We're Heeeere!

First, a huge thanks to Andy (Santiago's brother) for helping his technologically-challenged sister-in-law in setting this up. We are eager to stay in close touch with our friends and family, and hope this will be one (or many) vehicles to do so. So here it goes...

We're finally all here. After a couple days of battline the airlines, Jacob and I joined Santiago in Quito on June 15th. We're super excited to be here and are starting to explore Quito and its surroundings.

We spent the first weekend getting to know Quito, and spending time in Parque Metropolitano (a large hiking area in the city) and Parque Itchimbia (a newly-restored park with beautiful views of the entire city). At the Colombian-Ecuadorian festival at the park, Jacob debuted his dancing skills for many giggling onlooers.

We spent the past weekend outside of Quito, getting to know the many mountainous areas surrounding the city. (Quito sits in a valley amongst the Pichincha mountains.) After a quick viist to the Pululahua Crater (largest crater in South America, leftover from a volcano thousands of years ago), we hiked along a trail just east of that areas. Like good newcomers, we went to Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) to walk along the equator. Jacob showed off his relatively new walking skills with pride.

During the week, Santiago is busy with the initial stages of his project, ProRed. Things are off to a good start, and he has a great team of folks working on the project. I am splitting my time between quality time with Jacob, getting to know Quito, tracking down the many things we need to get settled into life in Quito, and trying to improve my basic Spanish. (Classes start Monday!)

Currently home is an apartment in a hotel, and we hope to move into our house in July. Hopefully our furniture won't be far behind.

Baby Sedaca is growing well. His new doctor gave him and me a clean bill of health, and everything looks great for a mid-August delivery. We got beautiful 3-D color photos of him at week 33, so we are eager to meet this little fellow.

Jacob is adjusting very well. He loves having a pool downstairs, meeting the many family-friendly Quitenos that fawn over little people, and spending more time with Santiago and me.

We have met a number of really great folks through Santiago's work, at the US Embassy, and through a church we visited Sunday. There are a couple churches with English-speaking worship, so we are eager to attend and find a home and community.

We miss our dear friends and family in DC, but are also really excited that this adventure has begun. We look forward to hearing about what is happening in your lives! Please be in touch. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!