Secret Sisters and Brothers and visiting Taylor University

On the 15th of December, we flew from Bishkek, thru Istanbul and then on to Chicago.

While we were in Istanbul for our layover, we had to stop in and get some Turkish Delight for friends and family. It's always a favorite.

Yahoo for boxes of Turkish Delight.

And, we found Nathan's Hot Dogs, but we had of course already eaten at Sbarro's pizza and Popeye's chicken.

When we landed in Chicago, we were greeted by family and taken to Valparaiso, Indiana to spend the Christmas holidays with them. Upon arrival, we got our Secret Sister and Secret Brother packages from our Tapestry of Grace homeschooling group.

Sissi loved her ornament from her Secret Sister in California.

These were the ornaments I received from my Secret Sister.

She is also an amazing seamstress and made me this apron and towel.

Gwangi with his ornament from his Secret Brother in Michigan.

Krypto with his gifts from his Secret Brother in Georgia.

Then, the day after we got off the plane, we were at the post office mailing our gifts to the Secret Sisters and Brothers that we were sending to. It has never happened to us before, but Gwangi received from and sent to the same brother. What are the chances of them getting each other in a totally random draw! Cool!

We had some fun with the cousins, going to see the new Star Wars movie, "Rogue One." Unfortunately, 3 of the 5 of us fell asleep during the movie...guess we'll have to be up for a review.

Sunday service...Advent, hymns, liturgy, it was wonderful.

On Tuesday, we took a trip over to do our first college visit for Krypto.

We went to Taylor University, a school that we had heard about at a homeschool/education conference and from some previous students of Indy's in Tanzania.

They greeted us well! Name on the board and personalized campus tour and all.

They even have a Chick-fil-A on campus, so lunch was pretty awesome! First Chick-fil-A since being back in the US.

A view of part of the campus. It really is lovely.

Krypto outside of the campus entrance.

We even got a free t-shirt just for coming to visit.

Then, following the visit, we were so close to Ft. Wayne that we drove up the road and visited some of our homeschooling/Tapestry of Grace friends.

With my friend Diane.

The guys in the kitchen.

Sissi with her Secret Sister from last year.

Krypto with his friend from our online coop a few years ago.

Sissi and her sweet friend again.

Krypto and his friend.

Me and my friend, Pam.

With Wendy, Sarah, and Ashley.

With Ruth.

All the boys.

The ladies....it was a wonderful visit and time to share and catch up on all that we're doing. So thankful that several of these ladies spent hours on the road to come and visit with us. Hugs to you all for your love and prayers and sacrifice over the years.

Hunting - Dec 2016

Indy got a call from some friends in Kochkor asking if he wanted to go hunting! He really enjoyed his time out with them, catching rabbits and hunting partridge.

The guys, after getting some rabbits.

Back at the ranch after a long day.

Brothers, out in the field with their catch.

Working their way through the mountains, looking for birds.

With the snow cover, it made for some tough hikes.

Back at the car, warming up for a bit.

Can you imagine climbing through some of those hills and valleys?

He got a rabbit.

They did as well.

Working their way back down the hill.

Taking a break to enjoy the vistas!

Thanksgiving and Skiing

We spent our Thanksgiving with a dear family that we love! They are leaving Kyrgyzstan, but we know that we'll see them again. For now, we have pictures to remember our friendship with each other. Then, we took a quick 3 day trip out east to go skiing and see some of the people we work with through Taigan Expeditions.

All the kids...except for Krypto...I think he might have been reading or helping with the dishes?

These three are super close. Sissi will very much miss them both!

The day after Thanksgiving we drove to Karakol. It's become an annual tradition now (this was the 3rd time we've gone) and I'm sure we'll keep it up next year! Skiing in Karakol! It's lovely, and you should join us some time.

There was even a guy out parasailing, see him, there above the lift line cables? Can you see the edge of the Lake Issyk Kol, also, in the distance?

Waiting for friends to get their snow boards ready.

Riding up the lift with friends. It was a first for Indy and I, we were able to get a bunch of runs in, just the two of us...those kids of ours are becoming pretty independent!

Coming down the run that leads to the lodge for lunch. You can see a bit more of the lake in the distance in this picture.

Not long after this picture, it turned into a white out, can you see it moving in over the top of the mountain?

Tired after a day of skiing and boarding, let's turn in our gear!

After a day of skiing, what else can you do, but go sledding!

All lined up and ready for the sledding train to begin.

And, then, after skiing and sledding, you play games with friends. Gwangi and his friend are playing with Star Wars Fighter Pods in this picture.

Dinner out as a group.

Game time one night and "The Snowball Express" another night.

Indy and I, getting ready to celebrate 19 years of marriage two days after this picture was taken.

Me and my girl doing a run together.

Flowers from a good friend, and our Christmas tree that I've already taken down so we can get all packed up this week to head back to see so many lovely people in the US!