We have so many things to be thankful for!  Jesus, good health, family, friends…

Today I am thankful for our neighbors Kristen and Matt, who hosted a neighborhood potluck for “Friendsgiving.”  It was a bountiful harvest full of kids running around and adults eating too much.  One of the most delightful parts of the evening was the giggling and leaping interaction between a 15 month old little boy and a very good natured toy poodle.  It’s hard to say who had more fun.

I’ll also keep it real and let y’all know that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows here in Belize.  Today we woke up to pouring rain that looks like it’s settled in for the day.  Online black Friday shopping here I come!  Well, as long as the internet stays up…

The kids did have a very soggy ride to school.  On the positive side, we finally got to use the rain suits!

Just one of the many many things I love about living here!  The Paleta stand where you can get fresh homemade popsicles in flavors like mango chamoy (look it up), cinnamon coconut, lime ginger, or pina colada.  Even better?  They cost a dollar! Hard to eat just one!

 

We’ve added another diver to the family!  So proud of Sam and his hard work to get his Junior PADI Open Water Certification.  You have to be 10 to get this certification and it’s the same course that adults take – it’s no piece of cake.  For the last month, he’s worked on his online coursework after school and on weekends.  This weekend, he did his pool work and open water dives with the Scuba School and Family Dive Center of Belize. I was able to join him for his dives.

OK, of course I did a little video…

Last Saturday we flew over to the mainland to visit one of the Mayan archaeological sites in Belize.  It is believed that there were over 1 million Mayans living in Belize between 500-1000 AD.  It’s hard to imagine that since there are now only about 350,000 people in Belize.  In this particular site, they have identified over 700 buildings and it is believed there were about 45,000 people living there at one time.  Three of the temples are open to the public while many remain buried so that they can be unearthed over time as technology and information improve.  One of the highlights of the trip is the boat ride up the New River to the Lamanai landing site.  Well, that and a hop flight over the ocean in a teeny tiny plane – that just never gets old.

Of course…I made a video.  I promise it’s not at long as the Panama one.

 

How many of you would shop at this particular Publix?

Ah, but they have limes as big as tennis balls!

On a recent flight over to mainland, here is a guy checking in…carrying his fins and SPEARGUN!!!

No worries, there’s a 10 year old co-pilot to handle any emergencies…

This is our dear friend Greg who owns Island Buzz.  He makes the kids’ lunches about 3 days a week and delivers them to the school. #spoiledrotten

Brunch w my guys after church at Estelles by the Sea:

Oh yes, that juice is fresh squeezed. Talk about spoiled rotten!

 

 

 

OK, so it’s sort of long, but I think worth it for the music alone!

We have just returned from a little vacation from our life of vacation.  We looked at the Tropic Air flight choices, and basically, one of the few direct flights from Belize was Panama City, Panama.  Whit and I have both always wanted to see the Panama Canal, so there you go.  It might surprise you to know that to get to most places in South and Central America by plane, you actually have to fly BACK to the US!  Crazy…

Anyway, our trip was FABULOUS.  I highly recommend Panama to anyone looking for an “off the beaten path” vacation.  It’s a gorgeous combination of sophisticated city, majestic Pacific coastline, and laid back Caribbean beaches.  Since we’ve basically been living the “laid back Caribbean” life, we planned our stops in the city.  We could have used a few more days to see everything we wanted to see!

Panama Canal:

Sloths and Frogs at the Smithsonian Preserve:

Pacific side of canal:

Herrera Square in Casco Viejo (Old City):

Panama Hat and Julia’s Favorite Restaurant in Panama!

Skyline as viewed from top floor of the Trump Ocean Club Hotel!

Stay tuned for “Panama” the movie!  Written and directed by yours truly!