Parakeets and Arequipa Life

Gordon lovingly bought Betsie 3 parakeets for her 30th birthday! What a kind and thoughtful gift! He knows how I love the sound of birdsong! Susanna named "Kiwi" - the tamest of the birds, and loves holding her. Elisabeth giggled and squirmed when Kiwi climbed up to her shoulder! Susanna was so attentive when we taught her how to hold a bird, she loves any kind of animal. . . Which is why we have a very special surprise planned for her 5th birthday on Thursday, August 5th! Can you guess what?

"Cielo" (Sky) named by Samuel, "Kiwi" named by Susanna, and "Chirpy" our bright yellow chatterbox, named by Elisabeth enjoy their large cage. . . The cage is twice the size of any I ever had when a girl, and cost $6. . . what a blessing!

Guests

We all enjoyed the evening that two families from the church here came and brought their children.

Geronimo, Fortunato and Gordon enjoying lunch meat sandwiches!

Elena and Sandra: the wives of the brothers above, also enjoyed the sandwiches.

We made popcorn balls with the 8 children. . . what fun - and what a mess!

Gordon introduced them to soft pretzels . . . what a variety of creative shapes emerged!

THANK YOU GREAT-GRANDMA HOWE!!!!!! The children had lots of fun painting their pictures that evening! (Everyone is yelling "Gracias!" or "Thank you!")

Daily Life Finds. . .

. . . Isaiah doing his important job of making us all smile with his cheerful grin!

. . . As well as sitting with Papa at the desk - one of his all time favorite "jobs!"

. . . Elisabeth, growing into a young lady, washing dishes without a stool at the sink here in the apartment!

. . .Samuel helping by throwing the dirty laundry down to the washer.

. . . And Sweet Susanna sweeping under the table!

F

A Happy 30th Birthday!

What a wonderful family I have! Gordon asked, "What is the best breakfast you can imagine?" I said, "Waffles with real butter and bacon!" So July 16th, 2010, my 30th birthday, Gordon got up early and cooked waffles for me. It was an extra special treat to have Marta visiting us that week from Arequipa. Gordon at the grill! Elisabeth, Susanna, and the 3 girls with us, all blessed me with cards, poems, mottoes that birthday morning! THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!

We had a very nice week with Marta! She enjoyed learning to make spaghetti sauce with Marie.

We all enjoyed cooking together!

Thanks for coming Marta!!!

That week we also butchered some young pigeons and an old hen. Samuel takes after his Papa!

It was a delicious meal! And lots of fun working together as a family on it.

While Marta was with us we went out for a special Pollo A La Brasa meal - rotisserie chicken. The chicken foot soup they always serve was an extra special treat for Susanna that day, since all 3 youth girls opted to give their pieces of toes and ankle bones to Susanna. She relished each one! Can you tell that it is cold in Velille these days? Brrrrrrr! Chiriwayra! (Marie is taking this picture.)

Here is a shot of our kitchen with the "new wallpaper" that we put up behind the stove.

Well, Susanna sits on my lap and comments as I type - "Why did you put a picture up with none people sitting at the table and in the kitchen. . . are we all outside? Or at church? Oh, I know, it is night time and we are all sitting upstairs in bed listening to Papa read a bed time story. . ." Then, "Mama, should I go up on the roof now and eat a Popsicle or should I go hold Kiwi, (one of our new parakeets -pictures to follow soon!), which one Mama?" Me: "Hmmm, well, why don't you just sit quietly with me while I type?" Susanna: "Mama, that was not an option." Grin! Well, Papa has come home and now she and the other 3 are all sitting up on the roof eating Popsicles!

Hello from Arequipa!

Here are a few glimpses into our July back home in Velille. We are now in Arequipa for a few weeks. Enjoy some varied snapshots! Neighbor Nelly came over one afternoon to ask for help rolling her yarn. Susanna helped her patiently for 20 minutes, then I took over. Nadia returned to Velille a couple of weeks ago with her one month old daughter, Floralet. She loved the blanket, Helena, and the gifts Mom and Lydia - thank you!!

Floralet likes her new blanket!

Sweet dreams~

Isaiah, 17 months old, busies himself with a little scrap of cloth right outside the schoolroom while I teach the others inside.

So interesting. . .

Susanna sits patiently waiting for school to begin with Samuel's kitten on her head! Susanna ever loves animals. . . and can be patient and still for much longer than ususal with a pet to cuddle! "Misti" the kitten has now found a new home. . . kittens are always in demand here, so it is easy to find new homes for them.

Double rainbow in Velille