riding it out in [the] quality

Hey friends,

We miss you like crazy and we need to tell you all about this busy, hot, summer.  But for now, I just wanted to let you know that we are riding out the Tropical Storm Fay here at the wonderful Quality Inn in Santo Domingo.  Today we began our 4 day vacation with Shannon and Brandon, right about the time that they upgraded an off-shore weather system to a Tropical Storm.  It has definitely made landfall - the wind is blowing hard and it's raining like crazy.  They've actually covered a lot of the windows here with metal shutters.  But, we just had an outrageously good meal, and now will be relaxing in front of cable television with our dear family!  God was good too because we didn't realize how soon the weather was supposed to hit and Kelly and I almost got caught in it on our drive here from Barahona.  Just as we entered Santo Domingo, it started raining hard and if we had been about 20 minutes later, there would have been places on the road that our car couldn't have passed because of the standing water.  But, we got in just in time and will likely be staying here rather than heading up north like we planned.  We love you and and can't wait to tell you more.

Surfin' in the pool at the Quality,
M&K