Makeup

 Ellie got a vanity and some makeup for Christmas. She is loving it, but we certainly need to cover the ‘less is more’ principle.  Love her!!!

Graduation from BCS

The Baptist Convention Seminary (BCS) hosted a graduation in December for one of its students-Howard Brown. We are so proud of Howard finishing his certificate level program. 

Classes begin again in mid February for our new incoming class  we have many students signed up to attend  

 

New school year

January marks the start of a new school year  for our kids since we have year round schooling. With Covid looming all about us, we certainly don’t take for granted our kids actually being able to be in a classroom with a teacher and other students. 

Taylor started high school this year (8th grade) which brought with it a new school, new teachers, and new friends. She has adjusted so well and we are so proud of her.

Bradyn started 5th grade and Ellie is doing preschool at home with mom and learning her letters. 

Ellie doing the letter ‘E’

5th grade

8th grade

 

Camping adventure

 Just after Christmas, we set off on a camping adventure with our friends the Xaviers. We went to northern Botswana to a beautiful place on the river called Kasane that hosts the Chobe National Park. We camped at a lovely place called ‘Muchenje’ and then drive to Eastern Botswana to the Tuli Block and camped at Longwope Farmhouse.  Seeing the beauty of this country from its landscape, to its animals, to the people never gets old. We love Botswana 🇧🇼 

Elephant crossing signs are no joke, literally roaming everywhere up north

Hippos are rarely out of the water, just to graze normally in the evenings

Boat ride on the Chobe River

Ellie and her buddy Josh

New Years Eve glow party around the campfire

My handsome boy

Ellie and the majestic giraffe

Monkeys were a problem in Muchenje and Bradyn kept them away with the slingshot 

Really beware hippos and crocs...this place is wild

A hyena killed something not 30 yards from our tent, here is the blood spot

In Kasane, warthog are like dogs wandering around

Yikes!!

All the kiddos, such great friends

Campfire fun

Elephants literally on the road

Morning relaxing enjoying the sounds of nature

My girl ❤️

Botswana sunsets are the best

Rhino- so blessed to see this creature in the wild as they are close to extinction. They removed this guys horns and since they grow back (I had no idea) they will remove them again in 2 years. 

Bradyn and the Cape Buffalo

Our tent

My kids ❤️

Sunsets 

Pull overs on the side of the road all have this warning sign 

I have never seen a giraffe laying down

Storm looming

Game drive fun

Coca Cola with the Botswana sky

My man watching the storm blow in

Warthog

Monkeys are cute but so naughty 

Bradyn protecting our camp from monkeys 

Ellie poo...never gets old 

We love the Xaviers

Muchenje campsite

We loved this part of the Chobe National Park

Christmas Day

Our friends, the Xaviers, invited us for Christmas dinner at their home. These are friends who have become family over the past years and we just love them.  Christmas Day was filled with loads of laughter, swimming, food (of course), and white elephant gifts.