Thursday, April 19, 2012

Busy times in Angola

We are staying very busy here in Angola. Here is an update through pictures from the last 2 weeks...

Easter Sunday was spent time with our neighbors. The kids went one a candy hunt! All candy found had to spend time in the fridge to fight the whole heat + chocolate bunnies = melted bunnies.... The kids had lots of fun together!



The early evenings are the best time to play outside. New chalk means the sidewalks are to plain and need to be colored. The wind was so strong that the chalk rolled all over the place. Owen came up with the idea of putting their water guns down to help keeping the chalk from going all over. Then it was time for some gardening. We have a nice big whole need the sidewalk which is a bit dangerous. But Owen was looking for treasure. Can't complain when you're on the search for buried treasure!



Chacha sent finger paints and googly-eyes among other fun crafty stuff. Owen and Riley had a blast painting! I had a hard time keeping up with them. Owen wanted to make a monkey while Riley napped one day. Afterwards he was so excited! They posed for lots of pictures with a big cheesy grins. He was adorable running around the house stopping by his friend Monkey to include him in the plot. We hosted play group last week with yummy snacks. Owen is in a orange and Riley is in blue sitting at the tables. The kids love watching movies in the evenings. It gives Nathan some time to work out and me some quiet prep time for dinner. They are amazing and play so well together!!



A coworker of Nathan's met up with my Mom before traveling to Angola. He brought a box Mom prepared for us. It was loaded with lots of goodies from spices to toys! Riley immediately wanted to try on her new swimsuit... 1st bikini!! And of course she had to put on brother's new swim trunks. Owen got new underwear. "Toy Green Lantern please met my new Green Lantern underwear." The look on his face shows every ounce of his excitement! Of course the box got some good play time as all boxes sent to our house get. Riley was blowing us kisses, saying good night and snuggling down in it. I promise she sleeps in her crib and not in boxes!


Ciao!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Christ is risen today!

HAPPY EASTER FROM AFRICA! The Easter Bunny found us! The kids had a blast hunting for eggs and eating candy. Riley kept calling the Easter eggs 'ball' knowing they held yummy candy. Owen is thrilled about the Easter M&M's, a true Momma's boy!

Check out the look on Owen's face in this picture! What love! I wish Ri wasn't trying to escape his grasp. It's still one of my new favorites.



The Easter Bunny brought bunny ears but who needs those when your Easter basket is a helmet! Game on! Owen even saluted me!


My handsome boy!!!!



Here is a very worried little bunny. Not sure what the concerned look was about.

More Easter fun later this afternoon with the neighbors. We had several families over last night for vegan enchiladas, burgers and more. We love getting to hang out with our new friends! Plus the kids play wonderfully together. Owen still needs a wingman amongst all the girls though.

Ciao!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

I can't see Texas from here

I think the whole family is missing our Texas home. Riley puts on her shoes randomly and says "home". Owen told me this morning over breakfast he wants to go to his "home home". I have a longing to be in Texas with our family as well. And to top it off, Nathan's iTunes played this song for us:

"I can't see Texas from here.
No matter how I try, it makes me want to cry.
So if you see me lookin' down,
I'm tryin' not to show this frown
'Cause I can't see Texas from here.
'Cause I can't see Texas, I can't see Texas,
I can't see Texas from here."
George Strait

Thank you to everyone posting pictures of the beautiful bluebonnets blooming. A little taste of home.
Ciao!

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Suds and Bugs

Owen and Daddy headed outside to scrub "Africa" off the car. Owen loved having a job to do scrubbing the car and dunking the sponge in the bubbles. Nathan enjoyed spraying accidently spraying Owen with the hose and hearing him giggle. Owen got some revenge later when he was allowed to rinse the car. It was really great watching my boys work together and have fun. Lots of good Daddy Owen time! I love them so much!!


And now for Jiminy Cricket!! Really... look at this guys face! You can see how Disney drew the character from the real grasshoppers. He was easily about 4 inches/4.5 inches long, a big grasshopper in my book! He was moving very slowly when my neighbor Lisa caught him. They fumagate regularly on the compound so I think he was sick. Lisa homeschools her girls. What a great specimen to collect and study from!

He was a really beautiful grasshopper. The spikes on his legs looked like they were perfectly dipped in red paint accenting them ever so slightly. Seeing how exact this creature was made reminds me of how amazing God is. While I don't particulary like bugs, God has a bigger plan and this little guy is a great reminder.
Ciao!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Another sunny day

Another beautiful day swimming and snacking in the shade of the baobab tree!


Ciao!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Hiding

Recently Riley has been tucking her bunny under her sheets and says "hiding!" proudly. She thinks it's very funny. Well... She expanded upon her cleverness this morning. When I went in her room, I discovered she was no where to be found.... Visibly that is. It was hilarious! I'm so thankful I had my phone with me to capture her unveiling!


Ciao!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rua Centro Convenções S8,Luanda Sul,Angola

Thursday, March 22, 2012

A Great Weekend

We had a really great weekend! Nathan went on Thursday and spent 4 hours waiting in line to get an Angolan drivers license. It was well worth it because now we can go where ever whenever! Well..... As long as we have the car. We headed to Kero and Maxi on Saturday so incredibly happy and proud to be going on our own. It's quite a big deal to be able to driven your own here. A great sense of freedom.... Again, as long as we have the car.

First car trip on our own!



Happy birthday to Lisa! Her family is one of several we've met and become friends with. We had a BBQ with them Saturday at our house. Trish made a yummy lemon cake and we generously provided candles. Bahaha! (Also happy 9th birthday to my Boomer! I love you buddy and miss you tons!) The bottom picture is all the kids mesmerized and enchanted by Lady and The Tramp. Someday Owen will wish he was the only guy with 5 girl friends!


We headed to Belas Shopping Sunday. Nathan and Owen were in need of a hair cut. Owen got to sit on a cool 4-wheeler chair!


Here he's showing off his 1st African hair cut and ready for the big pool with his new inner tube! Nathan and Owen had lots of fun at the pool, just the boys.


With all the little girls here, Riley has been given ample opportunity for dress-up. One of the girls Nicole gave her a Bell dress because she grew out of it (Beauty and the Beast). Riley loves it! When we were at Eleanor's, she got to wear a bumblebee costume. She loved dancing and twirling the skirt!


Ciao!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad