Hats, store and unexpected fun

Karis is quite crafty and for Christmas she got a hat kit.  She has been working on it diligently and finally finished it after a couple of days.  

Characters at the mall...

 Pretend store to end the night…fun had by all!

 Legos with friends!

Lucy remains our comedian at meals!

Dinner out with the family!

As we were sitting at dinner one of friends came in and said I will be back in 10 minutes to pick you up.  He took us to the local professional stadium which we had never been to before.  Such a cool experience!

Lunch date with my girl!

Basketball practice fun!

Gorgeous reminder of God's love for these people and of His faithfulness!

A friend from another city brought us some Krispy Kremes….soooooo good!

Lucy's last day of semester party and Karis' last day of public school

At the end of each semester here the kids here get a "report card" and Lucy's kindergarten class had a little party to say goodbye to her teacher who won't be coming back after the break.  It was an eye opener to see all the kids in action and Lucy playing and interacting with all of her friends.

We loved her teacher and hope we get a great one next semester too!

Also we made the tough decision not to send Karis back to public school after the semester break.  It was a tough decision but one we needed to make.  She is excited and mom is too!

Phone dump….

Wow I know it's been a while.  The amount of pics is overwhelming and I so need to do a better job.  But life has a way of keeping us busy and I end up playing catch up most days.

We feel so loved with packages, especially around the holidays.  So thankful for those that choose to love on us…it is such a blessing!!!

Lucy's artwork hanging up at school….

Our fellowship sent us a fun package for the kids…they LOVED it!

Lucy loves Gul!!!

My brothers have started a company to support kids in Guatemala get an education.   Support them at Generationwatches.com!

Our Thanksgiving package from a friend.  Thanks Melinda!

We went to a friends' house for dinner and she fixed quite the spread. 

Lucy and Zeynep!

More package love!

Date night…dinner and a movie!

Local sightings...

Brayden having fun at a harvest party….

The pro basketball players with the kids…so fun!

Lucy got to spend a day with Gul at her house recently…she was so excited!

A friend taught us how to make sushi!

We spent a weekend decorating for Thanksgiving…it was fun!

A local tradition here is this….it's a soup called "Noah's soup."  It is a concoction representing all the things that might have been left after the flood.  There was all kinds of things in there including pomegranate, nuts, corn, cinnamon and spices, beans etc.  It was interesting.  We got it from several of our neighbors!

Brayden surprised the girls with cotton candy that he bought with his own money at school.  He really is so thoughtful!

Bike rides!

Prior to losing teeth…she has lost her bottom 2 middle teeth in the last 2 weeks or so.

Shopping day with Karis…making memories!

Chai with the ladies!

Brayden was excited about his sleepover!

Jay made us sushi….so good!

Boys day playing football….

Brayden's first day of basketball….

Dinner with some friends….

My sweet mom "Lolli" sent us a Christmas package with decorations  from America to put on our tree. I just about cried when we got it!!!  Thanks MOM!

Our sweet friends sent us a "craft" package so that we craft it up for the holidays.  We were so excited to get them and get started!

Also my mom sent us a box of sweet potatoes……Yah!!!

Karis making us some homemade hot chocolate!

Lost tooth number TWO!