8600 Feet

We made the big move and we now we live in Bogota, Colombia. On the agenda this week? Try to catch our breath! We arrived five days ago and we are adjusting to a new city and a new life, and to living eight-thousand six hundred feet above sea level. I'm definitely feeling the altitude! It's crazy. Just walking up the stairs gets me seriously winded. Hopefully we'll acclimate soon. Of course it's hard to know what day to day life will really be like since we are still in a hotel and have no idea when we might get into our apartment. Unfortunately the housing office at the embassy is kind of a pain. We pretty much have no say in where we live - they pick the apartment for us before we even get to see it! Sure, we give them a few of our "preferences" but ultimately they and the housing board decide. We are going to hold out until we at least get a bathtub, 4 bedrooms and to live in Chico (one of the two areas embassy families are allowed to live in). The good thing is all the apartments we've seen other families in have been really nice. I'm sure everything will turn out well and for now the kids and I just get to pretend we're on vacation! Hopefully that vacation won't last 6 weeks ;)

I really like Bogota so far. Everyone is SO friendly. The kids and I walked to the park today and met a woman there with her daughter and after talking for about 2 minutes she invited us over to have lunch and suggested we have a joint birthday party for our daughters since their birthdays are 2 days apart! Haha, she was so nice. We have already made some friends too. We met a really nice American Mormon family. They have a 5 year old daughter and almost 2 year old girl. Jay and Mika get along really well. I think we will be good friends! The weather is awesome. It hovers around 75 degrees and sunny until about 2 or 3 when it rains for a little while. It's beautiful! The rain is nice too since it clears out all the city air. There are a ridiculous amount of cars here. People are only allowed to drive every other day (we can drive every day since we have diplomat plates). They drive CrAZy!!! You have to be super careful crossing the street because they don't watch for pedestrians. I have hardly seen any of the city so far but it's a very vibrant place. Every Sunday they close down a huge section of the city to allow walking, biking, running etc. in the main streets. It's cool to see all the families out and about.

I know we will like it here. It has a good vibe. Right now things are still a little hard because we aren't settled. Being stuck in a hotel room isn't great - luckily it's 2 bedrooms and there is a pool here - but it's still  not the same as having your own house and your own things. Plus we can't get Jay into a preschool until we know where we're going to be. Once we get into a routine I know we will love it here. Hopefully that will happen soon!

On our way!

After spending an amazing time with family we are finally on our way to see daddy in Bogota! Here we are on the plane, ready to go on an adventure.

We had to get up pretty early to get on the plane. We had a hard time getting checked in too because I didn't have a return flight and don't have my official diplomat passport yet. I ended up having to buy return tickets that were outrageously expensive. We were able to cancel them with no penalties once we got to Bogota though. Thankfully! 

 Jay's breakfast choice. haha! We were running super late and it was a bit stressful so this is what we got!

 All Amaya needs is Woody!

All Jay needs is his movie player :)

 Sleepy time.

We made it!!!

Portland

We all decided to go up to Portland to see Brandy, Cory and Sage while I was in town. Grandma was worried about us driving in the winter so she generously paid for our trip! So sweet. I loved seeing my adorable little niece!

 Taking a walk outside Cory's house. Of course it was rainy! Amaya got sick while we were there so she and Sage couldn't really play much :(

 Grandpa and adorable baby sage!

While we were up there we went to the Portland Science Museum. It was so cool! The kids loved the children's science area. They could probably go every day and be happy.

I loved seeing my brother, Brandy and Sage. I wish we could live closer! 

CaliforNIA!

After Utah we went to spend some time in California with my parents. We had more good times there. It was beautiful, as always. First things first, we had to take Bachey for a walk!

One day we headed down to Sacramento where we went to the carousel at the mall. The kids had so much fun on it at Disneyland we figured they would enjoy going again! Afterwards we went to a jumpy castle place.

 What a big girl!

 My handsome boy.

 The kids had a great time at the bouncy castle place. They loved playing basketball together in the giant bouncy castle, with Nonna's help of course.

 Amaya loved this toy ride on duckie. I'm tempted to get her one of her own! She wouldn't leave it alone.

 Papa started reading The Hobbit to Jay, just like he used to read it to Cory and I when we were little. He enjoyed it for a little while but I think he's still a little too young to get into the story. I have so many fond memories of reading that book with my dad though! I definitely think reading it with him was the kickstart to my love of all things fantasy and science fiction.

Movie time in Papa's big movie theatre!

 Jay and I went on a mommy-son date to get frozen yogurt one day.

 I love this silly kid!

Me and my MyMy.

We also went up to Fallon for a few days. The kids love the little park by my parents house.

 Zina even came out to visit for the weekend to see us! It was so nice to be with her.

They also love watching movies at Nonna and Papa's when it's cold outside! I love how they are all snuggled up together in the blanket :)

Happy Valentines Day! Not the best picture. Oh well. I love my yiddles!