Gran comes to Quito!

At the airport the best words to hear are - I see her, I see her, here she comes!!  Luke, Jordan and Molly went running to the middle with their sweet pictures and flowers for Gran.  We had been counting down the days until her visit and it was finally here.  This is my mom's 3rd visit to Ecuador and when she comes, she brings lots of fun goodies.

The biggest marshmallows ever - how fun!!

The crazy busy agenda had been set for weeks waiting for Gran's arrival.  My poor mom needed a vacation after she was with us for 11 days.  Before the craziness began, Molly and I took Gran to a fun girls outing for lunch and manicures. 

That evening we went to the Jensen's house for a delicious dinner and to celebrate Nick's 11th birthday.

The kids were so excited to have Gran here for all of their end of school year activities.  First up, Luke's field day.

Next day, Jordan's field day.

And the next day, Molly's field day.

In between all the field days, we were thrilled to introduce my mom to our new ministry with Inca Link.  We took her out to Casa Blanca and Casa Elizabeth and one evening the Brown family and the Casa Elizabeth girls came over for dinner and bible study.  My mom loved getting to hold Benjamin.

 Molly, Maritza and Isaias

On the next to the last day of school we celebrated by driving to Cumbaya for lunch at a wonderful restaurant and then on to Tumbaco to let the kids play at Mini City. 

Jordan working at Supermaxi for some Minis (money from Mini City so he can play games there).

Making a music video dancing to Thriller!

Molly is all business when delivering the mail at Mini City.

Last day of school picture.  Jordan and Molly wearing their new clothes from Gran and Luke thought it would be fun to wear the same outfit as the first day of school.

Molly singing at her Pre-K graduation

Molly's Pre-K graduation party at her school

I love this picture of my mom hanging on our car at Parque Metropolitano as we drove around looking for tadpoles.  She is such a trooper and lots of fun!

Plane ticket to Quito, Ecuador - $950.00

Watching your only granddaughter in her first dance recital - priceless

After the busy week of end of school activities and The Big Night (dance recital), we loaded up the car and headed out of Quito to the Amazon Rain Forest.  We enjoyed an overnight stay at Arasha Rain Forest Resort.  We made chocolate, rings from nuts, played putt-putt, sat at the pool, and went on a night hike with torches. 

My mom made a new friend at the Toucan Hospital.

For Gran's last night with us, I made my first shrimp ceviche.  It was not near as good as the ceviche I had at the beach but it was okay.  We made Smores with those huge marshmallows and played a board game that Jordan had made.  A fun night together.  The next morning, not so much fun as Gran had to leave to go back to Paris, Texas.  Goodbyes are extremely hard.  I was missing her before she even left.  Casey took her to the airport (I don't do airport drop offs), the kids and I cried and then had Pop-Tarts to try to make us feel better.  Pop-Tarts are good but not THAT good.

Here is Jordan's fun soccer board game he created

Making Smores in our fireplace...

with the giant marshmallows!

Mom, thanks for taking almost all of your vacation time to be with us in Ecuador.  Thanks for loving and supporting us.  We are already planning things we can do on your 4th visit!  We love you and are so thankful for you.