Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Vacation at Lago Angostura

 This month our family, minus Emily :(Explanation later), was able to get away together for a three day vacation to Lago Angostura, a lake about an hour out of Cochabamba. We rented a small cabin that a missionary group owns. The cabin was small, cozy and very well equipped with both kitchen stuff and things like soccer and volleyballs. We had fun playing games, reading, playing music, taking a nice long hike one day, collecting firewood for our fireplace, as well as eating good food and taking in the beautiful scenery by the lake. We came away from our time much refreshed and our "country souls" were filled to the brim!
The reason Emily wasn't with us was because she was visiting family in the U.S. for three weeks. It wasn't the same without her for sure! I am hoping she will eventually do a blog for you all about her time in the States. The way time flies it may be awhile before she gets around to it!
Our Cozy Cabin

Rudi and Myles enjoying some time "jamming" together!
 We actually headed out to the lake the day of Clara's birthday. Clancy and Myles had made her a balloon powered boat for their birthday gift. The children had hours of fun floating it on the lake.
Clancy and the girls "sailing" the balloon boat!

Snuggle time!




 One of the highlights of the cabin for all of us was the wood burning fireplace. We all enjoyed waking up to the crackling fire that Rudi had started for us. We also ended each day with an evening fire!
Everyone back from a firewood foraging trip!
Clancy and Clara getting the fire going!
Toasting food (anything that was toastable!) on the fire! Yumm!


Ruth and Paula "Tea Party Time"

 Clara knows how to make herself comfortable. She and the other children loved this cozy nook by the fireplace.
Clara drawing pictures with her new birthday art supplies!
 And as much as I hate posting my picture on this blog... I wanted to show that I was there too! Not my finest picture moment, but hey we were relaxing!
Carla, doing what moms do best....dishes!
 I had done a lot of cooking ahead and froze a few casseroles and such, so cooking was easy and relaxed and we ate like kings!!
Chow time!
 Clara wasn't able to have her cake the day of her birthday, because she was running a fever and had a stomach ache. We celebrated the day after with her cake. This is still not the time she face planted...promise that blog is coming...
Nine Candles for the Birthday Girl

Daddy and Paulita "Cake Time" (Man, that guys a hunk!)
One day we all came out for a drive around the lake and the tire was flat. Myles is sure getting good at changing tires. He actually seems to enjoy it!
Tire changing guru, Myles!

We had a variety of weather from sunshine to showers out on the lake. It was so relaxing to watch all that nature before our eyes. Rudi snapped this beautiful sunset shot the last night we were there.
Sunset over Lago Angostura
We are looking forward to a soon return to the cabin at Lago Angostura!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Happy Birthday, Clara

 Wow, February has really gotten away from me without many posts on this blog. I hope to remedy that in the near future...
Towards the beginning of February was Clara's 9th birthday. We celebrated in the morning with a birthday breakfast and gifts. The cake face plant came later...about two weeks later, but I will do a blog about that in the future.
Clara the birthday girl.... NINE years old
 One of the favorite gifts was an umbrella, used rain or shine, here in Cochabamba!
Paula, Clara, and Ruth "Getting out of the Rain"
 I really like this picture of Rudi with A.
Rudi with A. "Birthday Guests"
Clara putting on her new watch!
Clara's favorite gift was a watch I got her from La Concha. She kept reminding me that she wanted a watch in the weeks leading up to her birthday. She didn't know that it was already bought and waiting for her in my room. It is handy for her to have a watch, so I can ask her what time it is when we are out on the town!
We are so blessed by our fourth child and second daughter, Clara Grace. She is always ready to lend a helping hand with anything. She also misses the babies the most when we happen to be away from them. We are excited to see what the year holds for our sweet "9" year old! Happy birthday, Clara!

Sunday, February 2, 2014

School Days...

The Capilla
We have been super blessed that our landlords have allowed us to use the chapel next door to our house for our schoolhouse. The Scoggins use the chapel for Horita Feliz every Saturday afternoon and special occasions, so that leaves weekdays free for us to use it. It has made all the difference being able to get out of the busy house and have a place to concentrate.
Clancy and Myles "At School"
Rudi and I both work with the children most mornings. I focus on Ruth and Paula mostly and Rudi works with the older kids. We sometimes will fill in for each other if one of us has to be gone in the morning.

Ruth is learning to read!
Ruth is up and reading quite well now. Paula expressed an interest in reading as well. She is only four, but is coming right along! School is one of my most favorite parts of the day. I love seeing stuff come alive for my kids!
Myself with Ruth and Paula
We are super thankful for our "school building". We try to leave it nice for the weekends by taking all of our books and junk back home. Rudi also helps out by washing the windows before special weekends!
Strike a pose, Paula!
Thank you, Scoggins, for allowing us to use your beautiful building!