Izmir

Upon returning to Turkey, we enjoyed a week in Izmir at a resort.  It was a nice transition back.  We enjoyed some time together as a family and great weather.

We went to the pool everyday!

We took a boat ride on the Aegean Sea.

Urban was ready for his nap!

Our boat anchored in several bays and we had opportunity to jump in and swim.  

Asher didn't enjoy this so much.  The water was a bit chilly.  

Blank Park Zoo

The boys enjoyed going to the zoo for the first time with Grandpa and Grandma this spring.

Urban and Grandma Jean

Urban could have fed the goats all day!

We took a train ride around the park.

One of the highlights was watching this big tortoise up close. 

More Family Time- Iowa City

We enjoyed time in Iowa City visiting my sister and her family this spring.  The kids all enjoyed playing together and we were able to meet our new niece, Savannah.  

Asher enjoyed petting their rabbit.

 The boys up in their fort.

Uncle Mark giving the boys a ride on the mower.  

The whole crew

Fun at the Lake-May 2012

Ok, back to our stateside time.  We enjoyed lots of time at the lake with Nana and Popi.  We all have great memories of our times there.  Here are a few pics of the boys enjoying time with their grandparents and being outdoors.

Bath Time Fun

The boys love taking baths, except for the "getting clean" part. :)  The newest thrill in the water is getting to wear goggles.  Never a dull moment here!

Face Painting

Asher came home from his first day of preschool looking like a puppy:

He was so excited that his teacher painted his face.  For the most part school is going really well for Asher.  A few tears off and on, but overall he likes all the activities they do.  He gets to play outside, gets cake for snack, and even drinks tea!  Who wouldn't love that?  Well, I'm not sure if most preschoolers would enjoy hot tea, but Asher does!  :)
The other day Asher said he got to drink hot orange juice and loves it.  I was trying to think what that would be.  A few times I've been served here something called orange Tang.  In the states, it would be served cold, but not here.  Hot orange Tang is what I think he is drinking.  The interesting things of living in a different culture.
I've tried to ask Asher if he is understanding anything his teacher says.  The other day he told me he knows all the Turkish words now......hmmmm.  :)  I guess Asher should become my knew language tutor.  It is fun to hear him come home with a few words here and there that they are working with him on.  Hopefully, his little mind is soaking it all up!

Haircuts

Before Asher started school last week, I thought he should get a haircut.  Urban got to join in on the fun, except he wasn't having fun.  :)

A visit to the island

Once a year there is an Armenian service held on the island in the middle of the lake.  There is an old Armenian monastery that is an attraction for visitors.  This is obviously quite a rarity around here to have this type of service.  We went and checked it out this year.  It drew quite a diverse crowd and a lot of tourists.  Of course, we couldn't understand any of the singing/chanting, but we had fun.  It is always a treat to take a boat out there and the weather is usually always great!

Grandpa's Bus

So I am now back to highlighting some more of the activities we did while we were in the States this Spring.  My dad drives a school bus, so he brought it to the house one day.  The boys loved sitting in it, pretending to drive, and they even got a ride around town.  Asher wanted to sit all by himself in the very back seat.  It is funny because it seems no matter what age of kid, they all want to sit in the very back seat.  The most favored spot!  The kids loved it, and Urban still cannot get enough of buses.

Fun Memories!

First Day of Preschool

Asher started Turkish preschool this week.  I was way more nervous about it than Asher was.  We actually switched schools after our first day and think we have found a better fit for Asher.  Today was his first day going without me.  He did really well and is liking it so far.  Everything is in Turkish so we are praying that he will soon feel comfortable there and pick up the language easily.  We are so thankful for his great teacher and her desire to help him along.


Here is a picture of his school:

 Here was a picture of Asher on his first day: