Friday at the Temple and the Horne's go Home

We arrived back at the Temple grounds on Thursday.  We had some picture time on the grounds with bubbles before dropping the Horne's at the airport.  A week goes fast, but we made some good memories.

Ward at the Temple door frame.

Ward on the Temple creche.

Bubbles on the Casa grass.

At the Airport to say goodbye for now.

27 Charcos

On the way back from Puerta Plata the four amigos took one car and went to a fun spot with nature slides and some cliff jumps.  We did the lower 12 steps, very fun.  It requires some conditioning as the hike up is about 45 minutes.  The water is strong but overall a great time with a little challenge. 

Anna, Rodger, Shawn and Eric.

Eric shoots a small falls.

After we made it! Anna, Shawn, Rodger and Eric.

Mom and Laura get the five little ones at the resort to play, then Mom drove for the first time in the DR to meet us at the Charcos before heading home.  We ate in a McDonalds in Santiago, not too adventurous with the cuisine. 

The two cousins spent a lot of time together.

Puerto Plata and the Gran Ventana

Main lobby for check in, Ward wasn't that impressed.

By the pool bar while we waited for dinner and used the wi-fi. 

Bottomless drinkers.

Iva was good all week too. 

On Tuesday morning we went to the temple, we had two sisters from the CCM babysit. Later, we were able to get an Odyssey van from the pool to use for going north to Puerto Plata.  We had a good drive on Tuesday, with two vehicles, Eric liked driving in the Domincan style. El Dorado beach in Puerta Plata is nice, out weather was good enough but not good beach weather, as it was windy with some showers.  The pool was good and the Shirley Temples kept right on coming so we had no troubles.

Ward's Blessing

The Catmulls arrived without incident on Monday night, Tuesday we had the opportunity to have Eric give Ward Arthur Horne a name and blessing.  Pres Glazier helped us do this in our apartment. Ward wore the christening dress that was used by his Great Grandmother Margaret Rae Stewart and her brothers, by Grandpa Rodger Shaver and his brothers, by his mom Laura Shaver and her sisters, and by most of his cousins. It was a joy to be together for this, he is such a good and calm baby so far.

Pres. Glazier of the Santo Domingo CCM, Ward, Eric Horne, Rodger Shaver and Shawn Catmull

Proud parents.

At the Temple doors

Audrey, Maggie, Amos and Ward with Rodger, Laura and Cindy

Audrey, Amos, Ward and Maggie on a pillar at the Temple.

Tres Ojos

Tres Ojos, the three eyes, are a series of caverns and ponds partially open to the sky because of sink holes.  There are turtles, fish and an underground ferry ride.

Watching the fish.

Eric pulling us across on a small ferry.

Audrey enjoying a restful view point.

Watching turtles in a pond.

Wiring for a hand dryer in the men's room. Just to remind you where you are.

Life around the Casa, with Hornes

We finished at the Barcelo on Saturday around noon, we had the Glazier's help again to move everyone back to our apartment and the Horne's room in the Casa Huespedes, the Temple housing.  We had fun around the Temple and did some touring to the Malecon and the Colonial zone.  The Casa de Colon tour was good.  Amos liked the cannons.

Audrey and Maggie relax while Mom packs to leave the resort.

Amos appreciating the creche on the Temple grounds.

Maggie

Outside Cathedral and the Cristobal Colon statue.

The Hornes brought us a nice little tree.

Inside the Diego Colon home, Christopher's son's home.

Hot fudge and ice cream.

The Beach at Juan Dolio with the Hornes

The pool slide was a big hit but we also spent time at the sandy beach.  Finding seashells, dodging waves and digging the sand were all popular.