I Heart Trader Joes

So I went to TJ's yesterday and I almost blew a gasket. I got sooo excited to see all my favorite products. I don't know what it is about that store, but I absolutely love it. I know someday I might have to move on to the "Costco" phase of my life but for right now the portions at Trader Joes are perfect.

Chloe likes Trader Joes, this morning she went into the kitchen grabbed her Pirate Booty and a juice, climbed up onto the couch and started watching her Handy Manny on tv. I thought it was quite funny.



Just because I think Chloe's eyes look greenish in this picture....

Home Sweet Home

Well we made it back safe and sound. I cant believe we are back already- Guatemala seems like such a blur. I miss it already but least I came back to my a DVR full of shows and 3 of my celeb magazines. Chloe was also VERY happy to see all her toys. Anyho, on to our next adventure, looking for a house.

Last Guatemala Update

Today is our last day in good 'ol Guatemala, tommorrow we fly out bright and early. We had had a wonderful time here and made lots of fun memories. We are going to miss lots of things (i.e. Shenny), but everything must come to an end and we are ready to get back to "normal" life =).

So yup, this weekend we went down to Monterrio (a LITTLE town on the pacific ocean .)We got a little confused getting there but what's new? At least we always get to where we are going. When we got there it was hot, hot, hot, so we took a dip in the pool.



Later that day we went down to the ocean to release baby sea turtles into the ocean. Isn't our little turtle a cutie? Chloe thought so, she wanted to hold the turtle sooo badly. It was definately neat watching the turtles make a break for the ocean.





That night we discovered that Monterrico might be better as day trip. As soon as the sun sets, the mosquitoes come to play. I swear I got eaten alive, I believe I have around 50 bug bites (I stopped counting) At least Chloe had a fun time playing in the mosquito net.



In the morning, Dustin took Chloe out to the ocean. She wasn't too impressed, but Dustin had a fun time in el mar. The water is nice and warm.




The drive home was quite an adventure. We decided to take a boat ferry, and that was just a trip. Here are some pictures to illustrate my point.

Guatemala Update: #4

There never seems to be a dull day around here. Yesterday we decided to go explore Guatemala city, it was nice to get out of the house since it sounds like a war zone (the roof is under construction). First we went to the LDS temple on the outskirts of the city.



Then we had lunch at Kacao, a restaurant which specializes in traditional guatemalan food. I was excited I finally got to see the Zona Viva section of the city. Despues Lunch, we went to a Archaeological Museum. Some of the artifacts even dated back to Book of Mormon times.



Today we went up Pacaya with Oscar, it was a pretty interesting trip up. Dustin started off way too fast with Chloe in the backpack and about half way up, he got light headed and had to lay down. Then Oscar catches up looking very pale, and tells us how he is recovering from the flu- we felt sooo bad and said he was crazy for not telling us beforehand, he is way too nice. Then to top it off one of the hikers scared me talking how Chloe could fall off a cliff - ugh! Like I would ever let her walk around by a cliff. Anyways, luckily things started turning around. We convinced Oscar to take a horse (he started feeling much better) and Chloe got to go on her first ever horse ride. She actually really liked it, Jean said she would even pet the horse occasionally.
When we got to the top I was surprised by how much it changed since our last visit. Of course the men folk had to go get close to the Lava, while us girls relaxed and collected Lava Rocks. Overall I say it was a very fun and memorable day!







Here are some pictures oscar took

Guatemalan SUPER MEGA update: #3

Well seems like we've had another busy few days. This post is super long- so I would not be offended if you just look at the pics =). We started off in Antigua, where we was very happy to find out that they were having a procession because of Lent. It was really neat to see them making on the the artwork made of sawdust. We spent most of the day walking around the town and showing John & Jean some of the sights.























On the way back to Casa Santo Domingo, we caught up to the procession. It was a really neat, and amazing to see how how they carry the displays on their backs. The procession went all around the streets of Antigua for 10 hours- talk about a work out.




















When we finally got back we decided to go for a swim and Chloe made friends with a little boy from New Jersey. Part of the pool was barely shallow enough for Chloe to walk and she looked like a little frankenstein trying to get around. Then for dinner we ate at the hotel's restaurant- best food ever!





The next morning we slept in a bit and then went to the museum at the hotel. After that we pack up, visited the cross on the hill, and headed off to Lake Atitlan.





The drive to Lake Atitan wasn't too bad. We stopped off and got some lunch & some blue tortillas. At times it was pretty foggy and the buses would try to run you off the road. Luckily we made it in one piece, and saw the beautiful Lake Atitlan.













Tuesday was our big day on the lake where we went on a 3 city tour. Chloe started off the day by playing with a peacock and going on her first boat ride. She did really great on the boat, I think she liked the wind.





The first town we visited was Santa Catarina. The local girls instantly clung on to Chloe, as you can see in the picture. I bought Chloe and I matching friendship braceletes from the girls, I'm so cheesy.





The second town was San Antonio, we mainly just shopped there and walked up to the Church overlooking the town.

Well seems like we've had another busy few days. This post is super long- so I would not be offended if you just look at the pics =). We started off in Antigua, where we was very happy to find out that they were having a procession because of Lent. It was really neat to see them making on the the artwork made of sawdust. We spent most of the day walking around the town and showing John & Jean some of the sights.
Finally we spent the most time in Santiago. Grabbed some lunch and then took a tour in a Tuk-Tuk. It was nice having John to translate as we learned some interesting things about the town.





That night the sunset was sooo pretty that we had to do a photo shoot. I couldn't get over how pretty the Lake Atitlan is. Luckily every day we were there it got a little clearer. So by this morning we were able to have a clear view of the lake.














Sooooo finally, today we went to the Nature Preserve and walked on suspension bridges over waterfalls- sooo crazy! Chloe also had a fun time watching the monkeys- woopee we finally got to see some monkeys in Guatemala!Definately a highlight of the trip. We also took the scenic route back to house but it ended up taking half the time, so I guess it was a shortcut. Okay I'm done =).

The Fenns arrive in Guatemala

Dustin's parents arrived safely manana, unfortunately Dust slept through his alarm. Luckily John had his cell phone on and Dustin was able to tell him to catch a cab, he felt so bad. Anyho just been hanging out and eating =). Tommorrow we head back to Antigua and then to Lake Atitlan, so I'll do a post when we get back, Hasta Luego!

Guatemala MEGA update: #2

Feliz Dia de San Valentin! We had another eventful week in Guatemala, and contrary to what Dustin says I am no where near fluent in spanish. Monday we had a pretty chill day, Chloe and I just walked around and we grabbed some Good old Mac Donalds for Dinner. Chloe is such a ham, at least three times this week she has tried to eat dinner with another family. Sometimes I'm shocked how friendly Chloe is. One day, Chloe got a bunch of kisses from the Guatemalan school girls and then for the rest of the day she would pucker up when people walked by =). She makes me laugh, especially since Dustin taught her how to yell "Dieee!" ohhhh Dustin =).



On Tuesday, I got to take a cooking class at The Antigua Cooking School. It was such a neat experience, I made tortillas, fried plantanas and tamalas. I even learned how to make a royal dish called Subanik. The food was soooo goood,and I met some really nice people during the class.


The next day, I got really spoiled when Dustin got me a Spa package for Valentine's Day. I had an hour massage, facial, manicure, and pedicure all for just $25 and I swear it was the best professional massage I've ever had. Dustin is the best!

Speaking of Dustin, wednesday night he finally found success in his seemingly neverending search to find a quiet hotel room. Let's see we have stayed in 5 different hotel rooms and faced sleepless nights caused by buses, honking horns, roosters, dogs, doorbells, church bells, and lovers (ew!). Here are some pics of the room that finally made the cut =).





Finally, today Chloe and I went to La Azotea, a coffee plantation with several museums. We had a fun drive there with a hippie family from San Jose, they were very nice people, you dig? Chloe had a fabulous time planning in the sea of coffee beans, it was way better than sand. I also picked up some Guatemalan chocolate, sooo good.






Well hard to believe we are done our spanish lessons. Dustin's parents come tommorrow and we are looking forward to showing them around.

Another Day, another Quetzal

Here are a few more picture from Antigua. You will all be happy to know that Chelsea is actually fluent in spanish ahora, and Chloe is well on her way, she can say Agua; its amazing.

Some R&R...

We had a great weekend, after such a hectic week it was nice to relax at the house. We got plenty of sleep and hung out at the clubhouse.

Guatemala MEGA Update: #1

Hola Amigos! Well as Dustin posted earlier, we made it Guatemala safe and sound. The trip down wasn't as bad as I anticipated,Chloe slept the whole way down, yippee! It was funny because it was almost midnight and the crazy little girl was still running around the aiport =). Well anyho, the first day here we just slept and ate. The next morning we woke up and headed off to Antigua.Here is a picture of Chloe at my parent's house and playing with Shenny (Chloe really likes her)...

Anyho we arrived in Antigua, and got all squared away at the language school. Here are some pictures of our little house on the campus, it's a neat little place except for the fact that Dustin got electricuted by the showerhead and it's really loud in the wee hours of the morning! Apparently the 6am Mass and bus honking aren't so great for sleeping =).




The next day, Chloe and I went to The Cathedral during Dustin's class and then we did loops around Central Parque. Chloe makes lots of friends here, and gets lots of attention "Que Linda".



After the park Chloe decided to study spanish with Dustin. The Spanish School is really neat down here. You bascially have a mini lesson and then you just have a conversation in Spanish. Dustin has class for 4 hours in the morning and I study for 2 hours in the afternoon.


Thursday, Dustin took Chloe up to the cross above Antigua during my lesson. That night we went to a really good restaurant and rented a hotel room, so we could sleep in past 5:30am =).



Here is a picture I took of Volcan Aqua from our Hotel. It was funny because while I was taking the picture Chloe ran into someone else's room. I run to get her and find a shirtless guatemalan man who says " I most have something good to have a little angel come visit me this morning." I thought it was cute.



Finally, today we Chloe and I went to the Catholic church by the school. It was really beautiful and Chloe had a fun time chasing pigeons and exploring the nearby ruins.





Okay so that has got to be my biggest post to date! Anyho now we are back at my parents house to spend a nice and hopefully quiet weekend =).

FYI: We didn't get the house we put a bid on before we left, apparently somebody swooped in with a bag of money and payed cash for the house. How can you compete with that =)?

We're here and we're...

Happy to have made it safely to Guatemala. Chloe was a champ on the flight and we all got some well needed rest after we landed. We are now in Antigua and checked into the language training school, we are excited and should be totally fluent when we return. Hasta la vista.

Look at how happy these people are to see us come to Guatemala.

Three more Days...

...and we are off to Guatemala! I have no idea what the internet situation will be like, but knowing me I'll probably find a way to post =). If not, I hope everyone has a wonderful February! Adios Amigos!

Here is Chloe getting ready for Guatemala the last time she went down (Almost a year ago)