Skating with friends

Ice skating at the Solar Ice Rink

at the Panari Sky Hotel, Nairobi

Emma and Diana -- Cookie Elves!

After church today, we brought some friends with us for a picnic at the "Solar Ice Rink". Along with our sandwiches we enjoyed some super oatmeal cookies made by Emma and her friend Diana, who stayed up late together last night baking cookies.

Ava skating with the help of a penguin

Amanda and Emma

Our friend Amanda Lindhout also joined us for the picnic and skate. She is just back from a visit to Canada. Amanda and her organization, The Global Enrichment Foundation, is returning to Somalia this week for a second food convoy to the famine affected areas.

Tristan and Daddy on the ice

This was Aaron's first time back on skates after he cracked his ribs this past June. He was feeling very good, as he helped the kids around the rink.

Erica & Amanda

Michael Lower and Tristan

Diana Ojeda & Emma trying out their skates

Tristan, Ava and Michael on the ice

"Don't fall!"

Unexpected Fun!

It is pretty safe to say ice skating was not a part of the expectations that Brianna had for her short term missions trip to Africa. In fact, we'd bet that they are the first CBM volunteers to go ice skating as part of an African STM trip in the history of Canadian Baptist Ministries. Way to be the first!!!!! This afternoon, the girls joined our family for some of our kid's summer vacation fun as we returned to the Panari Sky Hotel's "Solar Ice Rink" to have a second ice skating lesson (The first was on Canada Day).

It was a lot of fun, and we had far less crashes and spills than our first time out. In fact, Tristan and Emma no longer needed the support of the penguins and steel support bars. They are all becoming much more confident on skates!

Tristan did have a few tumbles,

but he was keeping up with the adults!

Tristan and Daddy

Our friend Vance helping Ava find her balance

Emma, Mommy and TK on the ice!

This past weekend, we also celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary. We appreciated having a night away at the Sankara Hotel in Westlands as Brianna watched our kids.

Oh Canada!

Happy Canada Day

This year for our Canada Day celebration, we took our children ice skating at the the Panari Sky Hotel in Nairobi. This is the only ice skating rink in Kenya, probably the only one in East Africa. It is about half the size of a normal ice hockey rink in Canada, but a great little rink!

Tristan's first time on skates

Growing up in Africa, Tristan, Emma and Ava have never gone ice skating before. It was a thrill to strap on the moulded blue rental skates and hit the ice. I don't imagine Kenya mounting an Olympic Hockey team any time soon, but there are pick up hockey games and school groups using the rink every day. Because of the heat issues, the rink only opens an hour at a time and then must be empty to cool down have their mini zamboni run over the surface.

Daddy helping Ava get use to the blades

Mommy and Emma enjoying

a little bit of Canada in Kenya

Ava flying around the rink

Resting their tired feet and bottoms

after a great hour on the ice

Happy Canada Day from Kenya!!!!