Kenny's birthday was Sunday, and Kathy's was Tuesday, so we celebrated together on Monday. Allen & Rebecca had gotten flowers for Kathy, so got a bouquet for Kenny also, suggesting I might get more enjoyment from them! Reminded me of the church's present to us. I like this gift thing!! When we got home with the flowers, our house mom looked at us strangely and finally asked if flowers were usually a gift for men in the US. Kenny quickly assured her that this was indeed, an unusual gift. Fun day for all.

What a fun day, and a good way to spend Kenny's birthday.

Today we had the pleasure of going into downtown San Jose to see the national ox cart festival and parade. I realize that I have posted lots of pictures of this, but this was as much as I could narrow it down.

The first picture is a statue of the patron saint of ox cart drivers. The carts are painted beautifully, and the oxen are amazing in their variety and size.

These two precious little girls are Daniela (6) and Diana (3). They are the granddaughters of Aida and visit the house often. The other day I came in and Diana asked me about my "novio". I quickly went and got Kenny and explained that he is my husband (esposo) and not my boyfriend (novio)!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

Aida has put up her Christmas decorations today. This is Aida and her son, Carlos in front of the tree.

Some folks had asked about my latest project. One of the young missionary couples in the language school is expecting so I made a quilt for the shower.

A baby shower in Costa Rica is quite a production, lots of food, games, and fun.

Who can guess what these are?

Answer: bananos rojo (red bananas)

What a view. We saw this valley during our trip to Cartago. Here we are in front of a beautiful flowering tree. Notice the umbrella between us. They say you know you're in Costa Rica when the sun is shining and you don't leave home without an umbrella (sombrilla).

Here we are in the nearby town of Cartago. That's Glenna with me in the top photo. Below, from left to right are Keith & Glenna Bartley, Rebecca & Allen Alexander (our mentors), Kandi, Kaitlyn, McKenzie and Matt Ostertag, Kenny, and Kathy & Mike Kemper. We are the new kids on the block with all of us new to Spanish except Rebecca & Allen who have been in Mexico for many years and have just recently transferred to Costa Rica to look after the rest of us.

These are some pictures of our room. As you can see, Kenny is having a hard time relaxing.