July 4 2014

It was a special celebration for our family this year.  We have loved Chile so much.  It has also taught us that the USA is an amazing place to live.  Scout Camp actually didn't end until early Saturday morning, but the boys came home a bit early from camp - Friday afternoon - so that we could be together for the celebration.

We started our morning at the Urbandale Fourth of July 5km and 1 mile kid run.  It was fun to be a part of a city celebration!

 That's me to the right with the pink shirt starting the 5km.

 Drew and the kid one mile.

And Easton in the tot trot!

 A little USA treat we have missed while gone!

 We spent the afternoon and evening with our wonderful friends the Karras' and a couple of other families.

 After the BBQ at the house we headed to the club that our friends are in and had a little fun at a carnival and watching the much missed fireworks - all together!  

 Check out this boy!  That is a scream of joy!

And the grand finale of our night!  Lots of friends, blankets on the grass, glow sticks, glow in the dark balloons, and lots of beautiful fireworks.  

A Chile Thing

The day that we left Chile was a big day - World Cup game Chile vs Spain.  School even got out an hour early so everyone could get home to watch the game.  Well, we picked the kids up from school and then had a couple of hours before we had to be at the airport - perfect timing because the game was just the right time to fill that gap.  So we went to a restaurant with Mark's office to watch the game with all of Chile doing the same thing at homes, offices, and restaurants around the country.  Chile pretty much stopped for a couple of hours.  It was the perfect send off and especially because they won.  

We got some great videos of men up on bars dancing in celebration!  It was wild and crazy and so much fun!

Welcome Back!

     

 We arrived back to Iowa on Monday June 23 and hit the ground running!  There was a lot to do and get ready for.  We had service calls, rental furniture to arrive, medical appointments, and don't forget Costco and Target!!!  It was a bit overwhelming to see our home after 2 years and 8 months.  Mark had been to Iowa several times while we were in Chile and then of course he arrived back 2 1/2 months prior to our return.  But I and the boys hadn't been back since the day we left.  There were new things to see and things that looked exactly the same.  And it felt different because even though it was all the same, we are all very different from when we left.  It has made getting settled a slow process, but a good process.  

     We kicked it into high gear and sent Mason off to Youth Conference (a three day activity for the 14-18 year old youth at our church).  Then he had a day home and we sent Mason and Dallin off to Scout Camp.  It was hard on them, but also the best thing we could have done.  Those boys have thrived and are really enjoying being back.  We were able to visit them for parent night while they were there.

More of our stop over in Utah

In our three day stop (in June) in Utah we got to see Temple Square and spend time with Mark's family.  Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton travelled from Oregon to be there and welcome us home to the US.

 There was some Fifa fever going on with the cousins while we were there!

 And we got to see cousin Casey play ball!

Reunited!

On our way home from Sanitago to Des Moines we made a little stop in Utah to visit family and friends.  We were able to spend the day with our great friends the Lambert's.  It was so nice to visit with them.  Everyone was so happy to see each other!  The Lambert family are a big part of our Chile experience.  We emailed their family before we even came in 2011 with questions regarding life in Santiago and it helped to seal our deal to come down to Chile.  We spent a lot of time with the Lambert's with all our kids being so close in age.  It was hard to see them go from Chile in June 2013, but the beauty of it all is that they live in Salt Lake and with our yearly trips out to Utah we get to see them.   

 Chilling after lunch.

 Mark investigates the sprinkler system.  He just can't resist.

 I took three pictures…at least one is looking in this pic!  Love these boys, they could barely stop from playing.

Party at Jardin

The gringa moms planned a little party for the gringo boys to say goodbye to jardin.  It was a nice way for the boys to be able to end there Rainbow experience.  It was such a good place for Easton.  He had loving teachers over the nearly three years and wonderful friends to share his weekday mornings with.  It was a great experience for Easton and I am so happy he was able to attend Rainbow School.

The teachers and class had made the cutest poster for each of the boys.  Each child had drawn a picture of themselves and then said a comment about the particular boy.  This is Miss Lucia presenting Easton with his.

 Eating cupcakes and popcorn.

 Miss Lucia

 Miss Josephina

Let's do Lunch

Thank you my friends!

 OK, so this was a dinner.  And it was a couple of months ago, but I love these ladies, and this is the picture I have, so go with it. 

A few weeks before the end of school we had a holiday so Kristy got a whole bunch of Mormons together to do lunch!  It was a fun afternoon.

 Celebrating Kristy's birthday was so much fun!  We acted and sang and laughed and laughed and laughed.  This was at the hotel one of our last nights.

 A lunch hosted by Missy and Karen.  It was such a treat!

 Tracey, -, Kristy, Karen, Missy, me, Grace, Teri.

-, Kiersten.

Our last Mormon gringa lunch.  We did birthdays and "it's been too long" lunches.  The faces have changed over the years, but the joy of friendship has not.
Left from front: Nicci, Anne, Britany, Gaby
Right from front: Me, Keri, Julie, Kristy, Karen, Tiffany