Saturday, May 5, 2012

A Special Treat

We got a special treat this Saturday... Eating out at a restaurant! It was really fun! You may be thinking big deal... But there really isn't anywhere to 'dine out' or 'order in' in Luanda Sul. In the city it's very different. But the trick is getting to the city. Traffic is really terrible. Much worse than back in Houston. The distance is shorter but the time in gridlock is longer. It makes Nathan's trip home from work grueling. But I digress...

We went Al Dar, a Lebanese restaurant. It was delicious! Riley is a hummus-eating monster! Everything go dipped in the hummus! Owen devoured the yummy pita bread! (Not as good as y'alls Rita! But a treat none the less!)



Saturday, April 21, 2012

Soapy Sunday

Washing the car became a family event last Sunday. Owen is a big helper and really gets the job done. He is so proud to help Nathan with projects. Plus there's the fun of the hose and lots of bubbles!

Riley was hilarious! She would put her sponge in the bucket all the way to the bottom which on a 21-month old... She was almost all the way in! No one helped her get completely soaked. She did it all on her own while really working on helping big brother and Daddy!





Precious! Owen cleaned the hood of the car. Our "me too" was immediately on her toes trying to clean it too!


And where was I this whole time? I did help with the hose a bit but mainly I was snapping pictures. You can tell how thrilled Nathan is with my level of assistance.





This one is the last picture I took. =/

Ciao!

Location:Rua Centro Convenções S8,Luanda Sul,Angola

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!