Learning Thai

We are really enjoying relaxing and being with family in VA. A few picture of fun times with the Rhodes family.....

Claire never met a little cousin she didn't want to lug around. Sorry Vincent.

Drawing lessons with Grandaddy.

Everyone got to drive- even Vincent!

Making cornhusk dolls at Aunt Anita's house.

Baking with Grandmom (monkey bread here).

And this little piggy went whee whee whee...

And of course so many other fun times not in pictures...like the fun dinner at Philip and Betsy's, family lunch for hotdogs at Jess's, weekly trips to library story hour, lunch dates, shopping and making pizza with my sisters, etc, etc. A bit later in the week, Candice will be heading to Indiana for four days of conference and Tom will be giving a program in PA, so we're enjoying our fun days together.

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 06:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This past weekend we made a quick trip up to Delaware for the homecoming weekend at Greenwood Mennonite School. I was able to see a few of my old classmates and we were able to see and talk with a lot of old friends. The girls quickly tired of meeting so many new people but they had a lot of fun playing with their cousins. The kids are starting to adjust to traveling in car seats, but they would all still much prefer to do it Thai style (loose in the backseat of a taxi or on a train).

We drove back to Virginia on Sunday evening and then I left Monday for Columbus, Ohio, where I've spent the past two days teaching about cultural sensitivity and contextualization at the REACH training. I've been encouraged by the excitement and dedication of this group of young people and am really looking forward to working with the team that's going to Thailand.

Here are a few pictures of the weekend in Delaware...

This was Silas' first trip to Delaware.

Baking with Grandma and cousin Allison.

All eight of the cousins together for the first time. Our family gatherings have changed considerably - and the decibel level has risen exponentially

-Tom!

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 02:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We enjoyed a very full and fun first week with Candice's family in Virginia. There was a lot of reconnecting with family members (including the new in-laws), eating at our favorite restaurants, and lots of playing with Granddaddy and Grandmom. Here are a few pictures...

Playing the always-fun slide-down-the-door game with Granddaddy

With Malta and Rosey, the cats procured for our month in Virginia.

Going back in time at the Mennonite/Brethren Heritage Center.

-Tom

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 02:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our time in Hocking Hills was so refreshing! When we got there, the woods were full of color and by the end of the week, most of the leaves had fallen. One of our favorite activities of the week was simply standing still, looking up and watching the leaves fall all around us. We loved the smell of the woods. We loved making fires and eating smores and playing Scrabble. We loved sleeping in the cabin loft and poking leaves with sticks and making leaf rubbings and sailing boats on an ocean of leaves. It was a wonderful week and a very special collective memory for our whole family. So thankful for a time of rest...

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)