March McAllen Visit

Back in March, Annika and I took a trip to McAllen, Texas to visit the family and to enjoy probably our last trip where Annika can fly on our laps for "almost" free.

I just started my new job at SURGE -- thankfully I have been busy hence the delay in my posts -- so unfortunately my days were spent working.  Annika spent time without "Abu", Abuelo, her Tio's and cousins during the day and our evenings were spent enjoying the South Texas breeze while the grown ups smoked cigars and played dominos -- yet another victory against the parental units.  Over the weekend the Perez family came over for some bbq and family fun.  Looking forward to our next trip!

To view the entire album click here.  Enjoy the photos! 

Park City 2016

A video from our Park City trip this past February 2016.  Julia is wearing the red jacket.  Video link here.

Note that our theme song for this trip has some explicit lyrics so some may choose to hit mute while watching.

Bogota Street Photography

Most likely the first of a series, here are some random photographs of the streets of Bogotá.  The city, to me, seems to be transforming from older colonial type architecture to more post modern or International style architecture.  One thing is for sure, there are a lot of electrical wiring on street lamps and poles.

Sunday Ciclovia

Every Sunday and national holiday, certain streets are closed for bikers, skateboarders, runners, and walkers.  This past Sunday we wandered our way to the Simón Bolívar Park by way of the ciclovia.  Total trip was 15 miles but Annika got to enjoy the park at the half way point.

Dogs enjoy the ciclovia as well.

Certain parts get a little crowded

Passing by a dance workout

Annika able to stretch her legs for a bit

Happy 2016!

Wishing everyone a happy 2016 full of good health, laughter and love.

Park time!

Getting a little more daring!

No need to hold my hand!

Enjoying a walk in the park

My how she has grown!

Doing her excitement dance

All smiles after some fun in the pool.

Christmas Weekend in Bogota

Our HHE arrived Monday and Julia worked very hard unpacking and getting the house in order in time for Christmas Eve.  We had a great Christmas Eve dinner at the Osland's and Annika enjoyed spending time with Isa.  For Christmas we chilled at our house drinking Old Fashioneds and opening gifts followed by Julia cooking a fantastic RibEye (meat from Argentina!).  We did manage to leave the house the day after Christmas and Annika was thankful.  She also got a chance to wear her new puff vest and holiday hat.

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Playing before heading out to dinner

Isa making Annika cheese with sugar sprinkles. Delicious!

Our tree on Christmas Eve

Annika's favorite gift is an electic toothbrush.

Old Fashioneds

Ribeye for Christmas dinner

Opening the last Christmas gifts while getting to enjoy a fireplace in our home for the first time

Santa brought her a PFD!

...and it's a hit!

Finally out of the house

Not amused

She does like for us to swing her high

Update From Bogota

Household Effects (HHE) essentially is all of our belongings like our furniture, TVs, kitchen items, fake Christmas Tree, etc..  We have been in Bogota for over a month and our HHE has been here for weeks awaiting Colombian government approval so it can be delivered to our home.  While we are very greatful that the Embassy provides us a "welcome kit", we seriously want our stuff! Thankfully the wheels are in motion and we are to receive our HHE Monday just in time for the holidays.  

Meanwhile, here are some random pictures from our time in Bogota.

Random Fireworks going off near our home

Bogota Sunsets

Every Sunday Bogota has a Ciclovia where some streets are closed for bikers, roller bladers, runners, and walkers

Annika enjoying the many parks here in Bogota

Park filled on a Sunday

Sous Chef

Embassy Holiday Party 2015

The U.S. Embassy was nice enough to host a holiday party for the kids to include a special visit from Santa. Unfortunately, Annika is still at the scared ****less phase when it comes to Santa.  This day also turned into a mini photo shoot.

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Annika in her festive Christmas sweats/warm-ups

Ready to go!

Annika, with Mom and Isa, at a respectable distance from Santa

Outdoors on a grass field and food in her hand - what's more to love?

Annika pondering her next meal

Leading with her stomach

Notice any resemblance??

Cartagena

Just an hour flight from Bogota is Cartagena, a port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast.  Julia and I along with our good friends that were in town visiting, stayed at a hotel inside the walled Old Town with its picturesque colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and fantastic restaurants.  Drinking a limonada de coco is a must to keep cool as Cartagena can be hot and humid.  The seafood is also a must.  Just about every restaurant we visited had some fantastic seafood with my favorite being the Snapper in a curry sauce from the restaurant Carmen.  We took an "adventurous" hour long boat ride to Isla Rosario for a little relaxation and beach fun.  Definitely returning.

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Cartagena equals great seafood!

Boat ride to the Isla Rosario

Isla Rosario

Isla Rosario

Isla Rosario

Isla Rosario

View of Cartagena from the rooftop of our hotel

Strolling through the streets of Cartagena

At Hotel Quadrifolio

Patacona!

Trombone player walking along the wall of the Old Town (he wasn't very good)

Fall 2015 McAllen Visit

Before heading to Bogota, we spent a few weeks in McAllen, Texas where we enjoyed spending time with the family and celebrating Halloween and the birthdays of Julia, Andrea, and Andres.

To view the albums, please click here.

Annika helping to pickout a Pumpkin

Annika dressed up for Halloween

Trick or Treating with the cousins

Happy Birthday to Andrea and Andres (Dad)

Kisses

Martha and Eugenio

Mario and Ina

Do Princesses Play in the Mud?

YES.  This one does.

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Mom found a nice muddy puddle for Annika to play in

Abuela discovers that Annika has been playing in the mud just hours before family and friends are to arrive

Parque Del Chico

Found a real nice park with plenty of slides and swings for all ages.  Plenty of other kids for Annika to play with.

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Hurry up Dad!

Fall 2015 South Padre Island Visit

Many thanks to Marco and Graciela for allowing us to stay at their place, La Isla, at South Padre Island. We got to enjoy the beach and spend time with the family even though the remnants of Patricia brought some heavy rain.

To view the albums click on:
Friday the 23rd
Saturday the 24th
Sunday the 25th

Chasing Seagulls

Such determination to get in the water

Not wanting to get out

Breakfast with the Tios

Bad Prima!

Annika meets Pinto

Blowing Ana Luisa Off

Lunch with the Tios

Annika with Alinita

Fall 2015 Austin Visit

As a part of our home leave in Texas, we went to Austin for a week to visit Michelle, Vince, and Suzan.

Links to the albums below
Pool Day
Friday the 9th
Deep Eddy
Wildflower Center
Midnight Cowboy

Pool Time!

First Corn on the Cob

There i am!

Butterfly at the Wildflower Center

Roaming around the Wildflower Center

Annika and the Grand Mimi at the Wildflower Center

Annika and Aunt M at the Wildflower Center

At Deep Eddy

At Deep Eddy

Drinks at Midnight Cowboy

Drinks at Midnight Cowboy

Drinks at Easy Tiger

Arrived in Bogotá Colombia

We arrived in Bogotá late Monday night to our new home -- no need to stay in a hotel.  Tuesday night I called to get our internet installed and within 24 hours we were setup!

First things first is to look for areas where Annika can play.

Found something within a short ride

Just A Random Saturday in Quito

Some pictures taken with my trusty 50mm lens.

Guagua Pichincha

As mentioned in a previous post, Pichincha consists of 2 peaks, Rucu (meaning old person) and Guagua (meaning baby).  Guagua Pichincha is the higher of the two peaks at an altitude of ~ 15,728 ft. and is active with its most recent eruption in 1999.  

It's easiest to reach the rim of Guagua because you can drive to the Refugio, from which it is just a short walk (30 minutes) to the crater.  However, because the road reaches altitudes of 15,000+ feet, the drive itself can be a challenge given the lack of oxygen needed for your vehicle's combustion.  The trick for us was for Julia and our 2 hitchiker friends to dismount the car at the steeper portions of the road in order to make the climb.  Once the road leveled off, Julia climbed back in and we were able to complete the drive.  The 2 hitch hikers graciously decided to walk the rest of the way allowing us to reach the Refugio.

The dry season here afforded us a clear view of the three snow capped volcanoes, Cayambe, Antisana, and Cotopaxi.  This year, the dry season has also resulted in an abundance of forest fires which was evident in the views.  

On this clearest of days, and while I remembered to pack the camera, yours truly left the battery in the charger at home.  The pictures below were taken with my trustee iPhone 6.

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Guagua crater with lava domes.

Video below

Quick Trip to Connecticut

After our trip to DC we took q quick detour to Connecticut.  Megan and Charlie's wedding afforded us the oppurtunity to catch up with lots of family - even those from the left coast - and to get our lobster on.  

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Quick Trip to DC

We made a quick trip to DC in August and took the opportunity to catch up with good friends both from our last post in Mexico City and our time in Virginia.  We enjoyed great BBQs, a vineyard, and brunch get togethers with all of Annika's tios y tias.  

Next time we hope to make our stay longer.

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Cotopaxi Continues to Spew Ash

Cotopaxi awoke on Friday August 14th with several explosions blowing ash thousands of feet high.  The last time it erupted was in 1940.  Since Friday's eruption, it continues to spew ash.  Luckily the winds have not blown it in our direction but on clear days it does make for some nice views.

Our home is far enough from the dangers of pyroclastic flows and high enough from rivers that might flood due to lahars.   Our primary concern is ash but again the winds have kept the ash from reaching us.  The big question is if Cotopaxi will have a major eruption, it's first since 1877.  In any event, preparations are taking place.  We are still on yellow alert, the lowest of the 3 levels.  For more information visit http://volcancotopaxi.com.  

This picture was taken this morning in what is the first of many pictures to come.