Punta Cana

This beach is so beautiful it could be mistaken for Cuba. It's quite a ways from Santo Domingo, unfortunately though. A 4 hour drive makes Varadero seem like a stone's throw.

Just the right size

When you're only turning 2 and you're just arriving in a new country, it's only fitting that your birthday cake be just the right size for you. This one was perfect!

Birthday Wish

Nothing like a little call from home on your birthday to lift your spirits. Now, a big birthday party was held back in August, but this was my actually birthday and it was nice hearing that magic tune.

What? Not me!

I'm not sneaking any mini buns. Why would I want to snack before dinner? I'm always a good boy.

4 Thumbs up

I guess when add in a few features like an older brother, suddenly the picture looks a little brighter. The new digs score a total of 4 thumbs up.

1 Thumb up

How does the new house in Santo Domingo score Darius?

Silliness

... is what occurs when these two boys play together. It certainly keeps life entertaining.

Brothers in Arms

Of course, the one staple in all of this move and change is that the family stays together. The two brothers have become even closer since we moved to Santo Domingo as to each other they are one of the main things which does not change.

Settling in

Of course, there was lots of change for Darius too. He has left the "circulo" behind and is now enrolled in a Dominican colegio. It's a pretty neat little school with uniforms to wear too. While he stands out a little bit with his blond locks and blue eyes, he is pretty popular in class and really improving his Spanish.

Los Cacicazgos

Here's Soren looking pretty happy in the new place. True, he misses his friends at the "circulo" back in Cuba, but he's started a new school, the French Lycee. There is lots to get used to. New country, new house, new school, new language and hopefully soon, new friends.

Hard work

One thing we have to say for those Cubans - they sure did a great job of packing our things. It was hard to get even this bench out of its packaging.

We've arrived

After a few months of uncertainty and messages that we were going to Guatemala, it was finally determined that our next posting would be Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic.

After a nice summer break and a couple of weeks in the new home without our stuff, our shipment from Cuba finally did arrive. How happy is Soren to see the bench, which Poppa first bought for him back in Canada!

Mountie Up!

Canada's finest. The boys won't forget this brush with Canadian pride. Nothing like the mounties to impress everyone.

The Burn

I think the expression on Soren's face sums up this ride. The burn on the skin seems to be outweighing the excitement of riding gravity's wave.

Revved and Ready

Looks more like an energy ball ready to burst. Just waiting to be unleashed on the open road.

Calm and composed

Looks like a real natural leader on this hog. Nice and calm and composed and ready to tackle any problem encountered on the road.

Cruising

around the yellow train. Not a popular ride it seems, but still cool for us and Papa.

Slide for 2

Now it's Darius' turn and it looks like he's taken the cherished outside blue track. It's known for a little more speed.

Fun Slide

Here goes Papa and Soren down the super fun slide. Papa was having more fun than any of us as he hadn't done this stuff in years!

Beaver tails

A great Ottawa tradition. Heading to the Ex in late August, to go on the rides, play the games and top it all off with a beavertail. I kind of like this town.

The Joust

The weapons were a little oversized, which made the joust a little more difficult. The passersby did not seem to pay much attention though.

Fishing for prizes

The Ex is a great place to blow your money on mindless fun in the hopes of winning a nice prize. It's set up beautifully to make you invest a lot of money to get the big prizes. Just don't tell Papa who is paying.

Double Jeopardy

Having one Junior Burger on the road is bad enough, but two of them in control of the steering wheel. It wouldn't matter how much the insurance coverage was.

Easy Riders

We weren't sure where we were. It seemed like the Caribbean where they could give a license to just about anybody, regardless of your age.

Actually, it was at the Ottawa Ex.

Sweet Dreams Darius

That's what I call, brotherly protection. Making sure there are no monsters nor bad dreams.