Estamos en PERUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We arrived on Tuesday around 11pm. I think we got to bed around 2am. We were up for almost 24 hrs straight. Lucy was a total champ! What a great traveler. She must have my Dad's wanderlust;)

We did have a 5 hr layover in Miami but managed to get some lunch, go outside for a bit and watch a movie. It was so helpful that we were all together, Victoria and her twin boys Jacob and David (age 2) David and Lucy are big buddies. It was about 5 hrs from Miami to Lima.

Wednesday we slept in thank goodness. When I woke up it felt like I was home. Peru is very similar to Colombia to me anyway. I couldn't wait to get out and see everything. Victoria's nieces watched the kids and we went to Mira Flores to change dollars into Neuvo Sols, shop and sightseeing. We went to Parque Kennedy and the ocean. Later that evening after the kids went to bed, Gabrial, Victoria's brother in law took us to Paseo de Aguas. It was incredible! They have a water show with many different colors and pictures imposed onto the water. There are also many different kinds of fountains. One in particular is very popular. If you are very careful you can jump in when the water goes down and not get wet.

Yesterday we went to la Catedral. This church is huge! It takes up almost a whole city block. We also were lucky enough to see the changing of the guard at the presidential palace. Very cool!

We're staying at Victoria's sister and brother in law's house. They are throwing an anniversery party. All of the furniture is piled in the office. There has been a ton of preparation for this. I think I'll need more coffee and my Spanish dictionary to make it through! Should be fun. I'm sure they will love to see the gringa dancing:)

Tomorrow They are taking us to Huaracus I think, near the beach. There's supposed to be sea lions, peguins etc. At least what I can make out in my limited Spanish. We will stay there for a few days and come back on Tues I think. We will find a hotel and relax for some much needed R & R.


Enjoy the photos!

PK

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I had good intentions of getting out an actual Christmas letter out this year but it seems I'm here doing an online one instead again. Lucy is into wearing princess dresses and tutus these days with black patent leather shoes. She has quite the look going on. Unfortunately the battery died when she broke out the best ensemble. But I'm sure there will be more where that came from though;)

Christmas was sooo fun this year. Kurt was on vacation for two weeks. It was so nice to have him home! We decorated the Christmas tree together, made Christmas cookies, shoveled a lot of snow, went sledding and made a snowman. The weather was lousy which forced us to take it easy at home. Kinda relaxing. We were home Christmas Eve. Kurt, Lucy and I woke up Christmas morning and opened presents together as a family. Lucy was in her glory! Then we went to grandma and grandpa's house to celebrate and spend the night. It was a really great Christmas spent with family and friends.

Lucy was in dance class this fall. She loved it and can't wait until March when class starts again. They even had a show. She's been shasaying around the house ever since. She even broke out some dance moves at Grandma Jane's 90 birthday party in Chicago. It was a big hit.

Lucy is my little fishy. She loves to be in the water. We enrolled her in swimming class which she enjoyed thoroughly. I have the wet clothes to prove it. Let's just say that Miss Lucy has a hard time getting out of the pool when class is over. There is a little protesting and splashing. She never wants the party to end. At least I don't have to carry her out of places anymore under my arm like a football to keep the thrashing around to a minimum.

Lucy and I are going to Peru on Tuesday! My friend Victoria (Peruvian)and her twin boys are going home for a visit and were kind enough to invite us to come along. Kurt and I talked it over and decided we just couldn't pass it up. We seem to be on the cusp of getting a referral but this trip will be the opportunity of a lifetime especially for Lucy. Our life has been on hold for 27 mos now, just waiting for "the call". We don't dare make any big plans for fear we'd have to cancel them. I did call our SW to let her know that we'd be out of the country. Did I detect a smidge of nervousness or maybe I'm over-analyzing again... "Please make sure you're reachable should you get a referral." Whatever that means. Time to live in the present. So we decided to go for it. Kurt will stay home in order to save his vacation time for our Colombia trip. We'll be staying in Lima most of the time with her family with some day trips.Maybe an overnight or two by the beach. I will try to post some pics and blog here and on facebook.

Smooch
PK