Way to Go, Santiago!!

We have so much to "report" on Christmas festivities, but we have to take a break out of that news to give a huge kudos to Santiago for an amazing climb to the top of the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi. It is a gorgeous, daunting mountain that is breaktaking from the bottom. As the pictures show, it is even more amazing from the top. Less than 1/2 of Santiago's group made it all the way to the top, and less than a third of those that started out that night (1 am start time!!) made it to the top. So... huge congratulations to Santiago!!!

We're back - Boys, Bulls, and Christmas Balls

As our avid readers know, we have been a little slow on updating the blog. We’re back and have lots to tell.

First, as always, our boys. November marked 15 months for Timmer and 2 ½ for Jacob. The thing they have most in common is their lack of desire and inability to sit still. We tried to take a few pictures before and after church – discernable by the level of rumpledness – but most were not very good. It gives you a sense of how much energy our little people have. They are getting better by the day. Timmer learns a new word a day, and there don't seem to be many words that Jacob doesn't know. :)

Also, it is the celebration of Quito’s indepedence, and the bulls are back. It was a very exciting show this year, with an excellent Spanish matador named El Juli. He stared the bull down and didn’t seem phased by the snorting animal just inches from him.

And naturally, we are preparing - amidst 70 degree days - for Christmas. The boys did most of the work. What fun it is to see their excitement!

Papi and Jacob took a break to read the newspaper. And Santiago took very serious his role as resident reindeer.

Finally, the "men" of the house took responsibility for putting the star on the tree.

We miss everyone and hope to hear from you soon.