Peek a Boo!

This week I posted this new picture of cousin Harper, Jordan's sister's daughter, on the fridge.

Since we live half a world away from our family, we try to keep current photos around so that Cadence won't "forget" the people who love her. While I was in the kitchen talking to a local friend, Cadence started playing peek-a-boo with her cousin Harper's photo. My friend explained to Cadence that even though she could see her, Harper could not see Cadence and respond to her because she was only a photo. Cadence looked at my friend and simply said, "Malu Dia." (Harper is just shy!)

I just realized that it is nearly February and I still haven't posted Christmas pictures. Sorry Grandparents.

We decorated cookies on Christmas eve, as a family.

Then we ate them for breakfast, along with cupcakes for Jesus' birthday and sausage balls.

Cadence had fun opening all of her gifts and we were blessed to have a good enough internet connection to SKYPE with both sets of grandparents.

Thanks Aunt Amy and Uncle Justin for the new clothes!

When you live in the tropics, surrounded by millions of hindus who don't celebrate Christmas, it is always a challenge to make it "feel" like Christmas. We improvise the best that we can. Jody called this "Our best tree so far!"

Cadence still tells us "Merry Christmas!" at least once a day!

Soul Vacation

When you live on an island that is only 60 by 90 miles for several years at a time, you can start to get a little stir crazy. After Christmas, we decided to get off the island for a week. We had the best vacation ever, ringing in the New Year with some dear friends in another country.

Cadence still asks for her "Best Friend" even a week later.

We played hard every day!

We spotted oranghutans in the forrest!

We even celebrated King's Day (January 6) together.

Traditionally "King's Day" is the day to remember the Magi and their visit to Baby Jesus.

So the girls decorated crowns and dressed like royalty. Then we took stars that they had made and "followed them" for a walk around the neighborhood as the magi might have done.

We stopped for a snack of middle eastern flat bread just like the wise men may have eaten. This little restaurant was conveniently located in the neighborhood!

But by the time our food had arrived, Cadence had already de-robed.

We were also blessed to spend time with friends Jordan has known for 22 years who happened to be living in the same city.

Now Cadence is constantly asking to get on an airplane and go on another adventure...

Best of 2012

Happy New Year from our family!

I asked Cadence today what her favorites from 2012 were and this is what she had to say: Breakfast: "Ice Cream!" (This actually is not a dish I have ever served for b'fast) Movie: "Doggie Movie" (Snow Buddies was the last movie she saw in 2012) Snack: "Crackers" Drink: "Apple Juice" Song: "Yes, Jesus loves me" Food: "Not yet." (I asked again to make sure and got the same reply)