Happy 1st Birthday Ryan!

 

Birthday bubble bath

 

Mad for Madrid

We’re enjoying our time so far here in Madrid. It’s a bit colder than we expected, but we’ve had fun going to the zoo, the botanical gardens, taking the train to the old city of Toledo, checking out the street markets and, of course, taking advantage of plenty of good eats!  Here are a few pics from the first few days:

               

                                                          Having Thai food…hmmmmm!

Out on the streets with the crowds.

                                     Ryan enjoying a little stroll at the botanical gardens.

Ryan and Dadda

                                        Family pic overlooking the old city of Toledo.

Checking out one of the flea markets.

Mr Monkeyman in front of the Palacio Real.

 

                                                        Momma and her boys.

Ryan sportin’ his gear from the flea market.

                     

                                                 Brothers – no need to say more!

International Day

We went to International Day at Nicholas’ school.  There were about 20 different countries represented and each had a booth for info and food.  We loved the Indian food, and I, of course, loved trying the desserts from several of the countries.  I worked the American booth for awhile where we were serving chili, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies.  The kids were in a parade and did some performances. 

Here we are at the Angolan booth.  Nicholas tried their national fruits’ popsicle and I got some yummy coconut dessert : ) Ryan loved looking at all the people and colors.  Of course he loved the food too…three cookies : ) The Indonesian booth gave me a cool hand fan!!

Nicholas and I enjoyed getting shortbread cookies from the Scottish booth and we picked up some cool trinkets at the England booth.

Happy Halloween

 

We had our Halloween carnival at the complex on Saturday.  It was so much fun!!  Nicholas was a toucan and Ryan was a monkey.  I was sad that I didn’t get to do my usual dress up this year, but our shipment still hasn’t arrived.  I was in charge of the cupcake walk and all the kids had a blast hunting for eyeballs, bowling, picking up spiders, and, of course, eating.  I hear I’m in charge of the carnival next year…yikes!!  But I love Halloween.  Hope you had a fun one!!

Ready for Church

 

 

African Treasures

During our trip to Johannesburg we visited several markets that were selling traditional hand-crafted items. Carrie went around finding the things she liked and then sent me behind to “bargain” for them. She doesn’t like that part.

 

Below is a wooden salad or fruit bowl with Zebras painted on it.

The round thing is a painted ostrich egg. Next to it is a necklace Carrie liked that is made of what looks like to us little acorns strung together with beads.

Our favorite…and perhaps you can quickly tell why. This is carved from stone and represents our family, eternally linked together as one.