Continuing computer issues

We are in the states and have the new hard drive for our laptop; however, we don't have anyone to repair it here.  So until we get back to El Salvador at the end of the year, I'm borrowing a laptop to do essential tasks and using my phone for everything else.

I sent out a simple email update in lieu of our regular newsletter.  If you didn't see it, you can find it on the blog homepage.

We finished two weeks in Kansas City and then flew to California on December 2.  We've enjoyed a piano recital, Christmas caroling, Sunday church and several other outings with Daniel and his family.  There's still plenty to look forward to as we prepare to celebrate our Lord's birth.  

I promise to catch up (or maybe just start over) in January when my laptop is up and running.

Time with Family.

I'm really quite far behind and so I'm going to a rapid, mostly pictures catch-up of what's happened since my last post in mid-September.  We were able to spend 12 days with our kids and grandkids in September.  It's unbelievable how much they have grown.  We read books, took walks, read more books, watched swim lessons, watched piano lessons, played games, went to the aquarium and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our time together. 

Visiting California, Part 4

We finished our time in California celebrating as a family.  Saturday night we had dinner together at Fiesta del Mar, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.  

It's always a special Mother's Day if I can be with my kids and grandkids.  Church on Sunday morning and then a walk at Shoreline Park.  

Highlights of Visiting California, Part 2

We had the chance to go with the grandkids and Shannon to Monterrey Bay Aquarium.  All I can say is "wow."  

Highlights of Visiting California, Part 1

I didn't take time to blog while visiting California, but want to take time now to chronicle our time there.  My brother, Ron, took us to the airport on Thursday, April 28, where we caught a Southwest flight to LAX and then on to San Jose.  Our son, Jon, flew in to San Jose at the same time so we had a reunion in the airport.  The three of us were hungry, but a quick stop at In-n-Out took care of that!  It was great to get hugs from all three grandkids on Friday.   

Here's a thematic-based look at some of the important/fun things we did!

SEWING LESSONS:  Maleia and I went to Joann's to find some fabric for her sewing lessons (a birthday gift for her.)  I started her out sewing without the needle so she could learn where to put her hands, next she moved to sewing with a threadless needle to learn how to run the presser foot, stop, turn and re-start, next step was sewing with thread on a paper template (she especially liked the heart and star pattern) and then finally sewing on fabric.  By Saturday morning we printed the pattern, cut out her PJ shorts and she started sewing.  

First project--PJ shorts

Second project--matching PJ shorts for little sister

Third project--skirt

Fourth project--fish PJ shorts for Josiah

WALKING AND PLAYING AT THE PARK

The kids love to go for walks and, of course, the park is a favorite stop.  We were able to give Daniel and Shannon some time to get some work done at home.  As you can tell by the changng clothes, we went on several walks.

DRAWING AND PUZZLES

The two older kids are amazing artists; paper, chalk, paint, doodle pad--it doesn't matter what.  Aviah loves doing puzzles and told me that her daddy said she could do all of the puzzles!

Josiah's hummingbird (drawn while looking at a book illustration)

Maleia's beach picture complete with dripping ice cream cones

Fish face!