Trip to Thailand

 After we celebrated Mikayla's birthday, the kids and I headed to Thailand for their annual tests to make sure that we are staying on track with our homeschooling despite our crazy schedule and constant travel.  We are thrilled to report that everyone is doing great in spite of everything; we are so proud of them!

It's not just a week of testing though - there are lots of fun activities for the kids as well.  One of the things they did this year was essentially an extensive oral book report - complete with costumes and props! Many thanks to "Gram" Hagen for all her help with the costumes for Peter Pan, Pippi Longstocking, and Worm (from Diary of a Worm). 

THIRTEEN!?!?!

After our family getaway in Baguio, some good friends met us in Manila to help us celebrate Mikayla's 13th birthday.  We are officially the parents of a teenager!  We were so thankful our friends came up to hang out for a couple days and help us celebrate her big day.

 At Mikayla's request, we went to Enchanted Kingdom (a small amusement park in Manila) to celebrate.  They have some fun little rides, made all the more exciting if you are at all acquainted with how Filipino engineering is usually maintained. :)  However, everything seemed well-taken-care-of, and we felt safe so don't worry, Grandma! :)

 Mikayla so enjoyed having one of her best friends with her to help her celebrate.  The two girls got their faces painted - right before going on a water ride.  Fail. :)

 Carly also helped us do some swimsuit shopping for Mikayla's birthday present.  Shopping is always more fun with a friend, right?

 We also got to eat at Mikayla's favorite restaurant in Manila - Chili's.

 And of course we made sure they sang to her.

 Happy Birthday, sweet Mikayla!  We love you and are so very proud of the young woman you are becoming!  God is using you mightily, and we know He has big plans in store for you as you continue to seek after Him with your whole heart.

Family Getaway

These last two months have been an absolute whirlwind for us.  January was packed full with several groups of visitors, some training times with our tribal partners, as well as a trip to Thailand for Steve.  February has been even crazier as we have been on the road all month (and we are actually STILL on the road for a few more days!). 

Mikayla started out the month by camping for a week of "Outdoor Education" with the middle school at Faith Academy.  They visited Bataan and Corregidor and learned about World War II.  Then we met her in Manila and headed north for a short family vacation in the city of Baguio in the mountains.  Baguio is known for its cold weather, pine trees, horses and strawberries. 

We had a great couple days reconnecting as a family - and enjoying the chilly weather. :)

 The kids had a blast on the horse ride through the forest.  It actually ended up being more of an adventure than we were banking on.  Assuming that it would be a slow trail ride where the handlers held the bridle the whole way, he talked to the handlers to let them know that we knew how to ride.  I think he may have oversold our ability because we took off at an unexpected gallop several times through the rough terrain.  Thankfully, we all stayed in the saddle, and we came out of it with a fun memory so all's well that ends well. :) 

 The pine forest was absolutely beautiful and just so different from the tropical jungle we are used to.

 We were so thankful for this special time as a family to reconnect after the time apart.