Days 9 and 10- Mark builds homes in Kisii and travels to Kitali/ Swimming, Dinner with friends, Botanic Gardens, Sleepover at Grandparents, Movie time with the girls

Mark has been busy. The team built houses on Thursday. It is hard work and usually takes all day. I cant wait to see pictures! Today, they traveled to Kitali where the orphanage is that they will spend a few days in. He said a road got flooded so the traffic was VERY bad! 

It took the bus a long time to get there. 

Thursday was a nice relaxing day. Grandma and Val came over with a little girl she was babysitting to go swimming.  The kids had a blast:) Thursday night, Ashlie and Tytan came over for dinner and after dinner, Ella got an eraser stuck up her nose. I had to use tweezers to get it out and it was WAY up there! I was pretty happy that I saved us a doctor visit.

Today, we went to the Botanical Gardens. 

It was fun to walk around and look at all the beautiful flowers. 

I went a little camera happy:) 

 And we finally got Cotton's nails clipped. It was about time. The kids were so nervous for him and it took like 2 minutes. Poor Cotton was a bit traumatized, I think. 

Tonight, Grandpa and Grandma invited the kids to spend the night and I was able to go see a movie with friends. It was so much fun and I am so thankful for their kindness in taking all 4 kiddos! 

The kids were very excited when he pulled up! 

Day 8- Mark travels to Kisii/ Bee sting, Redstone Park, Babysitting and Dinner at the Archers

Mark and the team have traveled from the city in Nairobi to a more rural part of Kenya where they will help with an orphanage for a few days. Their safari yesterday/ this morning was quite the adventure. They did an evening safari and it got rained out. They got stuck in some mud several times on the way back to the resort and ended up piling into 2 vehicles to get back. They spent the night and the next day went out on a morning safari. They did get to see some animals that time:) We are at the half way mark tonight!!! Super exciting! I'm really starting to miss him A LOT:) Elijah saw a picture in the kitchen of Mark this morning and said, "Look mom, now we can remember what dad looks like!" The kids miss him too! Today the team is building houses in the town of Kisii.

Our day was low key and was nice. I have been having bad headaches yesterday and today and I'm thinking it may be all the smoke in the air. Its so sad about the fires in CO Springs and its amazing that the smoke can be seen here and it smells very strong! We are praying for the safety/homes of those in the area who have been evacuated and for the firefighters. Ella woke up several times last night and was so worried that the fire would come to our house. It was a rough night of sleep. I reassured her over and over that we were safe but she kept waking me up saying she was afraid.

I babysat Tytan all day and he got along really well with the kids and Elijah loved having another boy around for the day. We played in the sprinklers and I was able to finally plant my tomato plants. Elijah did, however, receive his first bee sting. It was quite traumatic. Thankfully his little foot didn't swell much at all.

 We did get to go to Redstone Park this afternoon. Its a great little park and wasn't busy at all! 

I love it when we have the whole park to ourselves:) 

They have a great sand area with running water and its under a big shade canopy. 

It's where the kids spent most of their time.

 And of course, this super cool shaved ice truck drove by blaring its tropical music and I caved and got them all one! It was SO hot and my mouth was watering so I flagged the guy down and it was worth it! They were delicious! And the kids could add the flavors by themselves. So cool (literally)

 My beautiful girlies! 

The Archers invited us over for dinner tonight and it was delicious and the company was even better.

 I am so blessed to have such a supportive and caring church body at Sola! 

And Amy sent me home with the new Coffeemate Samoa Creamer- it's AMAZING!!! 

Days 6 and 7- Mark to Maasai School and Safari/ Hanging at Franklin Pool, sleepover, swimming and dinner at the Mondragons

 Monday, we met Erika and her girls at Franklin Pool for 4 hours.

It was wonderful! 

The kids played and played in the water.

 Franklin Pool has a great water slide and a diving board as well as a kiddie pool area and splash pad. 

We spent most our time in the big pool.

To go down the slide, you must be able to swim to the flags and you cannot wear floaties. Ella desperately wanted to go down and finally summoned the courage. She did awesome! She swam to me waiting at the flags and it was so cool! She also got the courage up to jump off the diving board. It was pretty high and you go deep under. But she did it! She did panic near the end but made it! 

 Monday night, Erika and the girls slept over since Ryan was out of town.  

We rented movies and ate popcorn. It was fun! 

 Tuesday morning we stayed at home and swam for a few hours. 

It has been so hot the past 2 days- near 100! 

SO thankful for a cool pool.

We hit up Bemis library in the afternoon and picked up our first set of prizes! 

Free chickfila kids meal, free skate city pass, heritage square coupon and pizza doodle free kids meal.

 Tuesday night, the Mondragons invited us over for dinner. 

Mel even watched the kiddos for me and I got a little time alone which was wonderful!