and traveled to Panajachel (about 4 hours away) where we stayed at the hotel Jardines del Lago for six nights...

The hotel sat near a lake leaving us with beautiful grounds and a great view...especially at the morning buffet. Every morning the weather was lovely and we ate overlooking the lake.

We would all make frequent stops in the lobby to use the wi-fi, to play crazy UNO, eat cookies and head out for the many activities.

I am going to break up this experience into a few different posts...

Girl Time in Balboa

Last week I was lucky enough to go visit one of my best girlfriends (at her parents beach house) in Balboa. Three days and four nights was definitely not long enough...especially when we haven't seen each other in three years. Sadly, airfare just would not cooperate with a longer trip. 

The weather was in the mid 70's....a nice break from the heat wave we are having here in Texas. I was actually pretty cold at night and had to sleep with a sweatshirt.

Our days and nights were packed with everything from eating Mexican, dancing, painting seashells, walking the peninsula and visiting an old friend and family.

Tessa and her fabulous personality

Tessa and  I spent time together looking for crabs...taking walks...and just acting silly like almost six year olds and crazy adults do.

We went to the beach one afternoon to play in the waves and sand. I totally miss being close to the ocean. Tessa and I had a blast. Melissa stayed beach side and took pictures. Hopefully some will come my way after her vacation is over.

Devon (Phoebes aid), Melissa and me
a little goofy in the late night hours

Stacy and me on the waterfrontold high school friends

Stacy and I had reconnected this last year on facebook. I contacted her last minute from the airport to say I was headed her way. I was one lucky girl as she was able to pick me up one afternoon for a nice catching up session.

the crew at the Balboa Candy Store
we definitely spent a lot of time here

Seattle Highlights

Last week, I made my yearly visit to Jodie and her family. This trip and last year both happened to be in April. Mostly lovely wet weather and one 50 degree day to end the visit. We don't usually plan anything big to do and this year the kids were on Spring break leaving the hours open. So it wound up that we decided to eat our way around Washington (as my Aunt Kandy had posted on Facebook). 

Here are some highlights of the week:

We went rollerskating until we couldn't stand all the little kids that kept falling.

Our only real exercise for the week. 

 Tuesday was Jodie and George's anniversary and they went out to dinner 

 I took Jenna and Jake to McDonald's

We had planned on going to zumba,  however decided frozen yogurt would be better 

 Seattle's gum wall

 Lunch at Ivars. George met us on his lunch hour.

 I wanted to buy some lovely flowers, but didn't think they would make the flight too well.

Taking advantage of the nice weather.

Yes...we ate our way around Washington: Barneys pastrami (to die for), Cristiano's Italian, Teddys Burgers, Frozen yogurt, Famous Daves for BBQ nachos, Ivars for fish-n-chips. We also watched a few movies, did some shopping and hung out with Jenna and Jake.

Vacation Photos

feel free to check out our unedited and possibly duplicated photos from NYC, Niagara Falls and Pittsburgh via Snapfish
Click here to view photos

A long layover in Atlanta

Our flight had a scheduled three hour layover in Atlanta (not leaving enough time to visit grandma)....that turned into an eight hour layover (would have been enough time to visit grandma). Sigh!!! What a horrible airport to hang out in for that long. Not really any shops and overpriced food even for an airport. Luckily, we had plopped our weary bodies in front of a television and got to watch rerun after rerun of HLN. We could resite the stories by the end of our stay. Thankfully, we were all able to keep our patience in check. I knew it was becoming hard for Nathaniel as he was becoming extra loving to mom....Hey, I'll take the attention when and where he will give it. But, man, I was glad to finally get on that plane and land back in Texas.