New Years Eve- Dili Style

Everything is laid back here in Dili (unless we are in crisis mode which seems to happen often at the embassy ha!) So we approached New Years eve with that in mind. Most of our friends left the island for the holidays so those of us that were still hear got together at our house with the BBQ, the bounce house and some face paint. The kids had a blast. Sammy LOVES Briggs who is a few years older then him but very patient with him. They played "Agents" most of the night. And when I asked how they wanted their faces painted they said "like agents" I responded "what does that mean?" and since they couldn't articulate it they got spiders.

I thought Amanda would want a butterfly or flowers but she wanted spiders too

Liam wanted (read mom talked him into) a dragon

This is what it looks like when he is a grumpy dragon

Addie did not want her face painted but was excited about sparklers... although she doesn't look it in this picture, and we did turn her sparkler right side up.

It is nice having a big yard when firewords are involved because we can kind keep the kids away from each other. Although I think my constant "Don't run with your sparkler!!!" Probably sucked some fun out of it

We tried doing the whole write your name thing, but it doesn't work so well when it is still bright out.

It is fun to play with the focus on the camera when fire is involved

Although I would suggest a zoom lens not a prime in the future. I got some nice sparks zappin me.

Liam would beg for more every time his went out and I figured since we weren't going to be here for the fourth we might as well.

I think they ended up doing 4 or 5 each. Then there was lots of snacking

The kids headed to bed around 9:30 and Chris and I literally stayed up until 12:03 then zonked. But that is kinda how it is when you are parents! I think one year I am going to make an effort to go to a glamorous party. Maybe when we are at some big huge embassy. For now I kind like Dili style!

We have a HOUSE!!

Well it is getting there at least! Katie was kind enough to send us some photographic updates on our house and I am jumping out of my seat I am so excited. Although when I think about the fact that we will not be living in it anytime soon I get pretty sad. So this is the front of the house.

It is a duplex and when seeing it next to the smaller one I am sooo glad we went with the larger one. This is the side view. I LOVE how many windows there are. If I had my way there would be even more but something about structurally unsound...

And this is the back.

Which leads out to our cute little garage.

There is just enough of a yard to put in a giant trampoline ha! We don't have to worry about a swing set because the park is directly across from our front door, ah heaven! Then there are all the walking trails that lead to Colonial Williamsburg and, well, I just think it is the perfect place. Now, does anyone know a GOOD family in Williamsburg that needs and amazing four bedroom place? :)

Making Christmas Happen

We have been having a very busy and very fun December. It started out with the school Christmas performance. Sammy's class and the morning class sang their song "Making Christmas happen".

They used their recycled "creation" hammers as props.

Sammy's was made out of a water bottle and empty yogurt tubs.

I thought his face make up was adorable

We also got to have breakfast with Santa at the embassy! The kids were so excited and nervous all at once. They decided to all hold hands on the way in.

Abby LOVED her eggies and muffins

I have decided it is impossible to get a good picture of kids when there is more then three ha!

Addie had on the cutest little smocked Christmas dress.

It was hard not to let the kiddos plow through the candy.

Liam liked the snowmen decorations

and of course his daddy

When we had finished eating the guest of honor came out!

Sammy was so excited I loved it!

The local kiddos were just as in awe

He couldn't stop clapping and laughing

Santa asked who had been good this year and the boys shot their hands up

Then Santa started pulling out the gifts. Liam walked right up when his name was called

Sammy was excited but just a tinsy bit nervous

Abby was terrified and screamed the second she was put near him.

There is always one and this time it was ours ;)

Liam couldn't wait to open his and was pretty excited

Adrienne was pretty darn excited herself

Everyone was teasing me about how cheeser my kids are and how you can totally tell their mom is a photographer

The local kids were so wonderfully patient and none of them opened their presents. They all took them home. I was so impressed! Right after we took the boys to get their hair cuts. This is how cool Timor is, at the Thai food restaurant you can get yummy food, a hair cut a message and anything else you might like. The boys had so much fun on their rubber donkeys

Sammy named his "hehaw, because he says hehaw" of course. Abby really loved the other one but was MAD when I made her turn around for a picture.

I tried to talk Chris into getting them one for Christmas but it was a no go :) They did get pretty spoiled. But that will have to wait for another post :)

Riding Elephants and mopeds

Luckily our villa came with a daily driver but with traffic as bottle necked as it is it took 40 minutes just to get to the beach. Our solution? Rent two mopeds and pile on!

I actually decided for Chris to make two runs. The boys LOVED the moped and begged for rides.

Abby loved the helmet.

What was great about them was we could take the tiny backroads only mopeds can fit on, through gorgeous rice paddies right to the beach. The beach by the villa was deserted when we got there and we found out why.

There is an old women sitting under a palapa who the locals bring their babies too when they are 3 months old. She touches their feet to the sand for the first time. I thought it was such a cool thing.

Thats not the only thing the kiddos got to ride, ELEPHANTS!

Abby and I skipped it this time but the boys had a blast. Clark and Andrews elephant was named Andrew which they got a kick out of. Sam and Liam were bummed that theirs was a girl because they wanted one with tusks.

Liam was a tiny but scared when they went in the water

Mom was a little worried when the elephant balanced on a piling

Afterwards we got to go up to their alarming petting zoo. They had baby orangoutangs in diapers that I wouldn't let the boys near. Before I could stop them there was a snack around Liam's neck

Abby kept her distance from all the monkeys in aviary type cages

It was so much fun seeing all the kids become friends. Even Abby and Audrey dug each other... well until Abby would poke her eyes and try to hug her

Sam has already asked to go back to Bali, then he changed it to Clark and Andrew coming to visit him, we'll have to see, maybe there will be a trip to Jakarta in the spring :)