"Mom, everyfing is white!!!" --Luke

It got cold a few days ago.  Really cold.  Our house, despite having the heat cranked up, was an icebox.  Everyone wanted to go to bed early, so we could get under blankets and warm up.  Then the rain came...and then the snow.  In June.  Don't think I'll ever get used it this southern hemisphere.

It was actually really exciting, because we have never lived in snow with the kids!  Here is what our neighborhood looked when I came home from dropping the kids off from school.  

The view from our bathroom window.  I couldn't believe that it was actually sticking!  We had a little snow last year, but it didn't stick.  Only stayed up in the Andes hills and mountains.

I ran upstairs to get Luke to show him the snow and I got more excited at every window I passed!  We got him all bundled up so he could go outside and experience the white stuff for the first time.

Check out our jeep and the orca in the pool...I think this might be here for a few days...

Luke likes it.

His first snowball

He spent all morning walking around kicking the snow...

Sandra made him an extra big snowball...

This was Lucy's first snow too!  She loved it as much as Luke did.  They were a good team.  He would form a snowball,

kick it...

and she would go chase it.  See that one in mid air?!  

It was a great morning.

Then it was time to go get Kate and Jake at school.

They were soooo excited when we came to get them.  "All anyone talked about today was the snow, Mom!!!"  They couldn't wait to get home where there was even more of it to play in.  I love that they don't mind yet that they all have matching jackets.  

Within the first 30 seconds of being out there, Kate chucked a snowball right at Jake's face.  We had massive tears as the cold drops of water dripped down his neck and he tore inside the house yelling he was never going out there again.  

After I convinced him to stay a little while, he decided it wasn't so bad.  

Lucy didn't make building our snowman very easy.  She thought every attempt was a ball for her to play with.  Kate got a little frustrated...

Can you tell?  

Classic.  I love that I captured this moment.  Too funny.

Sweet boy.

And here's our little guy despite Lucy's attempts to destroy him.

We were getting cold.  It was time for hot baths, hot chocolate, cozy jammies and the World Cup.  It was the opening ceremonies and we were excited to be watching it in South America!!!!  Sadly we found out that due to the weather, our neighborhood's cable was out, so there would be no soccer.  We opted for the movie "Frozen" instead.  It seemed appropriate :)  It was a perfect day in every way.

June Moments

Sitting at school waiting with my sidekick.  Love him.  Love that every night when he says his prayers he thanks Heavenly Father for his ABC's and every day he builds all sorts of "ABC cluvhouses."  I never really understand what it means, but if there is anything resembling blankets, pillows, and some letters thrown together, it's a success.  

He's addicted to letters. 

 Celebrated Kristy Miller's Birthday at the Radisson hotel, because that's where half of this crew was living!!! Saying goodbye to all 3 of these lovies in a few short days.

 Taking Jake to his classroom in the morning, and we saw the moon as big and bright as I've ever seen it at this time of day.  The picture from a camera phone can't seem to do it justice...

Chi Chi Chi Le le le....VIVA CHILE!  We have LOVED watching the World Cup this year.  

Go USA and Chile!!!!

Karen surprised us (really Joe) with RISK as a thank you for watching their kids when they went to Easter Island.  For a few days, this is what our dining room table looked like.  Joe and the kids were ecstatic.  So glad they took to the game--now Joe won't have to coerce me into playing with him ;)

A day out with Tiffany Ordaz and Britany Evans as we shopped for the gringas leaving Santiago.  The hours passed too quickly.  We need to plan another outing.  Love Los Dominicos.

Our first Faith in God activity!!!!  We've been working on getting the program going for a LONG time.  There never seemed to be anyone willing and available to take it on.  Nicci Price accepted the call and is going to be incredible.  I'm so excited!  12 kids at our first activity.  Total success.  They loved it.  

It's been freezing as of late.  There is snow on the mountains and our home just doesn't want to warm up.  We've been doing plenty of activities inside.  Over the weekend, Jake and Luke decided to throw a party for our family.  They got to work on the decorations.  When it was time to start the party, I found this:

"The Real World"-- walk on the colored path to get to the...

"Happy World."  Obviously the party was taking place in the happy world.  Hmmmm... I was a bit concerned as to Jake's take on the world we live in.  Maybe we need to have a heart to heart and the positive effect of optimism in the real world :)

Date Night with the Whitt's

In all of our adventures with the Whitt's, we suddenly realized that the 4 of us had NEVER been out on a date together.  Yes, we vacationed, went to the beach, had a TON of playdates and dinners and park days together, but never a date night with just the adults.  Needed to check that off the list.  Our time was getting VERY SHORT.  

So, we went to The Ox.  A GREAT restaurant where they serve cotton candy at the end with the bill :)  Needless to say, it was another FUN, memorable night with plenty of laughter.  

The waiter was having a great time with us because no wine was ordered.  Food was great, company even better.  We are going to really miss those Whitts.  

Goodbye Gringa Girls

Here's our Mormon group down here in Santiago.  In June 2012, when we decided to become expats, I NEVER would have guessed that there would be this many of us in Chile!  What a family we have become.  I have to say, I have always loved that about the church.  No matter where we are in the world, we have a surrogate family. It definitely makes the transition a smoother one when you know you have people you can count on for friendship.

We had our goodbye party at a cute little restaurant in El Secreto.  It'll be strange when we come back after our visit to the states and the Hamilton's, the Miller's, the Hedquist's and the Whitt's won't be around any more.  I know I've mentioned it before, but the constant transitioning is what I dislike the most about being an expat.  

We are going to miss you girls!  We wish you the best in your next adventures and truly hope that some day our paths with cross again.

A Boy and His Dog

What more can I say?  Trying to soak in the sunshine before the sting of winter hits.

Luke and his sidekick Lucy

"Copilot, are you ready for take off?"

I LOVE one of these faces more than the other ;)

Jerusalem Friends are Forever

I got a call a few weeks ago from one of my dear friends from BYU Jerusalem Study Abroad (spring '98), Debra Vranes, mentioning that her cute family would be coming to visit Santiago and Easter Island soon and she had a few questions.  Yay!!!!!!!  I was so excited to have another friend come visit!

 When she told me the dates, I looked at Joe and he said, "That's when I'm supposed to be in Cuba."  Yes, Cuba.  We've known about the Cuba trip for a while.  It was a training/meeting that he was supposed to not only attend, but present for 3 hours...he was one of 2 Americans in the group.

So, 4 months ago, he applied for the visa from the United States to allow him entrance into the country.  Every week he checked...every week he they told him he would have to wait and see.  

We decided to schedule dinner with the Carlson's a couple of days BEFORE Joe was supposed to leave, just in case he did indeed get the OK.  

They were on a tight schedule because Easter Island would take up most of the time, so we met for dinner the very night they arrived in Santiago.  The kids were AMAZING after all of their traveling.  We had a wonderful time seeing each other and Joe and Blaire even knew each other from the accounting program at BYU.  It continues to be a small world :)  

Just loved our time together and look what they brought in their carry-on??  

Our kids scored :)  Love visitors.  Thanks so much for spending some time with us, you guys!  

Oh, and by the way?  Sadly and happily, Joe never got the visa.  The USofA did a nice job of ignoring his request for 4 months.  Probably one of his only invites to Cuba...but you never know... 

Doing the 3 hour presentation over a sketchy phone connection was horrendous...His manager mentioned that maybe he should have just done things the "Latin Way" and joined them all anyway.  I found that hysterical.  Guess what Joe's presentation was all about?  Compliance.  

He was thrilled to have that week over with.