Over Spring Break our family usually vacations in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Since we only have one son left at home, a teenager, we like to make the trip a multi-family deal. (To be alone with mom and dad for a week would be cruel and unusual punishment for a 16 year old!) This year we had 5 families, including ours, from our town each with a teenage son. The boys all play football together on their high school team. We have such fun playing in the ocean, watching the street painters, eating a zillion bbq ribs at our favorite “all you can eat” restaurant. (And believe me, those boys can eat!!) But the highlight is the group’s trip to the ophanage Casa de Hogar. I just had to share a few pictures of our trip this year. The children rarely have a chance to be around and play with teenage boys and men. The women in charge have all said that they love this interaction. So we go and grow and are hopefully able to give the children a moment to just be kids.
I held this precious little girl for over half of a wonderful hour. She fell asleep in my arms at which time I had to surrender her to her sweet caretaker.
(Pictures taken on 4/4/08 by Anita Olmstead)
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Got into the stamp room today and played with some of my designer papers.
The floral design is actually part of the paper and not a stamped image. Didn’t want to cover it up so the card is a simple design, quick, easy and fun.
Stamps: Elegant Cheer
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, K & Co. DP (Card is mounted on Very Vanilla.)
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip Marker
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, Flower Punch, Corner Punch, Scalloped Scissors, GG Ribbon, Brads
Susan, Thank you for sharing your trip and your pictures with us! I know the boys will remember that for a long time.
Your card is just beautiful!! I love how the designer paper just looks so subtle and elegant, along with your design and flower! I love this layout and will have to remember it for the future, as it is a great way to highlight DP (and I tend to hoard that….lol)~
Loved seeing the pics of your trip… what a sweet little baby.
Beautiful card…so elegant and just love the colors!
Thank you Susan for sharing a little about your trip with us. How sweet that you all take time to visit the kids like that! I’m no one will forget that, anytime soon.
Your card is lovely! What a fantastic piece of DP!
How nice to share your time with the children, I am sure it will be something they always remember for them and your son and his friends. Your card is lovely.
Your family’s wonderful way to spend time with less fortunate kids during your vacation is truly an inspiration — like your beautiful card! Just gorgeous!
Beautiful pictures & card! Thank you!
Great trip pictures and your card is just fabulous!
Thank you so much for sharing your vacation! That little girl peeking through the bars is just beautiful!!!
Your birthday card is also a beauty, I just love pink and brown together!
This card is absolutely gorgeous. How wonderful that your family takes the time to do such a nice thing on your vacation, the looks on their faces showed how much it meant to them and that little baby was adorable!!
Your card is lovely! Such beautiful colors together! Thank you for sharing your vacation with us! What a wonderful experience for everyone! š
That first picture is just beautiful. The Latin children are adorable and it breaks my heart to know some are orphans as kids are such a huge part of that culture (having grown up in it myself). Blessings to all of you for visiting that orphanage and providing the children you interacted with some love, smiles and the opportunity to just be kids. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for the boys to realize they have much they can give. Thank you!!!
What a nice idea to visit the orphanange with your kids, you did not only give the children there some love and smile, speciall for teenagers this must be an impressive experience for their life.
Love your card, nice colors and I like the ribbon on the flower, will try to remember it š
Susan,
Thank you for sharing your special moments with these children with us. I stopped and said a prayer of thanks for my life and said a prayer for them, that they find happiness and love in theirs. Your heart, and those of your family, are filled with such love – we need more people like you in this world. Thanks for letting us be a part of yours. Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Susan š
Oh my goodness, don’t you just want to take them all home and fill ’em full of love? Makes me want to cry!!
Thanks for being creative with your heart as well as with your hands!
Blessings,
LeAnne
Wow…what an amazing trip! Great pictures too (bet it was hard to give that precious baby back!)
Gorgeous card—love those colors and that flower!
Susan, those pictures were awesome and that baby you were holding was so precious…I know you hated to give her back. I am sure you son and his friends will keep this trip in their memories for a long time to come! Thanks for sharing these w/us!
Pinky
Susan,
Welcome back!!! Looks like you all had fun in Mexico…I’m surprised you didn’t bring the baby back home with ya…she sure is too cute!!!
Your card is beautiful and I love the DP!!!
What a wonderful thing to do on your vacation – those boys will remember that trip forever – and the lessons learned! Way to go!
What lovely pictures from your trip! How fun! Gorgeous card too! I love the shading around the edges.
Wonderful pictures and stories from your trip! Thanks for sharing!!
Your card is so beautiful! I know what you mean about not wanting to cover up something so pretty! I love the scallops, faux stitching, and your pretty flower!!
Oh wow…I am in awe of how you spent your trip! The first photo is just precious!