In 2013 we missed the yearly festivals where our family in the Philippines live by a week. So, Matt really wanted to be sure to attend in 2014. However, I was about 35 weeks pregnant didn’t want to risk having a baby in the province. So Matt started contacting our brothers to see if anyone would be willing to come out to visit us and then go to Siquijor for the celebrations. One thing led to another and in the end we had 3 of my brothers and a sister-in-law coming out to see us! The boys stayed for 1 week since they had to return to school and work. My sister-in-law stayed for 11 days and we were able to have some girl pampering time together.
They arrived early Sunday morning and were jet-lagged the whole week they were with us. But, luckily they can sleep anywhere, like at the movie theater, restaurant & lounge
A morning of shopping at Greenhills where we bought knock-off purses and other souvenirs. And of course they got to see “lady-boys”
We had a nice dinner at The Peninsula and then went to the lounge to watch/listen to a live band
These guys flew to Dumaguete from Manila, and then took the hour long ferry boat to get to Siquijor
Getting ready to take our cousin’s boat to Salagdoong Beach (on the way they snorkeled from the bamboo arms)
3-man jump from the platform at Salagdoong
My 17 year old brother about to jump off the platform in the tree at Cambugahay Falls
They enjoyed their time at Cambugahay Falls and made friends with the locals that were also spending the day there
They played some basketball with cousins
They enjoyed the decorations for the “Coconut festival”
And they danced the night away with cousins and new friends at the village disco
Photo of cousins at the disco
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is now on the island of Siquijor and they were able to attend worship service and classes before heading on the ferry and plane back to Manila
Our siblings enjoyed the pool and gym at our condo
After the boys left, my sister-in-law and I did some girl things…like attending a baby shower that the ladies from church threw for me
And I threw a “Pamper Me” Party at our condo and had some friends over and each person had their own massage therapist for an hour
My brother Robbie was also here, but had to stay in Manila with me since his online Master’s Program started that week. But the kids were happy to spend more time with him.
We love spoiling our family when they come to visit us. And they took full advantage to meet our extended relatives and see life in a 3rd world country
My 17 year old brother wrote this on a photo he took to let us know that he had a good time… now he just needs to learn how to spell Philippines, or at least use spell-check!