Time Flies ...

... When we're having fun. And we are. Here are the pictures to prove it.

Here's Rafe driving the ferry across the river on the way to Xunantanich. (and, yes, I can pronounce that). He must have looked like he knew what he was doing because, both coming and going, the ferry driver needed to do something and had Rafe drive for him.

Ernesto took Adrianne out on her first kayak ride. They survived and didn't even get wet. Well, not very wet anyway.

Brynn and Adrianne don't look too sure about the whole wet suit idea but they got into it eventually (and literally) as did Rafe. The kids went SCUBA diving for the first, but definitely not last, time. They had a great time diving with the manta rays, lobster and fish.

Alfred's brother, Darrell, his wife, Sheila and their kids Julia and Joseph came to visit. As we drove through an orange orchard, all the kids opened their windows and plucked an orange for a snack. They ate them the Belizean way. Like and apple - but spit out the peel. A warning, though, as Brynn found out, the orange oil on the peel burns like heck if it gets on your lips.

Walking through the jungle you are bound to find a vine or two. What else are you going to do? You have to take a swing! Watch out for that tree, Brynn.

And, after swinging through the jungle, what better way to cool off than to jump into a waterfall? There is no better way. Ask Derrick and Rhonda (Alfred's sister). They came along on the hike and Rhonda even 'swung on a tree' and swam in the falls.

Today at the zoo, Kori got a treat. She's hanging out with the boa. It was so soft and smooth ... and strong! The muscles in that snake pulling against my arm were definitely stronger than the muscles in the arm against which she was pulling. (OK awkward but fun)

It's been a great month! Heck, it's been a great 6 months. One thing, though, I miss the cold, the snow, the blizzards. For true!

Off Shore Snorkling

So maybe 'plethera' was a bit of an over statement as I seem, once again, to be out of ideas. I am surrounded at the moment by the definition of a peanut gallery trying to help me come up with ideas. So far I have: we are moving to a new church building (no one really cares); I have lots of company (again with the no one really cares) and (my personal favorite) 'sometimes I have good ideas but this isn't one of those times.' Consequent to that, you will get my snorkling story. If you find that you're bored to tears, don't quit reading just send questions and ideas. On to the snorkling story:
The Players: Alfred's sister, Rhonda
Rhonda's husband, Derrick
Alfred's mom, Betty
Brynn
Me
Terry the guide
The Place: Southwater Caye (pronounced 'key' for the uninitiated)
The story: Our company wanted to go snorkling so I set it up and out we went. Neither Rhonda nor Betty swims so we went to southwater to snorkle off the beach. Now, I must admit I was somewhat disappointed as I love to snorkle on the reef. I was not thrilled about just hanging out by the shore where the reef was dying and the fish were scarce. But, as you all know, I am a good sport and decided to make the best of it. Terry and I had a quick confab and decided that he would take Brynn and Derrick out further kind of around the reef and I would stay in by shore with Betty and Rhonda. After some false starts, Betty and Rhonda become comfortable enough witht he equipment and water that Rhonda is ready to try and get out a little further. So we head out to where our flippers barely touch the ground and start looking around. After bemoaning the fact that all the fish were white (they are so colorful out further in the reef), I notice that there is a fairly large school of yellow fish hanging out on, under and beside a large rock so I motion to Rhonda and we head over there. After a careful look, I get excited and dive down for a closer look. Sure enough, I poke my head above water and grab Rhonda. I am so excited. "Do you see what's under the rock?!" Rhonda looks confused and says 'no'. "A SHARK!" I am ready to dive back down for another look, Rhonda starts flailing around (sorry Rhonda but it was rather humerous) and decides she is heading back to shore. I decide I'd better get Rhonda to shore safely and leave the shark. After some serious talking on my part (it's a nurse shark; it won't hurt you; if it was hungry would all those fish be hanging around - you get the idea) Rhonda decides to brave it and we head back out to find the rock. I dive back down but the shark is gone. Bummer. I look over to tell Rhonda and ... there he is. Swimming along right beside and below Rhonda about two feet from her. YAY! Success! I point and Rhonda just stops. It was a variation of 'maniquin man'. She just stops. The shark swims over, kicks out a few fish and settles back down under the rock. And people pay big money to swim with the sharks. I guess snorkling off the beach isn't always a bad thing.
(caveat: Our internet is being stupid so I'm not spell checking, sorry)