Nicaragua 2018!

The new year, as always, started off busy!  Lee took his annual trip to Nicaragua with VOSH Connecticut.  He went by himself this time and enjoyed it.  Though I think we both agree it would have been more fun having both of us there!

First off, before Nicaragua pictures, I bought some rock salt lamps for our nightstands.  They're great!  We don't use them much, but I still like them.


We've had our share of crazy weather this winter!  60 one day, 30 the next.  Snow skiffs here and there.  It's been a little weird.  But it's always nice having hot cocoa!


It was pretty cold for several days that part of the river froze.




One day school was canceled...lots of snow, right?  We were in Harrisonburg and went to a park.  Surprisingly (not really) no one was there but us.  Clark had a run down the hill with the sled.




Lee's sister Lynn sent us a fun Christmas gift, a Robertson blanket.  Elden's birth month isn't correct, but who will notice but us? 


Yes, we generally keep our Christmas decorations up a couple weeks into the new year.  And Elden missed Santa Claus I guess, and had to bring him back.


Clark and Cal did lots of cooking in January and February for the cooking merit badge.  We found an awesome merit badge counselor in Harrisonburg! 




Lee made it to Nicaragua!  He took a chance this year (saving a few hundred dollars) and flew down there with Spirit Airlines.  The downside is that the plane arrived at the airport at 1am or so.  He slept in the airport for a little while, got a cab and went straight to church.  While at church in one of the meetings the teacher was talking about sacrifice.  He looked over at Lee and said something about Lee sacrificing and being at church that day.  Lee didn't think much of being at church, because that is just what we do on Sundays.  He was there at church, suitcase and all.  God comes first!

Here is a Catholic church (I am guessing?) in San Juan Del Sur.


After church Lee helped set up the clinic at the school there.  Then they started seeing patients Monday morning, giving them free eye exams, and free glasses (if needed).


This is Lee's security guard/helper.


This looks like a new ice cream place in San Juan.  I don't remember seeing it last year.  I'm hoping it was good!


You can buy crazy big water bottles there.  They are huge!


Monday evening he took a run up to the Christ Statue.








Lots of people came everyday!


Back at the ranch, we had a rousing game of Monopoly that we left out for a few days.


And Haley made and left this sweet thank you note on our dresser.  Thank you Haley!  It was so thoughtful.  Disney World was tons of fun and I'm so glad she had a great time....and said thank you!




There was some Pokemon creating going on as well with an egg.  I think Cal did this.


Lee's mom and a few of her friends and volunteers made thousands of eye glass cases.  The VOSH people were so grateful!  She sewed most of them and did a wonderful job! 


Lee's dinner that night.  One fun thing about going to Nicaragua is eating out all the time.  Though I can't stand that diet all the time (we love eating at home too much!) it is fun for one week!


Breakfast at the Barrio Cafe.  Something he got every morning included in his stay.  The cafe has about 4 or 5 "hotel" rooms.  It's a cute place to stay.


And a random picture of us in the Virginia cold.  So thankful for warm houses!


Patient numbers for the first two days in San Juan.


Lee's optometry students that came.  Hyder, the one kneeling, was with Lee last year and this year.  Too bad he can't come a third year!  We really like him.








It's tradition for the doctors to treat their students to dinner one night.  It's a fun evening of talking and giving some advice.  The younger "security guards" that are local young men come as well.


Yum Lee.  I'm glad you enjoyed that because I wouldn't have, haha.










Finally done!






One night there is also a fancy dinner for the whole group at the Pelican...a nice resort hotel in San Juan. 


They spelled VOSH wrong, but did get Connecticut correct!








Lee had a free day Friday and went to island with the two volcanoes, Ometepe. He served the last three months of his mission on this island.




Lee thought it was funny seeing these two boys playing a game on the dirty floor.


Cars packed in tight on the boat!




Lee discovered a new place on the island, a natural water reserve.  It's very pretty and I want to go there!












Some infestation on a tree....maybe a termite hill?














Lee made it home safely!  And random, but sometimes Shanna likes to play "restaurant" on the weekend and will make Elden and Cal "Carolina Reaper" eggs.  She dumps TONS of pepper on them.