So let me preface this by saying it was fr@#$%^@ HOT in Panama! My sister, her husband and the kids would be cold but I'd have to strip down Cooper to keep him from over heating - that is why he is in his diaper in most of these pictures...and covered up like crazy in the sun - didn't want him to burn. When we got home we had adjusted to the heat enough that we thought the 80+ degree weather in Denver was cold.
The trip was amazing. Cooper is very particular about new situations and people, he does not just go to people off the bat - including his grandmothers whom see him all the time, but he went to my sister right away. Even reaching for her, which melted my heart.
He met his newest cousin - I couldn't wait to put them down next to each other! Coop was so curious about Alex and not too happy when his mom held Alex.
He met his uncle for the first time!
He hung out with his older cousins who he absolutely adored. They were SO good with him and by the end of the trip he was talking (ba,ba,ba).
We went swimming...
were there for Alex's dedication...
ate at the Cosway right on the shores of Panama...
visited the Panama canal (that was pretty amazing)...
did more sightseeing, caught up on some much needed sleep...
and I got to get in some much needed sister time.
You see my sister is my insides. She has been the BEST big sister anyone could ask for. Yes, she teased me and locked me in anything I was gullible to climb into when we were young - but as we grew we found a true treasure in our sisterhood. We found a rare friendship that not all sisters get. Some people have best friends that are like sisters to them, I have my sister who is my best friend. To put it plainly, it sucks that she lives so far away. There is not a day that goes by where I wish I could get in my car, drive to her house, and just hang out with my sister. Thank God for Skype, and now magic jack. We talk daily...literally daily. Before my husband, my sister was my rock. I know that is why God gave me her. I admire my sister for so many reasons far too long and too wide to explain in a simple blog. She is the most loving, giving, selfless person. She is an AMAZING mom to her three children and a great wife to her hubby. I wish my sister were closer - that goes without saying. I cry when I miss her and I laugh when I know that if she were with me she would be making fun of me, laughing with me. At 30 I still look up to my sister.
This was such a great trip. I miss my sister and her family so much. Good bye was extremely hard.
But waiting for Cooper and me on the other end was the love of my life. Not a bad trade off.
