Aruba Trip

Our trip to Aruba was amazing. Everyone on the island was so happy, I saw the catchphrase "One Happy Island" and I wasn't really sure that could be true of any place, that everyone would be happy but it really was. Every person we met was nice and happy, and they were always so willing to help.

I was so happy that we were able to spend so much time with the girls from Aruba assembly. They were so sweet and welcoming and I am positive that we will stay in contact with them. First a large group of them met us for dinner at Hard Rock Cafe Wednesday night, which was a complete blast. During our dinner the Venezuela v. Paraguay soccer game was playing with a spanish announcer and it was quite entertaining for all of us and caused a lot of laughs. Then on Thursday night, the girls have a tradition of going to a restaurant called Mulligans for Karaoke and they let us join them which was SO much fun, we absolutely loved it. On Saturday it was their installation. Sueli picked a musical theme of "Rainbow Girls Rock" which was really fun and keeping with the theme during their banquet there was more Karaoke which was great and just as much fun. I love seeing the younger girls start to break out of their shells and sing a little bit which was awesome. Then Saturday night some of the girls joined us again for a movie (Monte Carlo) which was fun and just as hilarious.

Beyond hanging out with the girls we were able to go on a couple of different tours and learn so much about the island and its history, we also had some fun doing beach activities. Wednesday we went on the Semi-Submarine tour, which was amazing we saw turtles, fish and the "Antilla" Shipwreck. Thursday was an individual day for shopping and activities and so we took that time to ride something we fondly refer to as "Bubba" it was basically an inflatable couch that fit four people so Mrs. Smith, Julie Birmingham, Casi and I held on tight and got pulled around by a boat which was crazy fun for us but was a bit intense for Mrs. Smith and Julie. Then Casi and I had the amazing opportunity to go Parasailing thanks to our wonderful mothers. We spent all day Friday on an amazing Jeep tour with a hilarious, knowledgeable tour guide who picked some crazy roads (or non-roads) to drive on. Saturday was all about Rainbow and then Sunday we came home.

It really was just the best trip!