Goodbye 2023

2023 is coming to a close. It seems this year flew by and while it was a year filled with some challenges and some heartbreak for family members, it was also a year with more blessings than pain. I always count that as a win as there have been years in the past that I was happy to say goodbye to.  

The biggest blessing is the imminent arrival of a new Grandchild in 2024.  We look forward to meeting little Aidan Stanley Helio Sierra in about 4 months. ❤ 

         He is only our second grandchild after Matthew, who turned 16 this year! 

I find it funny that given we only have the one grandchild and another on the way, we spent the year full of children!

             Often times they were sleeping on my lap...I guess I was comfy.😜

For Christmas this year we had planned a nice Christmas service with coffee, cocoa and homebaked goodies after Christmas Eve church service. Instead, a large part of Panama had the electricity go out...for several hours! We had a church service without airconditioning or even fans! As hot as we all were during service, poor Gary was drenched by the end of preaching a short but beautiful Christmas sermon. Still, we had a good time...giving gifts to the kiddos and enjoying the goodies with water instead of coffee and cocoa.  The homemade fudge was a hit...but folks weren't sure about the ricekrispi bars.😛  

Adios 2023!!!

                                                                 Fun with Sister

                                                 Back to more travel memories of 2023.  

In August, Lynn treated me with a trip home to Wisconsin. We spent several days just doing fun stuff...hiking, ferry rides, beach picnics...delicious food and rock painting! The most fun though was just spending time chatting and laughing and being together!  The hardest thing about our nomadic lifestyle is having to leave family behind, so on the rare opportunities we are together it is a special blessing!                  Thank you so much Sis for the wonderful memories!❤❤❤❤

                                                      Hiking...lots of wonderful hiking. 

                        It was fun discovering hidden rock villages on Madeline Island. 

                                                                       Shenanigans 😜

                                                                    Riding the ferry.

                                                 

                                                             I LOVE Lake Superior!!!!