Indy's #51

This past Friday was Indy's 51st birthday! It was a school day, first week back to school actually, so we didn't take off, but I did make an effort to do his favorite meals and have some friends show up to dinner as a surprise.

I made chocolate crepes for breakfast. They don't take much time at all, but are definitely a special treat...ie. not something I make often at all. He thought they were great.

And, here is where it gets even more delicious...his brother had an overnight in Spokane a few weeks back and picked him up some of his favorite huckleberry syrup and jam. We bubble wrapped those jars and ziploc'd them and they made it back to Kyrgyzstan in one piece. Yahoo!

For lunch, I made cornbread taco bake...it's pretty much chili on the bottom with cornbread baked on the top. He loves it with a big 'ol dollop of sour cream on the top.

We of course had to have a Disney pin for his birthday (to match his new Disney shirt that we picked him up a few weeks ago).

Two new WiiU Infinity characters to play with...the Lone Ranger and Tonto!

A close up of his new pin...Donald from the Mechanical Kingdom series. There were several of them, for all the lands in Magic Kingdom, done in a Steam Punk style.

Space 1889, a Victorian Science Fiction role playing game (RPG).

We ordered him a few of the rule books and the map set. He is hoping to play with the boys.

Dinner was a night out at Rick's American Diner. I had talked with our friends, Ryan and Beth, and they showed up as well, bearing gifts. They got him a super cool Stanley mug that also has a built in French press, so he can make his coffee when on the road. Definitely a great gift for him!

Sissi's 12th birthday and a new bunny!

On our drive back up from Orlando, we were in Winston Salem for a few days, but alas...I didn't take any pictures (ahhh!) and then, on our way to Valparaiso to fly back to Kyrgyzstan, we stopped in Kentucky to see our friends...some of our wonderful friends from our first 3.5 years in Kyrgyzstan. It was a wonderful gift for Sissi's birthday to be with her friend, Shelby.

These two girls have been friends since we first got to KG and have celebrated every birthday together since then.

They even made Sissi a Red Velvet Cake for her birthday.

Cathy and I in her kitchen. They made us a wonderful dinner of all kinds of special treats that we can't always get back in Kyrgyzstan.

The guys!

The younger set of guys :)!

Then, on Sissi's actual birthday, we were in Valparaiso and we did a joint family birthday celebration...it was Sissi's 12th, Penny's 11th, Indy's 51st, and Grandma's 78th.

There was all kinds of delicious BBQ food!

Each of the birthday people got their own cupcake...Red Velvet for Sissi on our special birthday plate that I had brought back with me from Kyrgyzstan!

Yummy, a Smores cupcake!

Penny got a Birthday Cake cupcake.

I think Grandma's was marshmallow flavored.

The Happy Birthday sign!

Sissi got some cute cards and money to put toward her bunny supply purchase.

She was getting super excited to get back to Kyrgyzstan and get her bunny!

A lovely bracelet from Tony and Yvette.

A new Oswald pin!

A super fun Western style shirt to match her new cowboy boots.

Cake!

That night, we went to a trampoline place during their glow-in-the-dark time! You get special shirts, the lights are out, and they play music for two hours of bouncing fun!

Sissi and her cousin, Lara.

Super fun, knocking each other out and into a foam pit.

Then, we got back to KG and made a visit to the TC Center and got a bunny! All of the supplies Sissi purchased at the bazaar.

We've been watching YouTube bunny videos this week and learning all we can about being bunny owners.

Her name is Winnie and she loves being outside and eating all the plants and grass.

She is also super happy eating her hay and each day we give her a mix of leafy greens...like dill, mint, parsley, broccoli leaves, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, etc.

We've rearranged her cage a few times, done some DIY to it to make her a hay feeder and to keep some of the wood chips IN her cage and not all over the floor. But, honestly, most of the day she's out and about hopping around Sissi's room.

And, once a day, we get her outside for some fresh air and play time...with Vera.

Yes, we introduced them a few days after bringing Winnie home and they get along great.

In fact, we often have to tell Vera to back off and give Winnie some space. Vera is a natural herder and wants to keep an eye on Winnie. She also licks her and Winnie doesn't seem to mind the extra grooming at all.

Eating all the plants...We'll have to feed her inside more once winter comes. For now, lots of free food in the yard.

Vera trying to figure out what Winnie finds so interesting.

Grooming each other.

Laying down together, the big dog and the little bunny.

Again, Vera trying to figure out what Winnie is so interested in on the ground.

I am so glad they get along so well.

Sissi's two favorite animals, her dog and her bunny!

Happy birthday, dear girl!

Magic Kingdom and EPCOT with friends!

For our second and third days at Disney, we met up with friends!

The kids were thrilled to have their friends along...it was so wonderful and perfect in every way!

Traditional family pictures on Main Street, in front of the castle! 

I love having this picture taken each time we come here.

Or, do you like this one better...a bit more centered, but I also like the one off-set so you can see more of the castle....thoughts?!

 

Up close, so you can see Walt and Mickey.

Family selfie...a bit closer to the castle.

We went on "It's a Small World" with our friends. In fact, we went on almost every ride with them. It was a super full day and so much fun.

Riding on the Speedway together before lunch.

Riding with friends.

These two are a hoot together.

Krypto took one for the team and rode alone.

More friends met up with us at lunch time and we spent the rest of the day together!

It was a downpour as we waited in line for the Haunted Mansion.

These two have been writing and Skyping with each other for over two years. This was the first time they had seen each other, in person, since June 2017. Waiting in line to ride Pirates of the Caribbean gave them some catching up time.

Same here, monthly Skype calls and emails have been the way they have kept in touch since summer '17...so thankful for our long distance friends.

These two had met in the summer of '17 as well, but two years later, a bit of growing up, and they really connected and became friends. We hope we can get these two together again soon.

The Jungle Cruise!

Big Thunder Mountain!

Splash Mountain!

We hit all the fun ones! So awesome!

The fireworks at night at the Magic Kingdom are always amazing.

We got to watch the show from several different vantage points.

We loved the Beauty and the Best story lit up on the side of the castle.

So neat how they do the light show.

It was definitely different than the show we saw back in '17 or even years previous to that.

Our last day, EPCOT!

Waiting in line for Spaceship Earth with our friends.

Me and my girl.

Pin trading!

So many fun pins...Krypto traded away his Jafar pin to this guy for a "Hidden Mickey Nautilus" pin. He was thrilled to get the Nautilus pin, but I was bummed about losing Jafar, so I had to go on eBay and find it again....silly, Mommy!

Wreck it Ralph.

We spent the afternoon exploring all the lands...here we are in Canada. They had just closed the show down for refurbishment two days before we arrived. Too bad, because we had talked up the show to our friends. It was so funny!

Classic telephone booth shots.

Awe...in England, you have to find your favorite Pooh characters.

With the Eiffel Tower in the background!

We have this picture, taken over 20 years ago together, in storage somewhere. Had the kids take it again as a sweet memory.

We made it to Venice, again! Love this city!

Dinner was in Mexico!

Very good food, just a bit dark.

Sunset over the lake is so lovely.

The golf ball, all lit up at night.

The next day, before we checked out from Shades of Green, our friends from Tampa drove up to see us for a few hours. We treasured our time with them. THANK YOU for coming to see us.

My sweet friend from Tanzania. We miss you guys!

Most of the group...we were missing Craig who was traveling and Sissi took the picture.

Another sweet visit and time with friends who are like family!