Mancats Interrupted Monday

 I haven't posted in a few weeks because I've been in Kenya again.  This post has a lot of photos.  

Our team went to a new village this year, called Irigithathi.  It sits at the base of Mount Kenya, near the equator.  The area is arid and water is scarce most of the year.  The community was recently able, due to the partnership with 410 Bridge, to install a bore hole (or well).  

Our job was to help them get started on laying pipe to connect the homes to this water supply.

We were all digging and shoveling dirt.  The trench needed to be 2 feet deep.

Finally, a section was complete and the pipe was going down.  We helped get 10 pipe lengths laid, and the villagers were going to need to dig for another 140 pipes for this first line!  They gave themselves 10 days to finish.  Everyone in the town helps to install the pipes, or they will have to pay more for the water down the road. 

Another day in the village, we divided into groups and visited homes.  In my home we were able to hold the baby bunnies, feed chickens, and helped cook and work in the garden some.

Peeling potatoes...

Stirring the finished dish...mashed potatoes, with corn, beans, and greens.

Digging in the garden...trying to get the bed ready for planting.

Our home visit group...this trip was fun because our church teamed up with some members of our Kenyan church and we went together to help. 

We stopped on the equator for a photo op!

Later, back in Thika, we visited a ministry called Street Hope.  This is one our church started and it helps rescue women from survival prostitution and gives them a job, or helps them start a business.  At the center, we helped cook lunch.

Later, we went to the former Ark Orphanage.  The Ark has moved to another town and we missed seeing the children.  The property belongs to our church though, so we were working to convert it to a community center.  Starting with a fresh coat of paint.

A highlight of the trip was meeting my Compassion child, Peter.  He was quite shy, and wasn't sure about me, but I know he will remember this day.

Here's Auntie with Peter and her girl, Veronica.

If you zoom in, you can see Peter smiling!  He enjoyed jumping on the trampoline.

We took a quick trip through Kibera slums.  This was overlooking the slum.  Once inside and walking around you can't take photos. 

Lastly, we went to the Elephant Orphanage.  We were able to see them feeding the elephants before they went to bed.  It was nice because this was a private event for people with sponsorships.  There were very few people, and we could talk to the keepers, pet the elephants, and spend time just enjoying their beauty.

The youngest elephants wear blankets to keep warm.

Here is a video of the babies running in for the night...

Click here to view on YouTube

That's our trip in a nutshell.  The boys are doing well, and will be back to posting next week.

Mancat Monday

This will be a random post with a hodge podge of photos!

For anyone that did not see or receive our Christmas card, here it is.  I am holding a baby Wallaby, and no, he is not mine :) 

Rusty was spooked the other night.  Auntie was making a noise, and he saw Oliver pop up over the kitchen ledge...he thought Oliver was making the noise!

Your drink is ready at the cafe!

Let the fun begin!

Rusty did pretty well wearing the hats...

Reindeer head...

Santa hat

The boys were great with the presents until Christmas Eve.  They broke into this one during the night!  I guess they figure Santa had already come, so they could stop being good!

Flynn is ready to open presents!

Oliver loved his catnip toy from his Cat Scout friend...

Flynn was excited about all the boxes that have been arriving at the house!

Harrison (back) and Oliver enjoying some sun and stretching...

The boys playing on the couch.  Harrison is in his cushion hole, while Rusty tries to get the string.  Flynn watching and waiting for a good time to join in the fun!

We hope you all had a nice holiday break and are ready for a wonderful new year!

Mancat Monday - Flynn Edition

Flynn is a goofy boy.  He tears around the house like his pants are on fire where ever he goes!  He doesn't realize how large he is, or how long it may take him to stop when running at full speed.  He slams into walls, slides on rugs, and is a slight danger to himself and others!  I wouldn't want him any other way.

He enjoys hanging out in the Christmas cubes.  There are two cubes connected by a tunnel, so they don't venture around the house like his single igloo does.

The bed on the ottoman is his favorite.  He sleeps hard when he lies down.  We laugh at him on Sunday because he seems to be wiped out the whole day!

He loves lettuce!  He will help himself to it too.

Here is a video of him stealing a piece...he eventually ate the whole thing.

Here it is on YouTube

Flynn is a big helper, and know it is important to help wrap the gifts.

Auntie couldn't do it without you buddy!

This one is finished, but Flynn knows it doesn't belong in the middle of the floor.  Thanks Flynn, we'll put it under the tree.

As I mentioned before, Flynn is a large boy!  Take a look at those arms!

Mancat Tuesday - Snow Edition

We were blessed with an unusual early snow this past weekend.  It came in over night on Saturday, so we woke up to a winter wonderland on Sunday.  It turned to rain Sunday afternoon, and then more snow Monday morning.  Official total at the airport was 8.8 inches.  That's a pretty good snow for us, so our state was closed!

Flynn was super excited about the white stuff...he kept talking to the windows...

Let's go out Flynn...what is all this stuff?

Sunday morning's view...

Flynn being brave and trying to go out...

We went around to the front porch, and everyone was a bit braver...George is on the porch, Rusty looking out, and Oliver is in the background.

Flynn walked out on the porch, but stayed away from the white stuff...

Monday, Auntie shoveled some and the boys were braver...Flynn is at the top, then Pirate and then George's butt...

Oliver came out on the patio, but then we tossed him in the snow.  He didn't know what to do because when he would take a step, his foot would sink...  He finally made it back to safety.

Here is a short clip of Oliver in the snow.  Auntie's comment at the end...what did you eat?  Is directed at Flynn, who ate something in the yard and was coughing it back up!  He's fine.

YouTube video here.

Rusty was tossed out in the snow too...he was a little quicker to figure out how to get back to dry land.

YouTube video here.

These boys are as accustomed to snow as some of you are...we don't know how to handle it for months on end!

Mancat Monday

Welcome to another week...the boys continue to do well.

Oliver had his annual vet visit on Thursday.  He handled it like a champ!  Since he is 5, I went ahead and requested a baseline blood work be done.  One sample had a problem, so we had to go back on Friday for them to collect another one.  Oliver was not pleased!  The blood work all came back looking good though. 

Flynn loves the bed on the ottoman.  He looks so pretty in front of the tree.

Oliver in the window behind the tree in the living room.  There is normally a chest in front of this window with two beds on it, but it had to move to make room for the tree.

Do you see the white Rusty legs?  He is curious about the trees, and loves to reach up in them.  Thankfully, his back legs stay on the ground!

Oliver was playing with some of the ornaments...

Rusty hanging out under the tree in the study.  This tree skirt keeps moving all around.  One day is was wadded up in the corner!  Sometimes I wonder what these boys are thinking!

Harrison is doing well too, he just wasn't in a good place for pictures this week.