School's out...hello summer!

The boys had a great school year in both Hawthrorn School in Salem, IL and ACS in Amman. They both learned a lot, made nice friends, and had fun.

First day at Hawthorn Elementary. Caleb had Mrs. Richardson for first grade, and Benjamin had Mrs. Marcum for Kindergarten.

Last day at ACS Amman. Caleb had Mrs. Purdy for first grade, and Benjamin had Mrs. Zeina for Kindergarten. Goodbye Kindergarten and First Grade....Hello First and Second Grade!

The boys enjoyed time with friends and a week of summer camp before we headed back to the States for a few weeks. This is their good friend JJ, who departed Jordan this summer. He and Caleb were in class together the past 2 years, and they became good buddies. We will miss his family and look forward to seeing them again one day in VA.

Caleb's other good friend in class this year was a sweet girl named Rosalie. Caleb, JJ, and Rosalie were the three amigos and were always together. She also departed Jordan for the US, and we know we will see her again too. 

Her last few days in town, they saw each other a few times for swimming play dates.

Benjamin makes friends with the lifeguards at the Embassy. I think he really wanted to blow his whistle :).

New summer hair cuts...he wanted to get his hair cut short like daddy!

Caleb got a trim, he still likes it a little longer.

Here we come, summer!

Eliza Rose: 9 Months Old

Happy 9 months sweet baby girl! This month has brought many new things for Eliza. She is crawling everywhere and starting to pull up on couches and in her crib. She smiles and babbles a lot, and enjoys being read to.

Eliza adores her brothers, and they love being around her as well.

At her 9 month appointment, she weighed 21 lbs (80%) and was 28'' long (75%). She is sleeping much better the month and is sleeping through the night much more often.Eliza is a good nurser and also drinks a few bottles a day. She has two teeth and is enjoying pureed fruits and veggies, and has started eating yogurt, cheese, and cut melon. She is in size 9/12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

Happy 9 months sweet baby girl!

Wadi Mujib

I am pretty far behind on blogging, and want to write about our trip to Malta in April, but will blog about a few smaller things first. First up, is Wadi Mujib! This hike is one of our favorite things to do in Jordan, it's a water hike down a slotted canyon just south of the Dead Sea, and every year it is a little different, based on the rainfall. The hike is open from April - October, and we typically go early in the season when the water levels are higher. Jordan had record rainfall this year, so the water levels were the highest we have seen. We have gone as an office a few times in the past, and did it again this year. It was a great way to all spend the day together and escape the heat of summer. It was 115 degrees that day by the Sea, but you are submerged in water most of the hike and it is very refreshing. You can't tell from this picture, but just around the corner, the water gets up to neck level, and you have to swim and hold onto ropes to make it through the obstacles. 

At the entrance/exit to the hike, there were some fun rocks to jump from. This is the first year the water has been high enough to do this!

It's a super fun way to spend the day with everyone!