Happy Sunday

Strange environmental phenomenon continue to occur here in Nicaragua. We had another good morning earthquake this week on Friday morning either 2.6 or 4.2 depending on who you talk to (the Nicaraguan monitoring or US monitoring -- it did not feel like 2.6). Luckily we were all home (and already dressed) to run outside. It was strong (I could hear it shake the house as well as feel it) but over in about 10 seconds.

We also had the amazing phenomenon of the Iridescent Clouds (I'd never seen or heard of these before -- if you also have not I've already wiki'd it for you here). Amazing. A man on the street walking by as we stopped the car to open mouth gawk at the sky (along with everyone else) was totally non plussed and chalked this up to 2012 and the Maya's end of the world prediction. But it seemed like a lovely reminder after the earthquakes (and a lot of recent work stress) that everything is ok ... in fact amazing if we just take a moment to see it. Check it out .. my cellphone camera doesnt do it justice but maybe you can get the idea:

I also have my sweet munchkins to remind me :-)

Playing together in the couch fort

Hanging out outside on the patio

After Gustavo ran a 1K, got a medal and apparently got crowned king as well...

Enjoying the sunshine

At the El Salvadorian Embassy

Playing in the Doctor's waiting room

Happy Sunday morning! Doesn't the world look better with blue colored goggles? :-)

Reading together

The kids dancing at the El Salvadorian Embassy to Adentro Cojutepeque (a song about where Rafael is from).

Finnula will turn one in just a couple of weeks -- October 19th! Cannot believe it is so soon! And Gustavo turns three the month after -- November 14th. Savoring the last couple weeks of having two under three... :-)

Earthquakes and Volcanos

It has been an exciting week in Nicaragua!

First an earthquake of 7.5 with an epicenter in Costa Rica. Then erupting volcanoes and evacuations in the north of the country.

We are all fine and there is not damage we know of in Nicaragua, but it was a little scary.

I had just arrived at one of the orphanages and the car kept rolling even after I pulled the hand brake. As we got out of the car everyone was already outside I felt dizzy and felt as if I was standing on a boat then I realized that it was an earthquake. It lasted about 30 seconds. I tried to call Rafa who was dropping Gustavo off at school and Finnula was at home with the babysitter. Unfortunately all of the cell phone service was out for a couple of hours. Gustavo was fine at school and got to play outside all morning. Finnula was outside as well for her morning walk. Rafa made it home with both kids and got in touch with me.

The volcanoes in the north have since calmed down and the alerts have been lifted.

Just in time for a nice quiet Sunday at home!