Giradot

Christmas morning we packed into Johnny's taxi for a 3 hour car ride to Giradot. We had no idea the scenary was going to be so amazing! The mountains and valleys were like none I've scene. It was also a sobering car ride passing through some very poor barrios...we rode up and down and all around, dropping from a high altitude down into a low valley...we also discovered something new about Caroline...she gets very car sick. Ugh! Yes, in 90 degree weather, and vomit all over myself and Caroline, the last 30 minutes in the car proved to be challenging...but, we made it! All the kids could think about was getting into the pool!

Katya's "hot" house was nice...

...that is...once we got passed all the little creatures living inside with us...


...the pool was the real highlight of the vacation...

...just footsteps from our door...

...we saw the special connection between Caroline and Marta...they definitely are bonded together...

...we witnessed Caroline overcoming another fear in the pool...going down the slide...(that is with Daddy or Mommy catching her at the bottom)...

...brother and sister beginning to actually enjoy each other, and admit it...at least once a day...

...Marta content just watching everyone play in the pool...

...and most importantly, more trust being built between daddy and Caroline...not to say they still have a ways to go....in 4 weeks, they have come so far!!!

One day we thought we'd venture to the large "resort" pool...

the food was great...

...the views, specatcular...

...and the kids loved the grande pool! That is for an hour, at least...we were told we needed to pay $75 to swim there...we naturally opted to go back to our wonderful little pool at the house...

...Isabel mastered her dive...

Silas still wishing he could do more than put his feet in the beautiful grande pisina...

...Caroline loving the new outfit that Tia's Isabel and Carmen gave to her for her birthday (this girl loves clothes, especially dresses)!...

...Marta not at all liking the camera, but, I still like this picture, even though she is on the verge of crying...

All in all, it was a great time of bonding, hot sunny weather...not to say we didn't have our moments, with the little creatures in the house and, not having the golf cart for a few days...we had 2 very long hot walks to the resturaunts with 4 little ones (quite the site I'm sure)...But, with the pool and golf cart, and rides to get pizza and ice cream it was a nice change of pace from the big city!

Our return home went smootly, the views, again spectacular...there was a lot of policia out on the roads...fun to see...

...and yes, we came prepared for the return home, this time, putting John in the back seat with all 4 kids (he deals much better with the throw ups then I do)...and a baggy for the little one who gets very car sick...poor thing, she threw up again, and when she was all done, full of smiles and laughter...so ends another Colombian Adventure that we will remember forever!!

This morning John left for home bright and early! So, I'm flying solo for 12 days! I do have sisters and my parents that would come if needed, but, I think it's going to go just fine...not to say that we won't have some "meltdown" moments...that is part of being a mom! I really don't have it that bad, at the hotel, I do not have to make any meals, clean or do laundry...the challenge will be trying to go on another Bogota adventure with 4 kids (we like to get out once a day)...today, we are keeping it simple, and walking to a nearby kids salon to get Caroline's haircut!

Happy New Year Family and Friends!!