Back to the US
In November, we ventured away from the cold and darkness of Sweden to visit some friends in Arkansas. We were able to visit our old church as well as host a birthday party for Kristen with her old friends. Then we headed down south toward Louisiana for Timo's sister's wedding (Anne-Marie). On the way, we stopped at the Crater of Diamonds State Park to look for diamonds. We found quartz, jasmine, volcanic rock, and .... no diamonds.
The kids had fun at the wedding. Kristen was a flower girl, and Timo was a groomsman. AJ and I participated in the audience. Both kids enjoyed dancing at the reception and eating cake.
The day after Anne-Marie's wedding, our family parted ways as Timo headed back to Sweden to work until Christmas and I took the kids even further south to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica
Even though the weather in CR was a bit rainier and cooler than I wanted, it was still a great time to be away from Sweden. Poor Timo had to deal with the days getting shorter and shorter while I basked in the tropics.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family that is in CR as well as some dear friends, Dick and Sheila Dudney. It was nice to be with family during this holiday, but I still missed Timo.
While in Costa Rica, I took advantage of the diverse plant-life around my parents' place and taught Kristen (and learned quite a bit myself) how to identify many different plants. In addition to the banana trees, coffee plants, and heliconias, she learned how to identify red and pink ginger, the golden shrimp plants, Brazilian red cloak, flame vine, angel's trumpet, Madagascar almond trees, bougainvillea, and more. We went on almost daily walks through the gardens, and it was nice to get outside without having to bundle everyone up.
We also went out to visit Judith and Ale in their jungle abode in Paso Marcos. Their friends, the Joneses, gave us a ride out there, and we arrived after a very bumpy and windy drive. I am not sure this would have bothered me if I had not been pregnant, but I was grateful for the fresh air blowing in my face during the windy portions. After a certain point, there is one road in, and one road out. It had washed out earlier in our visit to Costa Rica, and I was hoping and praying that it would not wash out again while we were in the jungle. It didn't. We all enjoyed being in the jungle, and Kristen, my picky eater, willingly tried all the new jungle food and LIKED it. Judith and I decided that Kristen could be a jungle girl because she didn't mind the mud, and she liked the food.
This was the kids' bed at Paso Marcos.
Kristen and AJ by a creek in Paso Marcos
While in CR, Kristen also took advantage of having a grandma who willingly taught her Christmas carols. She knew some, but she learned many more while at Grandpa and Grandma's house. She and my mom would also read stories together, sing other songs, and just talk. Kristen told me she and Grandma were "pals."
Meanwhile, I dealt with daily "morning" (all-day) sickness. I did manage to bake with the kids a few times and cook for my parents as well. AJ didn't handle being away from Daddy very well, and he wanted to stay by my side almost constantly. Auntie Judith and Uncle Alekcey were the exception. Auntie Judith has a way with kiddos, and both AJ and Kristen had a blast with her when she was around. At the end, AJ did warm up to my parents a little more, though.
Colorado
We left Costa Rica a few days before Christmas to meet Timo in Colorado for Christmas with his side of the family. Kristen and I went to The Nutcracker with Timo's mom and some of his sisters. Kristen enjoyed it, but she was really tired and fell asleep right before the "Dance of the Suger Plum Fairy."
Timo's sister, Sarah, and I had the kids put on a short "pageant" Christmas Eve. AJ was a wise man, and Kristen was an angel.
Almost all of his sisters were home for Christmas with their families, and Kristen and AJ had fun playing with their cousins. Kristen went skiing for the first time, and both kids loved sledding.
Back Home
At the beginning of January, we headed home to Sweden again. It was good to be home after being gone for about seven weeks. It really made it a lot easier to be so far away from friends and family. I just wanted to be home, and home is in Sweden for the time being.
