Algarrobo

The first weekend in February Mark took a day off and we made a long weekend to spend at the beaches of Algarrobo. We stayed at the San Alfonso del Mar Resort, which is home to the world's largest pool. It is about half a mile long. Dallin is really into Guiness World Book of Records and he had read about this pool. So not only was it a beautiful place, but it checked off "a to do before I die" for Dallin :-).

It was fairly cool there. So even though it was over 90 and cloudless in Santiago, it was cloudy and cool the first day we got there. Thankfully by 3pm the clouds had all burned off and we were able to spend a great deal of time at the huge pool. The second day we spent most of the time on the beach since it was much warmer.

Travel here in Chile can sometimes be questionable, but this trip went smoothly and was so good for our family. Mark's time here in Chile has been very full. He is working so many hours and traveling a great deal. He also got called to be in the bishopric of our church (which is all unpaid and done voluntarily). Needless to say we were very greatful to have a few days with no distractions, loads of fun, and good quality time.

Rodent of Unusual Size

Enough Said!

Turning Seven in Santiago

Happy Birthday to our sweet boy! Drew had his seventh birthday last month and we celebrated by going to a market to buy some Chilean birthday gifts he had requested. Then we headed to Buin Zoo just south of Santiago. We weren't sure what to expect, but it was a wonderful zoo. We were quite surprised by how big and well maintained it was. Plus we saw some animals we have never seen before, so that was very interesting. We finished off by going to Johnny Rockets (a hamburger place that is from the western United States - hamburgers, milkshakes, diner place). It was a good weekend to celebrate an amazing boy.

Drew has not only gained a whole lot of height, but a fun sense of humor. He makes me laugh and smile. And he still loves to give hugs and loves. Drew has become our little fish. He goes out into the pool almost every day (even if he has no one else to join him). Drew loves to be outside and has a great imagination. He will make forts whenever he feels compelled to get a way from it all. A blanket over his head, some books and toys, and he is in his own little world. Drew is an amazing helper and has a quiet way of doing things for others. Drew notices the little things and can remember and recall all sorts of information. I am blessed to be his mom.

Plants vs Zombies - always makes Drew smile..."Brains."


This is a self portrait. The first time it was viewed by Mark and then by me, we both stopped for a moment to question if this was Drew or Mason. It is Drew, he took several of himself eating cake...but it is very much like his older brother.

Thirty Five

Last month I turned 35. It was a lonely day for me. Mark was out of town and I found myself in a country that I felt very uncomfortable in. I thought much about the years I have under my belt and concluded that I had earned every one of those years. I wondered if I was bothered by getting older and concluded, at least at this point I am happy to call myself closer to 40 than 30. We celebrated a week and a half after the fact, but it was a fun night to be with the kiddies and my hubbie who I had missed dearly. In a post soon I will write about the day to day here in Chile. I have struggled and found myself in depression, but I am finding that as time goes on crawling out of bed is getting easier and I am having more good days than bad. Learning the language is becoming a road to freedom that I am glad to be on (even if I am going very slowly).