Florida, Columbia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and CHILE!

In June of 2012 I came home from my 18 month mission in Chile. I absolutely LOVED it (I  feel like that is even an understatement, but I cant think of a more fitting word then love) I totally fell in love with those people and that place. I always dreamed of going back and finally this dream of mine came true. On December 5th we started our journey back to Chile. "Back" for me, and the first time for Keith, Ash, Ky, mom and dad.  It was the trip of a lifetime! I will try and tell the adventure with few words and tons of pictures.
We met in Florida...

can you see the alligator?!

And then started our 15 night Celebrity Xfinity Cruise to South America!

Our first stop was in Cartagena, Columbia!

(I have no idea why this flamingo picture is snowing! But its too funny and I dont know how to change it ha!)

Our next stop was PANAMA 

After visiting the country for a day our cruise boat went through the canal. It took about 12 hours the following day to go from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and man, it was so fascinating to pass through.

Then ECUADOR:

since it was christmas time, we brought with us tons of presents for kids we met in all the different countries. It was so fun to give them away and see the excitement on their faces!

PERU:

One of the best parts of the whole trip was being able to see Hermana Ramos. She was my last companion and is one of my closets, sweetest friends. I am beyond words grateful for her and that she traveled 16 hours  from her hometown of Piura to meet us in Lima for a few hours.

And last, but far from least, CHIIIILE!
Our first stop in Chile was in Arica:

Here we saw literally about 40 4-5 foot sea turtles. They were so curious and came so close and kept putting their heads above water. It was one of the closest things I have ever seen.

Then La Serena!

This is the area were I ended my mission. My heart was just overflowing with good memories and it was the sweetest thing to see all these familiar views and faces.

Our cruise ended in Valparaiso 

 Perfectly enough, our cruise ended almost inside my ward boundaries!  I spent the first year of my mission in Villa Alemana and Vina/Valpo. Luckily the areas are close and so we got to see both areas in which I served in. I can not even begin to formulate words adequate enough to portray how much I love these people. 

Where I lived for 6 months:

Since weve been home I have had tons of dreams that I am back in Chile again. I guess you could say I left part of my heart in Chile. I am sure grateful for the time I lived there, and that I was able to bring my family back to see and love it too!

CHI-CHI-CHI-LE-LE-LE VIVA CHILE!!!