Ashlyn's version of Kenya trip

On my weekend I went to Kenya when my mom was in America. I went to Kenya my dad went to Kenya and Tierney went to Kenya and Anderson went to Kenya and when my dad was on a meeting . With Elly and Becca the three kids went on safari. We saw a cheetah and we got to touch it. It was cool!

Christmas Fair

Arusha’s annual Christmas fair is going on this weekend.  It’s held on the TGT grounds very close to our house, so it’s a great outing for me (Christmas shopping) and the kids (bounce castles, face painting and lots of kids).  Part of the tradition of the fair is that Father Christmas pays a visit to the kids, answers questions, and hands out small gifts (candy and a small notebook).  The kids loved it and the maasai women seem equally intrigued.

Anderson’s classmate had a birthday party, so we headed there after the fair.  The directions to the party were something like this:

after about 2 kms you will see, on your right hand side, a large unfinished multistory building next to a Petrol Station. Turn left opposite this and follow the dirt road for about 9kms. During this time you will pass many maasai bomas [traditional maasai huts], then a school on your right hand side, a large murram pit, under an electricity pylon, over 2 small culverts and down a long sloping bend. At the bottom of the bend you go over 2 large culverts and after the second culvert follow a track leading to the right, in front of a maasai boma. Follow this track straight, past a watering point and at the little boma after the tap follow the track to the right. It will lead you down a bumpy road and into our fenced farm.  We can easily come and rescue you if you get lost.

You can sense the adventure in the directions, can’t you?  In case we haven’t mentioned it yet, the short rains have started which means dirt roads are now mud roads and can be a tad slippery.  Since several of us were going to the party we decided to meet at a gas station and carpool/caravan there.  We had three cars, 5 moms, and 9 kids.  The inevitable happened and one car did get stuck in the mud.  Luckily we are not afraid to get dirty (and a very nice maasai man stopped to help push).  PJ took the brunt of the flying mud, but it was her car that got stuck, so she had the most incentive to get the car out.  That is a dress (and not pants) that she is wearing.  You ladies are awesome!

2nd Annual Tanzgiving

We had another great Tanzanian Thanksgiving at the Foley’s house.  Very traditional meal with not so traditional views of Mt. Meru or surprise guests (hedgehog).  While we missed our far away family and friends, we were in the company of some of our best friends. 16 adults and 16 kids….yes, the Foley’s are brave!  Feeling blessed and thankful for getting to meet and become friends with such amazing people.

PETTING CHEETAH

I have never seen a cheetah. This was the first cheetah I ever saw and I got to touch it! My dad took me on safari and my mom was in America. I was with Elly and Becca.  Ashlyn and Anderson also got to touch it and see it.  I missed my mom but I’m glad I got to see a cheetah.

By Tierney

My girls near the Tanzania border

sunday fun.

Ashlyn loving the baby bunny after building her/him a new castle home.

Party at Mama Jackie’s

Sunday we went to Mama Jackie’s house to celebrate Elizabeth’s eldest daughter’s first communion.  We opted to skip the church ceremony (rumored to be several hours long) and just went for the party.  Mama Jackie and Elizabeth were very happy that we all went. 
It certainly was a big deal.  There were lots of people there and lots of people to feed.  Mama Jackie said that she invited all the neighbors and their children because they are all poor and need a good meal to eat.  She said that there was 10 kilos of rice and 12 kilos of meat, not to mention pasta, potatoes, boiled bananas, and fresh bananas, watermelon and pineapple.  They even provided water and soda.  Amazing how generous she is with what little she has.  (Have I mentioned lately how lucky we are to have her?)

Slightly different attire than what I wore to my first communion.

That’s Mama Jackie’s husband on the left next to Irene.  Mama Jackie is on the far right looking pretty fancy herself.

The kids’ table.  This is one of two finished rooms that Mama Jackie lives in.  The third is slowly being completed, but at least now has a roof.

Elizabeth and her youngest daughter.

Lots of kids at that party who were fascinated by the only wazungu (white people)there.

The cool kids who then broke out dancing when the music started.

That’s Mama Jackie’s place on the left with a view of Mt. Meru.

Send off by lots of kids.  Tierney is not happy with all the attention ….unlike Anderson. 

We also took advantage of the opportunity (and a rarely cooperative Anderson) and got some good family photos since we also got a little fancied up.