Kiersten's Birthday Week!

Hello one and all! It's been a terrific week down here in Paraguay and we can't wait to share it with you, where ever you may be. (Warning: There will be way more pictures of Kiersten this week than normal. Ok, moving on.)

A pretty, purple dusting of flowers after a rain storm.

The week was filled with fun little birthday activities for Kiersten to enjoy because, well, she can. It was nice to have something to look forward to each day to make her birthday just a little bit more special since we aren't with family this year. Starting on Thursday she went and got a pedicure alone and finished a book. It was great! On Friday Scott and Kiersten had lunch at a new restaurant called Pakuri which was entirely gluten-free! Very tasty and the ambiance was perfect. She also got to play soccer that night and then went to an awesome food park with some of the ladies and had a great ladies night out.

Pedicure.

Such a cool looking restaurant!

Tomahawk steak to share with GF bread in the little basket even Scott enjoyed.

Kiersten is the honorary "Coach/Captain" of the team... and loves it!

Saturday was the actual birthday. She was able to go to the gym while Scott got the children dressed and fed. They enjoyed a yummy breakfast (Croque Madame) and played with the girls. Kiersten made one of her favorite restaurant copycat dishes (California Pizza Kitchen Tequila Fettuccine Pasta) for lunch. Both children were napping so Scott and Kiersten enjoyed this quiet lunch alone. Then some presents and homemade pumpkin ice cream and gluten-free Toll House Pie! Kiersten then drove to her massage appointment and was completely relaxed, as you should be on your birthday. By the late afternoon it had started to storm pretty badly outside so our original plans of going to the same food park from Friday night with friends was postponed. We didn't cancel the babysitter so when she arrived we went off in search of a place to eat. We ended up at a delightful Italian pizzeria which was the perfect way to finish up the birthday. Comfortable atmosphere, the perfect coffee house jazz, the place to ourselves and some fine pizza. All in all, it was the best birthday!

Gym workout, because you don't skip leg day! Also, super proud of those shoulder muscles!

Pumpkin pie ice cream made by Scott.

Making a wish on my GF birthday pie.

Ah, the spa!

Such a fun dinner and yummy, yummy pizza!

Mozzafiato.

Sunday was back to real life! After church we prepared lunch with the sister missionaries and it was a really nice time. One is from Brazil about to finish her mission and her greenie is from Utah. It was nice to have them in our home and speak English! Yes, it really is the little things in life that bring the most joy.

Kiersten is now the pianist for the upcoming Primary Program
and Mackenzie is going to participate too!

Hola Hermanas! Can you guess who's who?

Monday was Veteran's Day and Scott was off work. He was able to relax and finish a whole book too. For lunch we went to Doña Angela. Not the fanciest place but it was nice to get out of the house again just us. Mackenzie had a birthday party at school that day so she was happy and came home with an interesting goodie bag.

Kitty mask, changeable crayon and notebook.

And a hand painted 'mariposa' (butterfly) which she slept on at Quiet Time.

Then we jumped in the pool and noticed Finley's hair is getting super curly!

Tuesday was back to work for everyone. Busy, busy day for all. And a birthday package from Kiersten's Mom arrived... one of 2 so more to come! Then today (Wednesday) was the annual Artisan Fair at the Embassy just in time for Christmas. We bought a few more Paraguayan goods and we think we are maxed out on our Paraguayan trinkets for this tour!

Illustrated Harry Potter 4!, another great book (highly recommend),
and a sweater because November.

More Paraguayan art work. Made by women in the chaco.

Quirks of Paraguay:

• Did you know there is no Paraguayan holiday between Halloween (which they don't celebrate) and Christmas? So it's perfectly acceptable to put up your Christmas decorations. We've seen it not only at stores and business but in people's homes. It also means all the yummy Christmas treats have arrived for early consumption.

  

  Captured this merry scene at our local Casa Rica grocery store.

The Mackenzie Update:

• Anytime Finley cries she always sings to her the chorus of "I Am a Child of God". It warms our hearts. And Finley stops crying!
• The other night in the bath she had 5 bath toys which was all of them. We tried to convince her to share with Finley. We said, "Mackenzie, you have 2 arms and 5 toys. You can't possibly play with all of them at once." Her arguement: "But Mommy, I'm a occabus (octopus)." Touché, child. Touché.

The Finley Report:

• Lots more babbling from this little girl. And laughing! She will be playing alone and let out a great big belly laugh at something we can't see or know. And then we laugh and it's all great fun.
• Cruising has occurred. It's slow and cautious but she is on the move. When it comes to "walking" she must be holding on to you with both hands. Only one hand and she freaks out from lack of stability.
• 6 teeth! And two more on the bottom are on their way. Which has meant a snotty nose and perpetual fever.
• She got her 1 year shots on Monday. She did pretty good and showed the new Embassy doctor her strength. During the normal checkup she was crying for Mom and practically fought him off her to roll up to her. He was super impressed! And Mom was super proud! She cried during the shots but then after about 1 minute she gave a shuddering sigh and that was it. Again, he was impressed and asked, "Is that it?" She's a champ, our Finley girl.
• When she is tired or maybe just when she finds something soft, she'll crawl up to it and rest her head on it, like taking a little break. It's the cutest thing ever!

  

  Joined by her sister.

That was our week. Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. We love and miss you all! See you next week!