A Daily Process

Camping and some horse trekking with friends

For Ian's graduation trip, he wanted to spend some time out camping and riding horses with our boys. So, this past week they all did that. It was quite a fun trip and we started it off with some white water rafting in Chong Kemin, all together!

We got to meet up with our usual rafting guides. They were able to use their new raft and some of their new suits with us. Also, just like us, they've been a bit short on clients with the borders being closed so they were super excited about us coming and rafting with them. We might try to go again in a few weeks.

At the end of the trip.

The whole group.

Excited to be back on land after a terrific trip.

Clementa (who has a broken foot right now) drove along and took pictures as we went down the Kemin and then the Chui rivers and did our rafting trip.

This is one of my favorite shots that she took.

Getting ready to start our trek.

As everyone was getting ready to get in the boat.

That night, the girls went back to Bishkek and the boys spent the night in Chong Kemin and got ready to start their horse trek the next day. Up and over the mountains from the forest and down to the lake by Balykchy.

Camping spot for the first night.

Camping spot the second night.

They definitely had some wind problems at night...and during their trek, some hail and lightning storms as they were going up and over the pass.

Some beautiful views, some scary weather, special time together as friends, and meeting new people that live in Chong Kemin and that shepherd in the mountains between Chong Kemin and Balykchy. Definitely a good trip and a time for making memories!

Ian's Graduation

You've probably seen lots of photos of Krypto's friend, Ian, on the blog. He's kind of an adopted big brother to our kids and Indy and I would be lying if we didn't say that the thought of him graduating and moving away didn't bring some tears to our eyes as well.

Since we are all finally out of quarantine, he was able to have a delayed graduation celebration, yahoo! Some good mutual friends hosted the gathering at their house and Ian asked Indy to be the guest speaker. It was an amazing ceremony and I definitely took some "notes" on some things I need to do next year for Krypto's graduation...yep, just one more year and we'll have our very own college graduate!

The kids, playing a bit before everything got started and while the meat was being cooked on the grill.

Group shot...but not all the kids made it into the picture.

The Graduate!

A memory book and place for cards and gifts.

We all brought some photos and wrote up memories for Ian to remember his time with us all here in Kyrgyzstan.

People also wrote down advice for him on paper so he could keep it for the future.

Dinner time! Largest gathering we have been to in months.

Potluck style!

Lots of food. I brought some of Ian's favorites - Buffalo Chicken Dip, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Fruit Salad.

All ready to go.

Indy speaking.

He had some wonderful things to say and we thought ahead to print off the speech and put it with his gifts as we know that sometimes on these "big days" it all becomes a blur. This way, he can go back and read it later.

Ian speaking.

His mom got a turn as well.

And his dad.

Receiving his diploma.

And the moving of the tassle.

From one side to the other side.

Another mutual friend came up and prayed over Ian and his future.

Family and group picture time after the ceremony.

More game time before the sun goes down.

Time to clean up and head on home. It was a great night, a wonderful celebration of Ian, and an amazing time with friends.

Family Hike and a Trip to the Water Park

After 10+ weeks of a "shelter in place" order here in Kyrgyzstan, by the first week of June we were finally able to start getting out and about...further than about a 1.5 km from our home.

We took the time and one week went on a hike and then the next week visited a local water park. Both trips were with friends...friends we hadn't seen in months because of the lockdown. We loved our time together and are so grateful for good health and a beautiful landscape to explore.

This is the view crossing the bridge at Tepli Kluch. A favorite hike of friends here in Bishkek.

I won't write about every picture, so just enjoy the vistas and views!

We sure do!

Picnic lunch time.

Can't go on a hike without your trusty Bernese Mountain Dog, Vera.

Then, like I said, the following week we made the trip to Ala Too Water Park and it was empty...we had the place to ourselves. Super fun and it was clean and we weren't worried at all.