Joel and Lora took me to an amazing little get away in the city of Granada, Nicaragua. After watching Joel coach the NCA Eagles in yet another victory, we packed up the car and headed to this hotel/spa/chocolate museum. Random pairings of things in one place? I think so too, but who doesn't love a massage WITH the price of the hotel room??? I do!
As Lora was settling little Beto in for bed in our super awesome room, Joel and I headed across the town square to pick up pizza and salad. We enjoyed our dinner in the hotel courtyard, and just talked and talked until we decided we needed to head back to the pizza place for a delicious dessert. Tiramisu, anyone?
We were all pretty exhausted and ready to turn in, so we quietly snuck into the room and tried not to make too much noise so we didn't wake the sleeping prince. :) No problem...Alberto is a champ!
5:45am today - AWAKE with Beto! Who can resist a sweet smile and giggle from this little guy? I sure can't! Lora said I could try and sleep some more while they went out to the pool with Beto, but I just couldn't sleep knowing that I only had one more day left with the little guy. After a cup of coffee and Beto's breakfast, we sat in the pool for a bit, and Beto "swam" in the water. He loves the water!
For breakfast we had some traditional Nica food (eggs, Gallo pinto, squeaky cheese squares, plantains), and for round two we all ordered something with CHOCOLATE in it! I got a crepe - it was delicious. Oh, and in the background, a man played an accordion. Yep, and accordion. At breakfast. I thought it was kind of nice, but Joel politely asked him to keep it down a bit, because Beto was down for a nap in a nearby room! Classic.
Next came our massages - the hotel gives you a 30 minute massage with the price of the room, and you can add time for a small fee. Lora and I both got 1 hour massages - and it was TOTALLY worth it! In case I wasn't relaxed enough on this vacation....
The rest of the day was spent enjoying time with Beto and hanging out in the water. Have I said it enough times that this kid is absolutely adorable and is SO joyful? He is. And I love that about him. Plus, he's pretty cute. After a quick lunch, we packed up and headed back to get to yet ANOTHER NCA bball game. Another game of bball, another win for Coach K and the boys. It was fun to see 3 games while I have been here...I met lots of really great parents and teachers from the community, and they all LOVE Coach K!
Tonight we were all pretty exhausted, and so was Beto. After one last walk around the neighborhood and a few last snapshots of the cutie pie, I said adios to my nephew. Oh man, I sure do LOVE him! (his parents are pretty great, too!) J, L, and I talked and prayed together, and now we are heading to bed. Nothing like an early morning flight home to get ya going!
My visit to Nicaragua has been incredibly relaxing, joyful, and blessed. Being an aunt is such a joy. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to get a picture of life for J and L here in Nica, it is amazing to see the faithfulness of an ever-present God in each of our lives. Even though our family is so spread out, we are blessed because we get to visit each other and experience a new "culture" in each visit (Boston, Michigan, Nicaragua, California, Minnesota). I don't know that all of us will ever live in the same city or state as each other, but we sure keep those airlines in business, and we love it.
Blessed beyond measure.
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