Getting back to normal

Okay, after a month hiatus from the blogging world, we will try to return to regular posting. I have no idea how we will even begin to put all the experiences and pictures of the last month into meaningful blogs, but we'll try. Noah has grown, and his speech (in English only) has taken off. He is really a different kid than the one who left on August 2. It is great to be back in Lima. It's colder, cloudier, and dirtier here, but we have missed the warmth of our Peruvian friends. I'm glad to be speaking Spanish again, though I realize how much I still want to learn. Perhaps I'll blog in Spanish and all you pros and native speakers out there can correct me. Tomorrow we'll get the first of the pictures up. Chau.

Back in Peru

I can't believe it's over. The long-awaited two weeks (and especially one big day) has finally come and gone, and I am now back in Lima. My brother is married!! Laura and Noah are in North Carolina, and Matthew and Kerry are in Costa Rica. It is good to be back in a lot of ways, but I miss home even more. We had such a fantastic two weeks, and saw so many people, I don't even know where to begin. I'll try to get up some pictures while I have some time this week.

Arrived

We made it! After a long but glitch-free trip, we are back on U.S. soil. We are spending this week with Michael's family in beautiful Sag Harbor, NY. Noah is still adjusting (as we all are), but he loves being with Grandma and Grandpa, and having green grass and warm sand to run on. This is annual family reunion spot for almost-sister-in-law Kerry's family, and it's great getting to know much of the "Irish Mafia" before the wedding. We do already miss friends in Peru. Don't know when the next post will be up, but we'll do the best we can.

Traveling

And for our trip....Brian Regan on air travel



Enjoy!

Celebrating!

We have a lot to be celebrating right now. On the evening of July 31st, our team leaders, Mark and Lori Berry had their fifth, a beautiful little girl named Hadassa Andrea! We had the priviledge of visiting them in the hospital yesterday with Noah - he was delighted with her and even learned her name right away. Congratulations, Mark and Lori!

Yesterday, August 1st, was our fifth anniversary. Noah got to have his first sleepover on Thursday night with Kayla and Bella (THANK YOU JEREMY AND AMANDA!!!!) and we escaped to a nearby hotel for the night. Michael had it all planned and included so many sweet, romantic details. We felt like we were on our honeymoon again! It was just marvelous to get away, for the first time since Noah was born, and be able to totally relax and spend such special time together.

Lastly, we are celebrating our return to the States today for Matthew and Kerry's wedding! We are just SO excited to be coming home, to see family, and to share in the joy of another beautiful marriage! As we're finding, a marriage only sweetens with time and we can't wait to watch Matthew and Kerry begin their journey together too.

Just had to include one little picture of Noah and Tito yesterday playing cajóns. Again, he's doing great and he's excited to stay with Elita and Elsa in our apartment while we're gone. He can't wait to practice on the piano here. (c: (Thanks again, Amanda and Jeremy for letting us borrow your camera!)