Aladdin

Each year the stake (an area combining several congregations) youth leaders organize a cultural event for the teenagers of our church. And it is a BIG deal. Last year each congregation was assigned a country. From there they had to get costumes, music, and choreograph a dance that showed the traditions of the country. This year was a musical theme. Each ward had to choose a musical, do an expert from it involving music, singing, choreography, and scenery. Wow was it a lot of time and preparation for everyone. But it was such a fun opportunity to get to know the kids and see the fruits of their labors. It was great to be a leader for this, and especially good because I was also the mom of one of the kids.

Love these two beautiful young women

These two brothers just got here in June and jumped in head first.  Aladdin (on the right) memorized a song in SPANISH and sang in a duet with Jasmine.  Wow!

 

Accepting the award for best cinematography.

 

Assumption Day

What is Assumption Day you ask?  I had no idea, so I googled it:

"Assumption Day commemorates the belief that when Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, died, her body was not subjected to the usual process of physical decay but was “assumed” into heaven and reunited there with her soul. This holiday, which has been celebrated since the fourth century CE, is a Christianization of an earlier harvest festival and, in many parts of Europe, is known as the Feast of Our Lady of the Harvest."

It is celebrated here on August 15th.  The kids had school off and Mark sort of had it off, too bad we get the Chilean holidays, but those in the US still feel the need to schedule meetings on days Mark has off.  I am pretty sure if Mark scheduled a meeting on the 4th of July, which we don't get off, there would be upheaval in the ranks.  I'm just saying. 

So we had to get our celebrating in before 1pm so we set out on a little trip that is a quintessential Santiago tourist site.  We went to Cerro San Cristobal.  A hill on which you can hike, bike, ride the funicular, see gardens, and get the best views of Santiago.

We rode the funicular (a little train type thing that goes straight up the hill) and took in all the views, saw the giant statue of Mary, and a beautiful little church.  Then we hiked a bit to the Japanese gardens, which was fun, though we have to return in the summer for sure. 

 This is a picture of what will be the tallest building in Chile once it is complete.  It has been interesting watching in go up and start to take shape.

Home Again Home Again

Hello you just returned from traveling nearly 24 hours with no sleep and jet lag and you have no heat in the middle of winter.  Oh and it will be three nights before you get it back.  Yeah!  Thank goodness for our wood burning stove in Mark and I's room.  And a lot of room to drag in all the mattresses. 

Ham Fam Reunion

Mark's family loaded up and headed up to the mountains of Oregon for a three day reunion.  It was wonderful.  We stayed at a cabin (really a huge house) and for three days were technology free (most of our cell phones didn't even get reception), great weather, and family full days.  We all played, hiked, had a campfire, ate (a lot), and caught up on our busy lives.  It was really a good chance for the cousins - all 18 of them to bond and enjoy one another.  I feel blessed to love to be with my in-laws.  I am in love with this place that we went.  We have gone there once before and always good memories are made. There were water balloon launchers, throwing rocks in the pond, frog collecting, geo-caching, hikes, baseball, s'mores, and lots of laughter.  We had almost everyone with us(missed those two who had to do that work thing), which is amazing as big as the family now is. 

Watching the water balloon after they launched it.

Fun with cousins

Mark and his younger sister

These three are all the same age and really enjoyed being together.

 

 

 All 18 grandkids together.  I love this picture.  Thinking of them all together makes me happy.

 Searching for one of the geo-caching treasures.

 I had to post this (though Dallin may not appreciate it).  Dallin 's underwear were poking out and his cousin took advantage of the opportunity.

 We spent one afternoon at a beautiful lake nearby.  The water was very cold, but most of the cousins braved the cold.

The cousins spend about 20 or 30 minutes "hearding" all these ducks.  It made for some funny moments.

 My nephew thought it might be funny to put a dead fish in his mom's face.  Not sure she thought it was quite as funny, but laugh we all did.

Our view.  It was beautiful.  Our whole trip from Colorado to Oregon provided some beautiful scenery.  God's creations are awe inspiring.  Until next year...

Oregon Part Uno

When we got to Oregon we had several days of playing with some cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents until we all met up in the mountains for our family reunion.  We went to a 24th of July picnic ( a celebration of the LDS pioneers) with Mark's parents and sister's family.  Mostly we did what we do best chit chat and eat while the kids played together. 

I am the photographer of the family.  However about every third outing Mark will take the camera for a while and always he takes a picture of me solo.  Just to prove I actually attend the family functions.  It kind of makes me laugh.  I always give him this smile of, is that really necessary?

A lot of this occurred with cousin Ryan.  He is such a good sport and wrestles til the kids are exhausted. 

Visiting Great Grandma Last

These two cousins had such a good time together. 

A little love tap - driving in Chile

So about Chile and driving.  The drivers here are very good compared to the rest of South America, let's preface with that.  But not what you would say is the USA standard of driving.  So there are the things like motorcycles can go anywhere at any time.  They don't wait they go between cars or go on the sidewalks.  As do cars that are in a real hurry.  Speed limits and lanes are optional.  The painted lanes are suggestions only, and half the time the paint is either faded or in the wrong place.  If you let someone in as a courtesy, they are often surprised.  And if you want to park you just stop and turn on your hazards...any where you want to.  The lanes are narrow and parking spaces are small.  Having said this when I was in the States last month I realized that I was an aggressive driver who speeds now that I drive here.  Also we rented a Suburban and I found even with the big car I thought the parking spaces were HUGE. 
So a little story to go with my commentary.  A few nights ago while in traffic at a red light the person behind us gave us a little love tap from the back.  Not enough to get hurt, but enough that we definitely felt it.  We looked out the back and see that there is a police car right behind the woman who hit us (the police always have their lights flashing when driving, only when you hear the sirens do you worry).  The police honk and go around us.  Because you see the light had turned green by this point and we were in the way.  Seriously?!!!!?!!!!  I could say I was surprised, but really I am not.  Oh and by the way, no damage done to the car and all was well.  Although the lady did say to Mark when he went to her window, "I stopped in time."  Really lady? 

An intermission in Utah

On our way to Oregon we made a stop in Utah. We visited with two of Mark's siblings and their families. We also went to the BYU campus and made a few hours stop west of SLC to visit one of my very best friends in the world.

We went to a trampoline jump house with cousins and the kids loved it. They jumped, flipped, and played dodge ball nonstop for two hours.

I am so sad because we took some cute pics at BYU and one of me and my friend, but they didn't come out for some reason.  Oh well, good thing we have amazing memories even without pics.