Ben's 14th Birthday Celebration

On April 16th we celebrated Ben's 14th birthday.  It was a full day from start to finish.  Here is a look at how he celebrated this year.

 

birthday morning decorations 

 

 

Like all special occasions around here, we started the morning with pancakes. 

 

 

blowing out his candles 

 

 

We then took photos. 

 

brothers 

 

He was eager to open his gifts. 

 

He got a t-shirt from the climbing gym, which happens to be his favorite place. 

 

He also got a gaming chair for his bedroom. 

 

David and Ben putting his chair together. 

 

Much to his dislike, he had a normal morning of school.   

 

We went out to eat for lunch.  He chose Pasta Nostra. 

 

He loves penne alfredo! 

 

The restaurant brought him an ice cream birthday dessert. 

 

We came home for cake.  This year he wanted a cheesecake. 

 

Ben's birthday cake 

 

Later that afternoon we drove into San Cristobal for a bowling party with a few of his friends. 

 

The bowling alley served a fruity pebble funnel cake for his birthday.

 

 

His friends singing to him. 

 

opening gifts from friends 

 

 

Overall, it was a very fun day for him.  I still can't believe he is fourteen and will be starting high school in the fall.  The years fly by quickly!   

 

Here is a look at his birthday over the years. 

 

 

Welcome to our world Benjamin Miller White

April 16, 2012 

Guatemala City, Guatemala 

 

 

Ben's birth video 

 

 

birthdays 1- 5 

 

birthdays 6- 10 

birthdays 11- 14

 

Here is our family celebrating Ben over the years-  

birthdays 1- 4 

 

birthdays 5- 8 

 

birthdays 9 - 12 

 

birthdays 13-14

 

Easter 2026

 Easter week was also our Spring Break week.  It was nice to have some time off from school.  

 

David and I got up before the sun on Good Friday morning.  We walked into town to see the beautiful sawdust carpets.  It is our Good Friday tradition.  Below are just a few of the photos I took.

 

 

 

 

Here's a YouTube video I made showing all the carpets. 

 

We stopped for breakfast at Cafe Condesa.  That is another Good Friday tradition we have. 

 

David's breakfast 

 

Always a good choice for breakfast.

 

 

We had another early morning on Easter Sunday.  We got up for a service at the cross above Antigua.  I had the boys Easter gifts out waiting for them. Their bags were full of snacks and chocolate.  

 

I got this beautiful coffee cup from San Martin.  

I love collecting these!  

 

 

The backside of my cup. 

 

 

We drove up the mountain to the cross for worship.  It was cool and cloudy when we arrived. 

 

Our family on Easter Sunday morning. 

 

 

After the service we drove back into town and enjoyed breakfast at Hector's Bistro.  

 

 

It was still early when we returned home so the guys headed to the gym.  I went out for a walk.  Here's a view of the cross from my walk. 

 

I returned home and cooked lunch.  Thankfully I had done most of my prep cooking on Saturday.  Here's my table for Easter.  This runner and place mats were a gift from a sweet volunteer team member a few years ago.  I love putting it out each year.

 

 

For lunch we had pulled pork I had pre-bought from Pappy's BBQ in town.  To go with it I made a carrot souffle, corn casserole, deviled eggs, green beans, lima beans, rolls, and a chocolate chess pie.  It was delicious!