Machu Picchu

A few of the board members extended the trip to see Machu Picchu. From Cusco it was a 2-hour van ride to the train station, followed by a two-hour train ride to the base of the mountains, and then a 1/2 hour bus ride up the mountain side.

This is the old Inca Trail. The Incas communicated throughout their empire with a system like the Pony Express, only it was on foot. One can hike the Inca trail with porters carrying their bags, setting up camp, and having food ready at each meal. We've added this to our rather long mental list of things to do when the girls get a little older.

Geoff said he expected it to be spectacular, and he was still overwhelmed by the incredible setting.








From here it was a 31-hour (total) trip home, with a layover in Lima where Geoff and another board member (who traveled most of the way home together) fit in one last surfing adventure.

Doesn't this picture look like one of those fake boards where you put your face in the space to look like it's really you?

Cusco, Peru

After official Kiva meetings were over a small group stayed a few extra days to go to Machu Picchu. They first flew in to Cusco. At 12,000 feet, Cusco takes a little adjustment, only there wasn't any time to relax and adjust so Geoff had a massive headache, and was dizzy for his brief visit. He still enjoyed this beautiful Colonial town and its history and treasures.

The Spanish took over (and pretty much destroyed) the Inca Empire. Geoff stayed in a Spanish Monastery with gorgeous architectural detail, and this picture over his bed...

The girls loved imagining this woman who is Adele's size. Isn't she amazing?!

Remains of an Inca building. They didn't use mortar between those perfect stones!

All sacred buildings were covered in an inch of gold (That explains the Spaniard's motives!) This block of gold was an inch thick and the size of two closet doors.

Next stop: Machu Picchu

Lima, Peru

Geoff is on the board of an organization called Kiva, and Kiva took their board to Peru to see some of their microfinance partners.

While there he made his way to the Lima Peru Temple.

A view from where he had lunch (it is Spring in Peru)

Geoff with a woman who has a loan through Kiva

The summer between Geoff's graduate school years, when Tennie was 3-6 months old, we lived in a little Colonial town in Southern Mexico, San Cristobol de Las Casas, for the summer. Geoff was consulting with a microfinance program there, and I helped out by interviewing women to see if and how their lives were impacted by getting a loan. It was a very cool and life changing experience. The hillside where the poorest of the poor in the town lived was called "Ormigas" which means "ants". This hill just outside Lima reminds me of Ormigas. I was really wishing the girls and I were there with Geoff.


Geoff and a few of the others did some surfing during a little free time.


If you haven't ever heard of Kiva they are worth an explore. We have a little jar of growing spare change in the laundry room and the girls are excited to give a $25 loan as soon as they have enough.

Geoff is back from his traveling adventures, and since we were lacking adventure (and a camera) while he was gone I'll skip our day-to-day activities and just share a few pictures of his trip. First stop: Abu Dhabi. Only a few pictures, and not exciting ones at that, but here they are anyway.

Nothing but desert and super jazzed up, have-so-much-money-and-don't-know-what-to-do-with-it buildings.
The view from Geoff's hotel room.

This is Ferrari World where Geoff rode go-carts that went upwards of 35MPH,
and there is a roller-coaster that goes 200MPH!

There was serious hummus

And this hotel where Geoff had meetings sits over a Formula One race track

His meetings kept him in only one area so he didn't see much of Abu Dhabi, but overall it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as his next destination: Peru.

We often do role-playing in our morning devotionals. One day we made some family figures from a few old pictures Geoff's mom had on hand. Although we used these figures in our role-playing, making them turned out to be the most fun! I'm sure we'll be making them again.

A few years ago I discovered a beautiful theory on teaching called the Reggio Emilia approach based on some preschools in Italy. Over the years many teachers have gone to study the Reggio Emilia schools in an effort to bring the principles back to the United States. Here it is often called "Project-Based Learning" and the idea is that the child initiates the learning process. There is a woman who started a Reggio Emilia preschool who now, from what I gather, is an educational consultant. She also uses the principles to homeschool her sons and has a very informative blog called Camp Creek Blog.

This past summer I stumbled across a book called Playful Learning. This woman also has experience in a Reggio Emilia school, and wrote this for parents wanting to encourage their children's natural curiosity and wonder. It is for children ages 4-8 but Adele is having a lot of fun with the activities too. Her website is full of fun resources and links.

Beginning map skills begin with a map of one's room

As much as I love this theory I really struggle putting it into practice daily. My detail and schedule-oriented personality inhibit me from really jumping in and giving it a try. I like to be able to plan ahead and then check things off a list. But Playful Learning talks about creating an environment that piques interest in a child, and then when they want to know something you go from there. I've done a few of her recommendations and they work! I have such a long way to go, but the approach is always at the back of my mind, and as much as I stumble...one of these days I'm bound to get it right!

A homemade terrarium

Unfavorable duty

On occasion Kipper gets, let's see...how do I put it nicely...soft stool stuck to his rear. Adele and Ceci had the unfavorable duty to clean him off before he could come inside. I saw Ceci walk past the window and laughed out loud. It reminded me of Geoff when he had to change a diaper...

Over-scheduled

I'm a big believer in NOT over-scheduling kids in activities. As a matter-of-fact I would stay home most days if it was up to me. But this fall my kids were ready to try some new things, and they really wanted more activities away from home. It was time. September and October are busiest, and then some of the activities will fade out. The girls are signed up for tennis twice a week. I say signed up because only Adele is willing to play every time. But we go twice a week and theoretically they play.






They continue to take art from Dana Solomon (who is a Davis family celebrity), and because the Theater Company isn't doing a play this fall the girls chose a singing and dancing group. They LOVE it and wish they could go every day. Tennie is doing a creative writing class that also has a small section on Latin and Logic. She did this class last year and loved it. She is also taking an online weekly piano course (one that I did during the summer) and after that we'll see if she wants to commit to lessons. Compared to some families I know this isn't much, but when I do school with them all day, and then run them around afterward, there isn't much time to cook and clean and do laundry, let alone take a nap! As is, it isn't a sustainable pace for me, but for a few months of beautiful weather we'll survive, and survive well.

Autumn

We came back from Utah and it was fall. The air is cool and crisp (at least in the mornings and evenings). A branch here and there is showing off it's brilliant color. Pumpkin muffins are commonplace. Sweaters and vests are dug out of bins. I love this season.

Saturday the girls and I went to a great little pick-your-own pumpkin patch. The girls searched and searched and went for "bumpy" pumpkins this year.

Last night we made pumpkin donuts and apple cider while Geoff's mom spread fall decor throughout the house.



And if all this wasn't exciting enough for little girls...one of our chickens has laid the first egg! They race outside every morning to collect the one little egg left by this faithful chicken. Soon they'll be collecting a basketful!

A whirlwind trip to Utah

Last weekend we took a quick weekend trip to Utah, and we packed in a lot of good stuff!

Friday we played around on the BYU campus pointing out where Geoff and I had undergraduate classes, exploring the Science Building, eating at the student eatery, roaming through the bookstore, and picnicking on the grass South of campus. The girls bought lollipops to pass out to the students and got a lot of smiles as they exclaimed, "Go Cougars!"

Their BYU school spirit continued that night at a BYU vs. Utah State game. It was their first football game ever (I'm sure my dad and brothers think it is a cryin' shame) and they took to it immediately. We sat right in the midst of the Utah State fans and Tennie alone out-shouted them all.


BYU had an incredible comeback in the last minutes of the game. Geoff's sister Nikki snuck the girls on to the field after the game and they are pretty sure they were on ESPN. Oh be joyful!

Saturday and Sunday afternoon we had tickets to the Semi-annual General Conference of our church. Tens of thousands of people gather into this enormous conference center to hear the words of our prophet and the twelve apostles. There were people there from all over the world. It was a great experience for all of us, including our new friend Karen who recently joined the church here in Auburn.

The Salt Lake temple where Geoff and I were married

Many in Geoff's family gathered for dinner Sunday evening and then we drove up in to the canyon to enjoy fall's beauty. We didn't have much time but loved what we got! (Even up close to a mom and baby moose!)


And amidst the comings and goings we fit in a few quick visits with my dad. He loved the girl's new "Big Eyes"...


We are grateful for every day he is with us, and loved seeing him.


And now we are back and life seems to be moving a little faster than I'm comfortable with!

Geoff is in Abu Dhabi this week, and Peru the next. We're not used to him being gone! But we love to hear about his adventures and the wonderful people he meets.

Stay tuned, I have a little catching up to do...