The Family Gift

Our family gift (in lieu of toys and other presents to each other) was nestled in the branches of our tree:


And this was what was inside:



We are pleasantly surprised by the excitement the kids. Their inquisitive minds want to know all there is to know about where we are going and what it is like to sleep on a boat. I am nervous about 14 days in 192 sq ft of living space, but we are excited to share this as a family! The anticipation of the kids already has me ready to leave, but unfortunately the laundry and the suitcases don't offer the same hope. :) One week and counting...

Our Little Boo

I think that the nickname might stick!



What do you think?

A few things I have learned this week...

... I can cook an entire turkey dinner from scratch including stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, asparagus, rolls, banana bread and pumpkin pie by myself
... and serve it warm
... English toffee really is as easy I have been told
... Peppermint Bark is even easier
... and really makes it feel like Christmas
... All treats look better delivered in Christmas boxes
... All homemade eggnog recipes are not created equal - even if they contain the exact same ingredients
... The smallest of gifts, usually end up the greatest
... The rechargeable Mosquito Zap Racket really does work and is worth every penny - even if just for the laugh.
... although it does not kill cockroaches, only stuns them
... Few things are sweeter than a babbling 1 year old who thinks that they are making sense
... If you can't drink hot cocoa on Christmas, swimming in the pool is a close second
... Skype has really revolutionized holidays
... American dolls are worth all of the hype and span the ages

... I can think of 364 better day to light Fireworks than a night I would prefer to me calm, silent and holy.

... especially not until 3am when children will be looking for Santa at 6.

... The Norad Santa Tracker can really keep a 6 year old occupied

... You can do ALL of your holiday shopping without leaving the house

... although tall sizes are still as difficult to find
... A 6 year old really can grasp the idea of a trip in lieu of gifts and be REALLY excited about it
... no matter how hard I try to keep any type of gun out of our home, few toys can really excite a 6 year old boy like one

... All the celebrations can really tucker out a toddler
... Sometimes you have to accept the blessing and stop trying to rationalize it

What I already knew...
... Sleep in NOT overrated
... Christmas is my favorite time of year
... because we celebrate the birth of Christ
... Christ was born to be our Savior
... and died so that we can have eternal life
... Heavenly Father hears us and answers our prayers
... He knows each one of us individually
... He has a great sense of humor
... Our trials have purpose
... Nothing in life is as special without sharing the experience
... especially with children

... Legos really do help improve fine motor skills
... I am blessed beyond words
... Mario Kart is WAY more fun to play when connected with family across the world!
... My family ROCKS!

Happy 6th Birthday Abe

For Abe's birthday, we shared the party with a friend and rented a birthday play center. The day was super hot and humid all day until moments before school pickup, where were had arranged a carpool to bring everyone after school. It began to pour like I have never seen in rain. You couldn't see more than a few feet in front of the car as we drove. The icing on the cake began to melt the moment it left the air conditioning and my hair didn't stand a chance, but it was a great party and the kids had a great time. It sure is a lot less stressful to plan the party somewhere else.

I had suggested that we have the party at home and do something original, but Abe insisted that we have his party at Big Party, where many of the other children had thrown parties throughout the year. Juan's birthday is just two days before Abe's, so we were able to combine the party.

Lego Star Wars Cake

Birthday Boys

Abe had been asking for this Hot Wheels set since June.

Happy 4th Birthday Peyton

With each birthday, it seems harder to believe how fast they are growing. Their birthdays came in a whirlwind. The were birthday festivities 6 out of 7 days in November because of actual days and school parties and classroom celebrations. Latins are known for their birthday parties and Argentina is no exception. I didn't want to overdo it, but in the end, the only ones who would lose out would be my children. They had expectations set by 24 other Argentine classmates. Everything went well and we pulled it off. Here are a few of my favorite photos.


My mom sent this look-alike American doll whom Peyton has named Isabella. The name of the horse regular changes.


Photos of Lidia are rare. Actually there are quite a few of her, but she is a bit embarrassed by the camera so they never turn out. She has become like family. She really loves my children and it is very obvious. Here she is watching Peyton do this:


The first to arrive.

Church BBQ

On Saturday, we spent the day with the High Priests. Inflatable gladiator arena, meat, and soccer. What a day! I wish I had more photos, but sadly it started raining and I was chasing Sophia. The only photos of her lately are on the move.

On the grass outside of the building, they were grilling meat about a foot off the ground. We all bring our own utensils and drinks to share. To accompany the meat, there was a large lettuce and tomato salad tossed in oil and vinegar. So Argentine. I will miss the steak.



Check out the soccer goal. It is a basketball hoop with a soccer goal for the base. Ingenious. Sophia wanted to play with the big kids too.

Christmas Sunday

It is a shame that we could not get little Sophie to sit still for 2 seconds because she looked so adorable in her black velvet and cream dress. Christmas with a tan is not as traditional as some might like, but I will take summer any time that I can get it. :)

My Heartbreakers

These two melt my heart... especially when they are playing nice.

Pesebre de El Bolson

I have begun to acquire quite a few Nativities since we moved to Argentina, but this is one of my favorites. I found it at an Artisan Fair in El Bolson on Thanksgiving. So simple.

Peninsula Valdes and Punta Tombo Videos

These videos files are too large to upload here and YouTube will mute the tunes, so here are a couple of links to our recent trip. Pictures are coming too...

Peninsula Valdes - Whales

Punta Tombo - Penguins

Reality Check

This week has been a true reality check. Sometimes living as an expats is like living in an "alternate universe" as a friend calls it. You aren't in the States which we know and understand with conveniences not offered throughout the rest of the world and we aren't locals. Living as an expat is also not like living as a missionary, but this needs to be a post of its own. We are afforded benefits overseas and a standard of living that we would not otherwise be able to afford. This is a direct result of free housing and less expensive services.

I often grumble about the difficulties of living overseas (the list can go on and on) and try to absolve the myth that the intrigue of travel and seeing the world is a life of bliss and ease. We have a great life and we are abundantly blessed, but it comes at a cost.

This week I have had a good does of reality and I feel all the more blessed in so many ways. And as strange as this may sound, I realize that I have really matured as a mother since I brought home tiny little Abe 6 years ago. The change of pace has been eye-opening and good for all of us.

Today's Fruit and Veggies

Today I bought this:


plus 2-3 lbs of potatoes and about 1-2 pounds of strawberries

for $82 or $US 21.57.

Not bad.

Photos..

from our 10-day, 3300 mile trip through Patagonia, Argentina are coming. Soon.

It's Birthday Week

I am preparing for the birthday week! 2 parties, 50 kids, 40 moms, 3 cakes, 30 cupcakes, 2 carpools, 1 magician, 3 guinea pigs, 2 inflatables and a whole lot of laughter! Can't wait!

Nan Scott Design Studio

Nan Scott Design Studio is a project that was launched last Thursday after three years of development. Nan Scott, a professional graphic designer and long time personal friend, created a wonderful and simple way to display and preserve your photos with the opportunity to fuse them with blogs and social networking site like Facebook. The video on the front page is a great way to learn more.


Check it out at nanscottdesignstudio.com!

Halloween 2009

Friday we attended the Embassy party where the kids trick-or-treated from office to office. We had a nice time with all of our American friends. Then on Saturday, we celebrated with a friend in her gated-community so that the kids would have more room ro roam. However, it rained, it poured and it never let up! This put quite a damper of trick or treating, but we enjoyed a great time indoors together!

Sophia's 1st Party

We hosted an All-American BBQ, bouncy castle and chocolate fountain to share this special day with close friends. Abe and Peyton were so excited for Sophia. Abe took special care of her in the inflatable and wanted her to like it as much as he does. She sat on all four trying to bounce herself.

I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning finishing her cake and I loved doing it because I knew that she would have fun smearing it everywhere. In the end, all she wanted to do was share it with an outreached arm. It was funny. And then... it didn't settle well. Even Papa's ice cream bars hadn't quite prepared her for the mother load of sugar.

As I sit here flipping through these photos and thinking about the last year, I am overcome with gratitude. My life is full of so many rich blessings, but nothing more important and humbling than my children. I am thankful for this time that I have with them. They are my greatest blessing.

She's One!

It is so cliche, but it is so hard to believe that our baby is 1! With each child, time has passed more quickly and this time I had hoped to drag it on as long as possible.

I have said it time and time again in every form of media, but seriously, Sophia is such an angel. She is so full of love and adventure. She is always exploring, yet is so content and happy. She makes my life so bright. Her smile is electric and she is genuinely elated to see everyone. She will smile, reach out to you and then lay her head on your shoulder. And when I say you, I mean family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike. Really, she is one of the sweetest natured babies that I have ever met.

For her actual birthday, we celebrated as a family. It was perfect.






Apparently, we have our very own live Bedtime Dora... nothing like "bangs a la 3-year-old".

We Are Going on a Picnic

The kids performed in the cutest little production. The Kindergarten put this on for the parents. Abe carried the flag and had a small line. In an Argentine-British accent, he pronounced, "We are Eensects." It was adorable. They danced and sang and I loved it!

And we spent some time in Corvallis too...

Steve's oldest brother's family lives in Corvallis, just 1.5 hours south of my family. This is a great setup because it allows us some "cousin time" when we are in Oregon and frankly, we wouldn't be able to see them more than our Barlow Reunions every two years. We went down twice, and they came up twice. In Portland (sadly there are not photos), we swam, visited OMSI and swam some more. The day that Robyn came up with Sage to tend my kids, they spend 5 hours (?) in the pool.

Even though our kids only see each other a couple of days a year, it is amazing to see the bond that they have. They know that they are family and that is special.


In no particular order, we went to the "Penny Carnival" in 100+ degrees,


Played in the fountains and had lunch at a local bakery,


Had a last-minute pizza picnic in the front yard with Jamba Juice and the slip 'n slide,

And goodbyes are always the worst part...

R&R in Oregon

Our trip to Portland was all about family. The first few days were just for the siblings. My brother, Arne, who lives with his mom in Ottawa, Canada was at the house for our entire trip. :) My sister, Cristi, had two weeks off and her boyfriend, "Nate the Great" works nights. Steve was also with us for this part of the trip.

The first day, we headed to the Portland Zoo:


My mom and Steve only overlapped for two days. We spent the first day at Saturday Market, Downtown Portland and then we took family portraits (I will post them in a later post).


It was 100+ degrees for 2 weeks, which is rare. We spent A LOT of time in the pool. It was just too hot to do much of anything else. :) My mom found this great slide, but the kids kept pulling it into the pool. We finally figured out how to take the slide apart so they could use the tube!

Papa also treated everyone (Sophia too!) to the ice cream man... twice.


Thanks for Robyn and Sage (who came up to the house in Portland), I was able to go to see my sister during BlazerDancer tryouts! It was 6 hours long and the kids would never have been able to sit quietly the entire time. I hadn't seen her dance professionally.

And after weeks of diets getting ready for these tryouts, this was right after she made the team!

We spent an afternoon at the park. Sophia wanted to eat the grass and Peyton found the only 2 spanish-speaking (out of at least 25) 3 year olds to play with.

And just before we left, we spent the day on the river in the boat. We set up camp on the beach and anchored the boat to enjoy the sun! It was one of the best days of the vacation! The kids had a blast!