All the kids enjoyed swimming in the cool pools on our travels as southern Turkey is very hot in the summer.

Going off a waterslide into the Mediterranean Sea was really fun and the sea water in the nose really cleared the sinuses. Here E is enjoying it.

Outside of Mut way up in the mountains we explored the ruins of a 1500 year old monastery. We were the only ones there and had a great time imagining what it must have been like back then.

And here in the background is Antakya (Antioch in the Bible) where followers of Jesus were first called "Christians".

Look up Acts 13 where it tells of Pisidian Antioch, the ruins of which are behind us.
And below is Konya (Iconium in the Bible), know these days as the birthplace of the whirling dervishes.

In Antalya we enjoyed a great meal with friends at a trout farm. Our seats set over the river with the waterfall (actually a bigger one is not in the picture) in the background made a perfect setting for a great meal and fellowship.

After the conference we traveled around southern Turkey. Our first stop was Pamukkale (cotton fortress/castle) which is one of the most amazing natural wonders in the world. The cliffs are totally white as they are covered with the "calcium hydro-carbonate" deposits from the natural hot spring water flowing over them. They have a dried play-do consistency. At the top of the cliffs are the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis. We had a great time walking around both the cliffs as well as the ruins.

The picture below is from the bottom of the cliffs.

E & H and R & H Christensen performed at the conference talent show. They choreographed a dance to "What Time Is It?", the first song in High School Musical 2.

C is now potty trained and enjoyed taking advantage of it on the grassy spots while we were at our conference.


For some reason the kids loved for Duke to sling them into the pool.

Another year of Ds and Cs homeschool ended with our traditional "Open House & Make-Your-Own-Ice-Cream-Sundae" Party with everyone receiving certificates for jobs well done.

E (middle above) did great in here ballet recital and posed for a picture outside afterwards.

A circle of cuteness, and below the Bobo (pacifier) triplets.

For E's 11th birthday she had a slumber party with new and old friends.

We all enjoyed a visit from our friend, Makan, who came from Aktau, Kazakstan for 10 days.

WJ beginning to smile was a real treat for all of us.

K's 6th birthday was great as we all enjoyed the Candyland cake.

WJ is so cute we had to include the picture of him in the "special" outfit. We have taken pictures of each of our children in this outfit given to us by the Syrstads over 11 years ago before E was born.

K and E wanted kittens for their birthdays and they were very cute, but they definitely lose some of their cuteness as they get bigger, though Jasper and Oliver are nonetheless becoming part of the family.

Here they are getting comfortable with WJ. They are not sure why he is sleeping in their bed.

K got into Laurie's lipstick thinking it was some sort of body paint.

WJ enjoyed the warm water of his first bath,...

...and the kids (below) enjoyed the Haagen Dasz ice cream they got as their "gift" from their new sibling. We have a tradition that the new sibling gets a gift for the older siblings.

For C's 3rd bday he wanted a Superman (pronounced "Supiyam") party and Laurie obliged.