More Bunda Shots

 

 

Apparently Bunda Mountain is a sacred place for evangelical Christian groups.

 

 

Hiking Bunda Mountain

 

We recently discovered a great hike only about 30 minutes outside of Lilongwe. The first time we took the kids but its pretty much straight up hill and the bubblegum I brought to bribe Kian could only go so far. But this time we left the kids home and were able to get to the top.

 

 

 

As is usually the case, there are a few kids from the village who escorted us up the mountain. One of them (David) liked to sing really loudly.

More pool party shots

 

 

 

Kian playing some African equivalent to horseshoes.

Saturday Pool Party

 

 

 

 

Darian can be quite a sweet little guy when hes not hitting or biting or pinching people. This is one of those moments.

Pirates and ties

 

Kian's favorite christmas toys

 

Darian hugging one of the "goggies." He brings his shoes to us and makes you put them on him so he can go outside and play with the dogs.

 

Playing with Jennifer (Monica's daughter)

 

Kian insisted on wearing a tie to church a few weeks ago. I don't know where he learned it, but it definitely wasn't from his dad.

Stripes

 

Darian's new nickname is stripes. Turns out all of his clothes have stripes.

 

 

Salima Lake Day Trip

 

Darian and Kian love the lake. The sand and water provide endless entertainment for them. Fishermen selling chambo (a fish like tilapia) and butterfish (has teeth). They sell 12 freshly caught fish for $20.

 

Darian at 16 months is finally getting that healthy fear of things that are dangerous. The oven, cars, deep water. He won't actually walk into the lake deeper than he can stand anymore. Not sure its because of neglectful parenting that has lead him to learn the hard way or what, but its a welcome advance. Speaking of Darian, he put his first two word sentence together. And unlike Kian's which was "dad work" (a comment on Jeff's working 80 hours a week a Columbia during residency) his was "more gum" (referring to his love of gum fostered by his mom who encourages his hopeless addiction to imported sugarfree American gum).

 

 

Driving home from Salima, right before it started pouring.

Mt. Smiley :)

 

We went on a hike to Mt. Smiley (that isn't really the name but the person who gave us directions called it that because on the side of the mountain there is a carving that looks like a smile)

 

We were lucky enough to find some local kids to hike up with us and show us the way. They were barefoot and we had hiking shoes and had to stop way too often. We certainly provided some entertainment for them.

 

 

My Sous-chef

 

Kian is my little sous-chef. He loves to help me cook whatever, whenever. It has come to the point that now he is offended when I try to cook something without his help.

 

He gets to reap the rewards of cooking by tasting and licking any bowls and spoons. He's actually gotten really good at it. Today he did the most annoying part of making rice krispie treats perfectly (mixing the marshmellows until they are completely melted--that always takes forever and I don't usually have the patience for it. Good thing Kian does).

 

Darian hasn't earned the title of sous-chef yet but if he doesn't break anything or harm himself or others while we are trying to cook, he gets bounteous praise.

 

Inauguration Ball 2009

 

We watched as much of the inauguration as humanly possible while holding Darian and ensuring that he did not a) turn the TV off or block anyone's view b) spill or drink anyone's beers/glasses of wine c) bite or hit anyone (even with our vigilance, he did manage one hit that sent a sweet little girl screaming).

 

 

 

The requisite family Christmas pictures