Tonight, Nandry was in her first school performance. The second grade dressed up like they were 50 years older and sang a few songs for the parents. Nandry liked her "old lady" outfit we got at the thrift store, and Grandma accessorized with a brooch, belt, heels and matching purse! Only things missing are the granny glasses and some bright red "is-it-on-straight?" lipstick.








Nandry was whooping it up at the after program party, gettin' down Granny style.















And here, Nandry is getting driven home after one to many cups of Koolaid. Glad she's not behind the wheel!

Feeling Thankful...and Needing to Blog More

We are so thankful that we get to be together as a family and experience so many good times this year we are are home in the US. We are so thankful that we live next door to Nathan's parents and Granny. It truly has been a blessing to be so close (yet have our own space) and that the kids are getting to know their grandparents and great-grandmother, and they know they can always go next door for a snack and a hug. I think this picture is of the dinner when Asher went up to Granny and said, "what is your name again?" and then proceeded to tell her that he could scare the hiccups out of her if she wanted.

Next week we get to travel to PA and spend time with the Cranes. We are so excited about that too! It's hardly ever just the 3 of them while we are in PA...they are constantly in the company of 3 to 6 cousins, all around the same ages. It's fun and extremely LOUD. I know that the kids, especially Boaz, miss all the freedom they had in Cameroon to run around outside from sunup to sundown (minus the 30min of "school" Boaz would hurry his way through) with the Abbott kids all of their village friends. But, they sure are getting loved on and spoiled by all of our family here. We have much to be thankful for!

The day before on the way to school Nathan was telling the kids that it was going to keep getting colder and one of these days soon there would even be frost on the ground, like little icicles on the grass and that if they stepped on the grass it would crunch under their feet. So then this morning (it was last Friday) Nandry saw the frost on the ground and said "can we please, please, please go walk on it and feel it crunch under our feet?"

Notice Asher and his tolerance for the cold. It's just unbelievable. He comes home from pre-school and takes off all his clothes except his undies while he has lunch and watches a little TV. You wouldn't believe he's only spent a year of his life in North America.

Remembering Life in the Village

Last Chance for the Beach

Yesterday was an incredible day! We couldn't believe how beautiful the weather was, and how warm it had gotten again. We decided to take advantage of the afternoon, after the kids got home from school.

So, we hopped in the car and headed to our favorite place in Virginia!

Our good friend annA was there waiting, letting us park for free by her apartment, and showed us the best spot on the beach.

We had the best time, ever!!!

Last Chance for the Beach, Part 2

We enjoyed running on the beach and sitting in the sun, as well as watching the birds do tricks in the air and watching the jets fly into the base.

We did a little groovin' and playing frisbee.

And we even attempted to ride the big waves in the chilly water.

Capturing the Perfect Shot

Anyone have tips for taking a family photo without making threats on your children's lives? We desperately need to update our prayer card...but we are having much trouble getting a good photo.

Do you know how hard it is to get all 5 of us looking the same direction with a halfway normal expression on all 5 faces?

We might resort to a photo of just Nathan and I and put a *** on the prayer card with a footnote saying "***by the way, we have 3 kids".

Incarcerated

Asher wouldn't believe us when we told him there were consequences for taking a cookie without asking...then Officer Lester showed up! He dropped by on Saturday while we were having a picnic lunch with my family in PA. We all got that tense "uh-oh, what's this about?" feeling when he pulled up the driveway and "blipped" his siren. It turned out to be my parent's friend who has been riding in their township for the past few months, just stopping by to say hello. So we took the opportunity to get some good your-going-to-jail photos. Nandry would not get in the group picture below...all the kids were a bit intimidated when Officer Lester first got there. Oh, and our kids are finally saying "police" now instead of "gendarmes".

On Display

This weekend we are participating in a mission conference at EBBC in PA. Last night they had an international potluck dinner with lots of yummy food and all the missionaries did a short presentation afterwards. Nathan and I set up a mongulu (Baka leaf hut) in one of their classrooms and invited people in for a visit to the rainforest. I know that our kids enjoyed playing in the mongulu, and I hope that the hut made a lasting impression on everyone that came...even if it's just made of PVC and fabric leaves. Thanks EBBC for hosting us and feeding us and special thanks to the folks that stayed late to help us move the hut to the foyer!

Seeing Family

This weekend Nathan and I were able to go to a World Team banquet in PA, where we saw some of our fellow workers from Cameroon. It was so great to spend a few hours with them and it felt like we were with family. It was good to be able to share some of our joys of home assignment and frustrations with "reverse culture shock" and be encouraged that we are still normal (well...). Then, Saturday, we spent the whole day with Mom & Dad Crane attending the Truth Project (thanks again for inviting us along and getting us tickets!!). It was nice to be able to have some time with them as well as see Curt & family Saturday night and Chad & family Sunday AM. The kids spent the weekend with the Conrods in VA and even went out to Moyock to be spoiled by Aunt Sherri (here are some pics on her blog: http://thereagan-smiths.blogspot.com/).