Catching up with family and friends

You will see so many of my posts this year are about catching up with family and friends in the US. It really is a big priority for us since we're usually gone for 3+ years at a time living overseas. We try to see everyone, but it doesn't always happen, and that does make us sad, it really does. We love you all so much and know that we're trying to fit it all in!

Family outing with the Indiana Stamps was to a neat Amish town about an hour or so away from Valparaiso.

The kids had a good time playing together.

Cousins!

We all love our history!

Super cool oven in the kitchen of the main house.

Then, we started heading south to North Carolina, but not before stopping in for a couple of nights in Kentucky to see friends who used to live in Kyrgyzstan with us.

Friends, exchanging birthday gifts. These girls have shared their birthday celebrations with each other since 2015. Love how even though they are apart, when they get back together there is a sweetness!

Game time together!

Again, these boys have been friends since 2015. We are so glad our families are connected in an incredible way.

Breakfast together before we hit the road.

Sissi was super patient...6 weeks post birthday and she finally got her guitar.

The boys are out with the other guys from church, in the meadow. Throwing knives, doing archery, shooting guns...you know, just a fun Fire on the Mountain kind of weekend.

So, so thankful for the beginnings of these kinds of relationships. Praying they all grow this year, together!

Our last couple of weeks in Kyrgyzstan...for a year

I think everyone knows that we have been in the US for the past couple of months...but I'm taking some time this week to update the blog and post some pictures of our last few weeks and memories in Kyrgyzstan, so that we have these photos to tide us over until we can return later this year.

The kids have such a great group of friends in KG. These kids play together, create RPG characters together, and make lots of fun memories together. We are so thankful for their friendship.

I'm going to miss our rotisserie chickens at the bazaar. So very tasty and fresh.

One of the bazaars that I frequent weekly to get our produce. Love this place and these people.

We will definitely miss the amazing restaurants in Bishkek. So much variety and such reasonable prices.

Date nights....why are we better about that in Bishkek? We need to get some on the calendar here in the US.

We miss this sweet bunny, so much! Poor Winnie passed away over Christmas and so we'll never get another set of cuddles and lovin' while Sissi works on her art projects.

Ahhh, the Korean food. We love it!

Praise and Worship with friends!

The Georgian food...do you see a theme here?!

Our back patio, an area for rest and quiet and shared meals together.

This yard with its trees and hammock brings back some memories.

And, again, the friends.

Hikes and God's amazing creation.

We love getting out as often as we can to hike and spend time outside of the city.

Family and friend time!

Krypto

Gwangi

Sissi

Waterfalls

Our precious puppy, Vera.

Friends that make good food...buffalo wings!

More precious cuddles from Winnie.

Moving all of our stuff out of the rooms. Packing and moving is never an easy thing.

Having Winnie go to a friends' house for the year. Who knew this was our last goodbye, it brings tears to my eyes to even write this.

All ready to go, the day before we are ready to leave.

Running over to the vet clinic to get our final paperwork for Vera to fly.

Final dinner out and enjoying the local entertainment.

Eating with friends!

She has no idea what is coming (27 hours in her kennel and flying half way around the world), but she looks comfy.

One last look at our sweet yard.

The Porter showed up over an hour late to take us to the airport with all kinds of stuff in the back of his truck...it was a stressful way to start our day.

We made it...on the flight and we're ready to go!

The airport in Istanbul was empty.

We're going to Chicago!

Jet lag!