Will post some pictures later this week. We found an internet cafe walking distance from our current abode and I only have a half hour before it closes.

Natalie had a wonderful time wavejumping with Papa at the beach in Amelia. Liam enjoyed the sand and feeling the pull of the waves as well. We had cooler weather due to Kyle and now that we are in Belize we are thankful for that cool weather!

Things here in PG Town are slowly getting shuffled around and trying to work their way into a picture of what we will be doing here. We are adjusting to our new surroundings. This is humidity like nothing I've ever experienced - even in a Midwest summer. The past two nights we've had a fabulous evening storm. With the tin roof it really sounds as if the water is being thrown down on you from a fire hose. We have found ourselves waiting in eager anticipation for the shower because of how much cooler it feels once it comes. Natalie and Russell stood out in the street the first night watching the lightning prompting several Belizeans to inquire if all was okay. While seeking out a restaurant this evening we stopped to look at the leaf cutter ant expressway. One of the locals informed us that it happens every year during the rainy season as they seek out higher ground. We could see the ants high up on the tree branches and the leaves eated down to the stem. Then there was the stream of ants down the branches, across the powerlines, down the light pole, and traveling across the sidewalk and wrapping around the building as far as we could see. With the majority of them carrying their leaves 3-4X their size. Both kids enjoyed it. Russell got too close and discovered that their pincers do indeed hurt!

While waiting for dinner Liam loves to watch the geckos and lizards. "I see it! I see it!" Natalie was a bit dismayed when a little Belizean boy caught one of the lizards and flung it down on the street, mortally wounding it. She did not like it and was on the verge of getting upset. There really aren't any beaches in Punta Gorda although it is on the coast. The kids did enjoy walking in the ocean off some rocks yesterday and we'll try to take a trip out to some Cayes just 15-20 minute boat ride away in the Bay of Honduras.

There was some miscommunication regarding my "assignment" here. After my experiences in Nepal and Kenya I truly expected it to be nothing like what I expected. So I've had to strive for that balance between my urge to have control of the situation and know all that is going on and be patient and go with the flow in a country with a different tempo. I should know a few more facts tomorrow about what I will be doing and where we will be ultimately living. For now we have a comfortable house, but we have to be out of it this weekend because it is for some nursing students. It is up in the air where we will be.

I need to wrap this up and will add more in a day or two. Am hoping so much that Liam starts to fall into a better sleep rhythm soon!!! We are all safe, healthy, and enjoying the incredible hospitality and friendliness of the Belizeans.

Colors of Fall

Adding decorative touches to the window for the housesitter. Bonzai eggplants anyone? Or how about some fried green tomatoes...

September Harvest

As we were making our final preparations to leave, we harvested what was left on the greenhouse plants. It was the first year and very experimental. It was also the third coldest summer in recorded Alaska history with exactly two days above 70 degrees. Knowing that we were headed for the tropics for three months is what kept me somewhat sane. We are at Amelia Island with the Wilson grandparents enjoying the warmth of Florida. We will leave for Belize City on Saturday. I am new to this blog thing so bear with me. I hope to get more creative as the weeks go on.