Sunday, June 1, 2008

Visit from Alabama!!

We went to the Airport last Monday to pick up Jake & Maggie Lane, Danny's oldest niece and her husband. We were so excited to have them come down for a visit. The plane was about 30 minutes late so we were all anxious. We finally saw them walk through the door, but wait... who was with them?! "MEMAW" Titus screamed, I said who? Believe it or not it was Wanda. Danny's mother came down as a total surprise. We had no idea. They asked if we had suspected that she was coming. We had NO CLUE!! I was in such shock I did not take one picture at the airport. I had my camera on my shoulder but did not think to take one. I thought it was so cute when Chloe Ann got in the truck she said "I don't know who to sit by Maggie or Memaw"!

It was so neat to have her here too. We had all kinds of cool things planed and we were thrilled to be able to share them with her too. I know it was especially exciting for Danny to have his mother here.
We spent Monday afternoon and evening in Antigua. We took them to the Artisan Market. Wanda found a basket and loved seeing all the neat hand woven things.
We also went to the Local Market. This is were I buy all my fresh fruits & vegetables. It was a great time to go and see the Market, not too crowed but plenty of vendors still selling.

Pawpaw sent Danny & the boys new hats, they were so excited they wore them that day. Thank you Uncle David(who works at WEBB) & Pawpaw for the hats.We had waited since the first of May to climb the Volcano Pacaya for Isaac's Birthday. Since We knew Jake & Maggie were coming we decided to wait until they came. Memaw said she did not want Isaac to miss out on climbing the Volcano so she waited at the bottom of the Mountain in the little shop until we came back down.
This is the view as we were on our way up the Volcano. Isn't it gorgeous!!

Let me tell you I did not know what we were in for when we decided to climb Pacaya, but it was well worth it. Pedro our friend from Santiago, went as our guide. We even took Naomi!!
Here is the climbing crew minus Jake who took the picture.
Comforting isn't it.

I was so proud of my kids they climbed the whole way up. Chloe Ann did fall on the lava rock and got hurt. After a little consolation we were off to find the hot lava!! Titus & Isaac practically ran the whole way up. I was huffin & puffin. I think it was the altitude not the fact that I am so out of shape. hee hee

My rock climber Chloe!!

We found the Lava it was unbelievable. We were climbing over some rocks and had to turn around and go another way because the rocks were too hot!! Then we found it.The boys found a small hole in the rock that you could see the lava in. They would poke a stick in the hole and it would catch fire. They LOVED it.

This is the lava rock we had to climb as we looked for the hot lava. I liked the shapes it made as it oozed out.

This is the view as we left the mountain it was incredable. God is amazing! It was so awesome to see what He made for us to enjoy.

I just have to say I do not remember the last time time I was so tired. As we were coming down the mountain I did not think I would make it. Danny & I took turns carrying Naomi up and on the mountain but thanks to Pedro. He carried her the whole way down.

We wanted the family to see Santiago Atitlan. We got up early on Wednesday and headed out to the Lake. It's about a 3 hour drive from Antigua.

We stopped when we got our first glipse of the lake to take a group picture.

Chloe Ann just loves Maggie and had a great time with her all week.

We ate lunch at El Pescador, one of our favorites in Santiago. The sauted garlic fish plate is delicious!!

We were excited to show them our house in Santiago. We got the keys when we got there so we all got to stay in it for the first time together. I was a bit overwhelmed. It is an old house with a beautiful view of the lake. But mind you the house is 45 yrs old. So I have a lot of work to do before it is a "home".



We went on a boat ride and got dropped off at our dock.

Jake & the kids went swimming in the lake. The water is a bit cold but the locals bathe in it all the time!!


My monkeys climbing in the tree above the water.

Maggie helped by bathing the girls for me. It was nice having extra help around the house for a week.Jake found out why we call this shower a "widow maker" he tried to adjust the shower while it was on and running. He said it was a bit shocking!!
Maggie just loved the typical dress that the ladies wear. These girls were happy to have their picture taken with Maggie but they were also very emberassed!!

We got up early Friday morning to make the flight by 12:00.

Goodbyes are never easy, but we sure are glad they came down to visit us. We enjoyed seeing them and letting them see a week in the life of the Footes in Guatemala. Thanks for coming guys!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is always fun seeing family.Thanks for sharing them with us.
the wofford's

Sarah said...

Wow! Your house in Santiago is awesome! What a beautiful yard and view! How cool that you can get dropped off at your own dock! We printed some of the pics and brought them to our meeting tonight at church. Everyone is so excited!
I am so glad Mrs Foote went down - I know you guys really enjoyed that.

Abbey said...

Oh I almost just peeped my pants with excitement reading this post! How fun was that? I am so jealous!!! I wanna come! I wanna come!! Not for missionary living (let's keep that between us), but just for fun and shopping and seeing you with my own eyeballs again!!
Wait... do you have air conditioning? If not, I'll need to bring Tylenol PM and a fan...

allison said...

That is so cool!! Athan had fun looking at the pictures with me. I wish we could hop on a plane right now and come see you. Keep talking about that house. I'm so intrigued!
BTW, when are we going to skype???

Daphne said...

Abbey, Come on down... We love to have visiters.

Believe it or not we don't have an A.C. but you don't need it. Maggie almost froze the first night and she slept with a fleece on!! Once the sun goes down you usually need a sweater. We are high in elevation it is not tropical weather.

Aly, give Athen a big hug for me. We miss you guys.

We have all had the stomach flu since the family left so we are all just getting well.

We are going back to the lake house the week-end of the 13th so I'll take lots of house pics to share with you all.

Maybe we can Skype tonight!!

Gonzalo & Yvonne said...

I was so excited reading that Mrs. Wanda came to visit that I couldn't read your post fast enough! How cool! We are serious about coming to visit next summer. We are planing on it. I just posted some photos on our blog.
We love you!!

Donna Griffin said...

Hey girl, thanks so much for the awesome pics. I so enjoy seeing the country. I am so glad Danny's mom got to be with you all. I know you will make your house so beautiful. Well girl you all take care. It was so neat talking to you over the phone. Hugs and Blessins, Donna

Stephanie said...

Awesome pictures....I am jealous too! What amazing experiences God is giving you to live in that part of the world! Hey, it was really neat "skyping" with you! maybe we'll do it again when we go down to B'ham, and we'll get everyone on to talk to you. BTW, if anyone would like to come visit my blog, I would love you to take my poll!

mica said...

These pictures make us miss ya'll soooo much and Guatemala. It seems weird to us that ya'll are still there. i am so sad to say but as time goes by it seems hard to imagine that we were there and definatly wished we wouldn't have been so ready to leave. anyway we miss you and are so glad you had family visit. Lets keep praying the Lord lets us come back soon.