Greetings from Santa Marta

Hi Everyone,

We are enjoying our time here at Irotama Resort in Santa Marta on the Mar Caribe (Carribbean). We arrived on Tuesday and got settled into our suite. Two of the Danish families from Las Palmas have been here for a few days prior and are leaving today. Another couple may be coming this weekend, so that is nice to have company here. When we first arrived on Tuesday it was the last day of the slow season, so we practically had the resort to ourselves. Yesterday was a different story. There is some sort of "Convencion" here for older kids, High School and College. We can't figure out what it is about, but there are lots of people here for it and they have lots of activities going on around the resort. Unfortunately they set up a outdoor ampitheater for concerts on the beach just down from our room. The concerts started at about 9 p.m. and went until 1 a.m. I'm sure the music could be heard into International waters 12 miles offshore by passing ships! Luckily Andy and Dana slept right through it, as did Jodie, but I got to enjoy it from my bed. ;)

Andy and Dana hanging out on the bed. She loves looking at him, and Andy is so good to her as well. He calls her "Dana sweets".

Here is the view as Andy and I are typing right now on the patio. The view is great.

This is the view from our side door to the beach.



Our casa for the week. The suite is fairly new and it is about the size of an Embassy Suites room. It is perfect for our family size and Jodie and I are able to relax on the patio while the kids are napping.

Dana enjoying her stroller after a good bottle. All rolls and smiles!

Dana loves the water just like Andy. She loves to splash and kick in it.

Andy showing Anders (pr. Anuuus in Danish) the fine points of hanging out in the water. Anders turns one on Friday. Fleming is his Dad. They are leaving today and Andy will be sad to see them go.

On Tuesday night we went to the restaurant that is on the 12th floor on the top of one of the hotels towers for dinner. It was on the roof and open air. Dana had her bottle and fell asleep. She seems pretty comfortable doesn't she?

Andy developed a cold on Sunday and hasn't been able to beat it yet. Jodie just took him to the Dr. this morning here at the hotel, and he said no pool today, so Andy is bummed about that. The weather is great, in the 80's-90's and not a cloud in the sky. It is very humid here so you sweat no matter what you are doing!

Hang in there back in WI. We heard that there is much flooding and rain, and we are praying that everyone is safe and sound and no damage to your homes.