Guatemala in a Nut Shell

For those who did not know we went to Guatemala to pick up my baby brother Ian from his mission. We took everyone including Miss E and Miss T. After 18 days of traveling we were very happy to return home safe and sound. We had such a wonderful trip. We saw some incredible things. We were able to attend church both Sunday's while there, the first Sunday we attended a branch that Ian had served in over a year ago. It was incredible to see the love that this branch family had for my brother. They did not know that we were coming and by chance one of Ian's baptisms spoke. We met so many wonderful people while there and will cherish this once in a life time opportunity to bring home Ian with all of our hearts. Here is a run down of our trip.

We packed up and headed to the train station. We went up north to a local airport where we waited for the red eye.

Some people were able to sleep.

(sorry mom I couldn't resist)

Others weren't

After a long night of travel we were happy to have this handsome fella meet us at the airport. Can you tell his 2 biggest fans missed him?? Wow after 2 years done with his mission.


The little man made up for lost sleep over lunch. This big beauty was our transportation while we were there. Dad was outstanding at driving in a country where no one obeys the laws of the road and the roads are in horrible shape.
The next day we arrived in Coban and stayed at this beautiful hotel.

Then drove to Semuc Champey. This is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been it was beautiful. Just breath taking. We went swimming there. P-man went down a couple of rock slides.
We met Latin Leigh, he forgot his trunks and picked up these beauties while we were there, they were really tight, it was really funny.

The next day we drove to a remote Maya village and stayed in thatch roofed huts.

We toured the caves they have there. Leigh, Ally, Jonathan, P-man, Busy and I floated on inner tubes through one of the caves, it was a great experience. A bit nerve racking considering that you are in the pitch black with only your flash light for light. Aunt Ally was scared so P-man held her hand and told her she would be okay.

These were a couple of the bed bugs I wanted to sleep with.

Under our mosquito netting.

This fella was trying to get in my bed along with many others, luckily the netting kept them out and I hope he was the biggest. He was really big. What can I say they could not resist my beauty and blood : ) How often do you see one of these in the states??

Jaguar Crossing

we then went to Tikal to see the Maya temples. Amazing can not even describe it. A must for everyone, really go there.

Temple 1 Temple 4

At the top of Temple 4

We saw Spider Monkeys (as pictured below) Tucans, and Black Howler Monkeys.
Miss TTemple 5Next we went to FloresWhere we celebrated Jonathan's birthday. I found a 5 ft. Mario pinata and we had a fiesta. The kids and Jonathan loved the pinata.

We attended a branch that Ian had served in.

On our way to the next destination we came across a protest. The teachers have not been paid since February and decided to close down the main highway.


By blocking it with logs and branches.

Just our luck, we had a couple of scary moments and were not sure if we should turn around and go back to Flores or wait it out. We prayed about it and decided to wait. So after waiting in a hot van for 3 hours they moved the road block.

Our next destination was a Quetzal reserve. Dad was told that there was a very slim chance of seeing a quetzal but we were hopeful. I met Clyde who was on vacation from Georgia, he to is a twin so we bonded. Early the next morning he took us up the road to a women's restaurant where the quetzals come and feed in her trees. These are really amazing birds it was well worth the 5:30 am trek.

Then on to Antigua where.... Some of the group including P-man climbed an active volcano. I stayed back with Miss T, Miss E, Busy and Nana.

After a night in a typical Latin American hotel we moved to a beautiful hotel on Lake Antitlan. It was so beautiful surrounded by volcano's.

We had such a fantastic time and again saw lots of incredible things. We are so thankful to dad for all of his detailed planning.