Back in the States!

 Here are some pictures of our first couple of weeks in the states.  We have had a good time reconnecting with family and seeing friends.

 Justin and my Mom.

 Eating at Outback for my mom's birthday!  Yum!

 Our friend, Sally, who used to serve in Mozambique came to visit us.  It was so good to see her!

 We also went to Oriental.

 A few days at the beach is exactly what we needed!  

 Zach and Justin

 Justin loved having the opportunity to surf again.

 building sandcastles

 Hannah is an upside turtle.

 Zach and his girlfriend Megan

 buried

 We had a graduation celebration for Justin.

 My sister and her family.

 Me and my Mom

 Justin and his Gram

 eating at one of my favorite places

 We had a family picture taking.

Hannah with her cousin Michaela.

First Impressions!

We arrived back in the states July 17th.  Here are a few of our first impressions.
-the heat about knocked us down when we left the airport
-it stays light for so long at night and we can stay out after dark if we want.
-fountain drinks
-free refills
-we are definitly enjoying southern hospitality
-fast internet
-church was short but very comfortable
-worship was all in English and there was no dancing
-driving on the right side of the road.  We have gone to the wrong side of the car to get in many times.
-Shopping is so much more fun in the US.
-So many choices!
-We can drink straight from the tap but most people drink bottled water all the time.
-Dishwashers are a wonderful invention!
-It smells so nice here.
-Everything is nice and green.
-It can rain at any time.
-Diet Pepsi in the US tastes more like Coke light in Zambia.
-We have to pump our own gas.
-wall to wall carpeting
-it's harder to exercise on carpet but a lot cooler here because of the air conditioner
-Real hugs and seeing family in person is much better than Skype!

Time in Kenya

 The night of graduation we went to an Ethiopian restaurant with the Cokers and Dinas.  I had never had Ethiopian food before but really enjoyed the food and the experience.

 They brought the food out in this big dish and kept plopping the food down in the dish.  We ate with our hands.

 Matthew, Justin, and Nathan

 After our meal, we went out into this hut and had coffee and tea.  This woman roasted the coffee beans over the brazier.

 our group

 Believe it or not, we were all in this small white vehicle.  There is always room for one more!

 We were able to visit the elephant orphanage one day.  

 this one like rolling around in the mud!

Afterwards, we went to see the giraffes.  

 We waited for a long time but they just didn't want to come up.  Finally, two came up for just a couple of minutes so Justin and Hannah got to feed one of them.

 The Conards use to serve with us in Zambia.  They have recently moved to Nairobi.  It was so good to spend some time with them!