The Process

I thought I would share with you the process that we go through about every 6 months when we head back to Angola. We spend 2 days of solid shopping.

We get a 2 bedroom or adjoining rooms at the hotel bottom floor to get everything ready. As soon as we get there we call and arrange a seat less minivan to deliver us to the airport in a couple of days.

1. Go to Lowes to get 10-12 heavy duty black plastic containers

2. pick up the ice chest from Academy the ones with wheels preferably (we got 7 this time 5 for meat 2 for produce and cheese)

3. Take ice chest to the butcher we use so he can put the ice chest in the freezer to get them extra cold. Give him our list of meats.

4. Shop Walmart first for all the none perishables, cereal, crackers, pasta's, etc. Then proceed to the perishables- tortillas, cheeses,

5. Go back to the hotel and unload and start to distribute by weight into each bin.

6. Do this process again for almost a solid 2 days with trips to the mall in between to buy shoes and clothing.

7. The night before we pick up the frozen meat and buy dry ice to top them up overnight. We duct tape them closed. (I'm not sure why because airport security always opens them up!)

8. We weigh and zip tie the bins and tape more zip ties to the top because security opens them to.

9. Call and confirm that we will be picked up by our shuttle service.

We had 25 items to be checked in. Not to bad this time.

25 years and counting

True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well being for ones companion. -Gordon B. Hinckley
25 years have flown by. We have really had more adventures then we had set out to have. I'm so grateful to have my best friend and better half with me all the way. He believes in me more then I believe in myself. (Don't tell John, but I think I got the better end of the deal!) PS-kids you have 25 years to plan a big shindig for our 50th! We expect lots of grandchildren to put on a very long talent show.

Talent Show

Maren was in the school talent show with a friend of hers. They did a great job, their voices blend real nicely.

Another Teenager in the house!

What a boy! It has been such a pleasure watching this little boy grow and mature into a kind, energetic, happy teenager.

He is growing so fast that I think it is throwing his balance off he has many bumps, scraps and bruises just now.

He is a breath of fresh air in a household of girls! (when Dad isn't home) I'm looking forward to watching him continue to grow and develop his talents, some that I'm sure he has yet to discover.

Proud to be an American!

Today was the annual international day. It's nice to see everyone dressed up like their home country. Here's a picture of the kids getting ready to march in the parade.

We are blessed to have real live American Marines here. I think these guys are all there are here. It was great seeing them carry our flag for the parade. I think Gwen was feeling a bit shy!

Here's our host country proudly wearing their colors.

Jay with his buddy in the hat. This boy is also our next door neighbor and sadly for us they are moving in December to Alaska.

I know it's hard to believe that it is sooooo HOT here right now! Everyone was looking for shade.

Gwen and the Beanstock

I love these pictures that Jay took of our trees in bloom here.

There is such a nice smell when you walk past these beauties.

Such a vibrant color isn't it!

Happily Gwen's bean plant made it to the day of her assembly. Hers was the tallest in her class. Most of the kids' bean plants died and had to start a new one. She measured and watered and took care of it for weeks. She is ready now to plant it outside in hopes of it producing a bean or two.

New Missionmerries and Halloween

We have a 12 elders here now! These are the ones serving in our branch. The guy without a badge is from Houston here on business. 2 from Mozambique, 1 from Portugal, 1 Canadian, 3 American.

Maren went as a Ninja to the school dance. She said it was very successful this year with nearly every one dressing up.

We had torrential rain during our Halloween party. Thankfully it let up before trick or treating.

Gwen went as Sally of course, from Nightmare before Christmas. Jay and his buddy made their costumes they are the ghost bookends.