July Visitors

We have had a few houseguests recently - and they've each come from FAR away!

First we hosted Zahraa and Koraw through the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (we did this back in 2013 as well). Zahraa was from Baghdad and Koraw was from a city in northern Iraq/Kurdistan. They were in Austin for about a month through their program with UT and stayed with us about 24 hours one weekend.

The first time we hosted students we didn't plan enough activity, so this time we changed things up. Shortly after we picked them up on Saturday we headed to Mt. Bonnell - it was hot, but the view of the city is worth it. And they're from Iraq so the heat is something they're used to! (We took some great group selfies but somehow I didn't end up with any of them.) After that we went to the big Whole Foods (telling them over and over that most US grocery stores aren't quite this impressive.) They were overwhelmed with the choices but enjoyed it (I think). Then we went home and got the kids somewhat occupied while we (and our friends Bo and Sally) talked and taught them how to play Settlers of Catan - the universal language of board game love - while our combined 5 kids ran around crazy in the background (next time - sitter!). 

Post-breakfast time w/ R2D2 on Sunday

They were interested in checking out an American church so we went to our St. John's campus the next morning (and ran into several people they knew already - small world) - they really enjoyed the music and filmed almost all of the worship/message on their phones. Then we went to eat sushi (new to them!) and of course our van battery died so that was a little adventure. 

Me and the kids and Z and K inside eating while Kyle dealt with the car.

 Then we went on a Duck Boat Tour of Austin - so fun! O & R had done it before with Bee, but the rest of us hadn't. After a great little tour on land of downtown Austin our bus drove into the lake and we got a little lake tour as well! 

There was an issue with not enough seats so Kyle sat up in the almost-Captain's chair. :)

The girls took SO many pictures!

Quaaaack! (Oh, we're in a parking garage waiting for Kyle to jump our van for the 2nd time today - yes, issues.)

After that it was back to campus for them and back to real life for us. Just like when we did the program in 2013 - we were so blessed by getting to know these gals. They live in an increasingly hard part of the world, where you can't take any freedoms (personal, religious, safety, education, etc.) for granted. They are so bright and kind and we wish them all the best. 

By this time you all know Carlos. He's from all over, and even occasionally Austin. Well this visit he brought his girlfriend - Bronwyn, who hails from South Africa (and has the awesome accent to prove it). They were just in town for couple of nights - towards the end of a whilwind tour of the western US (before heading to NYC). And they did it all (mostly) from this awesome tent on TOP of Carlos' truck! (I didn't get a good shot of the set up - but its essentially a box that sits on the top of his truck and just pops up/open, ladder comes down). The kids had a great time playing in it while Carlos cleaned it out.

They had their bikes with them so we (all 7 of us) road to Kerbey Lane for breakfast. And of course he had to take a spin on our littlest ride just for fun.

Group selfie with all of us! 

So fun to meet Bronwyn! Until next time Uncle C...