First family outing!

   

Our sponsor family offered

 us their truck for the morning to explore the island.

  The plan was to caravan with

 an experienced teacher and some other newby's making a circle along the coast.  We began traveling North on winding roads taking lots pictures and some of us getting grumpy.  

 The roads are teeny tiny so we had some close calls, one with a donkey cart.  At one stop we could see a concrete pool made into the lava rock next to a natural wading pool.  

 It was beautiful!

Can you tell which one's are incorporative?

We made it as far as Biscoitos and the little girls both had their separate melt-downs so we broke off from the pack and did our own thing.  These natural wading pools are amazing!  Steps and bridges have been built into the lava to allow access.  The landscape had a science fiction feel.  Combine that with our light skin and the conversations in Portuguese around us, it was interesting.

  

Bonnie and I did the sunbathing while the others tried out the water.  Randy was pinched by a crab and the tide swells made him nervous with the little ones, but in all 

the side trip was a hit!  

Signing off from our island paradise, Karen

Pictures!!!!

 

Tada! We got our base passes and went on an adventure. We're going to the park now, so more on this later.

Sarahjane <3

We're finally here!

After being delayed (twice) and waiting until midnight on Thursday evening for our plane, we are finally here!!! Before we left, we had an incident involving a playground and a fall. ("Worst accident I ever seen." - Large Marge) Bonnie had fallen on her elbow and was in pain, but there were a zillion (or two) doctors waiting at the airport that assured us it wasn't an emergency. After a long and painful four and a half hour flight, we landed to daylight and smiling faces. They held up a sign that said "The Stumler Family" and I felt very important. We would've taken a picture but we aren't allowed to on base. D: After a few pleasantries it was decided that Bonnie had to go to the emergency room. While Mother and Father took her there with help I went with our sponsor family to check out our new school. It turns out I only have twelve classmates!!! Crazy, ain't it? Us kids got back and slept for a while until Bonnie got back with a cast. It turns out she really had a broken arm. Mom and Dad enjoyed their trip to the Portuguese hospital (it was a holiday and the base medical center was closed). Tis our second day in Lajes and we've had time to walk around and enjoy the hills. We still haven't gone to the beach because we don't have a base pass. Aaaargh! It's beautiful and we wish you were here. Pictures will be posted next time since we forgot to take any with the main camera. 

TTFN!  

Hugs and kisses from Sarah

(btw: We're watching PeeWee's Big Adventure right now)

I know you are, but what am I?

Leaving the US

The past week was filled with packing, making travel arrangements, and many goodbyes.  Sunday, we were finally packed up, had an empty house and a full car, and took off for St. Louis.  Monday morning, we took the car to be shipped over the ocean, then flew into Norfolk.  We'll be taking a military flight to the Azores Tuesday night.  Traveling with 7 family members is certainly interesting. 

The kids had their first flight, their first experience with airport security, and a large dose of waiting in an airport concourse.  The hotel accomodations have been good and bad, and we'll go swimming at Virginia Beach today while we wait for the next flight.  We are looking forward to seeing our new home and meeting our new friends and neighbors.

Leaving town

The Stumler family is packing up and heading to the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores to be specific. We will be taking off on Monday for some long distance and late night travel. Thanks to all the well-wishers as we begin our journey. This blog is in response to all those curious folk who want to keep updated with our little adventure.

Check out this link for a preview of our new home.

Here we go!