Hey everyone! 6:35 pm here on Saturday (10:35 am there) and Jackson and I have just enjoyed a grilled cheese supper. Not sure what Greg and Carol are going to dine on tonight, though. Anyway, we have had a good couple of days. Friday, we went to the orphanage early and had a good visit. We weren't able to go into our normal room with the boys so they let us go into a "rec room". There was some really cute exercise equipment, small basketball goals, bowling sets, balance beams,and even a foosball table. We had a great time playing with them yesterday. We took bananas for the boys to snack on and Philip gobbled his up and was back playing in no time. But, Ryan and Jackson were both savoring theirs a little bit more....so Ryan was sitting down and said "Jackson, blah blah blah" and patted the seat beside him. So, I told Jackson he was trying to get him to come sit with him. Jackson did and it was so cute....I'll post the pic! But, I was very happy because it is one more sign that they are actually going to bond! Afterward, we ate pizza and asked Yari (our driver) to take us shopping at what looked like a flea market to me from the street. They have a few of these in town, but he took us to the "best" one and told us they call it a bazaar. For all my fellow travellers to Ecuador, it was just like the shopping we did at the market there. Booth after booth with tons of people shopping. It was great. The only thing is, I was expecting more stuff like in Ecuador....handmade jewelry, crafts, art work, etc. But, really it was mostly clothes, coats, and shoes. It was amazing....these booths on the side of the road with furs, leather, and designer knock-off clothes. We loved it! We definitely want to go back there to look some more. We bought the boys some tobaggans for when they leave the orphanage with us. After that, we went to the market and home. We bought a rotisserie chicken for dinner and it was delicious! We are all going to miss the food here, even Jackson. But, we certainly want a chance to get to miss it because we are finally home!

Today, we went back to the orphanage again this morning. We ended up going into the main room in Philip's age wing of the orphanage. So, we got to see how they sleep and see their little toiletry area where all their toothbrushes, towels, washcloths, and a bar of soap were lined up. It was really pretty cute! We had a fine visit today, but the boys were kind of rebellious. We think they are already starting to try to push us to see how far we will let them go. You all know us....not very far! HaHa! But, overall it was a good visit and we got Ryan to repeat a ton of English words and numbers to us. Philip repeated the number "18" finally, but that is all he would say! I know that will change when he gets to America and has only English spoken to him! We ate burritos at the Potato House today and Jackson had ice cream for dessert. I had the "hot chocolate" that I have fallen in love with. It is so thick, you eat it with a spoon. Greg and Carol had their Macchiatos they have fallen in love with. When we left the restaurant, it was coming the biggest snow we have seen here. For me, it was the biggest snow flakes I have ever seen. I told Jackson the angels were having a pillow fight in Heaven because it literally looked like feathers falling from the sky. It really was beautiful....and still life went on. People walking and riding all over. We told Yari that Alabama would be shut down for days with that kind of snow! Anyway, we love and miss you all....as always. More later!