Saturday, October 25, 2008

We are Home- getting adjusted!

On U.S. soil- what a wonderful feeling!!






Dressed up for "Boo at the Zoo"

This is how the lions "rooaaarr"


Celebrating Grandma Grace's birthday.

Grandma Marcie, Mom and me!!

Me and Uncle Dean!!

First haircut from Aunt Mary along with the paparazzi!!!

Playing in the backyard with my big brother.


Sorry it has taken 3 weeks to post, but have been a little busy.


We made it home after a lonnnggg trip Saturday. Rosalia stayed up looking everywhere on our two plane rides and even in the car home at midnight she was wide-eyed. We were greeted with wonderful signs and goodies to welcome us home from family and friends along with a clean house!! (thanks Mary) Rosalia woke up the next morning with a fever and had that along with diarrhea for a few days. She is back to normal now though, has a few more teeth coming in and trying to keep up with Joshua. Making more sounds and has got her appetite back after not having one for a few weeks after getting home.

Tony and I have had a steep learning curve with keeping up with 2 toddlers! Joshua has had a harder transition and I am trying to give him some more "mommy time". He seems to love his little sister though and we have been able to have most of the family meet Rosalia. Made it to South Dakota for a surprise 75th birthday party for Tony's mom - had a great time!

I was stunned by all the STUFF we have in our house, closets and garage. We have been doing some major house cleaning/organizing when time allows... which never seems to be enough. Guess we better get used to that!!
Hope to post new pictures of family life at the Wolf house intermittently.
God bless all.
Love-- Tony, Linda, Joshua and Rosalia

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Embassy appointment done....we are heading HOME!!!

Daddy treated us to a horse drawn carriage ride the night before we left for the city.
Playing in the backyard.

Spotting a caterpillar.


Playing baseball at the hotel.


All dressed up for the embassy!

We're done!!
Got to have matching shirts for the zoo!

That's us standing in front of the zoo.

Joshua's favorite was the hippo!!
Love those stairs!!



We made it through the embassy appointment. It was a little crazy in the waiting room with all the families and kids, but we were done in about 3 hours. Tony and Joshua walked back to the embassy this afternoon and picked up our packet and Rosalia's passport with a U.S. visa- YEAH!
We got back to Antigua tonight a little later than expected... the highway between the city and Antigua had a landslide so there was only one lane going each way.
We enjoyed the morning at the zoo in Guatemala City along with another couple we met at the hotel. Tomorrow is going to be crazy with packing, getting last minute things done and saying goodbye to friends. We will leave Antigua at 9am Saturday and our flight leaves at noon. We have a several hour layover in Houston so we won't be home till about 10pm that night. Looking forward to getting settled again at HOME and seeing family and friends, along with letting you FINALLY meet Rosalia. She is already getting independent, loves to watch her brother and can't stop smiling at Daddy who keeps her entertained!!
We love you all... thanks to everyone for ALL your support, thoughts and prayers.
Yes, we are... BRINGING HOME ROSALIA!
Tony, Linda, Joshua and Rosalia

Monday, September 29, 2008

Reaquainted in Guatemala

Looking over San Antonio below.

The outside of a rural house.
Farm area with cornstalk fence.
Macadamia nut plantation.


Tony getting a "free facial" with macadamia cream.

Tour guide with Linda and the kids (school to the left) heading toward a jade factory.
Worker describing the process of making jade jewelry.

In front of Santa Maria's (village) laundry washing area.


Is it time to go home yet???


Mom says it never rains here??


And she ain't saying Shoot!!!

Joshua's idea of a tuc-tuc ride home in the rain was the best idea all day!!

Touring "La Recoleccion Church" destroyed in earthquake of 1772.

If only I would have been here 300 years ago??

I'm King of the World!!!

Just cruzin the streets.
In front of the apartment.



That face says it all!
We will be heading into Guatemala City tomorrow for our embassy appointment on Wednesday!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

WE ARE PINK,PINK,PINK!!!!!!!!


Got the email tonight at 5pm.... we have our embassy appointment next Wednesday, October 1st at 7:15am. OMG.. it is finally going to happen!

Tony and Joshua got here today too... so this has got to be one of the top days ever!!! Tony had called me this morning not sure if he was going to be able to connect with his flight in Houston. They had an hour delay in K.C. taking off due to thunder/lightning. Luckily he ran through the airport to another concourse with Joshua, 2 backpacks and a camera bag, and made the connection with some help from a cart driver. Their checked luggage also arrived with them which he couldn't believe. All that, and he didn't even get any sleep last night.

We had a low key afternoon just hanging out getting to know each other again. Everyone is asleep but I am still too excited to be tired!!

We will update you with pictures from our "adventures" - as Joshua likes to call them.

Love to all!!

Tony, Linda, Joshua and Rosalia

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Life on the streets of Antigua

These poor dogs have seen better days. Many dogs are well cared for but there are also a lot of strays.


These cows were trying to find something to eat. As you can see... not quite like American cattle.

Begging is pretty common along the streets of Antigua.

Trying to survive.. it breaks your heart.

These kiddos playing in the rotten fruit behind the market.
This little girl followed me down the street, asking for money..
Homeless here, like everywhere I guess.
In the market, chicken piled up sitting out on the counter.

Meat hanging out a few feet from the street.. kinda makes you a vegetarian doesn't it.
I was walking along one day when I noticed this woman and what was on her cap..
I had to do a double take and asked to take a picture... what a small world!

This just made me laugh because this elderly couple just looked so out of place.
I am not sure what they were king/queen of??
So many of the people carry such heavy bundles on their heads, it is amazing.

The typical "chicken bus" with the baskets and bikes on top.

With the rain comes a lot of dirty streets and buildings.

Scaffolding Guatemala style!?!

Some of the housing on top of each other going up the hill... more common nearer Guatemala City.

Ever wonder where your old clothes go after goodwill?? I am pretty sure some of it ends up here.
This area is way behind the market and at least a block long.

Another picture of "America's throw-aways". Everything is just piled up or hanging.. you just have to sort through it all for what you want. Most everything is $3 or less.
I have to admit I got some clothes there for Rosalia.. having outgrown most of her stuff.
In the middle (red shirt) is a man preaching.
Just wanted to give you more of a taste of life in Antigua!!!!