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).

Christmas Eve and a New Tradition

Christmas Eve after Christmas - blogging out of order, I know...oh well. Weeks before Christmas Dallin and Drew made posters for a talent show we would have at 4pm on December 24th. There were also sign up sheets. And as they prodded us, we all signed up to share our talents. And it was so much fun. We all loved it, and will continue the tradition. Thank you to Dallin and Drew who planned it, made the programs, and were the MCs! It was the perfect way to really bring the spirit of family into our celebration. We started by land and ended by sea.

After the talent show, we had a dinner of empanadas, a Christmas program that Mason produced and directed, and then watched the Nativity and Mr. Krueger's Christmas (some of our traditions). We finished with a treasure hunt and putting out cookies for Santa. It was an incredible evening that is making me smile as I remember and type about it.

Some shepards and their sheep.

Christmas and Other Stories

So I know that I am way behind and that the New Year is here and the first month nearly behind us, but it is what it is and I am going to put up some pics for posterity sake. Christmas was quiet and wonderful. Because it fell on a Sunday, our schedule was a bit different, but very enjoyable (mostly, except for the part that two of us succombed to the stomach flu).

We woke up. did stockings, and then had a very nice breakfast of crepes, nutella, and lots of fresh fruit. We then got ready for church and headed out for a short service. Mark had to stay after to do some things at church, it was a very long wait for all of us (even me) who were anticipated gift opening (or watching children's faces as they opened the gifts). But it all came together and Christmas gifts were opened with bright, smiling faces. I love seeing there eyes light up, so much fun as the parent. We videoed the whole thing, but for some reason only took three photos. Dallin was there, despite my failure as a parent to photo document it as I should have.
We were leaving to have Christmas dinner at a friend's home, but literally on the way out Easton came down with the stomach flu. So I and the three older boys went to dinner while Mark and the sicky rested at home. Unfortantely Easton was not the only one, because it hit me pretty hard in the middle of the night. There would be two more to get the bug, but not for 4-5 days later. Share and share alike, right?

Anyways...we survived and headed to the beach the day after Christmas (where we went was almost two hours, so I rested on the way there and by noon was pretty much good to go). It was a perfect beach day - gorgeous with a nice breeze. We also took a short drive up the coast past the beach to see the scenery. The water here is COLD. You don't really stay out and swim in it, you wade and play and enjoy.

This is Vina del Mar, just south of the beach we went to. And below you see Mason standing on a landing with Vina in the background.

Early Christmas Present

This present arrived in the form of a giant container and a crew of moving men. We did not expect our container to arrive until a couple of weeks after Christmas...we were thrilled when it arrived on December 20th! We only waited 6 weeks! It was an enormous Christmas gift that made things seem like home in quick fashion. We were especially excited to see the tree. We did not have many decorations up other than stockings that had arrived in our small shipment a month eariler, so this was perfect. We found the tree and with much energy, we found most of the ornaments. So on Wednesday December 21st we put up the tree (and very late at night I might add). But it was perfect and the kids were thrilled.

Our "normal" traditions were worked in all through the month of December, some in different manners than we have in the past. But it all worked and we learned about being flexible. And being happy in doing things differently.


Dallin is holding our "before" tree and next to him is the "after" tree.

The day our shipment came was also Mark and I's 14th wedding anniversary! I just have to say how amazing the man I married is. I love that we laugh and that we love being together always. I am blessed each day to have meet and married Mark. For eternity.

Christmas Spirit

A couple of Sundays before Christmas we made our way down to the LDS Santiago temple. There was a tent full of pictures of Christ and His life, nativities from all over the world, and good music. We wandered the grounds, looked at the art, and listened to a little music. It was a nice time spent with my family, remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Santa Lucia

Right in the middle of Santiago, amoung the skyscrappers and millions of people is a large hill. It just kind of pops out of the flat land around it. On this tall hill is an old fortress used by the Spanish. It also has beautiful fountains and bulidings that were built into it sometime in the 1800's. It is beauitful and gives quite the view at the top. We walked to the top and stopped to see all of the statues, fountains, and lookouts. The boys also counted stairs - because there were hundreds of those.

Across the street from the hill is the Santa Lucia market. It has all sorts of Chilean trinkets, clothing, and atmosphere. It is a fun place to pick up souvenirs. We took the boys over after our little hike and they were able to buy Christmas presents for eachother. I love the Santa Lucia market, and the kids loved it too. Plus when you cross the street from the hill to the market, you actually go under the street by going down into the metro station and then up on the other side. They liked that!

December 17, 2011