Blue Cougs n Ham: June 2014

Monday, June 30, 2014

Father's Day at Jardin 2014

Mark got home just in time to go to the Father's Day presentation at jardin (preschool). They had a wonderful time together. The kids presented, they crafted together, and then they got to play! Easton was all smiles with daddy. He was so worried daddy wouldn't make it. They do these things in the different classes all week long and guess what Easton's class was on Friday - the only day Mark could make it. A tender mercy for Mark and Easton to be able to share this together.

8th grade Graduation

We had one excited 14 year old at the end of 8th grade. It meant a ceremony and a very nice grad party. This 8th grade graduation was the whole shebang! It was very nicely done and I loved watching Mason, I think he really enjoyed it all. The party was that night and they were all dressed up, but sadly it wasn't for parents so I have no pictures of it. But he made great memories and really enjoyed it. I am so proud of Mason, this was such a great moment. And the trumpet playing too!

Greg, Colin, RJ, and Mason

Mason and Rudy

Mason and Ali

More last week

Get together lunch at the Berryhill's! Hosted by Julie and Teri. The blessing of great friends is loving being together!

Nothing says goodbye like a good ol' dog pile. And just to be clear, I am in this photo, just under Julie and Karen. Karen keeps us all on our toes!

The last week

The last week in Santiago was full! There are so many things to post so I will do a little at a time.

Presentations at school. IDU (inter-disciplinary unit) ruled the last couple of weeks for Dallin and Mason. They are all encompassing projects done in groups. Both of my boys did really well. I was proud of the work they did.

6th grade music concert. Singing and playing the trumpet! This was such a fun event to attend of Dallin's. I love his enthusiasm for learning and participating at school.

There was snow! We hadn't seen any snow in Santiago in our years there until our last week. In the mountains, but not at our house. It was pretty exciting.

There was lots of eating out. Jack came with us one night as we watched the futbol game. It was so much fun watching it in Bellavista! Chi-Chi-Chi-le-le-le! Viva Chile! And they won, it was a party in Santiago that night!

Our last check of the house.

The hotel got old really fast, so we spent some time running around the park to get some energy out.

Our sweet nana and friend Teresa took us out to eat at a Peruvian restaurant in Centro. It was so good! And look at all the food. Teresa became a big part of our world as our nana. I learned a lot about Chile and Spanish from Teresa.

Lots of goodbyes at church. I visiting taught Daniela and loved doing it.

Growing up in Santiago

For Easton, Santiago was home. The memories of Iowa had faded by the time we left. Santiago was our house, preschool, mountains, and buddies. This past week he has missed the boys that have made up his life so far.

E, Noah, and Thomas. Thomas was in Santiago the first year and a half. We were so sad to see them go. We sure are glad there are times to see them again though.

E and Jayen. This cute photo was taken on Easter Island. Our families were there at the same time.

E and Noah. It was so amazing having the Swain's as neighbors. Best ever!

Noah, E, and Luke.

And don't forget jardin and those gringo boys!

Oh those sweet, crazy smiles!

Stories to Share

I wanted a little space to share funny everyday happenings. So this is it ---

Dec. 3, '11 -- John Deere Water Chile had invited the John Deere Financial Chile employees and families to join them for their Holiday celebration. We traveled to the event which was about a 45 minute drive to a place we had never been to before. We took several detours prior to arriving and it was this day that Easton began to say "RECALCULATING". Sounds funny come from him instead of from Hailey, which is the name of the female voice on the GPS.

Nov. 14, '11 -- After arriving in Santiago and a long flight on Sunday, we were trying to get settled in our new home. We went to the grocery store to get the necessities and upon our return Easton declared the following. "I am not getting out of the car. this is not my house."

Sep. 21, '08 -- Then tonight we sat down and Mason announced that Mark needed to be president so that he could get all the candy he wanted for free. Priorities, priorities, priorities.

Aug. 12, '08 -- Yesterday I was doing laundry, seperating the clothes, and as I was checking pockets I pulled out a little stone from Drew's pants. This is one of my favorite things to pull out of my kids pants. I am always amazed and awed by my children. They find happiness in the things that I pass by everyday and fail to notice. The little things in life count and as I pull those rocks out of my kids pockets I am reminded just how much joy there is to find in this life. Thank you to my children and the inspiration they give me!

Jun. 19, '08 -- So I was upstairs and I heard Dallin and Drew go out into the garage. I went out there and they were playing in the car. I told them to get out and come inside. I then proceeded to tell them that the car was not a toy and to not go out there and play. Dallin looks at me and says, " Mom, it's a "TOY"ota Sienna, with a huge emphasis on the toy part. Really, a six year old should not be able to come up with that kind of comeback. I just laughed....

You had to have seen the Disney movie Cars to really appreciate this. So I'm running into the grocery store with the kids and as I am about to go inside Dallin and Drew stop and start pointing to something, while jumping up and down, laughing, and screaming "Fred! Mom it's Fred! Fred!" A couple of seconds later this large Ford Bronco that obviously weathered MANY Iowa winters and salt on the roads drives by. It is rusted all over, the place above the wheels no longer exists due to all the rust eating it away. The men in the Bronco had their windows down and just waved at the boys. I'm not sure they had any idea why my kids were so excited to see their car. I just laughed out loud! (Fred happens to be an extremely rusty car that is one of the main character's fans)