Eagle Rays Junior Swim Fest

Time for another swim meet!  There's Kate in the green cap socializing before it begins :)  

She reminds me of someone I know.

 Here's where the boys were entertaining themselves outside while Kate was swimming inside.

I couldn't pass up the sunset glow.  They were having the best time out there climbing up huge dirt clods, finding old dangerous metal parts to machinery, throwing and kicking the soccer ball and just being boys.

Here she is doing her backstroke.  She's in the farthest lane:

http://youtu.be/vdQmRs9Ycm8

 KATE ROCKED IT!  2nd place in all 3 of her individual events!  "How about celebrating at the Crepe place?"  She seemed to slide into our conversation afterwards as we were walking to the car...

How can you say no to that?  

A chicken avocado crepe and jugo de chiramoya...followed by the famous banana nutella crepe for dessert.  She orders it every time.  I LOVE THIS GIRL.

I can see clearly now the smog is gone!!!

 It was chilly in Chile last week.  And then the thunder and lightning and rain began.  We had plenty of hot chocolate and felt the need to crawl in bed early for a few days.  When the sun finally came back to say hello, we were welcomed with this BEAUTIFUL scenery.  Snow on the Andes and air so clean that I finally felt like I could breath again!  Santiago air is disgusting.  You can see it most days.  But this particular morning when I went out for a jog and was greeted by this- I really had a love-where-you-live moment.  They happen more often than not.  (Don't mind the cows in the river bed). 

Project Man

Otherwise known as Jake Berryhill.  Usually the projects consist of matchbox car wheels, boxes, paper, some type of string, scotch tape, lots of staples, some safety pins, screws and plenty of markers...  Our office NEVER stays clean for longer than 30 seconds.  Drives me nuts, but let's focus on the "I'm so thrilled he's creative" part.  

This month I've captured a few of his and my favorites.

Did you get that?  

"Berryhill Party Today." 

I LOVE THIS BOY.  And I love this stage of writing.

Seems that the theme for this month is the usage of a lot of paper and cardboard.

Introducing...

Robot Man!!

At this very moment, he is stapling his 6th comic book together.  It's a good thing we are going home soon.  I am running out of supplies FAST ;)

Taking over Bellavista

Starting with Uncle Fletch.

 We walked through CUTE Bellavista and saw plenty of restaurants we'd like to try.  Don't know why we haven't explored this part of town until now!  But today was dedicated to the Uncle.

 

 Last Wednesday there was a Chilean holiday commemorating the Battle of Iquique.  It meant no school, which we all thought: How great for us!  Joe even decided to work from home, so it truly felt like a lazy Saturday!  Kristy Miller rallied a few families together to try this new place out.  Plenty of us wanted to join her.

 You have to come to Chile and try one of their burgers to understand that they just aren't like home.  They really don't appeal.  But apparently Uncle Fletch's were pretty darn good.  

So, we went for a taste test.  Seven families in all at varied times ;)   

You could say our presence was noticed!

 Eli, Kate, Alli and Sarah...patiently waiting for their shakes

 The Girls:  Kristy, Anne, me, Tiffany, Laura and Karen (3 leaving, 3 staying)

 So, the shakes still weren't as thick as we'd prefer, but they were pretty good.  Let's just stay no one was complaining.

The burger and fries?  FINALLY!!!  It was good.  Reallly good.  Now I have to go try Mr. Jack's and compare.  Apparently they rank right up there too.

 All in all?  Great way to spend a random Wednesday off. 

 Bellavista...we will see you very soon.

More May Moments

Joe and I were invited to our first Chilean Catholic wedding in May.  Fran, one of the girls on his team, was getting married and we couldn't wait to go!  The ceremony began at 6pm and the party lasted until 5AM!!!!  We snuck out around 2:00...probably one of the few people who had to be up and out the door early the next morning.  Fran and her husband were so warm and talked to every single one of their many guests.  It was beautiful!  Chileans know how to party.  I've never doubted that since the moment we arrived :)

  

Kate had a first....paintballing at Gaby's 9th birthday party.  I LOVE this picture of the two of them.  She had a blast and STILL has the bruises to show for it!

Nothing like a little soak and some cake to make you feel resfreshed after donning all of that gear!

 Don't feel sad for her brothers!  They got to celebrate with their buddy, Luke Whitt, for his 5th birthday party.

 It was true ninja style, complete with the real deal instructors.  They have been running around ninja-ing ever since!

Jake and his friend Tristan heading out after school for a play date.  How cute are they?  

Finally, Jake's got his natural handsome smile :)

 My first primary presidency meeting with my new counselors (Maribel Hernandez Fernandez and Joana Mena)... in my car :)  We got to the chapel and it was locked.  Figured my car would be warmer than trying to find the keys anyway, so we went for it.  Plenty of laughter and a moment of panic when we thought we were locked inside of the parking lot.  I think we are going to have a lot of fun together.  (And hopefully my Spanish gets even better... my first meeting without any English!!!)

 Luke is now old enough to join the others at the Nido pool!  His favorite part? The hot shower after class.  I literally have to drag him away from it every week.  

 Going over things that float and things that don't.  Love his teacher.  Love the kid in the blue cap next to Luke.

This is a shot of Luke in his class and Jake in his!  How cool is that?!  Dream come true.  Their lessons are at the same time!

 Another fun moment in May?  Having a family whose boys have been baptized and are in Primary with me, over to our home for Family Home Evening.  Felipe and Katy's family are the sweetest.  We hope they follow in their sons footsteps!  Here we are trying to hit Goliath with some marshmallows to prove our courage and faith :) 

The kids were so excited to have them come.  They made "Bienvenidos" banners to welcome them and we had quite the spread for dessert.  Wayyyyy better than our usually treats for FHE :)

I LOVE THIS

Someone posted this picture.  I've gotta get one.  It's the story of my current life.  

Mother's Day 2014

Kate woke up and crept downstairs to find Joe and me already up and buzzing around trying to get ready for church.  "BUT YOU HAVE TO STAY IN BED!!!!!!!!!!  IT'S MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!" That would have been lovely.  There's nothing I like more than a really incredible breakfast.  But, I was speaking in church in Spanish and we hadn't quite finished translating it yet (Chilean wedding the night before that went until 5AM!!!!  We left at 2), and I had to make sure I got there early enough to get everything ready for Primary as well.  No staying in bed for me.

 That didn't detract at all though, from the love that was poured upon me.  Big banners and homemade signs hung all over the house, mason jars filled with reasons why I'm loved, chocolates and beautiful flowers...

 Joe even spent a good chunk of Saturday, prepping for our Sunday meal, so I wouldn't have to do a thing.

 Definitely feel loved.  

 Definitely love them more than I ever thought possible.

 Definitely love my mom and have an immense amount of gratitude for who she is, her incredible example of service and Christ-like kindness, and how she raised and loved and continues to love me.

 Definitely love Fran for being Joe's amazing mom and raising him in a way so I could find my best friend.

 Definitely love my sister.  Have looked up to her since the beginning of time and that has only increased as I've watched her as a mom.

 Definitely love my sister-in-laws and am so grateful for their friendships and the gems I gleam from each one of them.

 Definitely grateful for my girlfriends and how they have enriched my life before and after motherhood.

 Definitely grateful and humbled that Heavenly Father entrusted me with raising some of his children.  

I love my calling.