Cruz's 16th Birthday Celebration

 On May 26 we celebrated Cruz's 16th birthday.   

 

kitchen decorations 

 

 

He is currently obsessed with trucks and vehicles.  When I saw this balloon at a local store I knew he'd love it. 

 

 
birthday pancakes

 

 

opening gifts

This year he didn't ask for any presents.  He wanted money for upcoming outings with friends.

 

I did get him a few of his favorite snacks. 

 

Sweet 16 

 

 

We took family photos. 

 

 

David and Cruz 

 

Ben and Cruz 

 

me and Cruz 

 

 

We drove into Guatemala City to visit Futeca Top Tee. 

 

 

He had the best time!! 

 

 

 

 

We stopped for coffee on the drive back home. 

 

We ended the day with supper at Hector's Bistro. 

 

birthday supper 

 

We ended the day with birthday dessert. He wanted a chocolate swirl cheesecake this year. 

 

 

He is growing up fast! 

 

 

his birth announcement 

 

 Here's a look at his birthdays over the years-

 

 

birthdays 1-10 

 

birthdays 11-15 

 

 

family photos 1-7  

 

 

family photos 8- 14 

 

 

family photo from his 15th birthday

 

He will be a junior in the fall.  He just got his Guatemala driver's license and will transfer his U.S. driver's permit to a regular license later this summer.  He is steadily getting more independent and mature.  It is a joy to watch him grow up and become who God wants him to be. He makes us laugh, keeps us on our toes, and fills our home with so much life. We cannot thank God enough for this incredible gift.

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!   

My Birthday February 2026

 On February 25 I celebrated my birthday. Here's a look at how I spent the day. 

 

the kitchen decorations 

 

 

 

 

This blue plate is very special to me.  We use it for all special occasions. 

 

 

We had chocolate chip banana pancakes for breakfast. 

 

 

 

We spent the morning doing school.  Then, we went out for lunch at Hector's Bistro.  I did not plan to eat out for lunch because I had plans to eat out that evening.  The boys insisted on taking me there because they would not be with us that evening. We all love Hectors!

 

We returned home from lunch and had cake. It was strawberry with vanilla icing.

 

 

Happy Birthday to me! 

 

 

me and my boys 

 

I then opened gifts.  While in the States last fall, I developed an obsession with plain M&M's. I was happy to get some for my birthday.

 

 

I also got a larger stock pot for boiling homemade pasta noodles. 

 

Next, I headed out to have afternoon coffee with my friend Betsy. 

 

I loved my cup- Always coffee time! I do agree. 

 

 

We carpool to youth group on Wednesday nights.  It was our week to drive, and I was happy about that.  It meant we could drop the kids off and then head into the city to eat at TGI Friday's.  Since we arrived in Guatemala back in 2006, Friday's has always been my favorite place.  It holds so many memories of visits over the years,  and I was overjoyed to get to eat there for my birthday this year. 

 

David and I on a birthday date at TGI Friday's in Guatemala City. 

 

 

I most always order the chicken finger BLT sandwich with onion rings.  You can order from the lunch menu at night so that includes your drink, coffee, and ice cream.  It's a great deal! 

 

Their cookie ice cream is the best!

 

It was a great birthday, and I am looking forward to all that lies ahead in this new year. I'm praying that it's a good one.