Sidewalk Chalk Art

And More Sister Fun!

Blowing bubbles


Fun on the playground


Sidewalk chalk art


Sister love!

Sister Fun

Oh the things that can be done with a huge old sheet!


Playing house


Reading books


Love and snuggles


'Helping' in the kitchen

The Beauty of God's Creation...

Growing up in Africa, I was exposed to a first-hand view of some of God's most creative masterpieces... both in landscape, in people, and in wildlife. We visited various game reserves countless times, and always enjoyed the variety of wildlife in its natural habitat. As a teenager however, I remember feeling... how shall I say?? Hmmm... perhaps 'slightly condescending' would be best - towards my parents as they took up the hobby of bird-watching. After 20 years in Kenya, my parents had seen it all - wildlife wise. But there were countless species of birds that they hadn't even begun to discover. My siblings and I were bored, on the other hand, when we would go 'on safari' and sit for 20 minutes in the car attempting to identify an illusive new bird. We wanted to see the 'big game'. I never thought I would get to the point where I enjoyed bird watching. But I'm there! You grow more and more like your parents with age :) Living here in Bolivia, we may not have the extreme variety of wildlife that Africa flaunts - but floral and fauna there are in abundance - as well as birds. I have enjoyed getting to know the birds that live around our house - they have become friends - I have learned their calls. I don't have a bird book - so I have no idea what their scientific names are, but I sure enjoy watching and listening to them. Here are some very amature pictures of some of them - it's very hard to get good pictures of birds!


This pretty yellow bird is one of my favorites.


This pair of hawks made their home near our house a couple months ago.


These rather nondescript rusty orange birds spent 2 weeks constructing this mud nest. They also have a very loud obnoxious call (sounds something like a kookabura - did I spell that right? ).

And I tried to no avail to get a picture of the loud green parrots that live in the olive trees behind our house. Oh, well.

Play till you Drop

This is how I found Eliana the other day about 10 in the morning. She was playing; I was working...

Language Blooper

You would think that after 3 years in a country, your language bloopers wouldn't be so blatant! The other day we were chit-chatting before our ladies prayer time about hair styles. I was sharing with the other ladies how I am thinking of getting my hair cut in May when I go back to the States and donating to Locks of Love. I was trying to explain that you have to get at least 10 inches (pulgadas) cut off, but used the word 'pulgas' (fleas!) instead! Oh, my!

Roland and Carol's Visit

We enjoyed a visit last week from Roland and Carol Bowen, members of the missions committee from our sponsoring congregation and ex-missionaries to Chile. We enjoyed having them as always. They spent several days with each family and one day with the whole team talking about raising families on the mission field. A couple of the the days they were with us were holidays. We took advantage of that fact and headed out for a day trip to try something new. That always involves an element of risk and adventure in Bolivia, because you never know if something is going to be great or an absolute bomb. Thankfully, this time it was wonderful. We drove about 30k to a place called La Cabana. They had beautiful spacious lawns with eucalyptis trees, a colonial type building, soccer/volleyball/ping-pong/tennis, a thermal pool fed by hot springs, a playground, a wonderful 4 course lunch (served on time!), a pond with a zip-line and boat, a suspension bridge across a river to an abandoned train track. And although we didn't spend the night, they have rooms available as well. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thanks to the Bowens for being willing to explore with us.

The pool was fabulous - bathtub hot water - you had to wear these bathing caps, but at least you know they care about cleanliness.


Eliana in front of the suspension bridge - it was a little scary going across, especially when you got to a broken board in the middle!


Beautiful grounds!


Rowboat ride with dad


In the tree house - it would be a great place for bird watching, Mom and Dad!


Josh on the zip line


We enjoyed our time with Roland and Carol!