Glimpses...

 

 Kate celebrated her birthday this fall with friends at a lovely garden.

Part of a mosaic (from stones) in our city

 A restaurant with some beautiful woodwork and designs

 Central Asian bowling!

Some pilgrims we celebrated Thankgiving with...

Celebrations

 In the past month, we've celebrated two birthdays and a local holiday. Here's Michael's 12th birthday pie.

 Will turned 4. His sister caught some fun facial expressions on his big day.

 At a lake celebrating with Michael.

 Ready to make some local holiday visits this week.

 The night before the holiday, neighbors exchange some of the goodies they make. My kids love it because all the exchanges involve home made deep fried goodies.

More of our vacation in pictures

This is a carnivorous plant- called a pitcher plant.

Since we kept you in suspense

I got kissed by an elephant. I know. Now you want to read this post.

 Mom and I went on a lovely walk in the Botanic Gardens for about four hours. Yes, my poor soul hiked for FOUR HOURS. Okay, it ended up okayish and we had a fun time AND I got to take pictures. So that was great. But what teenager likes going somewhere with their mom right? Just kidding, just kidding. I like hanging out with my mother. This is a beautiful water lily that caught my attention and I just HAD to take a picture of it. You know?!

 Mother's beautiful, sweaty face. :)

 Okay, are you wondering what I', wondering?! What on earth is this thing? Can someone tell me? Is it a flower.... or a banana?

 This one caught my attention too.

 Yeah. Hehe. This one too.

 Isn't he snuggley?!!! I wanna eat him. :)

 Hey Mr. Elephant, I would love to know why you are a better painter then me... Seriously though.

 These animals are totally better painters then I am. Stink.

 I got hugged by an elephant today!!!! The look on Katie's face...

 Michael was awkwarded out. As you can see.

This picture describes me perfectly. -_- I was a bit too excited. (Secret!!!! I got kissed 3 times by an elephant today. Life goals!!!) 

~Anna

Piano Princess and Cultural Experiences

 Recently, Katie had her second piano recital of the year. She played very well! At her first recital, around Christmas, all the other girls wore big, fluffy, white dresses and they all looked like princesses. Katie wore a pretty black dress, but she felt out of place without a fluffy, white, princess dress. So, this time when a recital was announced, I told Katie we would look for the perfect dress. We went to the bozaar and found a beautiful, fluffy dress. But, it wasn't white, it was red. When we arrived to the recital, this time, all the girls wore pretty but simple dresses, like the one Katie wore at Christmas. This time, Katie was the princess! 

Next year, if Katie plays at a recital, I'll ask the teacher what the dress code is!

A Spring Picnic

Recently, our family joined another family for a picnic in the hills. We drove about an hour from our city and found a lovely spot to rest and enjoy being together.

Will enjoyed playing in the cold water flowing down the hillside to the river below us. He wasn't dry for long!

Our teacher this year looks like she could be one of the family. And she has been a great addition to our family this year.

Visit to Cappadocia

I had a chance to visit a friend who lives in the beautiful city of Cappadocia during a trip to Turkey. My wonderful husband stayed at home with the kids. Here are a few of the amazing sites I saw.....