Dominican Republic~ day 2

Sunday morning was drizzly, we got up and got ready to go be at church at 9am.  We had figured out where the local ward (branch) met so we called up Francisco and he came to get us.  It was a little confusing trying to figure out where exactly the building was, directions only gave a "proximity to" location, but we eventually found it tucked away on a quiet side street.  I'm used to our church buildings with the steeple on top, this was more like a regular two story building, very simple.  I was pleasantly surprised to find several senior missionary companionships from the States!  They greeted us warmly.  I wonder how often they get visitors??  Matt encouraged me to listen to sacrament meeting in Spanish.  I sang the hymns in Spanish since I can read the words but don't necessarily know what they mean.  I quickly figured out a couple of the hymns simply by singing the music in my head!  The opening hymn was Haz el Bien, Choose the Right.

Sunday School was offered in English.  For Relief Society, I used the headphones to listen to a sister translating the words that were spoken into English. The people were extremely friendly.  I even saw the sister I had sat next to in the temple the day before!  I kinda wanted to sneak down and listen to the Primary kids sing and I'm sad I didn't!  We got some recommendations of things to do and places to eat from one of the senior missionaries.  They told us EVERYONE knows who the Mormons are, just tell them we know so-and-so from the Mormon church!  haha

After church, Francisco took us back to the hotel for a quick change and then we headed to the Zona Colonial (Colonial Zone) for a tour.  Our guide was this Rico Suave guy that was happy to take our money and walk us around, telling us about his city in very broken English!  We started off at the Fortaleza Ozama.  It was built in the early 1500s to defend the city against attack by marauders and pirates.  The walls are built from coral brought from the sea.

We walked down Calle las Damas to see a few prominent points of interest.  It was insane how there were power lines criss-crossed, wrapped, running here, there and everywhere.  So many of buildings were crumbling and in extremely poor conditions.

Panteon Nacional- built in the 1700s, it was originally used as a church, it served many other purposes before it was renovated to serve it's current purpose, a mausoleum where several prominent historical figures are buried.

Musea de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses) - Comprised of two connected buildings, the first building was government offices and the Royal Court, which was the first court of law in the New World.  The second building was used as a residence for high government officials.  It now houses various artifacts, furnishings and antique weapons.

Alcazar de Colon -- colonial palace of the Columbus family

Parque Colon - the central square of the Zona Colonial.  This statue stands in honor of Christopher Columbus, who discovered the island on December 5, 1492

Once we finished our tour, we ate lunch at Angelos Pizza (Italian ristorante), which was recommended to us by Elder Anderson.  We were given a table on the upper level, which we had to ourselves!  We tried the bruschetta, had fettuccine with langosta (lobster) and a pizza that was totally different that your typical pizza!  Matt had THREE mango drinks!

This is the owner, who treated us like royalty!

We got back to our room and wanted to check out the hotel pool.  They had free drinks and snacks for happy hour.  We're so wild, we got bottled water!!  We hung out for a little bit then went back to our room.  We called the kids and ordered dessert from room service at 10pm!

Dominican Republic~ day 1

Wow!!  Where to even begin!!  I think it was back in March?  Matt called me and said, "Do you want to go to the Dominican Republic this summer?" and I said, "Um, YES??!"

He manages the eye care for the San Francisco Giants minor league team and I guess they contacted him and asked if he would be interested in screening their developmental league players they have out in the Dominican.  They would take care of our stay for the week and we would just pay our way there.  Done, sold, let's go!

We got our passports, prepped, packed and couldn't be more excited to go!  I had a little bit of anxiety; first of all, it's always nerve wracking to leave your kids for a long time.  Second, other than one trip to Rocky Point in Mexico, I have never left the comfort of the United States.  I wasn't really sure what to expect going to a third world country where I didn't speak the language.  I remember enough vocabulary from high school Spanish to get the jist of what's being said, but can't really hold a conversation.  I did find comfort in the fact that Matt is fluent in Spanish so at least he could communicate with the people there.

We took a red-eye flight from Phx to Miami and then onto the Dominican Republic.  The Giants sent Edgar to greet us at the airport and take us to our hotel.  When we checked in, they asked, "You're with the Major League baseball?"  Why, yes we are! ;)   We stayed in downtown Santo Domingo at the Embassy Suites hotel.  You could see the Caribbean Sea from our hotel room!

We got checked in, got changed and headed out to do an endowment session at the temple.  We asked the concierge to call us a "driver" (his name was Francisco) and off we went!  I was super nervous about this experience because obviously, I don't speak the language, but they have these little headsets you can wear that follow along the entire ordinance in your native language!  The sisters were helpful in getting me all set up.  Matt and I were asked to be the witness couple, which is always a special opportunity.  I love being able to visit the temples where we visit!  They are all so unique but the most important thing is no matter where you are, it's the SAME.  Same quiet spirit, same words, same important work being done.

We had asked Edgar what were staple foods that the Dominicans ate.  I wanted to make sure that we experienced the local cuisine while we were there.  Francisco picked us up from the temple and took us to a restaurant that came highly recommended to us- Adrian's Tropical.  It was literally RIGHT on the water.  We ordered camarofongo (mashed plantains + shrimp), a plate of mixed meats and yucca.  Very interesting!  But the fruit drinks, oh my!!  Right up my alley!  I got the tropical smiles coconut drink and Matt could not get enough of the jugo de mango!

One of the things I instantly noticed was that drivers honk their horns for EVERYTHING!  They drive crazy, cutting other people off without a second thought, passing just inches by other cars.   There are motorbikes EVERYWHERE that zoom in between and around cars.  Two and three people squished on the bikes along with who knows what piled up on the back.  I had to close my eyes and just pray that we made it to our destinations safely!!!

Sleeping with big sis

When I go in to check on the kids before I got to bed, more often than not, I find Hayden in Brooklyn's bed.  At first I was really annoyed that Hayden wouldn't stay in her bed.  But then I realized that Brooklyn was ok with it and I know it won't last forever....  Even though they're 9 years apart, I love the special bond that Brooklyn and Hayden have as sisters. ♡♡♡  Good thing Brooklyn has a big bed!

These pics are just from the last month~

Sweet dreams, sisters~

4th of July fun

Stars & Stripes forever! ☆★☆

(side note: I had ordered a star shirt for Brooklyn but don't worry, it'll be here just in time for tomorrow. lame.)

It's good to have friends that have pools! ;)  The Owens invited us and the Thornes over for swimming, food and fireworks.  We brought our little snow cone machine and of course that was a hit with the kids!  The next-door neighbors did the huge mortar fireworks in their backyard once it got dark and man, those are LOUD when you're so close!!

Our snow cones match our attire!

The fruit pizza that I made was waaaay good

And a little different than the traditional bundt cake, festive for the Fourth!

Someone suggested singing happy birthday to America, so we did!

Kids love sparklers!

All the rest of June

She fell asleep on me during sacrament meeting, should've been a warning.
I handed her off to a wonderful friend who held her during 2nd & 3rd hour while I did Primary music.
At least she waiting until we got home to start puking...

Initiatories at the temple with a few Relief Society sisters!
Embarrassingly enough, that was my first time doing initiatories since I'd been through the temple!

Dbacks game, thanks to our PogoPasses!
The plan was to go as a family, but Gavin ended up with a massive migraine that day so Matt stayed home with him. 

#summergoals  Gavin prepares dinner for the family

Uncle Taylor & Aunt Becky brought Blake a little surprise #happyboy

Maxwell Owen and Gavin attended a baseball clinic in the scorching heat

All the kids had been dying to see this movie since we saw the first trailer! 

Waaaaaaaay good homemade strawberry banana popsicles

Temple date during the monsoon