Back in the States..

It is crazy to think we already have been in the States for a full week. Got to say we came at the right time of the year.. for the holidays!!!!!! I didn't grew up in the States, but I sure love thanksgiving meal! Gobble, gobble.. green bean casserole, stuffing.. pies.. and of course, sweet potatoes.. yum yum.. We had Ray, our 90-old-neighbor for dinner too.. he is something else.. Samuel loves him, in fact, one time he was walking with two big water bottles and I asked if they were canes or what, and he said "it's a walker like Ray's", bless his heart..

After the doctors appointments, Jay was misdiagnosed pneumonia.. he apparently just had the flu, and now it is just post flu syndrome, which includes fatigue, depression, body aches, lost of appetite.. The doctor congratulate him since he lost 40 pounds in those 3 months we were gone.. Way to go daddy! Samuel is fine, and Benjamin after lab work and a chest x-ray, was just diagnosed with a viral infection.. so that is why the fevers.. but now he is good.

The trip was long in hours but shorter than coming to the Island since we did it in a day. We started at 4 am to get to the airport in time for the 7 am flight to Antigua. Once there, we had a 8 hour layover.. and neither of us could help it to just sign off.. even if it meant over the luggage..

Finally we made it to Newark and I just had to take a picture of everybody including the luggage.. especially, since I didn't on the way to Dominica.

Of course, we only had and hour to go through immigration and catch the next flight to Omaha, NE.. we verily made it on time. Once on the plane, they announced that the airport had had an emergency earlier so now the runway was with a lot of traffic so we were gonna wait for a while for the rest to take off.. ironic... poor Benjamin, didn't make it to the take off, and he was out cold.. Daddy took advantage to be silly..***We made it! Grandma Jevne was there waiting anxiously.. funny story, when we turn to see her (which I am getting my camera ready) she already has her camera ready..

hehe scrapbookers..

Since all our belongings are in the basement and in few rooms (all but the master bedroom) at my in-laws, we came home. Our lovely, comfortable bed still there ready for us, as well as the rest of the things we were using during the summer before we left. Samuel and Benjamin were just delighted to see the box of toys opened when Grandma go it out from the summer. Besides all the books.. However, Samuel just cared about one thing and one thing only... "I want to watch Star Wars with Daddy, Grandpa, Grandma, Mami & Benjamin.. please?" Since Jay loves Star Wars, he got Samuel to like it. He has only seen episode VI since is the one with the eewaks.. and that is really the part he loves.. Also, daddy promised taco bell.. boy, that kid just loves his chicken gordita!

Before we left, we went on a trip with other moms to #1 Beach on the other side of the island.. it was the only true trip we made since we got here, since originally we thought to travel around during the Christmas break.. but sometimes things don't go the way we plan hu? Well, the day started beautifully.. so sunny.. these were taken by another friend.. obviously because I am in them.. this one I am holding Benjamin and have the blue and gray back pack.. it was while walking down the trail to get to the beach..

And on this one I was taking pictures of my little ones.. I know, I look like one of the kids..

once there I heard it was one of the beaches where they filmed Pirates of the Caribbean 2..

then i got a little cloudy.. within an hour rain decided to appear and wouldn't leave..

and we got the cuties Shane and Emmy who are closer in age to Benjamin and Emily who found a long broken trunk and was about to become a canoe.. until finally just pour!! Of course my back pack wasn't water proof.. so EVERYTHING got soaked! The children still had a good time, especially making a tippi that the only guy who went (an uncle, Jason) helped them build.. Samuel had a good time carrying coconuts, and palm tree leaves.. and Benjamin of course wanted to do the same, kept following his lead. The beach had very heavy waves, but it was connected to a lazy river, which is the one where they played the most.

It was fun with rain and all.. right Benjamin?

When we got back we saw a beautiful rainbow.. it was a double one, but when I got the camera just got one..

The following day we went to our last Joy School day.. sniff sniff.. it was Jacquelle's turn, so I just took pictures.. and Benjamin just loved playing with the older kids who aren't in this Joy School..

Thank you Jacquelle for letting us add on..

The next day was the Ward social at Purple beach.. since it was our last day we decided to take the last swim.. also, so a cruise ship far away..

When we got back the Roy's were on their way to the grocery store which is next to where we used to live.. Had to take a picture with our dear friends who we spent the most time...

Few hours later our neighbor friend Alex had a BBQ and had us over as well as other single friends.. And later our friend Anuretta, who helped us clean once a week came with two of her daughters to say good bye..

I just remember that I never put a couple of pictures.. since the end of October.. Some are from Samuel being creative making an "airplane" out of a little toy truck, a ruler and some masking tape.. Other day he made a face with some play dough and orange peels..

And after two months in the Island I just had it! I had to cut my hair, because the weight, length, and sweat was making my head miserable.. for some crazy reason I thought to braid my hair and cut it for a less messy cut, and then just a trim.. however, it ended a lot shorter than expected! oh well, it will grow.. funny story, Jay didn't noticed since I always have my hair in pony tail (s).. but I couldn't resist, and told him.. he just couldn't believe it.. speechless for like 10 minutes.. kept looking and looking. He has never seen me with short hair.. so I guess Dominica gave me a new look!

The results..