Done!

O.K thanks for being patient and putting up with all the back tracking, I am officially caught up on my blogging. Whew that was a lot of work. Remind to never let it get that far behiind.

Another Celebration!

So I was feeling guilty for not having a real celebration with cake and a few friends so last minute on Sunday I made some calls and invited some friends over for cake. It was the craziest party in the sense that we had probably 7 kids 12 adults in my tiny apartment, but we had a great time. The kids played hard and ate more sugar then I am sure their little bodies knew what to do with, but that is what a party is about right? Anyhow, hopefully Z had a great day and thanks to those who came a celebrated with us.

All the kiddos, what a fun bunch of lil guys. Zander loved every bit of it. (Santiago, Z, Brock, Lilly, Ishmael, Dillan, Alec and Mark)

Blowing out the candles, Z had been practicing all day for this. He was so excited!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZANDER!

Zander turned 2 this past Saturday, and boy I can not believe how fast time flies. So on his special day we wanted to do something fun, since he wont remember a big party anyways, so we went to the beach. We have some friends who invited us to come to their beach house about an hour away from here in Asia so we jumped at the invite and we were off. We had such a great time not only because we were at the beach, but because we got to spend some quality time as a family.
Zander has been such a wonderful addition to this family and we love him dearly. We are so proud of him, and he never seems to amaze us at his readiness to try and do everything. He always seems to make me laugh, and he just adores his big brother. Happy Bday Z!

This is Z with Facundo and Carmen. Carmen is Facundo's nanny but she and Z love each other dearly, so this is how he spent most of the day holding her hand and playing in the water. Thanks Carmen!

Z's Big Day!

Last Tuesday was Zander and Brock's first day of summer school, and Z's very first day of school ever. I did not know what to expect when I dropped him off, but he sure is a different kid then Brock. As soon as we got near the front gate he wiggled out of my arms and walked right in as if he owned the place, and never looked back. I never even got a single tear! He looked back to say bye and then he was off. Really I am glad that it went that way and that they are both super happy. They love going to school together. This is Z in his class with his teacher.

Z playing on the big boy toys, he does not know he is only 2.

Morning of the first day of school, don't they look so happy!

Almost caught up!

On New Years day we went to Parque de Agua, which is a big giant park filled with some of the largest water fountains in the world. It was so much fun. They have light shows on the water to music, big fountain tunnels to walk through, and this fountain that Chris and Brock are standing in. It is a huge fountain you can walk through and not get wet if you plan you steps appropriately. We had a blast and the kids loved it.

On New Years Eve we all loaded into a van and made the 5v hour drive to Nazca to go see the Nazca Lines. Yeah so I don't have any other pictures but this one, because I felt so sick in the air that it was all I could do from throwing up on my dads leg!!! I hat to even admit that but it is true. I am not one to sick easily, but it sure did a number on my stomach. It was amazing to see regardless, definitely a must see as well. This is us getting ready to take off in a tiny little plane.

The whole gang at Saqsaywaman in Cusco, Grandma and Grandpa Higbee and my crew.

See in spite of it all they do love each other! Man sometimes I wonder though so it is always good to see a reminder. Oh we are at Saqsaywaman in Cusco. The boys were really good considering there was not a whole lot for them to do but chase llamas.

It is so amazing to not only hear about the stories of how these ancient cities and temples were built, but it is amazing to see them in person. Just to give you an idea, look at how giant these rocks are and they moved them by hand, crazy? I could spend a few pages talking about how interesting all the history is here in Peru and Cusco, but you just need to come and visit and see for yourself.

More Machu Picchu!

A view of Machu Picchu! Tempting huh, come visit us! It is beautiful.

So the boys favorite thing to do was chase the llamas. Zander thought they were the coolest thing ever.

That is the peak we climbed, man what a work out.

While we were hiking to the top we took the road less traveled and got stuck. We were on the top of the ledge and couldn't see a way to get down until we found some steps of the cliff. They were crazy, it is basically just a rock hanging out of the cliff, they call them floating steps. I wish the picture would have turned out better. My heart was sure beating fast when I took my first step.

Machu Picchu!

I finally made it to Machu Picchu! On Christmas day after we opened presents we packed up to head to Cusco and Machu Picchu. This was Chris's 3rd time Brock's 2nd and my first, finally. We stayed in Cusco the first night and then took a train up to Aguas Calientes to spend the night before we headed to Machu Picchu. Really it was because my dad and I wanted to get up early to hike to the top of Huanapicchu. They only allow 400 people a day on the trail so we had to get up early to be the first on the trek. It was way cool because we were the very first 2 people on the trail, I am no the least bit competitive, right! The trail is pretty fun with complete drop offs and tiny steps but wow was it beautiful. This is me on the top of the mountain, it was really cloudy though so we could not see much but so worth it.

My dad and I waiting to be the first on the trail at the crack of dawn. Were pumped up and ready!

Unfortunately it rained quite a bit while we were there, but the boys did not care on bit. In fact I think they went out of their way to find every puddle they could find to jump in.

This is my child who never sleeps. I swear the kid never gets tired. From Cusco you have to take a train to Machu Picchu which is about 4 hours, and man he fought going to sleep hard, but finally gave in and this is what he looked like when he did. He would not go to sleep in my lap, but instead went on the floor, in the middle of the isle might I add and fell asleep. Whew that was alot of work.

Grandma and Grandpa Higbee eating their choclo on the train. It is fun along the way the train will stop and you can buy things from people from the window of your seat, so Chris bought everyone some choclo and cheese. Choclo is the Peruvian version of corn, but the kernels are gigantic. I personally don't care much for it, but my husband and kids do. I think it grew on my grandparents, either that or they were just being nice.

Christmas Day

Yeah I know it looks like Toys R Us threw up in our living room! This was the biggest Christmas we have ever had, well the boys I mean. My dad and his parents came to spend the holidays with us, which was so fun. So between all the many grandparents and great grandparents these boys have it made for a big Christmas. The boys were on overload by the end of the morning, they could not decide what they wanted to play with. Luckily we left later that morning to go to Machu Picchu for four days, so they could relax. We had a great holiday and the kids loved having Grandpa and Grandma here to visit.

Yeah don't we look good first thing in the morning. I just wish I had the same energy level as my boys, I am not asking for all of it, just some for heavens sake! Oh and aren't the lil outfits my dad got for the boys, including Chris cute!

Christmas eve we went to the park right out in front of our house and blew up fireworks. When I say we blew up fireworks, we did not just do sparklers we did full on fourth of July fireworks. Chris has a good friend that has the "hook up," it was so much fun. All the people in the apartments around us were all on their patios watching the show. The kids and I stood by the side while Chris and his friend Rafa dropped these huge fireworks in these huge canisters and would light it and run while they flew up in the sky. We saved the biggest one for 12 midnight to celebrate Christmas. Brock was not so sure he liked them, well the noise of them, but it was such a fun way to celebrate.

Brock and Z in their brand new Christmas PJ's.

We have a tradition that the kids get to open one present on Christmas eve and it is always PJ's. Brock was so excited when he opened his new Ben 10 PJ's and Z for his Lazy Town. The kids could hardly wait for Christmas, and I could hardly wait to not have to re wrap all the presents that Z kept getting into. Oh and I am so ready to take my tree down. Z's favorite thing to do is to take all the ornaments off the tree. Anyhow, belated Merry Christmas to you all.

Blog Back Log!

I am so behind on blogging it is not even funny. I don't even know where to begin, so bare with me as I back track a little.
We ended Brock's first year of school in December, I know we are backwards it is summer here now finally!). I can hardly believe we have been here in Peru almost a year and that Brock has been through one year of school, time is going by so fast. The school ended the year with a huge show in a giant theatre. Each class did a Disney movie and Brock's class did Madagascar, and he was the Zebra. My heavens it was quite the show, I'll put some video up later. Brock did an awesome job "movin it" up on stage. (He must take after his mommy!) It was so cute I cant wait for next years show. This is Brock and his teacher Miss Lily. She was a wonderful teacher, we will miss her, luckily we Will see her next year at school.

I have to admit I had a really hard time getting in the holiday spirit this year, so we made goodies to help us, me, get in the mood. My little Rudolf helped me deliver the goodies, isn't he darling! We had a great time going around and spreading holiday cheer, although I feel like i was trying to steel some as we went house to house. I have to say it did help a bit.

Okay so are you ready to hear about our crazy ward Christmas party? Let me just say crazy it was. Is this not the scariest Santa costume you have ever seen? Guess who it is, yep it is Chris! Along with the craziness right before Christmas Chris got called into the bishopric, so here he is with the bishop and the other counselor.

Ill try and sum up the party for you as bet I can, here it goes. The party started at 8pm which I thought was kind of late, but not if you are in Latin America. They had a little devotional to bring in the spirit, and all I kept hearing was "where is papa noel, Santa." We then moved on to a dinner that was then followed by the fun part. They had a group that performed all the kids favorite shows, hi 5 and such, the kids ate it up. Then they had reindeer, barney, elf's and more. I mean what is Christmas without Barney right? It is now about 11pm and man I am tired, the kids are on their second wind, and ready for Santa. Santa finally comes and I am trying to find Chris cause he has my camera. I finally realize after noticing Santa's watch that he is Santa. And a scary Santa I thought. Santa brought presents for all the kids and then after pictures, that my kids refused to take with Santa it was time to go home, its only 12:30. All in all the kids had a great time, and it was unlike any church Christmas party I have ever been to.

Merry Belated Christmas! I am sorry we were lame this year and did not get cards out this year. I was not super excited about taking family pictures while I still looked 7 months pregnant after surgery. We will get some pics out soon though. Love you all!