Costa Rican Christmas

Christmas was very different for us this year! It was really hard not being with family. We did get to skype and that helped a little. But we felt a little bored. Cooper opened his presents in record time and then we took a nap after that. It was very hard buying gifts this year since we don't have room to take stuff with us to Mexico. So there wasn't many gifts. Which that isn't what Christmas is all about right? Cooper was still very happy and understood Christmas a little more.

One of his gifts were his first pair of boxer shorts (you know, instead of the underwear). He was happy that it was Spider Man, but from the picture Avery looks like she is more amazed by it. Or maybe she is still asleep since her brother decided to wake her up!

He was so happy that we got a baby stroller for Avery. Ok, so we said it was for Avery so they would have the same amount of gifts but we knew Cooper would play with it more. Every time we go to someone's house he always plays with the baby stroller. He is the only little boy on our street so he just wanted to fit in. He does push his cars in it at times. So maybe that makes it more manly.

Avery got a little toy that I am not going to try to spell. But she only likes to suck on the ball of the stick. I know, this isn't safe at all. We had to get a picture of her!

After he opened his presents he said, "I wanna do it again!"

So we all took naps and then we watched the Disney Parade. Avery doesn't usually dress like that, she just woke up from her nap that way. I really think it is from Cooper trying to help her get out of the crib.

All the "gringos" went to eat lunch at our director's house. We ate lots of food and desserts but it just wasn't Mom's candy, Angie's banana pudding, Phyllis' lasagna, Grandma's fruit salad, Mamaw Reba's sweet potato casserole, Sarah's red velvet cake and must I go on? We miss all the good food that we get to eat this time of year. But the food was good here and it beats the sandwiches we ate on Christmas Eve!

This picture is the guys trying to save the coffee beans that they kids decided to run through!

These are all the girls playing dominoes (Mexican train/Tico train) while the guys are in the house watching the bull fights. Now that is a different Christmas show!

All the kids had musical instruments running around like crazy! I think this picture is right after Cooper decided to just pull his pants down and pee. Buddy when he gets any urge he just pulls them down. Doesn't matter where, when or whose around. Just hope you are around to pull them back up and get him to a potty!

Here is our little nut on Christmas!

And then here is our little chunkster on Christmas as well.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We missed everyone so much!

Happy Birthday Jesus

This was Cooper's first haircut from Katie.

This was me trying to put Avery's hat on. Katie didn't approve of how it looked though.

Cooper showing off his scrape after falling earlier in the day. Its hard to notice it past those cannons! Runs in the family.

Mommy and Cooper mixing the batter for our cake.

Just like his daddy, he wanted to lick the bowl.

Avery enjoyed playing with the ornaments.

Mommy made a cake and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Our Crazy Girl!!!!!!!!

Our little girl is so funny already! This was a dinner on our beach trip and Avery started out like this sitting in her high chair.

Then, she figured out that you can stand in the chair!

So we sat her back down!

But that was so much fun that she decided she wanted to make a game out of it. So every time we went and ate while we were that at the resort and had to play this game while eating. We would try to get on to her but she would just smile and then we couldn't do anything else.

She is just too adorable to get mad at. I am sure that day will come that it won't phase us at all to get on to her. Right Cooper?

She really is our Little Princess!!!!!!!

Little China Doll!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is our little niece Mei Ling! We are so excited that she is officially in the family and in the arms of her parents and brothers! They have been working on the process for at least two years now and we just Praise the Lord in his timing and for this precious Christmas gift! I really wish I could be in the states to welcome this little girl home! Mei Ling and her cousin Avery will be very close one day. They are only a month apart. She is so beautiful and we give God all the glory for him placing her in the McNelly and Mercer family. We love you Mei Ling!

Mei Ling and her mommy! Gina and Kevin are such wonderful parents and have been very big mentors to us. I know this little girl will get much love, nurturing, guidance and prayer daily from her wonderful parents. She is such a lucky little girl to have such Godly parents!

Is this not the cutest family? It is just so complete now! I know they have been waiting on this day for so long. I can only imagine the feelings that they are going through. I am sure little Mei Ling will get tons of loving from her big brothers. Just make sure you save some of that love for me little princess. Your Aunt Katie can't wait to eat you up!

Congratulations McNelly's on your new little girl! She is truly a bundle of joy and so beautiful!

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing yes, I will sing praises. 

Psalm 57:7

Tiny Trees Can Be Cute Too!

Well Darin finally gave in and let us get a tree! A very small, cheap tree. But it is a tree. So it feels a  little more like Christmas! Darin went to play basketball and Avery was in bed so I just couldn't wait any longer. I got it out and Cooper was so excited. This has been the first year that he has really showed interest. He loved getting to put the tree together and decorate it. I was fine with him helping on putting the tree up, but did not really approve of the decorating skills.

Don't you love how most of the decorations are all on the bottom?

He was so proud of how it decorated though!

What a great present under our tree!

Darin Loves Coffee

So, where to start. Oh I know, Darin thinks he is Mr. Folger now. The man with the basket is Mark and he is over the housing here. We had our barefoot classes at his house and he let the boys pick the coffee beans off the tree. Darin thinks it is the neatest thing.

Here is Mr. Folger, I mean Darin, working very hard to pick the beans that were ready.

He is so proud. Even though that might make two cups!

The barefoot class got to go to the coffee packaging plant. So Darin thought all of  you would love to see the process. First there is the bean that is not ripe. Second is the bean that is ripe and ready to be picked. Third is where you let the red ones soak and then peel it (the tedious process) and that is where you have the white one, which these have already been dried out. Fourth is the roasting. It is the brown seeds. And then you have it packaged. Either with beans or ground.

And then finally your coffee. I know crazy coffee maker huh? Many Ticos think this is the best tasting coffee made in this pouch. When you have Mr. Folger living in your house though it doesn't matter what kind of coffee maker you have.  Darin sure does love his coffee!!!!!!!

Museum in Costa Rica

Part of our barefoot class we all went to a museum. I would have to say that this is the first real art museum I have ever been to. It was very interesting. Especially since some of the things looked like I could have done it and some things look like Cooper did it. But most of it was pretty neat to look at. The building was actually the first airport in Costa Rica that mostly only politicians used. This balcony is where family use to stand and watch the planes come in!

These next few pictures are suppose to show the aging woman. I am sure you will notice what I mean.

Darin and Josh thought they would get on it as well.

I just thought this was very neat. 

Wake up Darin, you're dreaming.

If you had this picture, would you feel like someone was always looking at you?

They said this represents some of the woman of a certain kind back in the old days of Costa Rica. Said they were all very short with big hands and feet. 

This picture is suppose to symbolize conception. On the left is the egg and on the right is......... can you tell?

This is a park now, but it is where the runway thing was for the planes to take off and land. Excuse us though. It was very windy and cold. That is why I have my jacket on, plus Darin's sweat jacket.