We have new stamps in our passports....

From PANAMA!! Greg and I just got back from a great trip to Panama City, Panama to visit with his parents! (I really do get excited when I am able to get a new stamp in my passport!) We have to give a HUGE thanks to Chris and Sally for having us down to visit and see their home! They were truly AMAZING hosts and treated us to so many wonderful sights, sight-seeing, shopping, and, of course, food! We very much appreciate all you did for us!! We also have to give another HUGE, MEGA GRANDE thanks to Mama Leslie, who watched the girls so we could go and enjoy the trip! Thanks Mom!!

The trip to Panama is really not too bad--a little over 4 hours, and no time zone change. It is rainy season there now, and was mostly overcast on the days we were there. VERY humid! Here are a few highlights of our trip:


Greg and I in Amador on our first day. Chris and Sally took us to lunch at Mi Ranchito very near the water with great views of the city.


Greg in front of Multi Centro mall not too far from where Chris and Sally live. We walked over to look around and have ice cream.


Chris and Sally treated us all to a beach getaway over the weekend. They invited some of their friends to spend the weekend with us at a very cool and funky beach house! WE LOVED IT!!! It apparently used to be a surfer camp, but is now a great beach house perfect for relaxing-which is exactly what we did! Here's Greg catching up on his reading.


There were hammocks, and places everywhere to just sit and relax and listen to the waves. There was also a pool which was very convenient. Greg likes to play games with his mom and dad--there were a few games of backgammon and cribbage played. I didn't keep score. I read two books and stacks of magazines.


Greg and his mom after a dip in the pool.


We walked on the beach and Greg did some body surfing.


On Monday we saw the Panama Canal. I have to admit that I really enjoyed learning more about the canal. I was not all that familiar with the history, so I really did enjoy this part. This is Miraflores Locks. I also am not all that great with geography in this part of the world, and learned that the canal actually is a mostly North/South passage, rather than East/West. And here's one that'll throw you for a loop--the sun rises on the Pacific and sets on the Atlantic here!(I had to look on the map to help me get my mind around that one!)


We got to see a ship pass through the locks, which was great! There was also quite a long line of ships waiting for passage most of the time we were there. We could see them off in the distance.


We got to see the new Panama Temple! It is BEAUTIFUL! The guard would not let us go up very near, but told us that it will be open for the open house sometime in June.


On our last night, we went to the old part of Panama City called Casco Viejo. VERY narrow, cobblestone streets, great old buildings, churches, some resturants, and beautiful views of the city.


Greg with his mom and dad. GRACIAS Mamacita Sally and Papa Chris! We loved being there with you! Don't forget--tranquila senora!!