Back in Action from Paraguay!

We're back!! Did you miss us? I've actually heard from several people that they miss reading our blog so we are happy to get back to it. It has been almost 2 months since our last post so we've got a fair amount of things to catch up on. We traveled A LOT during that time so here is our itinerary and then we'll talk about some of the more exciting details.

May 11-12: Fly to Washington DC. 2 hours from Asuncion to Sao Paulo. 10 hours to DC. The flight wasn't terrible.
May 16: DC to London, 8 hours.
May 28: London to DC, 7 hours.
May 29: Kiersten flies to Utah solo using miles and the most inconvenient flights imaginable.
June 2: K returns to DC, again using terrible yet cheap flights. Never again.
June 19: Scott returns to Asuncion, K&M fly to Utah
June 26: K&M return to DC
July 5-6: K&M return to Asuncion.

Like we said, lots of traveling. The four days we spent in DC before London were very busy. We rested up on the first day, celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday, celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on Monday and had lots of doctor's appointments then did last minute errands on Tuesday before our flight out.

London was amazing and our first time to England. So beautiful! The first day the weather was perfectly chilly then it got warm... too warm for the wardrobe we brought so it was a little uncomfortable but we survived. We'll post a more in-depth story of our adventures in England with pictures at another time.

The iconic stones of Stonehenge. Proof we went to England with the girls running around.

Kiersten flew to Utah for a Wedding Open House for one of her Freshman roommates and all the roommates were able to attend so it was a very fun reunion. Glad to have made the quick trip out but next time she'll take better, more direct flights.

Before Scott's return to Paraguay, the girls have been enjoying time with Kiersten's parents in Manassas. It's nice to be home and re-connect with family and friends. The nicest of all was celebrating Mackenzie's second birthday on Sunday, June 10. Local family and a few friends joined us on Saturday to celebrate her birthday. We all had a blast but none more than the birthday girl herself. Our favorite part; she blew out the candles on her cake on the first try and was genuinely pleased and surprised. Priceless.

Happy Birthday baby girl!

The girl's trip to Utah was wonderful and busy. We met up with many friends and family including Uncle Brenton, Aunt Jenna and all the living Great-Grandparents. They also went to a fabulous mini-mission reunion for Kiersten where only a handful of her companions and other missionaries she served around attended which was perfect. So nice to see old friends continuing to do well in all aspects of life. 

Mackenzie's favorite thing in the morning at Great-Grandma Hammond's was finding the rainbows.

Playing with toys that are older than Mommy. 

A few of Kiersten's mission companions from the mini-reunion. Love these ladies!

We attended our first Strawberry Days Parade. Mackenzie liked waving at everyone.

Visiting Great-Grandma Jackson!

No trip is complete without a stunning photo taken by Uncle Brenton.

The last week plus spent in Virginia was very relaxing. Having visited everyone before going to Utah, the girls played, went to the pool, and hung out with Grandma. It was wonderful. Scott on the other hand was a busy, busy bee back here in Asuncion. Poor guy. K&M celebrated the Fourth of July with Uncle Brad, Aunt Sandra and cousin Ashlyn (and Grandma and Pop Pop). It was a nasty, hot and humid day. Then the next evening they boarded a plane and 15 hours later they were reunited with Scott. Miracle of miracles, Mackenzie slept for almost the entire 10 hour flight to Sao Paulo. Kiersten... did not.

First pair of overalls! She didn't want to stop playing to take this picture.

Cold pool on a hot July 4th.

She is learning how to sleep anywhere (Hallelujah!).
It has also become necessary to give her alternative bop-bops (bunnies).

First leg of the trip! Tired but happy to be on the way home.

We've been back in Asuncion for about 3 days and getting back into the rhythm of South American living. First shocking yet welcoming thing, the weather! It truly feels like autumn/winter here! Sunday and today were in the 50's!! Cold at last!! Another weird thing to get used to, not throwing toilet paper in the toilet. For some reason they don't do that here and it's a hard habit to break... again. And perhaps it was because we were sleep deprived or just gone for so long, Kiersten can't remember where she keeps everything in the kitchen. It's a little embarrassing. No worries, in a few days everything will sort itself out.

We are actually going to post several updates about our trip with lots of pictures (good old Scott) so stay tuned but before we go we have one more thing.

Many of you already know so it isn't going to be a surprise but for those that don't know let us tell you our news. We are having another baby! And it's another girl! We are very excited for this new chapter in our life but have equal parts trepidation. Having a second baby in some ways seems more daunting than the first but we know we will manage. Kiersten plans to deliver the baby in America at the end of November so she and Mackenzie will be coming back at the beginning of October. All in all we'll be there about 3 months. Scott will come back for the birth then hopefully come back again for Christmas and New Years then help all of us come back to Asuncion. What an adventure we have planned for the end of the year. Wish us luck!