Bibbins Family in Ecuador!

We were so delighted to host ALL of the Bibbins family members - Oma, Opa, Auntie Krissy, Uncle Gboyega, Cousin Stephen, Uncle George, and Auntie Alisa. What fun it was to have them all here, even if just for a short time. We look forward to seeing them all back some time in the future.

Here's a picture of the clan in gorgeous Mojanda...







We went to beautiful Papallacta for a hike:



Toured the Historic Center of Quito:




Rode horses:


Went on lots of hikes







And just hung out.

What fun!! We are so happy to have had this time together!

21 plus 6 - Better Late than Never

Time got away from me, and the 21 plus 6 picture is a bit late getting posted. Here are the boys...


And another one with Mama during a recent trip up North.

Tio y Tia!

We were so delighted to have Andy and Rebekah (Santiago's brother and sister-in-law) visiting last week. It was great to have them here, catch up, show "our" country, and just spend some time with dear people. The boys were delighted to spend more time with them (OK - Jacob was, and Timmy was just happy to have another couple sets of arms). Jacob continues to go to the guest bedroom and say "Aaaandeeee. Beca."

After a couple days in Quito, we had a great time hiking along Laguna Mojanda, a couple hours north of the city. It was beautiful, secluded, and remote.



Most importantly, we hope to Andy and Rebekah back again soon!!

20 plus 5 goes Academic

Since I just started my teaching job at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, I thought to make the "theme" for this month's picture of the boys their academic look. So I thought, what better than turtlenecks for both of them. Unfortunately, I forgot about their lack of necks, so the theme is somewhat lost. Alas, it's the thought that counts.




Here are a couple other pictures of the boys in action...

Ringing in the New Year

Belatedly, we are reporting on how wonderful it was to ring in the new year with dear friends and family in beautiful Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. It was a great way to start a new year.

How Could I Forget!!

OK ... I know it's all about out with the old and in with the new. Well this was just too good to be thrown out without sharing.

Just before we left for the States, Jacob made his " theatrical debut". OK. More accurate would be to say that he appeared as a Christmas tree (along with several other trees) in a Christmas event at his school. (He goes to a little nursery for a couple hours a day.) After 2 failed attempts at getting him into other versions of the tree costume, we finally convinced him to wear this one. (Please disregard the cell phone in his hand in one of the pictures. That was NOT a bribe to make him wear it. It was ... well ... an inticement.)

Here are a few pictures of his first tree costume.

Merry Christmas!

To all of our dear family and friends, particularly you loyal blogreaders, Merry Christmas! We are so delighted to be a family of four for the holidays. (This also counts as our 19 plus 4... OK 19 1/2 plus 4 1/2. I'm late.)




We are so happy to be in the States, catching up with family and friends for the holidays. We've been spoiled with love and gifts (and food!!!). Here are a couple highlights thus far with Oma and Opa (Nicole's parents). More to come...
Exploring the Safari Tent (Gift from Oma and Opa)
Delivering Christmas Gifts to Neighbors with Oma

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Despite the fact that I went shopping for our Christmas tree in short sleeves, we are getting in a Christmas mood. (For my originally Southern-hemisphere husband, the warm weather feels just right!)

Jacob and I went Christmas tree shopping. He helped decorate the tree (ha!), while Papa elfed around.

Quito Days - Timmy and the Toros

December 6th was Quito's Independence Day. Traditionally the city has almost 2 weeks of celebrations leading up to the 6th, including a Miss Quito pageant, tons of local festivals, and open air trucks that drive revelers around town. One main tradition is a week-long series of bullfights, featuring matadors from Spain and around the world.

Santiago, Timothy and I decided we would take in this cultural event. It was both amazingly artistic and chillingly brutal. We could easily understand why this is both loved in many countries and outlawed in others. Timothy was moved - to crying, sitting, and napping. Here are some photos from the event.


We finished the Quito Days celebrations at a dinner at a Spanish restaurant with some friends.

Thanksgiving!

For Thanksgiving, a friend hosted a wonderful dinner for about 20 folks from around town. It was the first Thanksgiving for her beautiful adopted (Ecuadorian) daughter, and for us in Quito. The meal was delicious and it was great to be among friends - particularly with a wonderful turkey, bountiful sides, and a table full of desserts. A real treat!

The next morning we got up early and headed to Banos, a town about 3.5 hours south of Quito. (Well 5 if you get lost and have 2 little people to juggle!) Banos is well known for its active volcano - Tungurahua, which was spewing while we were there, and which has recently erupted causing some serious damage in the area.

It is a great place for hiking, rafting, canyoning (the new thing, I guess), thermal springs, spas, etc. etc. etc. We stayed at a beautiful place in the mountains which provided us great hiking and a spectacular view of the mountains.

We spent our time hiking down to a waterfall called the Devil's Cauldron and then to a place to view the mountain, at the pool, or just hanging out with pigs.

Devil's Cauldron


ok - so Timothy wasn't that impressed...

Nicole and Jacob with a spewing Tungurahua


Pool with a view


El Chancho