Surprise Shower for Adeline

Adeline's Surprise Shower - May 30, 09

Adeline is a great friend of many of us the Africans and she's having a baby boy, Yumbi, in mid June. The party was fun. And she was surprised; she had no clue, and that was a real treat. She was so happy too. The turnout was just great, and we ate, danced, ate, and danced some more, talked, opened gifts, and watched Nigerian movies until 3am, although we'd started at 6pm the previous evening. That's the African way!

To make the weekend even more special, Aaron's good friend, Wilson, his wife Harriet and their two little daughters came to visit for the weekend. So, it was one busy and fun weekend.

Adeline walks into "Surprise" and is still looking baffled in the first few pictures.

Everyone's trying to capture her surprised face.

Then we get ready to eat

Adeline, guest-of-honor, launches the eating part.

Bernadette and me - the dancing has began.

Group picture - hooray!

Aaron and I are having the time of our lives

And the guys too...

Dessert time

Fun pics

We all tease Adeline that her baby, Yumbi, will be born while she is dancing. She loves to dance.

Circle dancing

More guests eating

Aaron poses:)

Gifts time. This is after Adeline has made a speech and told us about the baby and the guests have all offered comments and advice and encouragement.

Angelle talks to Adeline about the joy of having a baby.

This man was a very good dancer!!:)

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2008 ~

Had some African friends over. We just cooked, ate, relaxed and watched movies until about 5am. Then on New Year's eve, we did the same at Bricia's house until the wee hours of New Year's day. So much fun....and food! That's the African way!

Aaron with Bricia (Gabonese) and Adeline (Cameroonian)

Jean-Pierre, Bricia's brother

Bricia and boyfriend, Amami (he's Senegalese)

Grandma Visits

My maternal grandma - Ma Francisca

I was so happy to bring her to visit from Oklahoma. She has been visiting from Cameroon for some months now and stayed with my aunt in Oklahoma. My grandma was always there during the early years of my life, when I was often sick too, I'm told, and so I am very close to her. She had a great time in Arkansas, although she felt that we lived in a "bush"!! It was too natural, she felt. Well, she'd been in Oklahoma city all along. But she loved sitting out in front of our house and waving to the cars that went by, while watching the ducks and geese swim to and from the pond that lies in front of our house. She'll often take long walks too along the many quiet streets that surround the area.

I'm glad she came.

Gustaff's Visit

Gustaff visited me for about a week. We had lots of fun visiting friends, chilling and watching movies, seeing the Baha'i friends, doing some direct and indirect teaching. Gustaff enjoys nature and so always loves his stay in Arkansas with all its greenery. His drum, of course, charmed everyone he met and played to, as did his radiant countenance. It is always a pleasure to see him. He was even able to lend a special touch to our cluster reflection meeting.

Gustaff playing his drum, the "Djembe". This was at the Pittmans' home. We had a contact there, Mike, who is taking Ruhi Book 1 with the Pittmans. Mike loved the music.

Gustaff and MikeHere we are in front of the buiding where I work at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Mushu - in Finland

Way to go, small bro!!! I like your dreadlocks!!

Fombes visit us in Arkansas

Weekend of June 14 and 15.

My aunt Angeline, her husband, and my 3 cousins visited from Oklahoma.

Roxy - my miniature schnauzer. She's 3 years old and really sweet. I adopted her on June 13. My cousin, Feh, loved her as soon as she saw her and dotted on her throughout the weekend.
The boys make a chocolate cake.
Feh can't wait to taste it!!
We watch "The Amazing Zorro".


We had planned a boat trip as a treat for our weekend guests. The boat belonged to the Clarks - Baha'i friends of ours. We went over to their house by 11am to clean out the boat and prepare for the trip.

Feh and I play with Max.
With Ma Angeline

Samgwa
Samgella on the hammock

Max wants to get on as well
Ma Angel tries to find a balance!:-)

Samgwa is going down!!:-)
Feh is content

Will I get on? We'll see...
Samgwa helps
The guys clean out the boat. It hasn't been on the lake since last summer so it is kinda dirty
Don't fall in!!
Heading out...

Aaron and Ma Angie stretch out
Uncle Georgie is ready to swim. Alan is steering the boat.
Feh and I feel secure in our life jackets
Callin (left) and his cousin (Gabriel). Callin is a good water skiier

Ah, the wind and water spray feel good on the face

Swimming time!

Feh comes out of the lake, content.
Ma Angie and I relax and soak in the afternoon sun
The boat going at full speed!! It felt great!
Ma Angie was exhilarated and let out a "whoa" everytime the boat jumped on waves

Uncle Georgie climbs back in after swimming. Aaron just got in too!
Callin is great at water skiing
His dad steers while he skiies side to side
Uncle Georgie watches from the back of the boat

Aaron and I relax in the back
Mother and daughter
The boat is just gliding now after a giddy few minutes of high speed over the waves
Eating at home
At our own little pond in front of our home

With cousin Feh

On the swing

Aaron decided to work off a heavy lunch on the mower!!:-)
My aunt and hubby relax

Aaron....are you working or what??:-)