She's a Tween!

We have been blessed with some wonderful neighbors in our new home, and they invited us to join them at their get-away house to celebrate Mikayla's 10th birthday. It is only about 1/2 hour from here, and it was a beautiful place on a hill with a spectacular 360 degree view.

We tried to get a shot of all the kids (our 3 + their 4 + their 2 cousins on either side of Zach), but their eldest son decided to hide behind Mikayla's legs. By the time we got him to cooperate, the youngest 2 were very done. O well, it was a nice thought. :)

The birthday girl with her brothers.

It was a peaceful place and wonderful for just visiting and getting to know our neighbors better.

The big surprise for Mikayla was that we brought her bike back from the States. We packed it in the shipment without her knowing it, and it arrived just in the nick of time! She was thrilled; she and Ben have been sharing a small bike since we got back so this will be perfect for her.

Mikayla and her new buddy, Sophie

Ben has become quite the little photographer the last couple months. He is always happiest when he is documenting our adventures, and he gets some great shots.

Party time! Nothing like roasting hot dogs and making smores to celebrate your birthday.

Trying a strawberry smore - the marshmallows here come in a variety of flavors.

We stopped in our old town on the way back from the village to let Mikayla pick out a cake (SO cheap here, I never have time to bake one, and the kids love picking one out). Since it would be a big group, she got to choose 2. The chocolate one was actually the best store-bought cake I have tasted here. Didn't actually try the mocha one with strawberry frosting.

Presents. Her favorite was the P1000 ($22) she got from our coworkers Uncle Terry and Aunt Michelle.

Happy Birthday, our precious Mikayla. You light up our lives, sweetheart, and God is using you to shine His light to the Filipinos too. We know that He has amazing things in store for you and He will use you in mighty ways to glorify Himself. Keep pursuing Him first! We love you, Koodles!