Gwangi is 11!

On May 9th, Victory Day from WWII, our very own Gwangi turned 11! Like with his brother, we celebrated on a Saturday as a family and met with some friends to have pizza and play games.

Sissi made him his very own super hero costume...

complete with bandana and cape.

He got some Legos that we had been holding onto for years. He was thrilled to get this old Batman set!

He also got some old Disney comics that we had brought with us from the US.

This was his combined gift from the grandparents and cousins...he really enjoys Minecraft and all the building and creativity it affords him.

After school, on his birthday, I took him out to our park area and shot a few pictures. What a handsome boy.

And sometimes, he's a bit shy.

But, I love those double dimple cheeks of his!

My handsome and sensitive boy! Growing up to have a precious heart that loves others, volunteers his ideas and help when needed, plays so beautifully with his sister, and talks the ear off of his older brother. They love to exchange ideas for books they want to write or games they want to design. He's a perfect middle kid and we love him so very much.

April in the South

In April, we went with another family that runs a car rental business to the south of Kyrgyzstan. We were able to visit Batken, Osh, Isfana, and many of the surrounding areas. Ah-mazing trip!

One of the reasons for the timing of the trip was that the 2nd week of April is the height of the Aigul blooming. It is a lovely, orange-red flower (seen recreated in metal, at the top of this bench) that only grows in this particular area of Kyrgyzstan.

We were able to hike up this hill to see the blooms, this was toward the beginning, it got a bit steeper the further we traveled up the hill.

This is the lovely Aigul. It is protected here in Kyrgyzstan and so you cannot pick it and take it with you...pictures are the way to go!

My kids, sitting amongst the Aigul blooms.

Family shot!

This is around the reservoir outside of Batken, leading west toward Isfana.

We camped out one night, in the mountains south of Isfana, up against the Tajikistan border. It was COLD! Next time, we'll be sure to bring some warmer sleeping bags and clothes, particularly for the children!

At least on the morning after, we were all still friends and loved each other, though a little tired from being up most of the night rotating kids in between us to keep them warm!

Father and son!

In the rocks and caves around Batken are lots of beautiful rocks and even a few fossils.

These next couple of shots remind me of my home back in Colorado.

The striations and bright colors are just lovely.

We took a little hike into Kanigut cave...but we didn't find any of the fabled treasure.

A traveler with his milk on his donkey.

Watching them make their bread in their oven in the ground.

Talking to one of the local wisemen.

Some old abandoned forts are in this area; used for fighting as recently as 100 years ago.

Hospitality in this area was amazing...lots of good food and tea and conversation was to be had.

Part of the road that we drove on in the south of Kyrgyzstan.

Another tower and mausoleum outside of Osh.

The view over Osh, from Sulaiman Too.

The bazaar in Osh.

The view of Sulaiman Too as we drove away.

A new business and some spring trips around KG

As our language visa came to an end in January, we decided to go ahead and start a new business here in Kyrgyzstan. We are so thankful for all the pieces that fell into place this spring and really, over the past couple of years, to start Taigan Expeditions...our very own educational consulting and cultural tourism business!

This is our new business logo! You can check out what we have to offer by going to our FB page or our website at Taigan Expeditions.

As we began our new tourism business, we got busy checking out more of this amazing country. We are even more in love with the people and land here after our trips and would be thrilled to have you come out and enjoy many of the things there are to see and learn here.

We took a day trip with some friends...a hike in the snow!

The kids took their staves on the hike.

They enjoyed a few snow ball fights and getting wet crossing the creeks.

Finding rocks and bones in the creek.

Then, Indy took some trips with other local businessmen. This trip was to the Naryn region to see what the hunting and tourism opportunities might be. They loved the frozen lakes....especially driving their vehicles across the frozen water.

This lake had some caves they were able to explore.

Eating in a roadside cafe on a mountain pass in Naryn.

Coming back home, the clouds settling in at sunset over a mountain pass.

In March, Indy and Krypto took a few days to head to Almaty, up in Kazakhstan. It doubled as a business visa run and also a couple of days away for the guys to have special time together to chat about Krypto turning 13 and what that means. They were able to do the Family Life "Passport to Purity" kit together and we'll make this a tradition for our other two children's 13th birthday as well.

Krypto, and the above picture is Indy, in front of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Almaty.

In April, Indy took a trip out east, to Saruu. There are some amazing options for fishing out there and seeing the local goat polo (ulak tartysh) team perform their national game.

Indy with the team, after playing the game.

An action shot of the riders fighting over the dead goat while they play the game.

Following the game, they were able to take a horse trek through a red rock canyon to some natural hot springs that feed into a sort of Turkish bath. It was nice to relax and enjoy the steam after the game and the horse trek.

Krypto is a Teenager....ahhhh!

Our oldest is 13 years old! We celebrated on 2 days...one day on the weekend so he could have friends over to play a board game and then a bit on his actual birthday day.

His little sister made him a gift and even decorated the box for packaging.

Gwangi made him a paper board game of his own design.

His gift from Mom and Dad was a board game that he wanted. I had picked it up in the US last fall when Sissi and I were back for my sister's wedding. He was surprised and thrilled about the game.

His one request was to have his two friends over to play a game...they picked "Onward to Venus."

Chocolate Lava Cake for the special day!

On the morning of his actual birthday, we made this list together over breakfast, "13 things we love about our Krypto!"

My boy, outside our apartment, in the park.

Being silly and adorable.

Loving life! This boy is incredible and kind, has a heart for others, and can always be depended upon to help in whatever way we need it. Cannot say enough how much I love him!