Trevon Turns Ten!

It's hard to believe my baby is 10!  It's a very bittersweet milestone.  I love the boy he is becoming, but very sad to see him grow up so fast.  He has been such a joy at every stage.  This year his birthday was an interesting day, the day we flew home to London from Santiago.  So most of his birthday was spent 36,000 feet up.  We had a layover in São Paulo, Brazil, long enough to have a birthday lunch/dinner (not sure what meal it was) with the birthday boy at the restaurant of his choice.  The pickins were slim, but we found a great American style (kind of nice a nice treat if you don't get it often!) restaurant serving up ribs and burgers.  It was great, and who gets to say they spent their birthday in Brazil (even if it was just the airport!)?

When we arrived home, a day after his birthday, we did more celebrating.  Gratefully I had planned ahead and already wrapped his presents an even ordered a birthday cake so we could celebrate properly.  We were all a bit jet-lagged, but it was a great birthday celebration!

It is so fun to watch Trevon open presents!  

Harry Potter themed presents all around for this Harry Potter fan.  I have loved watching each of my kids discover the world of Harry Potter.  

Chile Part 3 of 3: Lake District

All during his mission Scott heard a lot about the beautiful south, referring to the lake district of south central Chile.  Compared to Santiago and points north, it's a lush, varied landscape filled with lots of greenery, lakes and rivers, mountains and volcanos.  Driving away from the airport the scent of a fertile land immediately flowed.  And right away I knew this place was going to be just the vacation from our vacation that we needed.  Lodged right on the lakefront on Lago Llanquihue in Puerto Varas we were set with incomparable vistas over this massive lake and onto Volcan Orsono.  Puerto Varas was the perfect setting to begin our lake district explorations.

Views off to Lago Llanquihue and Osorno from Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas

Cycling around Lago Llanquihue

Volcan Osorno at sunset from our hotel

White water rafting down Rio Petrohue, an awesome adventure with incredible scenery. 

Evening over Lago Llanquihue

Exploring Vicente Perez Rosales National Park

Lago Todos los Santos

Heading up Volcan Osorno

Cafe vibes midway up Volcan Osorno

On Volcan Osorno

Frutillar

One last visit with old friends of Scott's in Puerto Varas on New Year's Eve

Ringing in the new year from the balcony of our hotel with the best view in Puerto Varas of the fuego de artificiales.  Hola 2017!  

Ciao Chile, it was simply an amazing two weeks.  So happy we were able to make this trip together as a family.  How are we ever going to resume normal life back in cold Blighty after such a wondrous summery adventure?