US Trip

Wow what a whirlwind!

We just returned from a 12 day trip to the States. We went to 5 cities (Las Cruces, NM – Albuquerque, NM – Temple, TX – Killeen, TX – Austin, TX), stayed in 4 different houses and at our best guess saw 50 people. (That 50 people was our estimate of only people we “visited with” and doesn’t include many wedding guests, etc.)

We didn’t take a single picture in Las Cruces while we saw my family and only a few while in Albuquerque with Javi’s family. Sometimes you forget when you are just comfortable and relaxing at home. Both moms cried when we arrived and when we left. Its hard to be away so long...

Here is one of the few pictures we took while in NM - a picture with Javi’s dad, bottling homemade wine:

Some good Albuquerque friends threw a “surprise” birthday for Javi’s 30th on Sat, June 7th. It was so fun!! (I say “surprise” because Javi knew something was up but didn’t know the details of the get together or who was going to be there.) Unfortunately this get together was one of those times we slacked off on photos.

Being home was fantastic and we did not feel that much culture shock at all. We did notice things, but didn’t feel weird about being back. We noticed how POLITE everybody was to each other and noticed people’s respect for personal space. There was also the shopping factor – so many things to buy in the stores, all labeled appropriately and neatly organized.

We also felt the passage of time (the almost year and a half we have been here) while visiting with friends who have kids. They are so much older and bigger!

Things were easy and convenient – not only because of the American lifestyle but just speaking your own language all the time and being in your own culture (you know the cues, the right things to say, how to act in certain situations, etc).

After leaving New Mexico we flew to Texas for our friends’ wedding. First, we had a visit with my grandma in Temple:

My Uncle Keith showing off his new motorcycle and tattoos:

And our good friends Paul, Breanne and their daughter Isabel:

Sebastian and Erin's wedding in Austin was BEAUTIFUL!!!! (and FUN!!!) I felt so lucky to be part of it in the wedding party.

Here is Erin as she came down the aisle with her dad:

She looks fantastic!

The ceremony:

The wedding party:

First dance:

Most all the guests stayed at the hotel were the wedding took place. We stayed up late celebrating. At one point during the evening somebody discovered that on top of the tv entertainment centers in each room there were antique hats in hat boxes. One person started wearing on and it caught on. Eventually lots of people were wearing the silly hats. Here is a photo with a friend (also named Sara).

Sebastian and Erin rented a “party boat” the day after the wedding. (The wedding was actually on Friday evening so they decided to carry on the festivities through the next day.) The boat goes out on Lake Travis and a good group of friends can hang out, swim and have a good time.


The Austin crowd likes to have a good time!


What a crazy trip! Two good things came out of it - 1, We're really excited to go home and get back into the swing of things. We have a wonderful country! but 2 - We are glad to have a little more time down here in Honduras to enjoy those things that are different and unique from back home. Just a little over 10 more months left to enjoy it!