Mexico Part 2: Everything Else!

Onto round two! And for an overcap, Dan and I spent a week and a half in Magdelena, Mexico over the first part of August. The goal of the trip was to work on Joel and Kristi's new house. The one they are living in now is a renovated dorm and since the new addition to their family, has gotten even smaller! While Dan and Joel were busy working, I spent my time helping Kristi and of course chatting it up with her, playing with Beni, and holding Soraya! :)

:)

 Issac and Jose chowing down some breakfast!

 It was SO fun having Sarah Hodel there for a few days too! She had been in Morelia for a month doing language school and was visiting Magdelena on her way back home!

 Yes, here is BENI! Joel and Kristi's youngest charge. He's two...and rather quite adorable if you couldn't tell! Turns out, he LOVES the farm/animal pages in his books! I've never seen a kid so into looking at pictures!

 Oh yes, Sarah and I completed this 300 piece puzzle!

Snack time for Beni! (FYI the child refused to smile for me.)

 The front of Joel and Kristi's new house! Behind them is the front porch that got mostly poured while we were there.

 The beginning! Notice that there isn't any framing for walls? Not for long! It was all framed by the time we left! Dan, Joel and Zack Knobloch

 Joel Rinkenberger

 Los hermanos

 Th back of their house...the water jug is resting on a well.

 Full house for supper!

 In Joel and Kristi's living room...just chilling

 The older boys that Joel and Kristi watch! 

Angel, Jose, Issac, and Daniel!

 Seriously, the biggest toads I've seen in my life...this one was the size of a salad plate or more. YUCK!

 We were there in time for the CVE 4-H fair!!!!

Angel with his sheep.

 Beni tries his hand at brushing...until he got distracted with something else!

 (Issac and his sheep)

... Like riding it!

 Getting ready to show!

 An excited crowd!

 CVE brought in animal judges from another town. They did a great job and made it super professional!

 Other parts of 4-H: Art, electricity, photography, clothing...

 Baking, and bookmarks! Dan and I judged photography.

 And...Speech! The kids were judged on public speaking.

 There was also a dog course! The kids had to run through and obstacle course with their dog and the kid with the best time and least amount of errors won!

 Take a gander at this little stud muffin! What a smiley little guy!

 Ah...the beauty of God's creation.

 Beni again...siting on his little "stool" because he thinks it's just his size.

 Hmmm...time out?!?!

 Or keeping track of Soraya?!?

 And Grandma Stoller and Grandma Leman, just so you know, he was calling you! :)

 The Lemans have quite the amazing roses in front of their kitchen window!

 Oh look! It's an animal page!

 Soraya's "big brothers" seem to think she is a princess!

 It was Angel's birthday (in the blue) while we were down there...

 

 Showing off his present!

And since I know you all want another one.....:)

 

 I'm now realizing that I don't have a picture of what Dan and Joel and crew finished at the house! I think I took a picture of it on Kristi's camera but not my own! Oops!

Joel and Kristi thanks for a wonderful time and lots of memories! Joel, I know Dan loved working with his bro again and you are doing a amazing job with all the kiddos God has placed in your hands! We will continue to pray that God gives you wisdom in your role! Kristi, I sure enjoyed some good ol' sis-in-law time! Thanks for putting up with me in your house all day! You too, are doing a wonderful job with the kids and our prayers are with you too! Its to God's glory that they can see what a godly man and wife and mom and dad are supposed to look like and may they all choose to follow our SAVIOR someday! We love you all!

Mexico Part 1: Soraya

So let me preface the following post with saying that, I LOVE being an aunt. You might find that this is evidenced by the amount of photos I took of my new little niece. (And I chose to do the post on her first since I know there are a few anxious Grandpas and Grandmas out there!)

And now ladies and gentlemen...onto our featured presentation: Ms. Soraya Grace! 

She is such a beautiful baby! I wish my camera would have done better at capturing her LOVELY eyes!!! What a keeper!

 Hi, my name's Soraya and I look like my uncle David!

 Now, I interrupt this presentation for a quick mini-series. "Uncle Dan and Niece Soraya".

Turns out, Soraya is kind of fond of her uncle.

This face captures her admiration of him.

  But then, who wouldn't look at someone with a face like that...

Or that....

 

 I'll admit, she liked him more than me...

 Yep, Still with Uncle Dan!

 Sorry Joel and Kristi, he might have taught her a few things...

Now, back to our featured presentation!

Sleeping Beauty!

 She is already turning out to be mommy's helper!

 That or she likes staring at cupboards!

 I love watching the bond between mother and child...its precious!

 All prettied up for our date night! Just Joel & Kristi, Dan & I.....plus the princess!

 The boys really do a great job with her...

 ...Except when this little guy bumps things into her head!

 

 Crossing the border via foot. She was SO good while we stood in line!

 Long feet, long toes!

 

AND...in conclusion, my personal favorite....I think it captures her best!

So pretty!

 

Thanks for humoring your camera-friendly auntie little one! I sure loved being with you!!!

I pray you will grow up to realize that you really ARE a princess! Just like your names means! I know that your mommy and daddy are sure excited to tell you all about it!