Adi Turns 8

In reality, Adi lucks out with a December bday. As it falls on the 21st we have to have his party early before all his friends leave town. And then we follow this with opening presents with Pranvera's family. But of course on the actual day we need to acknowledge with another tolken gift. Then there is meeting up with my family who also wants to give him presents. And then there is Christmas. Finally in Kosovo tradition a gift is exchanged for New Years.

So we have 2 down, 4 to go. But all good fun, albeit exhausting. He has matured so much and gotten so big and we are so proud of him. Holiday/New Years spirit is in full swing and we will be heading to Austria for Christmas with my dad and sister. Will be great skiing and cheese fondue.

We are so thankful to have some family time off as I have been traveling extensively this year for some great new clients and Pranvera has yet another new boss and tons of year end reports and events to wrap up for USAID. The winter has slowly been rolling in with some very polluted air days but at the same time only 2 snows and some rain to suppress the smog. 

 Craft Holiday Party at ILG School.

Thanksgiving in Kosovo

As it is not a celebrated holiday here (obviously) with school and work in full swing, we opted to not attempt a culinary festivity ourselves and got a friends restaurant to prepare a bird and stuffing for us (guess the turkey here aren't too small as we have enough leftovers for a village). Wonderful sharings of thanks and quality family time with our 2 greatest gifts who we are actually having dinner conversations with...

As much as we miss the hype in the US, we don't miss the fact that Xmas still seems a ways off (except that many stores did promote Black Friday).

Halloween 2017

For the first time in many years we actually took the kids trick or treating in the International Village in Kosovo which resembles a suburb in Virginia. Many American families and other internationals happy to deck their houses and pass out candy to the kids. As you can tell they both loved it and Rea still wears her Snow White dress every couple days.

Adventure Center Kosovo Style

Well right before the snows have covered the mountains Adi and I and friends from his school headed to Peja to a brand new Swiss designed (and supplied) ropes course center. Had 3 levels with the easiest being kid friendly and the boys did it 3 times while the dads embarrassed themselves on the higher levels. Great fun for the whole day with a capstone meal overlooking the Ragova Gorge valley.

Visit from Aunt Stacey

Nothing like coming back from vacation to have another one right in your home. We were blessed to have my sister join us for the past 2 weeks for Camp Stacey as Adi is out of school, camp, vacation etc for Aug. As you can see we made our way out and about but most was quality time at home and in the (leaky) pool. We spent a day at the new waterpark which was the best I have ever been to and less than an hour away and cheap by any standards. We spent another outing in Peja at the waterfall and fish farm and concluded with an early bday celebration for Stacey. We love you and will miss you!!