tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82279414874827245602024-02-07T16:54:50.938-03:00ashley's dominican adventures..ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-61972900047408282682010-06-27T22:42:00.001-04:002010-07-31T15:10:16.731-04:00a cenar juntos.. what a blessing! it is so good to have time with our sweet friends and neighbors to laugh and share a meal. we always leave full with so many things to laugh about. i will miss their good company. a couple families we have gotten close to decided they were going to cook a dominican dinner for the gringas this time, so all we had to do was show up! everyone brought different dishes and we had a wooonderful meal!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYvpzTREy-riNsQdYvRaATP6KGYr6q1WmF7PAR1jYOOHwh9b5mjbMbvsbZF0v0uGgb87ZTWMnpc4puCIifmkhKNBKTbyYuz9arYbwtk1pZdzTMzIxq3ax9V1qd-sU0xAfqUOktu-g6nD/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYvpzTREy-riNsQdYvRaATP6KGYr6q1WmF7PAR1jYOOHwh9b5mjbMbvsbZF0v0uGgb87ZTWMnpc4puCIifmkhKNBKTbyYuz9arYbwtk1pZdzTMzIxq3ax9V1qd-sU0xAfqUOktu-g6nD/s320/IMG_2101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500134818064183778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">tanya y yesenia- two of the hilarious cocineras</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzhnp_earWvMsvgRX_SSpE6IwOA8-tFqILyQAtNDL0AAdCaGH_G-IK35oCpo_93SmhHr-43hGrag-CTxAbvWC9aHkWZFuIZQLGjrud4BbCoVK7f2hBog8GJKBb6758Gph1ZlfAHRkG9Sd/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzhnp_earWvMsvgRX_SSpE6IwOA8-tFqILyQAtNDL0AAdCaGH_G-IK35oCpo_93SmhHr-43hGrag-CTxAbvWC9aHkWZFuIZQLGjrud4BbCoVK7f2hBog8GJKBb6758Gph1ZlfAHRkG9Sd/s320/IMG_2111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500134801814365714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">jose angel- by far one of my FAVORITE neighborhood kids.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWCzVc6axstorabPDl9DBBDXEd_8MxYdePRERXqupcLqExUkUhV9_UEqWh9P9RE_hITeLtTJMX_pVc1bZm3KWyJyka4jzmX2DlfRvY9YuWqvipG1k26BnZrA6vjKKTeDzVu7Scm1oFeqI/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWCzVc6axstorabPDl9DBBDXEd_8MxYdePRERXqupcLqExUkUhV9_UEqWh9P9RE_hITeLtTJMX_pVc1bZm3KWyJyka4jzmX2DlfRvY9YuWqvipG1k26BnZrA6vjKKTeDzVu7Scm1oFeqI/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498044655278119394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">sweet smiles.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLF67R50qbDsW8r1JxYn5nQiBn-JHFCrx_5zlUUoRKAM_kgRT3WRWZoQu-nTtKVMXyQM69jfBf6WS8pir75vuG0xyNnJ9jpXQEljGV_ytieTFuH6ghVyYTyerv1D_1QyiP7fHXHtiAyAxz/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLF67R50qbDsW8r1JxYn5nQiBn-JHFCrx_5zlUUoRKAM_kgRT3WRWZoQu-nTtKVMXyQM69jfBf6WS8pir75vuG0xyNnJ9jpXQEljGV_ytieTFuH6ghVyYTyerv1D_1QyiP7fHXHtiAyAxz/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500136956861910338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">all the ladies at gloria's<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe0GuKztDRdS3guxhr2wyTF5Dtn3Ux3KlqlT1PWHC3ecsamdLipXjCbxGvCJ80XCIqsQKClWwoSjbuh1q4KTUDK7aQi6sfli929kZ0QFuANwhf7m_4kK75ks3SbPglsnLMKtdJMDeoekj/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe0GuKztDRdS3guxhr2wyTF5Dtn3Ux3KlqlT1PWHC3ecsamdLipXjCbxGvCJ80XCIqsQKClWwoSjbuh1q4KTUDK7aQi6sfli929kZ0QFuANwhf7m_4kK75ks3SbPglsnLMKtdJMDeoekj/s320/IMG_2117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498044643816352770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">all the muchachos<br /><br /><br /></span></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-19800454782048036112010-06-20T12:48:00.000-04:002010-07-31T13:57:07.093-04:00abbi and deanmay. 22. 2010.<br /><br />MY BEST FRIEND GOT MARRIED!<br /><br />the ceremony was absolutely beautiful. abbi and dean got married at <a href="http://www.amoa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=fac_laguna">laguna gloria</a>, part of the austin museum of art. it was perfect. classy. vintage. intimate. relaxed.<br /><br />we got there in the afternoon after abbi had her hair and makeup done. we spent the afternoon walking around the grounds and the bridesmaids hung out with abbi upstairs. it was really relaxed and we were more ready than nervous. you can only "get ready" so long, so of course we had some photo shoots..<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZia1eEOUgvDUVhzcAmCJkWjDVQoSyZ4xtgaVGmLpLvqAmw9fNpss61AKbcxFFZIbsbTZ-runcAftv5XwBP6eUNQ5_0wqWU4M6ew8YyDuZ39Z1Atux3db3k2wOmXcGJ3k4T2yPHycpGGy/s1600/IMG_3711.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZia1eEOUgvDUVhzcAmCJkWjDVQoSyZ4xtgaVGmLpLvqAmw9fNpss61AKbcxFFZIbsbTZ-runcAftv5XwBP6eUNQ5_0wqWU4M6ew8YyDuZ39Z1Atux3db3k2wOmXcGJ3k4T2yPHycpGGy/s320/IMG_3711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489793581248356402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">court, abbi, me</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_k837AS64gpqt1mvSsM-oLLIBA7n3ADam-Fb8THmPsJFxLYQi8smrDUMxyZCm0jK95Ej1iKXSsPJLuBU7o5lgqlaVZv1yFNFheNJ1E1E2s7yYVmxrDyZk8RtMATZt97gftv6cygEBys2/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_k837AS64gpqt1mvSsM-oLLIBA7n3ADam-Fb8THmPsJFxLYQi8smrDUMxyZCm0jK95Ej1iKXSsPJLuBU7o5lgqlaVZv1yFNFheNJ1E1E2s7yYVmxrDyZk8RtMATZt97gftv6cygEBys2/s320/IMG_3727.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489793574332794658" border="0" /></a>doesn't she look absolutely STUNNING? i mean seriously. first of all she is one of those gorgeous-in-sweats-with-no-make-up girls already, so put her in this vintage looking dress (one that i might be slightly obsessed with) and stick some flowers in her hand.. whoa.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHge1qS0Pm4dYPlbXqcOO4G01t2ICdbUzQAB-OJTJgNG4SJx4bWkB1CirFq9Kovcg67Vx4FmzEIeS2Z802XQtnfl8MrRjryyG6d6cg-_6QJ7UydjFIURz_pv5ATy0ZkMtB8pCUefozkrEw/s1600/IMG_3748.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHge1qS0Pm4dYPlbXqcOO4G01t2ICdbUzQAB-OJTJgNG4SJx4bWkB1CirFq9Kovcg67Vx4FmzEIeS2Z802XQtnfl8MrRjryyG6d6cg-_6QJ7UydjFIURz_pv5ATy0ZkMtB8pCUefozkrEw/s320/IMG_3748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489728163233850962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">abbi and her bridesmaids (jessica, carey, courtney, abbi, ashley, rachel, me, charis)</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjHHZ2W0zVJoJYcwaTjT-aUkNPfTKfXKLFpZeIQL2L3rCBVy3LBbUSoUgRuEhNcOi1Rl0zcNxzi1ZG9wcExUOMZaWFrlECuVJb4rlUh-jCkgaFPnKGHXBkLRzjzlqD6wlDdyxGD8dFClw/s1600/IMG_3765.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjHHZ2W0zVJoJYcwaTjT-aUkNPfTKfXKLFpZeIQL2L3rCBVy3LBbUSoUgRuEhNcOi1Rl0zcNxzi1ZG9wcExUOMZaWFrlECuVJb4rlUh-jCkgaFPnKGHXBkLRzjzlqD6wlDdyxGD8dFClw/s320/IMG_3765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489793564388218306" border="0" /></a>the ceremony was really small. their two immediate families and wedding party watched the ceremony down by the lake. it was sweet and very <span style="font-style: italic;">real.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzQyqZ7FVlHvredmqgB6L0UoerLuIVHoWcQiLbRuoRXM3EW8hqIePj0Ax8702HtAoVSIiXJGmpmixGoGsMnKKZkuEEHaC109dgzoj-CdVS_ZOFz2fspuBS-WRWwkoKsnDMBX1eAxY84Gd/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzQyqZ7FVlHvredmqgB6L0UoerLuIVHoWcQiLbRuoRXM3EW8hqIePj0Ax8702HtAoVSIiXJGmpmixGoGsMnKKZkuEEHaC109dgzoj-CdVS_ZOFz2fspuBS-WRWwkoKsnDMBX1eAxY84Gd/s320/IMG_3767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489728144273500226" border="0" /></a>after the ceremony we walked up the little hill to the reception where many more people were waiting. it was all outside and the weather was perfect. the stringed quartet was lovely and it was so fun to eat and laugh with abbi's family and friends that we have grown up with.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAadaxaGNHci6NH58PYdHXLuAnQV1sWk0EX3RJlN6yfsSUXtE9cNF55Fokkzv6_nIp_IgojudPcvvRq1q9HV0oOOMiXfecckZf9JAhJR9N0JCNtlQ8k_F4m-suPTmdtCnWr1fzFdeK88aA/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAadaxaGNHci6NH58PYdHXLuAnQV1sWk0EX3RJlN6yfsSUXtE9cNF55Fokkzv6_nIp_IgojudPcvvRq1q9HV0oOOMiXfecckZf9JAhJR9N0JCNtlQ8k_F4m-suPTmdtCnWr1fzFdeK88aA/s320/IMG_3784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489728136231791394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">abbi, joe, lisa, evan</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOc452eK6JoXVBREbQZYaEq7UtHSKjsy-efK4L7YxnJ_TzhS8AlkppSBgOSXVaCtearpzLR81yRMDD6S9q1HLEu_K3b69xdhU8Jt5NHWDnrj9buFxLEmzZxPaFV9hsAkp_Y4RTGJRJRBwG/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOc452eK6JoXVBREbQZYaEq7UtHSKjsy-efK4L7YxnJ_TzhS8AlkppSBgOSXVaCtearpzLR81yRMDD6S9q1HLEu_K3b69xdhU8Jt5NHWDnrj9buFxLEmzZxPaFV9hsAkp_Y4RTGJRJRBwG/s320/IMG_3794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489728131562980914" border="0" /></a>..and off they went to enjoy their honeymoon together. mr. and mrs. shirley.<br /><br />i love you both so much and i am so happy for you.ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-64698987500539236622010-06-17T11:10:00.000-04:002010-07-12T14:30:25.079-04:00may mini vacationliterally a few hours after we had our class graduation celebration, i was on a plane headed to los estados. my best friend ABBI was getting married and while i was in town i got to spend some time with the fam and some good friends.<br /><br />in pictures, here is a little bit of what it looked like (minus wedding photos.. next entry, people. next entry)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogLi5F4CzkLnK_P7iSvxmh-7kxTG1y9cpj5CJ3C-eXC1JIlIlTUT69IKCf2PM9OWMUfx2f1WrqYVX8AdasPdDk0CIy8AgAN58EkRu8bsS8sniVm_mspcCrSPjPNT8tUMjp45ITaDDqKpk/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogLi5F4CzkLnK_P7iSvxmh-7kxTG1y9cpj5CJ3C-eXC1JIlIlTUT69IKCf2PM9OWMUfx2f1WrqYVX8AdasPdDk0CIy8AgAN58EkRu8bsS8sniVm_mspcCrSPjPNT8tUMjp45ITaDDqKpk/s320/IMG_1981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489700144052831346" border="0" /></a>kennedy turned ONE! oh my goodness i cannot believe it has already been a year! she was absolutely adorable in her tutu at her elmo themed party.. she has some pretty cool parents. :) auntie tinkle can't wait for more time with little kennedy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vQNCfbDcvrWeXRLf1L4L96Fnb632GE0qgNWfBcvKXkkswcntYhnb2d6NZ7f_oAfn9P7tc7xYAc_aTpOoUYVO43dy7N6Wvcx0-lGJXCl1flCId-iWxJ5eG8VzW38O9FopoOYr3Ya_tx1C/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vQNCfbDcvrWeXRLf1L4L96Fnb632GE0qgNWfBcvKXkkswcntYhnb2d6NZ7f_oAfn9P7tc7xYAc_aTpOoUYVO43dy7N6Wvcx0-lGJXCl1flCId-iWxJ5eG8VzW38O9FopoOYr3Ya_tx1C/s320/IMG_1999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489700136615511138" border="0" /></a>lunch date with my sista (<span style="font-style: italic;">reeeeally</span> good food. everyone needs to eat at mother's at least once). i was thankful to get some time with court planning the bachelorette party, going to the wedding, and hanging out a little. she rocks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeabYbogzc5gwkUCAjfjiBKCDXmgv5y-gKT855BkgvVbJXCV9JmaXwW-4qC60DngeyVDI1hyphenhyphenoTeLJABdDjUVXw_joYml0W6d0SgQIsA7nEV9EMpcNbY-NKxm4ccEcabOLSDvh6tB_Bqatn/s1600/IMG_2008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeabYbogzc5gwkUCAjfjiBKCDXmgv5y-gKT855BkgvVbJXCV9JmaXwW-4qC60DngeyVDI1hyphenhyphenoTeLJABdDjUVXw_joYml0W6d0SgQIsA7nEV9EMpcNbY-NKxm4ccEcabOLSDvh6tB_Bqatn/s320/IMG_2008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489700129679396690" border="0" /></a>bananarchy date with becca! becca was the one who first introduced me to bananarchy (a wonderful frozen banana trailer.. pick your toppings right there and wah lah- frozen banana pop on a spoon!). our bananarchy hang out date was great! love me some becca time..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcKtjaq4x8kx6SxGeFceRCVILPDwmIlkDcq3I89qVijRH-unGDWKlzMpnlwSae0yGwXVr-3VUF80dl98tJM4ezfPEDWlBbrsqzdsXTFHD3iqK-3oE6Mv2Ax5dIzwCmRB_tuKEQDISV8GX/s1600/IMG_2009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcKtjaq4x8kx6SxGeFceRCVILPDwmIlkDcq3I89qVijRH-unGDWKlzMpnlwSae0yGwXVr-3VUF80dl98tJM4ezfPEDWlBbrsqzdsXTFHD3iqK-3oE6Mv2Ax5dIzwCmRB_tuKEQDISV8GX/s320/IMG_2009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489700121868733650" border="0" /></a>dinner at central market (yeah.. they let it be my choice :) with some of the REC crew. OH how i miss those days and these incredible people! we have some gooood stories..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CfCxfsNnq6XKGzbjyMoltP-Cin-siaNmRZEbH_2UBBZppZgwpa5iEatTMVBlNm5sIYNBd6SXVimi7NeP8s47goaY7alePMdJKVJQUK3neMS4Ohs0ud0dhhRoZYtIQXFAnMjZDvHJJyws/s1600/IMG_2010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CfCxfsNnq6XKGzbjyMoltP-Cin-siaNmRZEbH_2UBBZppZgwpa5iEatTMVBlNm5sIYNBd6SXVimi7NeP8s47goaY7alePMdJKVJQUK3neMS4Ohs0ud0dhhRoZYtIQXFAnMjZDvHJJyws/s320/IMG_2010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489700111048242802" border="0" /></a>dia de anna- kayaking and lunch! oh what i would give to spend every morning on a lake with anne.. our entire day date was FULL of conversation, laughs, exploration, scripture.. anne is one of those people that is just good for the soul. i am so thankful for any time we are able to spend together.<br /><br />my time home was incredible and there are many more sweet people i was able to spend time with and good things i was able to do that i did not document with pictures.. chipotle with brett and kosh. shopping with mom. austin stone and whole foods with tay. worship, the boat, and dinner w/ the boons. nights with friends. back porch conversations in blankets. long runs on new trails. hanging out with the fam. . dallas road trip with mom. dallas with shannon. abbi's bachelorette party. abbi and dean's wedding.. (i know, i know. <span style="font-style: italic;">ashley, quit rambling</span>)<br /><br />the point?<br /><br />it was awesome. loved the little break in los estados. so thankful for incredible people to spend it with.ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-3574124742049334972010-06-13T11:04:00.000-04:002010-07-08T12:28:01.442-04:00graduation!yes, it's true.. we made it through the year!<br /><br />for a lot of my kids, this was our second year together. in two years it is incredible to think about how much they have grown.. physically, they are bigger and stretching out more and more. their minds continue to expand, they pick things up so quickly, and absorb SO much that we do. they have learned how to learn. their personalities keep getting more defined and growing. they are hilarious. it makes me almost cry to think about how we have formed a community in our classroom; they have the routines and rules down and know how to treat each other and our things (this was a process..). they understand that we are in school to learn, we treat people with respect, God calls us to love people, we are all friends despite racial differences... there is seriously just so much i could say about them.<br /><br />i am beyond proud.<br /><br />to be completely honest, it has been a really hard year. there have been many struggles, many fights, issues and hurt from home situtations entering the classroom, distractions, illness, tears.. not easy. BUT..<br /><br />we made it.<br /><br />despite all the challenges, we pushed through to learn about the Lord, how to read, how to add and subtract.. we learned how to fight through some of the mess and do it together. there are SO many moments of sweet hugs, dancing, successes, laughing and just joy to remember. oh i am so thankful for that.<br /><br />so here it is. the end of the year. here's a glimpse at what graduation day looked like:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEbdOwkHbKzNqhG59XCBjQJTNHzEPPTougZshCqxgyMF9NBfkMoswn0zSMGTRtyQjWE9HIivd84NQQCIhyphenhyphenAAGIwa5NFfplyHWYajMQWkiDSLaa_3c4ZcK13CtLjwXGVQLLwZlSxF_igt0/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEbdOwkHbKzNqhG59XCBjQJTNHzEPPTougZshCqxgyMF9NBfkMoswn0zSMGTRtyQjWE9HIivd84NQQCIhyphenhyphenAAGIwa5NFfplyHWYajMQWkiDSLaa_3c4ZcK13CtLjwXGVQLLwZlSxF_igt0/s320/IMG_3546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489697176336109410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">parents and siblings watching the ceremony<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7815ZG7bVAojapJmJ8kfwptkYuZwxIxJqp3M11x2mmHvSnH3HoH_fNRitWCloSadXpRBY5CELOxTx1hLKA__j8ouod2AMjg327cTfk5kZNL8dgjz6XxgnQ99lDNevPW5hgj_l51YfyYCu/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7815ZG7bVAojapJmJ8kfwptkYuZwxIxJqp3M11x2mmHvSnH3HoH_fNRitWCloSadXpRBY5CELOxTx1hLKA__j8ouod2AMjg327cTfk5kZNL8dgjz6XxgnQ99lDNevPW5hgj_l51YfyYCu/s320/IMG_3576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489697168248136162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">regina getting her certificate</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL5FNMQiwD_l0MvG-OCfyMZN4_FHdpNVTD2hWrSWAToYK-7Ou2dEO9fMCnrr1KS3gRPRMIoSU4SDpMy9vmJoHOzun2yzjWP63KVJl0C1BpKp-RyeKZANCvk2oIC7ASZaihkJ7yrF5DWTZ/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL5FNMQiwD_l0MvG-OCfyMZN4_FHdpNVTD2hWrSWAToYK-7Ou2dEO9fMCnrr1KS3gRPRMIoSU4SDpMy9vmJoHOzun2yzjWP63KVJl0C1BpKp-RyeKZANCvk2oIC7ASZaihkJ7yrF5DWTZ/s320/IMG_3607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489697162384263074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">my smart little crazies (class photo)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">oh man i love them so much.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-32806892308307527892010-06-11T19:26:00.000-04:002010-07-04T12:59:01.354-04:00taylorTAYLOR CAME TO VISIT!!<br /><br />yeah she did. i really do have great friends.. tay and i met the first day of our freshman year in high school and then we ended up both going to school at UT (hook 'em). there's a lot of history.. tennis tourneys, wrecks, birthdays, festivals, sonic trips, different jobs, goodbyes, new people, dorm adventures, concerts, conversations, ut athletics, texas lassos, all-nighters, surprises, tears, living together for 2 years, 2 brain surgeries... a lot.<br /><br />LOVE you, tay. i'm glad we got to add the DR to our list..<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPIpLRXGTuAyHUtmm3USaLwpxaLMo0J63NMgJEmXx7Ax37T2K2PBmqqq_wKm3ljrRTUwSoqHykq1fJQH-Ff0NcffF6_s4VGw_ypFDw-wzA5tPAmsFL2u8Q7dXMmj6qyLfMcP1ogtuytMs/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPIpLRXGTuAyHUtmm3USaLwpxaLMo0J63NMgJEmXx7Ax37T2K2PBmqqq_wKm3ljrRTUwSoqHykq1fJQH-Ff0NcffF6_s4VGw_ypFDw-wzA5tPAmsFL2u8Q7dXMmj6qyLfMcP1ogtuytMs/s320/IMG_1930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486864195478598882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">hotness at la playa<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MBqex0n_S0q2lgbZpFtDrMGgdeLn-mEaxwRfR1fp7Xcv9jjW7HxixtjeZHrxJ9ZJWBUYFtlPZpl2IZMV4r_099OFCqTF5mZbaMkY0kYd7Wxyhg5kp9I0_bXRcfoEeJHrbSJ4ZfomRuRa/s1600/IMG_1945.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MBqex0n_S0q2lgbZpFtDrMGgdeLn-mEaxwRfR1fp7Xcv9jjW7HxixtjeZHrxJ9ZJWBUYFtlPZpl2IZMV4r_099OFCqTF5mZbaMkY0kYd7Wxyhg5kp9I0_bXRcfoEeJHrbSJ4ZfomRuRa/s320/IMG_1945.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486864178473370098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">tay gets the award for the splotchiest/most awkward sunburn<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWwZkqrgT3z0GtLa11ORc_6eOAwhu_VsLo6OQ5Xn-Y3yjgdpqwiYXhyphenhyphenJut805gtgXjHOVU_2qb-krnpv22BReNndTReQE-NGwsILlkINSfbaP6a5t_Q7KmhgsOcPs8w3EpgxBpH1klcdH/s1600/IMG_1943.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWwZkqrgT3z0GtLa11ORc_6eOAwhu_VsLo6OQ5Xn-Y3yjgdpqwiYXhyphenhyphenJut805gtgXjHOVU_2qb-krnpv22BReNndTReQE-NGwsILlkINSfbaP6a5t_Q7KmhgsOcPs8w3EpgxBpH1klcdH/s320/IMG_1943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490092301234541122" border="0" /></a>trying sugar cane- get it!<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLgF-SbTQuoBu-3e4o0I-kULrkZXmo-IX0T7gVHuFD8h0qY-JqWKCe8f3X6gadFcLw3qvS2LsPsJwf1FXm71bzdS3xUEzZielSdJr9TTeXDTvwfS2eyziuvkb9cUomzPeB4UHWlcbJ2mE/s1600/IMG_1948.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKqg75eMdRWkyB9CDff93vY0GcmmMz7BeDnZfU-2PImX5hYWVGovUAipWCJh97Wlcj3m7jRHx3i7QMgAJ4CS7Yk5fU6sAnZ42C_-uHCZ6xSKFjSyXaa51vGQ8IOU42ZAbesJDSDLQofVw/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKqg75eMdRWkyB9CDff93vY0GcmmMz7BeDnZfU-2PImX5hYWVGovUAipWCJh97Wlcj3m7jRHx3i7QMgAJ4CS7Yk5fU6sAnZ42C_-uHCZ6xSKFjSyXaa51vGQ8IOU42ZAbesJDSDLQofVw/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486864187280255906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">look at all that dominican food.. including sancocho de cerdo (soup w/ pig) and a block of fried cheese. she's way braver than i am</span>..<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKdd71l2iAAs7OcHVs3ZKSYhXUQCQNlKUzLVhWie7jO8MlzZFxaW2H_8tPCIu9wkiMqWCU7iDOz24nkhB-nzJnvo75h0kIB1bzGEG6XW9Xp9YY1m1eQ74Of550zfdkQwa9CKyK4RUMPy5/s1600/IMG_1956.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKdd71l2iAAs7OcHVs3ZKSYhXUQCQNlKUzLVhWie7jO8MlzZFxaW2H_8tPCIu9wkiMqWCU7iDOz24nkhB-nzJnvo75h0kIB1bzGEG6XW9Xp9YY1m1eQ74Of550zfdkQwa9CKyK4RUMPy5/s320/IMG_1956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486860238279987266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">fire-blowing, rum-spitting, crazy-dancing man during halftime at a basketball game in puerto plata. oh yes.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSZQoxTE7ZpGQaDVJmkSnRyMp4Y2-0xcefHpGdLtxiEBXjHKevlHDzTLiAMeLIURF5VVW397t_1fKS6JGETTWriCD5G9n0beN9IDUaNEpE8Lmr7uxqlh4C81XweTaBEGEnXQ3rCF5TAvr/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSZQoxTE7ZpGQaDVJmkSnRyMp4Y2-0xcefHpGdLtxiEBXjHKevlHDzTLiAMeLIURF5VVW397t_1fKS6JGETTWriCD5G9n0beN9IDUaNEpE8Lmr7uxqlh4C81XweTaBEGEnXQ3rCF5TAvr/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486860229162750354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">hangin' out with bernito and wilner in chichigua<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">thank you so much for coming, tay. i love me some ashlor time.. miss you.<br /><br />i love YOU. a lot.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-2272722924525114512010-06-07T10:04:00.000-04:002010-07-03T11:04:31.445-04:00electionsoooh the elections..<br /><br />everyone gets SO excited and into the elections here. especially in the weeks leading up to voting days, the streets were filled with people waving their party's color, honking, giant trucks announcing different candidates, parades, and just a ton of noise. signs and billboards go up all over the place and candidates make appearances everywhere. the night winners were announced TONS of people in montellano stood outside the public school where they were counting votes to await the results. the streets were blocked off and people were standing around for <span style="font-style: italic;">hours</span> to see who won. people standing on different sides of the school would compete to see who could cheer the loudest for their party.. everyone gets really into it.<br /><br />THEN after the winners are announced there are MORE loud parades to celebrate. parades down the highway, parades all over monellano.. parades. parades. basically people ride around on vehicles or motos screaming, waving their colors, honking.. (sidenote- the night omar sanchez won kendall and i rode around in the parade on johan's moto. it was <span style="font-style: italic;">nuts</span>. we of course waved white shirts around and yelled like crazy people. i mean, you just have to.. our protective neighbors weren't too fond of the fact we went bc it really is craziness but, hey, we are still here :)<br /><br />here's a video of one of the parades after omar won the elections.. this is right in front of our apartment. actually, we were driving back from puerto plata and accidentally got into this parade. haha.. ok here it is:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWxl6TFvh45oGevTViGrcttulrnvFL_n3Uxd2l6NsZmvUxZo4OO659HKXOBFtUOWWvCM4UbPL_FPIa08o5Pw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />i'm not going to lie.. it was fun but i'm glad elections are over!ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-44384823000495196712010-06-05T09:13:00.000-04:002010-07-03T10:04:16.957-04:00DANCE circle!"so ashley, how was your last day of school?"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">umm.. awesome. </span><br /><br />"yeah? what did y'all do?"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">movie time.. and MICHAEL JACKSON DANCE PARTY (yes, again..)!</span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyMuZfmg0P7QLWKExcQA7R_BXVmOOuDlURotIVxef3rClGtoXmJFVbw4oHFo2q05U1XuSCA-GK7W40bkw18Ew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />coolest. kids. on. the. planet.ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-91011421311803600052010-06-03T19:00:00.000-04:002010-06-28T18:44:12.071-04:00bingo!our neighbor gloria is, well, quite a character. i really don't even know where to start. a couple random/quirky things about gloria:<br /><ul><li>she will force you to eat even if you're not hungry.</li><li>she sits on her porch all the time. </li><li>she knows everything going on in the neighborhood.</li><li>she looooves telling stories.</li><li>she laughs at everything.</li><li>she treats our apartment like we are her daughters.</li><li>she plays dominoes every weekend with her ex husband.</li><li>she rocks the skinny jeans.</li><li>she has hilarious children who still visit her ALL the time.</li><li>she is sassy. quite sassy.</li><li>AND she plays bingo every week..</li></ul>kendall, robin, rachel, and i agreed to play bingo with her one week with no idea what to expect. she is so funny.. we ended up at a woman's house in montellano and played bingo on the porch. we all had bingo cards we marked with rocks. well, there were a few women who brought their own fancy chips (time to get <span style="font-style: italic;">serious</span> about bingo). gloria is hardcore and managed to play FOUR bingo cards at one time. yes- four.<br /><br />it was a really funny night.. oooooh gloria and her crew. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv3Z2hyoOsAOUySi1KkjHFfAL_OzyNVw1Er9p52O4GvEz-Afn6Ty9uobSQT7TXynlzu5UUwWcW7X7konULhd1JIh3I0T7buMc9NILOpuzKgUcZMP-UARUkBGH9dsrrgjibU4goT2E2k7s/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv3Z2hyoOsAOUySi1KkjHFfAL_OzyNVw1Er9p52O4GvEz-Afn6Ty9uobSQT7TXynlzu5UUwWcW7X7konULhd1JIh3I0T7buMc9NILOpuzKgUcZMP-UARUkBGH9dsrrgjibU4goT2E2k7s/s320/IMG_1909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486852751835051106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">gloria and kendall<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-hHFxflCrhtoySVdGDD_bBDkbzUPJ26WcN20ciGaGr8EMM1fO6IyjLflMIdgJE4NEdvKAs34ogMAYd7gwZvwNvPKrVagAN8dLZrXkFiEvVbqWkJ-cqZSlwBPXiUxDfuybsP3MhrZKHYE/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-hHFxflCrhtoySVdGDD_bBDkbzUPJ26WcN20ciGaGr8EMM1fO6IyjLflMIdgJE4NEdvKAs34ogMAYd7gwZvwNvPKrVagAN8dLZrXkFiEvVbqWkJ-cqZSlwBPXiUxDfuybsP3MhrZKHYE/s320/IMG_1913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486852742586837890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">me and robin (i just WON one and robin is being the caller)<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">b.i.n.g.o. time.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-65474213460125374302010-06-01T18:53:00.000-04:002010-06-25T20:15:52.646-04:00eww..<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIasTJrUPjBFEjmCNZuhZAb28Ye1cYIvvxkUaSPv41ucA-MeSEZZJCmyEWci51UA_BdR3qcQyfxzWWJC-iBRwdY5CPpV4TgGmTdiWo3zUOvIubrzsjusUEWRfJcWYYVh4khhG6U9OHmXjO/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIasTJrUPjBFEjmCNZuhZAb28Ye1cYIvvxkUaSPv41ucA-MeSEZZJCmyEWci51UA_BdR3qcQyfxzWWJC-iBRwdY5CPpV4TgGmTdiWo3zUOvIubrzsjusUEWRfJcWYYVh4khhG6U9OHmXjO/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486848827448185746" border="0" /></a>this was in my room.<br /><br />doesn't it just look like some giant, evil, poison-filled creature ready to sting me while i sleep??<br /><br />dramatic? maybe.<br /><br />but really.. <span style="font-style: italic;">what is this?</span><br /><br />we had to call ada over to the house to kill it. he said it was <span style="font-style: italic;">"muy peligroso."</span><br /><br />disgusting.ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-19995851156782724332010-05-30T18:31:00.000-04:002010-06-25T20:01:02.370-04:00labor daymany places of work here in the good ol' DR have parties or get-togethers for their employees for labor day. it's not always <span style="font-style: italic;">just</span> a day off but time to hang out with people you work with.<br /><br />sooo makarios people hung out together at la roca in the river. you KNOW that means there was some <span style="font-style: italic;">gooood</span> sancocho made by some of the makarios dominican men. of course there was plenty of swimming and jumping off the giant rock. fun..<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRw_yG9FAKb952-vuiwOAgesBRsJX3a1FSu9fnaiWXk7rD_IOYMiEOBQIGwW0JnRs4Zjs822Whi0uMc6ArNnlXkCFGxKjAwkb-lqayDts0ssxqfPBC9HG7yYUk8g6Ge96H5lm4MwmylUB/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRw_yG9FAKb952-vuiwOAgesBRsJX3a1FSu9fnaiWXk7rD_IOYMiEOBQIGwW0JnRs4Zjs822Whi0uMc6ArNnlXkCFGxKjAwkb-lqayDts0ssxqfPBC9HG7yYUk8g6Ge96H5lm4MwmylUB/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486846846839392722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">some of the makarios dudes</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxnz9suf0zy4RF1ucvesAnu84X6eYocV1HPyvoebvqc3dZkg4ujHlopagwlTnrPjlYRcftYFNLI_6IzFiWDvbdWLzDQAJBGmycyHW6HO-2jxxiB_TGWPGCRqG_Xh5AHbfYF-wwO7yXWnP/s1600/IMG_1899.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxnz9suf0zy4RF1ucvesAnu84X6eYocV1HPyvoebvqc3dZkg4ujHlopagwlTnrPjlYRcftYFNLI_6IzFiWDvbdWLzDQAJBGmycyHW6HO-2jxxiB_TGWPGCRqG_Xh5AHbfYF-wwO7yXWnP/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486846836682886498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">me and kendall</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb7McFgqI80wPpLIU7Y2OK9Hg1LLrO2md9WJBVimCZhnjwiYiw-MqOJfrGSwPIxhX10r1_t2PI5a7OgbjuCU8O2SxbEAyrgSfSO2AUCoHvXS0EjG0H5iK8BbSYdKN9R7MP8FE4JDX4avC/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb7McFgqI80wPpLIU7Y2OK9Hg1LLrO2md9WJBVimCZhnjwiYiw-MqOJfrGSwPIxhX10r1_t2PI5a7OgbjuCU8O2SxbEAyrgSfSO2AUCoHvXS0EjG0H5iK8BbSYdKN9R7MP8FE4JDX4avC/s320/IMG_1896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486846823987145362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">so many people at the river!<br /></span></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-59130046339277656382010-05-25T12:06:00.000-04:002010-06-14T17:24:03.493-04:00basketballahhh basketball season. professional basketball game in puerto plata, anyone?? (and by professional i mean "professional")- i guess i should explain. they're technically professional; it just looks quite different than the nba..<br /><br />mm.. yes please.<br /><br />kendall and i met some of the guys at the game. it was nothing less than awesome. one thing i love about being here is that when it comes to sports (well, i'm mainly referring to some baseball games i've been to and some pick up basketball games), dominicans are EXCITED. it is an <span style="font-style: italic;">event</span>.. and <span style="font-style: italic;">every</span> moment is exciting and LOUD. it doesn't really matter what is going on; there is always something to yell or cheer about. so much fun..<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcduvNLqs97VIoptJqw6f09RG2E1MPijG3L3-vSiL-dI1WxYAHmJv1jP7LHuQj4BQfbshZQrWLPbHOFvixjeihZJ64X_lbExBvQiqHXMWrZb5zctE_9Z5ouc4NmbbJ7VjJMspvxacGIL3E/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcduvNLqs97VIoptJqw6f09RG2E1MPijG3L3-vSiL-dI1WxYAHmJv1jP7LHuQj4BQfbshZQrWLPbHOFvixjeihZJ64X_lbExBvQiqHXMWrZb5zctE_9Z5ouc4NmbbJ7VjJMspvxacGIL3E/s320/IMG_1849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480440071180518162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">in action</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9-QVwgFGukWFqgiJ9noC48-za1IxEXbUFIlwJxWNjhEnYVfKAn_w7jpV3NB4_kbNy5x9BD2IP2xYsLjMsRxHcp_uJ7D1Gqa6yJ4H-jfAX54Kz4g-3KY23bw_fQ8Gg3Atoui5YfeMdTum/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9-QVwgFGukWFqgiJ9noC48-za1IxEXbUFIlwJxWNjhEnYVfKAn_w7jpV3NB4_kbNy5x9BD2IP2xYsLjMsRxHcp_uJ7D1Gqa6yJ4H-jfAX54Kz4g-3KY23bw_fQ8Gg3Atoui5YfeMdTum/s320/IMG_1841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480440056878369922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">wilson, jody, caquito, chris</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DB8lZn30YKqX4A4aq9rHSn3jWGm7n4Y1lpTJU10ajSSxW_S5JHcRWBP9YZLPN_oaVNv36p2kbk5Ttr1GPOj3pkPYplpmQJ3XeDPodYCJNLBeeJ8qQxCJA-bDA34kObJci0zgtFt195ia/s1600/IMG_1842.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DB8lZn30YKqX4A4aq9rHSn3jWGm7n4Y1lpTJU10ajSSxW_S5JHcRWBP9YZLPN_oaVNv36p2kbk5Ttr1GPOj3pkPYplpmQJ3XeDPodYCJNLBeeJ8qQxCJA-bDA34kObJci0zgtFt195ia/s320/IMG_1842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480440047543644178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">me and kendall<br /></span></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-82926444903745935392010-05-23T11:43:00.000-04:002010-06-14T17:02:01.636-04:00abbi!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6fAHGPieWzlu3e5X65ukYWVq_XxEwsRLUjcyuzoJvUqXPsA_1ExabNTCBpL5iRNgsIXRPJIGcD3Qe2BURz4kssNMwSZ8TkvpVW8k4O1DUKBumcPOCIsn6G0MtgMYV_7fC-1TyJeL8UaO/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6fAHGPieWzlu3e5X65ukYWVq_XxEwsRLUjcyuzoJvUqXPsA_1ExabNTCBpL5iRNgsIXRPJIGcD3Qe2BURz4kssNMwSZ8TkvpVW8k4O1DUKBumcPOCIsn6G0MtgMYV_7fC-1TyJeL8UaO/s320/IMG_1795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480431142749728306" border="0" /></a>ABBI CAME TO VISIT. yeah she did! oh my gosh i can't even begin to explain how great it was to have her here. abbi and i have been friends for almost 15 years. she's one of those people you can only hope you'll meet once. i am so fortunate to call her my best friend. ok, if i don't start talking about her visit now, i will be rambling for pages about her awesomeness..<br /><br />the time she was here FLEW by. she was here 5 nights total.. we took motos to la tienda, spent time hanging out at rachel's, ate dinner at tropi with friends, went a couple beaches, had people over for chili night, went to a dominican basketball game, ate sancocho at the river, visited villages, played with my kids, went to school, walked the malecon, took public, went to church, ate rice/beans, talked, chilled.. y mucho mas.<br /><br />it means the world to share a little part of what my life is now and has been for two years. i'm just. so. thankful. i really don't have words. i am honored you took time to come here, abs. i love you so much.ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-69938992073867690002010-05-16T10:50:00.000-04:002010-06-11T10:56:46.302-04:00sancocho.. yes please.ahhh days at the river are so GOOD!<br />basic agenda: make sancocho, swim, hang out, wait for sancocho, EAT.. this particular trip was especially awesome because ABBI CAME! oh i can't even begin to explain how good it was to have her here in country for a little while. really. beyond thankful.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOi4usMQlOqWWqyiR0VTmWCVEcVZEpomoYuqbjZadJ57C_qR53kzGeXJHl-FMs6egHTT7QzgVvk6up2M039L53sXVgI85dH1N4GujygQSH2DuQlmWkeOSvoVAln8I9GmD6R95tZn6IYmj/s1600/IMG_1752.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOi4usMQlOqWWqyiR0VTmWCVEcVZEpomoYuqbjZadJ57C_qR53kzGeXJHl-FMs6egHTT7QzgVvk6up2M039L53sXVgI85dH1N4GujygQSH2DuQlmWkeOSvoVAln8I9GmD6R95tZn6IYmj/s320/IMG_1752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428117323918578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">me and ABBI! love you.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4eQO0w_AQNf-BCefadLO0PYsy9AfNgVOD08VwNrkkkzuCtFTxEK2p1sZsGXbImA7_7WtzJTlcF4m09Jfv6845SFAlYBL9rUnpJ-Q_sJagerQCPGsPgAlDpZtpH_2-qL5sIpwdC28IVJs/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4eQO0w_AQNf-BCefadLO0PYsy9AfNgVOD08VwNrkkkzuCtFTxEK2p1sZsGXbImA7_7WtzJTlcF4m09Jfv6845SFAlYBL9rUnpJ-Q_sJagerQCPGsPgAlDpZtpH_2-qL5sIpwdC28IVJs/s320/IMG_1735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428109634319362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">rubia pouring some of the veggies in the amazing sancocho (did i explain this? it's a soup - sooo good)</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qKT-JGCOweaDIYsb3KPQewn2OEOEOklh8dvYOstf_aAxWIqkTPAIpmW9KMpg9gVoh7b75bUaYh47jcJag_ffFnnlkc6wV2yMBSjRLgX1DKqNukMw9DiOb-Dl9HNkEhalk5wBG0GHVRP1/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qKT-JGCOweaDIYsb3KPQewn2OEOEOklh8dvYOstf_aAxWIqkTPAIpmW9KMpg9gVoh7b75bUaYh47jcJag_ffFnnlkc6wV2yMBSjRLgX1DKqNukMw9DiOb-Dl9HNkEhalk5wBG0GHVRP1/s320/IMG_1737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480428096442203010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">everyone hanging out while the soup cooks<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxKEIlRtuLojKJePORS55BPreD8wHYcdD1w9dnXlfxbCjvFx-5lmCOuOiHDPgXVY7haAlGzBi3CEw2uDzMgrg365mQSiuRZiM1SVQg7_vF6QBRy9cXJfNnaCua6hxUIBSYQzoceDto5ok/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxKEIlRtuLojKJePORS55BPreD8wHYcdD1w9dnXlfxbCjvFx-5lmCOuOiHDPgXVY7haAlGzBi3CEw2uDzMgrg365mQSiuRZiM1SVQg7_vF6QBRy9cXJfNnaCua6hxUIBSYQzoceDto5ok/s320/IMG_1749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421778549530290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">rubia, jefferson, wilson, jody, brenda, robin<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStXW0myMhd-rUnslZdqmcDadJafF05rNbtbmgW4bFpgsiMt72wpCeNr7D1vNIoRPqJA1FdRGFUhoMwISqHospB81Wl07fRu22PkVUK6ypttaEIcxhSVACNc3PqCZP9nK1EcEzisdVMI4q/s1600/IMG_1756.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStXW0myMhd-rUnslZdqmcDadJafF05rNbtbmgW4bFpgsiMt72wpCeNr7D1vNIoRPqJA1FdRGFUhoMwISqHospB81Wl07fRu22PkVUK6ypttaEIcxhSVACNc3PqCZP9nK1EcEzisdVMI4q/s320/IMG_1756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421769146912386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">sass. roomies (minus kendall)<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrscRF0GBnKZmiDTtKzNJbPWKzsDCqHCmc3RiPbTZ0Mo0GkYyjmJuxBUKQc6KuKQ1Vm7x24ehSEPZfE_UoZjXUsrjwDLTg8HY7KOPn9G9RfeGdkE34nPGPb7Kb7seV5hCD23UCzD4qm8Dg/s1600/IMG_1789.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrscRF0GBnKZmiDTtKzNJbPWKzsDCqHCmc3RiPbTZ0Mo0GkYyjmJuxBUKQc6KuKQ1Vm7x24ehSEPZfE_UoZjXUsrjwDLTg8HY7KOPn9G9RfeGdkE34nPGPb7Kb7seV5hCD23UCzD4qm8Dg/s320/IMG_1789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480421763441294434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">johan jumping from the tree<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">yep. good day.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-9797309139065869772010-05-08T20:15:00.000-04:002010-06-08T14:11:55.583-04:00double weddingtwo beautiful sisters that rachel has been friends with a long time, dudu and chichi, were both getting MARRIED! ..of course that means a DOUBLE WEDDING- woo!<br /><br />rachel helped them plan, find dresses, decorate and organize.. AND she was in the wedding (as the godmother). basically, she is 1) an incredible friend and 2) a stud. it was a beautiful wedding.<br /><br />now, let me make something clear.. a haitian wedding ceremony here is totally different than a 20 minute deal we have in los estados. weddings are long (i'm talking hours) and start whenever the bride (or brides in this case) is ready, even if that means <span style="font-style: italic;">hours</span> after the announced start time. there are a TON of people that show up and EVERYONE that has a camera takes pictures the entire time. the couple(s) sit at the front of the church while there is basically a church service (sermon and songs). there are mulitple performers and when it is time to do vows and such at the end there is a mob- a MOB- that crams in the front for the kiss. cara describes it well-it's like a rock concert. people pushing, snapping pictures, yelling, making them kiss again..<br /><br />we got out to villa early to help prepare for the wedding. rachel asked me to be the "photographer" so i was taking pictures the whole time..<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnjRetFnFTDsPzuEDHxUufkSTEMRhlpgwYoDej5R80OiPG91CjNOOwsac3gjp1IVajLAVXuICKpdDmkER2Q1u38nUYocdWYwI7UrLX6MgkOrV8Vf-fHO4ncT4PrCqZS2Q0rQe-y1VfQD1/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnjRetFnFTDsPzuEDHxUufkSTEMRhlpgwYoDej5R80OiPG91CjNOOwsac3gjp1IVajLAVXuICKpdDmkER2Q1u38nUYocdWYwI7UrLX6MgkOrV8Vf-fHO4ncT4PrCqZS2Q0rQe-y1VfQD1/s320/IMG_0222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480412450456212258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">shoes.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq0b8I6nOcM1FW8RpmaaNzan5fAos0LBgR_FwJGefD4XiBE7ZvzTmlr919_3Ujt_YtWoCScQuHSFeP1-edY_b8s0v1S3j2Wx_TD1ZdAmJR0N-pjyCiRxyyoEea3X8_9ymMAZurLXktRHv/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq0b8I6nOcM1FW8RpmaaNzan5fAos0LBgR_FwJGefD4XiBE7ZvzTmlr919_3Ujt_YtWoCScQuHSFeP1-edY_b8s0v1S3j2Wx_TD1ZdAmJR0N-pjyCiRxyyoEea3X8_9ymMAZurLXktRHv/s320/IMG_0313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480412441018458434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">dudu looks kind of sad here but i promise she was super pumped. :) her sister chichi is in the back getting ready</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcTKDOmpnlBhfsxvDP73hZkKUXdlXUD38EVxyTa5gyA6D7dsJXCryhlA8OOJy7Mq_tkanT0k6RAIqbbkESmKBzvVgI8En5loQMuu_Wy_aeOnQ48n-a6FxaREKw2vMn5mZEmKjTl0a-Eab/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcTKDOmpnlBhfsxvDP73hZkKUXdlXUD38EVxyTa5gyA6D7dsJXCryhlA8OOJy7Mq_tkanT0k6RAIqbbkESmKBzvVgI8En5loQMuu_Wy_aeOnQ48n-a6FxaREKw2vMn5mZEmKjTl0a-Eab/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480412435941349074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">walking from the house to the church</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SYSpcYbKUxiDLVrK6Hfsarfku9WdhquJsNs3fKgRqbxfs40EAAB4O-Ez0KDtnPoRCtimNnW8HCrZq6vMi9qPZeI_70ZqRuPOY1zF4FFoHF14mQ1MiKs65lQDjNdbRU5whb_WKABU1gae/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SYSpcYbKUxiDLVrK6Hfsarfku9WdhquJsNs3fKgRqbxfs40EAAB4O-Ez0KDtnPoRCtimNnW8HCrZq6vMi9qPZeI_70ZqRuPOY1zF4FFoHF14mQ1MiKs65lQDjNdbRU5whb_WKABU1gae/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480406029637387570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">and the brides enter.. </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGx5QwicqNKIpRemjECM_CxcOJdQLI8NnrN8jRblbqXY50sjZRN25qraIJ321wJ7ovjJCpk7GDt1ozaNJFRE4eSVeTjNnv4V5EiH_ns5_yO1kdnzo2cZMzMh3k-LYnr857-kxUt6us6sg/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGx5QwicqNKIpRemjECM_CxcOJdQLI8NnrN8jRblbqXY50sjZRN25qraIJ321wJ7ovjJCpk7GDt1ozaNJFRE4eSVeTjNnv4V5EiH_ns5_yO1kdnzo2cZMzMh3k-LYnr857-kxUt6us6sg/s320/IMG_0459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480406023670045730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">sitting during the ceremony</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kS-Cf9bF9ghfV_UjmOn21bWq7eC7YapjzB-uvuEdfkMscEqhxZ4ye4vDdDFG8gYoyCaXmYo75BnVIzu6Q7hgJ2mhI0KebwUVdHNCm18nL3oEiifssbiifAVr4swNolXc2lqoofJYl32-/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kS-Cf9bF9ghfV_UjmOn21bWq7eC7YapjzB-uvuEdfkMscEqhxZ4ye4vDdDFG8gYoyCaXmYo75BnVIzu6Q7hgJ2mhI0KebwUVdHNCm18nL3oEiifssbiifAVr4swNolXc2lqoofJYl32-/s320/IMG_0579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480406012017373586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">the lovely choir </span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtzBuRkIrQbiOjAeM_a8y8jUVtYTytn0dl8YupV_rdRGLiL7FdOMcrg59HZaOQWsoUIU3zjrxhtH0JhsL0rc6G3_3qMXvBQEJG2PijrmCcEftdLdg-iIsg0dQrjSMJpnDL76EiYbtZuun/s1600/IMG_0684.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtzBuRkIrQbiOjAeM_a8y8jUVtYTytn0dl8YupV_rdRGLiL7FdOMcrg59HZaOQWsoUIU3zjrxhtH0JhsL0rc6G3_3qMXvBQEJG2PijrmCcEftdLdg-iIsg0dQrjSMJpnDL76EiYbtZuun/s320/IMG_0684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477970741424384114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">praying</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcfzh8kldL9duVeiVXwW627b2QZ6qIjDUUHd_8EGL_HI-bYurchGXlv8Xqkxy-60qUREAqUX0vgEmPeRt1Clt9ZRB9aSGZ6pPbYLOzDaThTwhffXsxpcMrl9ieFORyRocFxZ1EszcVDQU/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcfzh8kldL9duVeiVXwW627b2QZ6qIjDUUHd_8EGL_HI-bYurchGXlv8Xqkxy-60qUREAqUX0vgEmPeRt1Clt9ZRB9aSGZ6pPbYLOzDaThTwhffXsxpcMrl9ieFORyRocFxZ1EszcVDQU/s320/IMG_0696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477970727640062402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">pastor jonny (dudu and chichi's dad) praying</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwXvA4VDYZpXhFlc8P1tLhp5iayFRTvMaalvCioXxSYkSSH0weDfbXKtOJbqM0IeTGLhg2FQFm5Zftxu9TZDnm4uwFWjn0_f7u6mdtUVqd9BA4hnsLZIroXlMmspcmRQQYyRY7sxCEF5w/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwXvA4VDYZpXhFlc8P1tLhp5iayFRTvMaalvCioXxSYkSSH0weDfbXKtOJbqM0IeTGLhg2FQFm5Zftxu9TZDnm4uwFWjn0_f7u6mdtUVqd9BA4hnsLZIroXlMmspcmRQQYyRY7sxCEF5w/s320/IMG_0811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477970724541452418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">and the cake people watching the reception..</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">i think rach, cara, and i ended up being out there from 2ish to after 10pm. good day.<br /><br />it was sweet and i am so happy for the newlyweds!<br /><br />congratulations. :)<br /></div></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-36124727207921545252010-05-06T13:51:00.001-04:002010-06-01T20:15:04.407-04:00B+ for wilnersweet wilner.. wilner lives in chichigua and we have been blessed to watch this little dude grow, play, and pout. in december, robin and holly took him to get his blood tested and confirmed that he is HIV positive. a couple months later, with another doctor, they learned he needed a blood transfusion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgro5d9tUGcT7bdmD45tI7eX0W49dvxGyo8l7awNSmPr8G72600QYlcQXYlqLpGJHQhKVbbFYiyiNJIdPhmDUS586U3zHVgZZuYUKHIeKCrxKdoSZEhwUSqYR6zB3LKuFd-N6ujm18rGg/s1600/IMG_3037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgro5d9tUGcT7bdmD45tI7eX0W49dvxGyo8l7awNSmPr8G72600QYlcQXYlqLpGJHQhKVbbFYiyiNJIdPhmDUS586U3zHVgZZuYUKHIeKCrxKdoSZEhwUSqYR6zB3LKuFd-N6ujm18rGg/s320/IMG_3037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463767908242303218" border="0" /></a><br />[ok, i have to pause for a minute and note that robin and holly have taken wilner numerous times to the doctor for tests and medicine, pouring themselves into these time-consuming processes for him. they have faithfully loved him and been consistent people he can trust to take him.. and get him ice cream after having needles in his arm. i say this because i don't want to jump so far in the story without giving a little peek into what those months looked like. now to resume..]<br /><br />what kind of blood does he have? B+. our whole staff started reporting blood types back to robin. guess what type i am? yep.. B+. the weekend we were going to give the blood for the transfusion, holly happened to have a friend, bonnie, coming who also had B+ blood. <span style="font-style: italic;">welcome to the country, bonnie. come to a clinic in the third world and let us stick a needle in you.. </span><br /><br />robin, holly, bonnie, lauren (our physicians assistant at school), and i took a day to go to puerto plata for the donating process. first, bonnie and i had our blood tested and then did what we do here all the time: wait.<br /><br />turns out my dang iron levels were a little below the ok level (bah) BUT praise the LORD- bonnie COULD donate! wilner could have the transfusion!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc6voTotFrJMWaSXiK24SQ1XX5bnROKeSySH_ePbFKHjHEZSe1eJH8MjBxY_OwUD5ReaZbKXIrkx42yOVDT527rbD3vFx_X2hMr8XzUgvIAky-3xWQCm5-fWry5WbRqiRpkDTp6DM1YVy/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc6voTotFrJMWaSXiK24SQ1XX5bnROKeSySH_ePbFKHjHEZSe1eJH8MjBxY_OwUD5ReaZbKXIrkx42yOVDT527rbD3vFx_X2hMr8XzUgvIAky-3xWQCm5-fWry5WbRqiRpkDTp6DM1YVy/s320/IMG_1714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463763942605496178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">check out that GIANT needle in bonnie's arm. the donating was ridiculously fast. i mean, look at that thing. no wonder she felt light-headed after losing blood so fast.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJp7JX5Vq5pIWIeIQoq8qLXkzH0cehmW6k-4lr92CFmTuTwwWZL4N1Jl4s-NWUeiMqcTCoU4rUTzqaFi3QuienmwHcBK7gYhCoZN4Ncau5unLheu9_4SO8cPJboMsEMZax9Joj6gOta7m/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJp7JX5Vq5pIWIeIQoq8qLXkzH0cehmW6k-4lr92CFmTuTwwWZL4N1Jl4s-NWUeiMqcTCoU4rUTzqaFi3QuienmwHcBK7gYhCoZN4Ncau5unLheu9_4SO8cPJboMsEMZax9Joj6gOta7m/s320/IMG_1708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463763939073796930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">bonnie being a champ. that was one giant bag of blood they ever so professionally rested on the chair..<br /><br /></span></div>i've heard they don't let females donate blood here because they think women will become iron-deficient (yeah...) so it was incredible they allowed this. ALSO, praise the Lord bonnie was in town for those specific of days!<br /><br />wilner had the transfusion and is doing well.. still as funny as ever. thank you, Lord!ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-50295527814981301252010-05-03T13:01:00.000-04:002010-06-01T19:34:57.142-04:00computer club<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOMEQk-qH5ndwf0noV9FiazxYnRzrXwYvRuOLtDcosAbS1_cxQvcZiSBQtWD9qjdzIncyH1edBS80CQXOa1g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />i think it is hilarious to watch my students play school during free time or activity time because i get to see what school looks like to them.. and what i look like to them (woah). i've actually laughed out loud while they've read stories to each other and passed out "homework." i <span style="font-style: italic;">especially</span> love when they take someone to the <span style="font-style: italic;">esquina de descansar</span> (corner of rest.. "chill out corner") or the office. they're great kids but, yes, they know exactly what it looks like to be sent to the corner and office..<br /><br />this particular day, they were on their "computers" (our class books) and talking about what they were doing: watching michael jackson.<br /><br />i may or may not occasionally download his videos and have michael jackson days.. :) i'm pretty sure i have the coolest kids ever.ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-14059500582396641342010-04-24T12:56:00.002-04:002010-05-03T21:56:07.321-04:00smileyalright, i have to be honest. i am just NOT a fan of the stray dogs around here. i'm just not. mange, excessive barking, dog fights, weird looking poop on the street, etc?<br /><br />no thank you.. especially after i got bit by one. (<span style="font-style: italic;">sorry to all of you with huge "doesn't matter WHAT kind of dog it is, love it anyway" hearts..)</span><br /><br />HOWEVER, there is one dog who has recently made me re-think my stance..<br /><br />THIS dog is just awesome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7UsGqvsDGZvY1uGPunRjTMyBdrxf02Y0LIb8jd6ttIPiWD1I-m1LGCaWOyZ3giSlI6KwUbeQ5SoALRT-BF6Ut1fUILxiSrySMrMfrAj7xoOxUrHTKNfaQ656wHiinhM6NmUBQJKSN3Y8/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7UsGqvsDGZvY1uGPunRjTMyBdrxf02Y0LIb8jd6ttIPiWD1I-m1LGCaWOyZ3giSlI6KwUbeQ5SoALRT-BF6Ut1fUILxiSrySMrMfrAj7xoOxUrHTKNfaQ656wHiinhM6NmUBQJKSN3Y8/s320/IMG_3271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463749504315943218" border="0" /></a><br />we call him "smiley."ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-68380308147754149602010-04-21T16:35:00.001-04:002010-05-03T21:44:28.461-04:00hccsa returns!for their spring break trip, a group of incredible students from hill country christian school of austin came down to serve the makarios staff and our kids. laurie's spanish classes come every year to serve alongside some of their parents and school staff. i cannot begin to tell you how incredible every single one of these kids really are. we actually talk about it every time they are here.. <span style="font-style: italic;">how in the world are they all such great people? </span>they love Jesus, respect everyone around them, are full of energy, and come to humbly serve.<br /><br />i probably said this last year, but i will say it again.. it is just SO encouraging to see juniors and seniors in high school know the Lord the way they do and want to spend their spring break sweating and serving other people. love it. their unique community of students, staff, and parents is a beautiful picture of how to hold others accountable and build people up.<br /><br />basically, they rock.<br /><br />here are just a couple pictures of my kids from when they came to lead our classes for a few days (umm AWESOME for us teachers. we got to sit back and hang out with our kids while they took over..)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYLzPPzuG3WsnLW1hRWQzHyDhNdF5tcLqwmcyiz8P2NUmvbu_zPuSWoLik0VNN8x3pRU0MntZTLOnnZMkGiwhy-aaoJb01EfM9wgEXRbz0H5He0_0gyv0KuOuabero5l0HMOq-DQvgNML/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYLzPPzuG3WsnLW1hRWQzHyDhNdF5tcLqwmcyiz8P2NUmvbu_zPuSWoLik0VNN8x3pRU0MntZTLOnnZMkGiwhy-aaoJb01EfM9wgEXRbz0H5He0_0gyv0KuOuabero5l0HMOq-DQvgNML/s320/IMG_3260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460467583668968402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">working hard on their giant name crafts</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf8Y8u37JM72-CAaxQ9t3KPLOM_fXdvZ5fyfImmff1NCeW1meA0i4ZkvhL3EGt8C6ecglYoO_45iizlmFO0rcgoX7PYsdIVP1uTiIjztHBIiRUDtXxJbaubC6uChO_GWBILjkbaIukGaS/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf8Y8u37JM72-CAaxQ9t3KPLOM_fXdvZ5fyfImmff1NCeW1meA0i4ZkvhL3EGt8C6ecglYoO_45iizlmFO0rcgoX7PYsdIVP1uTiIjztHBIiRUDtXxJbaubC6uChO_GWBILjkbaIukGaS/s320/IMG_3293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460467574553982162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">who wouldn't LOVE fake snow? (especially if you never see real snow!?)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">what a beautiful picture of service and what an encouragement for all of us here.<span style="font-style: italic;">.<br /></span> <div style="text-align: left;">thank you, laurie, for loving your students so much that they want to come love mine. </div> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-23735244888177020922010-04-20T15:53:00.001-04:002010-04-27T20:53:48.956-04:00unexpectedso you know <a href="http://ashleysienkiel.blogspot.com/2010/02/cristina.html">cristina</a> already.. one of the wisest, strongest, most loving, graceful women i have ever met. i have missed her friendship and presence terribly since she moved to the capital. i love LOVE her so much!<br /><br />we hadn't talked in awhile and she randomly called me one afternoon. or course we start blabbing a million miles an hour about everything going on and she randomly asks me about my plans for the weekend.. and i ramble some more..<br /><br />i will save you all the mess but basically i was having an incredibly hard couple days and honestly felt like i was about to break. on sunday i was sitting in church praying to the Lord, calling to Him and declaring how much i just disparately need Him. i'd been brought beyond my own strength. no more. i need Him. i <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> need Him but sometimes, in my foolishness, try to do things on my own strength.<br /><br />anyway, in the middle of me scribbling in my journal to the Lord, kendall scoots closer to me on the bench because someone sat down on the other end. then she elbows me and whispers..<br /><br />"cristina"<br /><br />what? <span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT</span>? thank you LORD!<br /><br />robin has everyone shift over so i can run to the other side and sit by cristina. i couldn't let go of her. i was just sobbing. <span style="font-style: italic;">sobbing</span>.. the kind you can't turn off. she let me hug her, told me to stop crying, and held my hand the rest of the time. ahhh i could just feel so much of the love of God in her presence.<br /><br />i am so incredibly thankful for the time we had. she is such a blessing. for her to find money to be able to travel to see us "just because" is so loving. we were able to spend the day with the group at the beach. cristina spent the night with us and got to visit school in the morning before heading back to the capital.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXIMQBzavJ_JuWwhoq8cjyVfqwSabxCIgxR3GKa1pJFHScZ-xjLSLo4U78-m063MPSMkr5W74Lbj3x0qGnPjOZQ04-y4KFIQ7cjOTDq1qo_GHapoQECbOuOZfGb93dvq24mY2SSd70ABa/s1600/IMG_3258.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXIMQBzavJ_JuWwhoq8cjyVfqwSabxCIgxR3GKa1pJFHScZ-xjLSLo4U78-m063MPSMkr5W74Lbj3x0qGnPjOZQ04-y4KFIQ7cjOTDq1qo_GHapoQECbOuOZfGb93dvq24mY2SSd70ABa/s320/IMG_3258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460461949281029970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bHJstyV50c3hgkj1h3pe8xPXjhYcHlLUgymBS3whX9ahwOfCwMiryHXhqQKr85R55jlcE6udkgrPD8Qdav89sfzwoeObkBXd64Viell3SUIYQ1NL4dQWDrUFw0eF6OKLhKRzdx23Ud5T/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bHJstyV50c3hgkj1h3pe8xPXjhYcHlLUgymBS3whX9ahwOfCwMiryHXhqQKr85R55jlcE6udkgrPD8Qdav89sfzwoeObkBXd64Viell3SUIYQ1NL4dQWDrUFw0eF6OKLhKRzdx23Ud5T/s320/IMG_3255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460461941118322658" border="0" /></a>oh i am so thankful for her understanding, her deep love, and her friendship.<br /><br />i looooove surprises! :)ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-90423357899020214562010-04-15T13:48:00.000-04:002010-04-15T17:01:33.072-04:00effeciency..here's the thing- if you have 4 people all going to the same place across town at the same time, it just makes sense to go<span style="font-style: italic;"> together,</span> right?<br /><br />aaand if you have 1 moto, why not share it?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiA5RAjRfp2RzjyHHwzHZMwlg3zXG_rIKnHVQZGdEo1fHUNCqlZgZqwpOI1hDRImfnbODotJJMPaVBSskS7MvransB1DBi26ImKfrl43obAusWtEam4iKDUfGB4Y0lKnnoAqoEqr95taB/s1600/IMG_3019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiA5RAjRfp2RzjyHHwzHZMwlg3zXG_rIKnHVQZGdEo1fHUNCqlZgZqwpOI1hDRImfnbODotJJMPaVBSskS7MvransB1DBi26ImKfrl43obAusWtEam4iKDUfGB4Y0lKnnoAqoEqr95taB/s320/IMG_3019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454843154816057362" border="0" /></a><br />yeah, we really did ride across montellano like this after school. it's safer than it looks. ok, lie. BUT (mom, this is for your sanity's sake) johan is a really great driver.. :)ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-66973349309332780132010-04-14T22:18:00.000-04:002010-04-14T22:01:14.584-04:00cooler than hot cross bunsremember how we used to go to music class in elementary school? "hot cross buns" on the recorder, anyone? c'mon you know, <span style="font-style: italic;">hot cross buns. hot cross buns. one a penny. two a penny. hot cross buns..</span> yes it is still with me even at 24 years old.<br /><br />well, we don't have "music class" everyday (<span style="font-style: italic;">wouldn't that be awesome? my very own 6-year-old band!? hmm.. not ready to let go of this idea..</span>) so for awhile in art class, we had a music theme. we made drums, watched youtube videos of random people playing piano, the flute, drums, guitar, etc.<br /><br />the coolest part of the week was that we got to have SPECIAL GUESTS!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">special guest: CARA JANE on the GUITAR!! </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyt9BmZYSIzUdXeEG5NsCAZLzg83CTLoHr_IKM8Dv03b5aLJ5bGYuTuX4wq4uUnj3YEBwbeVHmQweli099zYSzFiEFjAa35SYjg-Nm5QTWQAuteWtoqwKIF_hMGM7FnOGnqAYayNfCt4M/s1600/IMG_2998.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyt9BmZYSIzUdXeEG5NsCAZLzg83CTLoHr_IKM8Dv03b5aLJ5bGYuTuX4wq4uUnj3YEBwbeVHmQweli099zYSzFiEFjAa35SYjg-Nm5QTWQAuteWtoqwKIF_hMGM7FnOGnqAYayNfCt4M/s320/IMG_2998.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454838476221175474" border="0" /></a>cara taught them about the parts of a guitar, played a little for them, and let them try to play! FUN.. they loooved trying to name the parts of the guitar and listening to cara jam a little.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">special guest: ROBIN on the FRENCH HORN!!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSiXtayS0dFAXFqOAZn-hYEFnWe-70n42mvzqcui8-N0oZdzVPyR1G0xN09aZqsPMhkxpzIuvHx_1_qJHXEwpL5KRUF9ZhUGNSrwt4i1eCHEeO0YJC2_nMHaBiIMtjrec5KAWIqXBLCT_/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSiXtayS0dFAXFqOAZn-hYEFnWe-70n42mvzqcui8-N0oZdzVPyR1G0xN09aZqsPMhkxpzIuvHx_1_qJHXEwpL5KRUF9ZhUGNSrwt4i1eCHEeO0YJC2_nMHaBiIMtjrec5KAWIqXBLCT_/s320/IMG_0176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454834211063708498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">eduardo mastering the technique robin taught</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ_q3BHvc0YCsLx1kWRoSqm8d3sSGWuZ_YYChngSLrLjynHDYLNDcnaMOlSElUtnwsSYwtkTksQaZlR4XFe5e2tEc0UHL7vGoVKbbYyy0fD5fRDQDRgfCRgUnPZC3YQ2qz8ZihbH0m8pZ/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ_q3BHvc0YCsLx1kWRoSqm8d3sSGWuZ_YYChngSLrLjynHDYLNDcnaMOlSElUtnwsSYwtkTksQaZlR4XFe5e2tEc0UHL7vGoVKbbYyy0fD5fRDQDRgfCRgUnPZC3YQ2qz8ZihbH0m8pZ/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454834203364339618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">french horn. is robin fancy or what?</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKlSBWs06TC0kF8ntLfYLcr6kvwJE-Jspg5pvZz7bN8eNH0XV_kdG_Wf7dUCVzia5UexV8mwrE30nNhg6_KLCO9Lr2heOKXd61pEwUOC7Kmlppa0qlPONTPDMlkX1nQiEjgQXnH6oo0k2/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKlSBWs06TC0kF8ntLfYLcr6kvwJE-Jspg5pvZz7bN8eNH0XV_kdG_Wf7dUCVzia5UexV8mwrE30nNhg6_KLCO9Lr2heOKXd61pEwUOC7Kmlppa0qlPONTPDMlkX1nQiEjgQXnH6oo0k2/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454834194262783154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">rachel learning to play.. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">you should have seen robin's grand entrance playing the horn as she walked into the room.. and their faces- oh man. robin taught them all how to position their lips, how to blow into the horn, where they should put there hands.. they were more than freaking out they were so excited! that was my first time to try the french horn.. they get to do it at age 6. watch out, we might have some musical prodigies on our hands..<br /></div><br /></div>oh and yeah, that's right.. my roommates pretty much rock. perhaps we should start an apartment band. i'll be the interpretive dancer and kendall can learn the drums..<span style="font-style: italic;"> ahhh yeah</span>. for real, THANK YOU so much, robin and cara!ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-2420881841847622752010-04-14T20:44:00.000-04:002010-04-14T21:14:52.937-04:00destruction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf8DVUxPr75NN_lM6fWhbVZ-x3EX0pgU8LaP6d_54jJYVtRP65vFbwQ3qTEZaGeVfBdsPiT-zhEJOOBSF2vu0pEvjNmgzI9Jl63BoNiI6AP7EczlEkvwy0MbyJu_HYuQpjLptV6diC0zf/s1600-h/IMG_1629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHf8DVUxPr75NN_lM6fWhbVZ-x3EX0pgU8LaP6d_54jJYVtRP65vFbwQ3qTEZaGeVfBdsPiT-zhEJOOBSF2vu0pEvjNmgzI9Jl63BoNiI6AP7EczlEkvwy0MbyJu_HYuQpjLptV6diC0zf/s320/IMG_1629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450500142886062578" border="0" /></a>.. pretty crazy this is possible for a 4 year old to do, huh? one of lauren's students was left in the room by himself for a minute to calm down. anger.. who knew he could turn a wooden table on its side (left side of picture)? please keep praying for our kiddos.<br /><br />[note- since this happened, he has been asked to come for only the end of the day and then lauren uses some of her afternoons to work with him individually. we have seen a difference in him and were just talking about it today. praise the LORD]ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-52058701207388426312010-03-30T18:08:00.000-03:002010-04-05T00:01:48.598-04:00i really love himeveryday for a couple weeks, luis fernando has been coming to school.. and <span style="font-style: italic;">every</span> day at some unpredictable moment he would snap. after the snap he spirals into a rage he doesn't seem to be able to control. this takes on many forms- attacking other students, throwing chairs, hitting, etc. i can't accurately describe what his face morphs into or the way his heart races and whole body shakes. <br /><br />we don't have a principal or counselor.. or really anywhere i can send him, so helping him through this is my job. i carry him to the office or porch while he fights to escape with every ounce of strength he has. i remind him over and over how we can count and breathe when we are angry. it is ok that he is angry but let's try to breathe. breathe. breathe.. as calmly as possible, i remind him that we are friends and i can let go when he is tranquillo and we can talk about it. sometimes he calms down eventually, sometimes odilsia has to come talk to him, and sometimes it just won't stop.<br /><br />what hurts me more than anything is that i know he is confused and hurting. i can take him hitting, biting, kicking, pinching, and cussing at me all day; i know it's not me he's really upset with. oh but it <span style="font-style: italic;">breaks</span> me to hear about his mother wanting him, not wanting him, taking him back, giving him to one of her friends.. and then to talk to the woman he stays with now (he calls her "grandma" but she's a friend of his mom) and hear her say "oh yeah, his mom doesn't want him. he misbehaved. she doesn't want him.."<span style="font-style: italic;"> in front of him</span>. ugh. he's told me himself that his mom doesn't want him.<br /><br />one day he was in a pretty bad rage (i guess that's what i would call these fits..?) and i'd been sitting with him in the office, arms wrapped around him to keep him from hitting me or running out.. for literally like 15 minutes. at this point, no one has been in my classroom (which pretty much means utter chaos in there) and luis and i were both dripping in sweat. i asked him if i let him go, what his plan was. where would he go?<br /><br />then i tried it. let him go.. and he walked right to the front gate. "ok i can't let you leave.." and i carried him back to the office. he wasn't going to stop. there was nothing in him that would stop. my class is screaming down the hall, kids are yelling "profe!" every two seconds, i hear people crying, luis is shaking and trying to pry my arms apart, i can't ask for anyone to help and no one but odilsia is in the building.. and i really let him go.<br /><br />i even opened the gate for him.. and he left. walked by himself in the rain.<br /><br />of course i stood there sobbing until odilsia ran to calm my class down and told me i had to stop crying. ok. back to class..<br /><br />after school, i went straight to luis' house to talk to his "grandma," explain to her what happened, and make sure he knew i love him and was not mad. grandma said he wasn't going to public school that afternoon (perfect..) so i asked if he could come with me for an hour or so. yes.<br /><br />we made necklaces, watched michael jackson videos (we share a love for good ol' mj), read books, ate apples, played with my camera, and laughed. oh my gosh it was so refreshing to hear his little laugh again and watch him sing/dance.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT07XED9GChqxeurjJEvH_TOXPDW2PKhFbgwg7-EHEdR3VxMuO-H3IQOXrC_CBhmZN2pE97A0d1TICWpUxi5OvkYaQz64XD5c6vpa4qytC5t4uEVLUP5QurODuSxhey9clS2UVhFY-tDzv/s1600-h/IMG_1692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT07XED9GChqxeurjJEvH_TOXPDW2PKhFbgwg7-EHEdR3VxMuO-H3IQOXrC_CBhmZN2pE97A0d1TICWpUxi5OvkYaQz64XD5c6vpa4qytC5t4uEVLUP5QurODuSxhey9clS2UVhFY-tDzv/s320/IMG_1692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450463786867192642" border="0" /></a>you know who that is.. (photo by luis)<br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq__laQTNEWaiyy12nRcbnCqsdyeY3MPURXzJIZAf6uI6TgdTXhmWCXL_PsV-iao05dR-kq142uxS3wfaKSdoi-JQtA7Q9yjBA3YOQzrJkRjZDq7Sk4zAKAet4ezuMbKFMly36yPX66H9/s1600-h/IMG_1665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq__laQTNEWaiyy12nRcbnCqsdyeY3MPURXzJIZAf6uI6TgdTXhmWCXL_PsV-iao05dR-kq142uxS3wfaKSdoi-JQtA7Q9yjBA3YOQzrJkRjZDq7Sk4zAKAet4ezuMbKFMly36yPX66H9/s320/IMG_1665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450463770830277490" border="0" /></a>one of my favorite smiles on the planet<br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQQ2wYgmIQ3k5cypYURfnt-CXTgEBVP0pOQzujtifLWSEXwwZ4alcqoyYkDqJ19WFr4eUQnvC5PtSObzkwOawyxhm5XlmKDD-WkzT5wT_tSspMPrWBguDJby83DUjCCzTYTarGYch_3Z5/s1600/IMG_1675_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQQ2wYgmIQ3k5cypYURfnt-CXTgEBVP0pOQzujtifLWSEXwwZ4alcqoyYkDqJ19WFr4eUQnvC5PtSObzkwOawyxhm5XlmKDD-WkzT5wT_tSspMPrWBguDJby83DUjCCzTYTarGYch_3Z5/s320/IMG_1675_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454824878241335650" border="0" /></a>such a funny kid.. loco<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">i am so incredibly thankful for that afternoon. that hour. his shrieks of laughter. his playfulness. his love. please, please be praying for luis fernando. please pray for his family. pray that he knows and understands God's love at such a young age. pray that the Lord is where he finds stability, peace, and love.<br /></div> </div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-92200636553987339362010-03-07T17:24:00.007-03:002010-03-19T20:28:29.021-03:00kids + numbersi feel like i write about a lot of random things on here and forget to talk about where i am most of the day: escuela. my kids are awesome and they are all slightly (ok, some are VERY) crazy in their own ways.. i won't lie- at the end of everyday i am exhausted. i mean <span style="font-style: italic;">exhausted</span>. i have always been someone who can run on very little sleep and go, go, go but i have <span style="font-style: italic;">never </span>experienced exhaustion like this.. ok, that's for another day, another conversation. what i am actually trying to get to is that my crazies are LEARNING. they really, really are. i am so incredibly proud of them.<br /><br />in math we have been moving towards adding. YES. adding. before you can do the whole<br /> 2<br /> +_2_<br /> 4<br />thing, you have to understand 1 to 1 ratios, be able to count objects, recognize numbers, understand a number represents an amount, etc. before jumping into setting up addition problems, we did some prep work.. they worked in teams to put the right amount of dots with the correct number.. aaand they rocked it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl3SlFRzxrku4-H7iQGpv9BC4gDlS1G9CigxMpiV0856G3Sh1-joEU9vWTzOy-pGbJPAtTHAPz9W1cdg_KjE5ScezYU2rk-dHw3KarvfZuIicuatvKIobQpMJOg6taARjLb5lhvkOy8-p/s1600-h/IMG_1624.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXl3SlFRzxrku4-H7iQGpv9BC4gDlS1G9CigxMpiV0856G3Sh1-joEU9vWTzOy-pGbJPAtTHAPz9W1cdg_KjE5ScezYU2rk-dHw3KarvfZuIicuatvKIobQpMJOg6taARjLb5lhvkOy8-p/s320/IMG_1624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445995781424543186" border="0" /></a>"check us out.. all done!"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZEuHoM_D1hBUCGQgcSbegtTtETJvtoKCASs1_UU8xJbwpRc98LpElYM6yey-5PVPwT9-Vs_kcKARK7iO6ng1aQh7mHR1PHE-75eJDilXRzWTzysTW79x2NOvXEUi9K9u-DQAcf10uBtG/s1600-h/IMG_1617.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZEuHoM_D1hBUCGQgcSbegtTtETJvtoKCASs1_UU8xJbwpRc98LpElYM6yey-5PVPwT9-Vs_kcKARK7iO6ng1aQh7mHR1PHE-75eJDilXRzWTzysTW79x2NOvXEUi9K9u-DQAcf10uBtG/s320/IMG_1617.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445995768457283042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">this video is just a little bit of the kids in action. ok, ignore the smack in the middle of it (told you.. they can be a little feisty) and listen to their problem solving smartness. OH and teamwork (minus the smack).<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdQwvpPtKnDjDzKoFrbpJB7rcIszky25Lokhp1ZujNlWqxJAec5Oaby31_Ax9I9FdJ4BrByU6XMzydxqQ5Dw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />we've started written addition problems and they are learning so fast.. my guess is that they'll be doing statistics by the end of this year.. maybe a little trig, who knows? :)ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227941487482724560.post-36550664231914931732010-03-06T14:48:00.003-03:002010-03-07T01:20:28.512-03:00makarios olympics!this past monday was the DR's independence day (feb 27th) observed, which means no school! for the day, erika and chris decided to go all out planning an amazing "bonding day".. "staff development" if you will. what did that mean?<br /><br />makarios winter olympics!<br /><br />we started the morning with some worship songs led by our very own jody chance and revealed our decisions about what we are doing next year (who is staying/going after august- more on that soon..). THEN we drew names for teams, made our team names, made our flags, and.. let the games begin!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZw095rtigUynwvKzW7xSD0TNdoiINoyCBf2WTu-Sc2pyGcq-lxFLQAjirBTj19pazzxe7_zpP1-HqJ8vSq_VF5H4QIndqYCNr6Q9PjoJJlab6u9WApCKEZkXWP_HF5KpQw7UDxwj1BXQ/s1600-h/IMG_1597_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZw095rtigUynwvKzW7xSD0TNdoiINoyCBf2WTu-Sc2pyGcq-lxFLQAjirBTj19pazzxe7_zpP1-HqJ8vSq_VF5H4QIndqYCNr6Q9PjoJJlab6u9WApCKEZkXWP_HF5KpQw7UDxwj1BXQ/s320/IMG_1597_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445620551023919266" border="0" /></a>meet TEAM JEHOVIA.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y1l_ZDHZHCS93yDEu1NBwpofKjjZeMfyp_GVbIKRrzs2VuH9_-6agHayhysNMy0xKSuDSjIPPIerBdwehqcf1GlMKnQG56aIC0IvLTWPBe29dzReM4H0zB5hP6Yxe4qh8QU4FnWXrUqd/s1600-h/IMG_1598_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y1l_ZDHZHCS93yDEu1NBwpofKjjZeMfyp_GVbIKRrzs2VuH9_-6agHayhysNMy0xKSuDSjIPPIerBdwehqcf1GlMKnQG56aIC0IvLTWPBe29dzReM4H0zB5hP6Yxe4qh8QU4FnWXrUqd/s320/IMG_1598_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445620544486632402" border="0" /></a>meet TEAM COLMADO. (<span style="font-style: italic;">yeah that's right.. and you should have seen our flag and mascott..</span>)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjX51j0kUTCb2QxfS-RPp-dC1Qc3X6c_Bj9M8UW88LnLSuR8dpPCM3G9WRZ0vjDOniNOCC56GvOzxb_Gx0c_LL87s-tyFtoxerfrvUgB5i3YjgwvcJews6Ibr5JsisdspmMtFFMPoWSKXM/s1600-h/IMG_1601.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjX51j0kUTCb2QxfS-RPp-dC1Qc3X6c_Bj9M8UW88LnLSuR8dpPCM3G9WRZ0vjDOniNOCC56GvOzxb_Gx0c_LL87s-tyFtoxerfrvUgB5i3YjgwvcJews6Ibr5JsisdspmMtFFMPoWSKXM/s320/IMG_1601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445620534964895954" border="0" /></a>lauren trying to stick her winter picture on the olypmic rings<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3PXlh_ifhEh7GcOqvx9AZH2ehii7j2YPqVAOhvTKpi5KKfpFML9i5gJRKj8HjNPj_Uem8HogEGyomPwMVxZNzvuz4gix8dpASWB1XRQgi8iQvVdgVHt7NrVgakbiO8D0omgjq8jJWIsh/s1600-h/IMG_1605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3PXlh_ifhEh7GcOqvx9AZH2ehii7j2YPqVAOhvTKpi5KKfpFML9i5gJRKj8HjNPj_Uem8HogEGyomPwMVxZNzvuz4gix8dpASWB1XRQgi8iQvVdgVHt7NrVgakbiO8D0omgjq8jJWIsh/s320/IMG_1605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445616693703536690" border="0" /></a>three-legged egg carrying race = hard!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrqnDE2i3vwvDop7rq0dt35c2zkVkgddCa2up5NNfAoqFgwz_rbwnyX-f2ieno4ui5F3dbHnEmBEUqYQdp16YZik_q19O_I2g0jFBiW40T9l0ImAdBbVlqExZZejQT9u174uwHddfFTXO/s1600-h/IMG_1607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrqnDE2i3vwvDop7rq0dt35c2zkVkgddCa2up5NNfAoqFgwz_rbwnyX-f2ieno4ui5F3dbHnEmBEUqYQdp16YZik_q19O_I2g0jFBiW40T9l0ImAdBbVlqExZZejQT9u174uwHddfFTXO/s320/IMG_1607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445616684829383938" border="0" /></a>haha we really tried so hard!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">chris and erika planned all sorts of incredible games..<br /><ul><li>pin the winter object on the olympic rings</li><li>3-legged egg race</li><li>pictionary</li><li>winter grams (think word making race with banana grams pieces) </li><li>limbo</li><li>singing bee (finish the lyrics)</li><li>water balloon distance throwing contest</li></ul></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEMaRhhOFnzUfDERxUNldj2JuOsZGcSsN2_kRsO2sraHSICncc3DhraPfpg6KKO6d4mYWrm4Qe9Wa23IPb3PwnrBz_7_oQekgKankN1ck_mh5EtiIlpoZrlcKx6sPZX4igKM4BVNM-plq/s1600-h/IMG_1611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEMaRhhOFnzUfDERxUNldj2JuOsZGcSsN2_kRsO2sraHSICncc3DhraPfpg6KKO6d4mYWrm4Qe9Wa23IPb3PwnrBz_7_oQekgKankN1ck_mh5EtiIlpoZrlcKx6sPZX4igKM4BVNM-plq/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445616675517601138" border="0" /></a>end of the day with our PRIZES<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">so who won??<br />ok the way the points worked out the last event (water balloon chunking) would determine who the overall winner would be. team jehovia won that one so they had more points total.<br /><br />..so maybe team colmado lost the last event which technically means that our overall point score was lower BUT out of the 7 events we TIED one AND won 4/7.. if you <span style="font-style: italic;">want</span> to look at it by number of events won, i guess you might<span style="font-style: italic;"> have</span> to go with the colmadoians.. :)<br /><br />maybe i am just a liiiiitle bit competitive. just a little.<br /><br />well played, everyone. well played.<br /></div></div>ashleysienkielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00961207630580360670noreply@blogger.com1