Baby Gorilla

Henry and his baby gorilla

With the introduction of Hermione into our family, poor oh'Henry is feeling a little left out. Earlier in the week, Tristan thought he'd cheer him up with one of his stuffed animals -- baby gorilla. Well, Henry hasn't been the same since. He's now the "daddy" and keeps his gorilla safe and near him at all times.

You can ask me to fetch, you can toss me a ball, just don't mess with my baby gorilla!

Sundown on the Athi Plains

Sundown on the Athi Plains

This weekend we traveled out of Nairobi to meet with our friends, and team mates, Tim and Diane Bannister. They live in a thatched roof cottage on large farm set upon the Athi plains, about a hours drive outside of Nairobi.

Tim and Diane have coordinated short term missions in Kenya for Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) since we joined the mission together in 2006. For anyone who has come to volunteer in Kenya with CBM over the past four years, you have no doubt had the joy of spending time with the Bannisters and likely visiting their beautiful home and the nearby Acacia Camp. Prior to joining CBM, Tim and Diane served for 20 years with Africa Inland Mission where they worked with Rift Valley Academy, a international christian boarding school for missionary children in Kijabe, Kenya.

As we begin our new role with Guardians of Hope, the Bannisters help will be invaluable -- not only with facilitating short term volunteers, but in their cultural experience and development perspective. We are so thankful for the blessing of team and the joy of camaraderie as we journey forward.

Ava having a cuddle and a chat with our "uncle" Tim

Our children had a great time riding their bicycles as wildebeest and gazelles watched on from the distance. Of course, you can't cycle long in Kenya before the countless thorns puncture at least one tire -- Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

Sunset over the Athi Plains

A lone male Masai Ostrich watching us as we headed back to Nairobi

When we arrived home, we were delighted to see that Henry and Reese have adjusted well to our new puppy, Hermione. Henry is very protective of her and Reese has without a doubt adopted her as her own.

Hermione hanging out with Reese and Henry

Puppy Love!

Puppy Love!

Ava has been eagerly awaiting the beginning of her school year next month at Potter House. It has been very hard for her to have to stay back, while Tristan and Emma go off to school each morning. Without any other children to play with here at home, she has been enjoying a lot of playtime with our dogs Henry and Reese -- or as she calls them "Honking and Reese!"

Last week Ava got her hair done, and in order for her braids to stay in longer, we used hair extensions to strengthen the braids. Ava was thrilled by her new long hair. She told us that because of her long hair now that "I have to get married!"

This morning she announced that she would marry our dog Reese!

I guess that only makes sense.

Reese moving in for a kiss!

Oh Henry!

Buckethead!

Poor Henry living with a bucket-head

This past weekend, our puppies Henry and Reese turned one year old. For Henry's birthday he received a "little" operation to ensure that we don't come back to more puppies this August, after our Canadian home assignment. All week long he has been wearing a plastic garbage pail on his head and crashing into us like a blind rhino. Poor Old Henry!

Backyard Adventures

Mommy and Ava went on a backyard Safari this afternoon

On a safari, you need to set up base camp. The challenge is keeping the wild animals (like our dogs Henry and Reese) out!

Ava braving a scary tunnel

Along the way they discovered this Scarab

According to the internet, it is called a Pachnoda Sinuata Flaviventris a type of African flower beetle. There are over 30,000 species of scarabs in the world. Over the past few years we have come across many beetles with an incredible variety of colours and designs. Their unique patterns look as if they have been hand painted. In Eastleigh, we've seen ones that look like they are wrapped in the Kenyan flag. This particular type of beetle has a tail end that resembles an attacking creature with a mouth full of teeth. You never know what you'll see on a safari!