How time flies!

It is hard to believe that we are already in our second year here in Manila.  The second is much easier than the first.  One year ago we were really struggling to settle in, but we now have our routines and know better how to navigate Manila.

Thankfully, the girls are doing well and changing every day.  They are funny and skillful at finding things to drive us crazy.

Here are some photos from the past few months. These go all the way back to October and Halloween and are as recent as this afternoon.  Many are from a great trip we took last weekend with seven other families who live in our complex or nearby.  We spent the weekend in two rented houses overlooking the ocean and went to a music festival called Malasimbo.  The whole experience was great, with good company and a beautiful and relaxing setting.  It was good to have a break from Manila, especially with fun people.

Stacey with the girls and Maggie on High Street, nearby our apartment in Manila.  There are always events going on.  I don't know what the Koala is about.

Halloween party at our apartment complex.  The girls were less than thrilled.

This is as close to a costume as Lucy (l) and Clara (r) would tolerate.  Maybe next year it will be more fun.

Lucy on the left and Clara on the right.

Christmas in Vermont with Grammie and Grampa.

Creating priceless artwork.

Christmas morning opening stockings and developing a very strong relationship with Goat (Lucy's) and Piggie (Clara's), courtesy of Aunt Loran.

Having the time of their lives on a sled.  It was so fun to see them play a bit in the snow in Vermont.

The 30-hour trip was pretty tough.  The jet lag was worse with a 12-hour difference.  Sleep during the day was easy, but the nights were wakeful.

In Florida at Nonna and Grandpa's neighbor's house eating oranges straight from the tree.

At the playground at Grandma's house in Florida.  A sweet moment.

A second Christmas with Nonna and Grandpa.

Maggie.

Maggie in the wind.

Clara sporting the newest celebrity look of upside down sunglasses.

Lucy defining cool.

On Saturdays we go to a farmer's market.  They sell really great flatbread pizza, so that has become our lunch before we head home.

Lucy on the left, Clara right in Puerto Galera last weekend.  Beautiful setting.

Lucy and Mommy doing "monkey back."

Daddy and Clara in a jeepney on the way to Malasimbo Music Festival in Puerto Galera.

Stacey and Lucy at music festival.

Family portrait from the top of the mountain where the Malasimbo Music Festival is held.  Amazing location with a beautiful view of the ocean.

Overlooking Malasimbo.

Palm trees at Malasimbo.

Natural amphitheater at Malasimbo.  The girls enjoyed the setting.  We were there for a couple of hours in the afternoon before the performances began, then brought them home and returned later for the concert.  The music was not great, but the setting spectacular.

Clara and Stacey on the boat from Batangas to Puerto Galera, about a 90 minute ride.

Lucy and me on the boat.  They like the idea of life jackets, but actually putting them on is a challenge.

Stacey with the girls and our helper Analiza on the jeepney from the boat to the house where we stayed.  We traveled with 7 other couples and all but one had kids the same age as Clara and Lucy.  It was a great weekend.

Another picture of Clara and Lucy at the Punta del Este house in Puerto Galera.  Incredible views from the patio.

One view looking out from the house.

In the pool in Puerto Galera.

Lucy being silly during her afternoon snack.

Clara being equally silly.

Clara sending shock waves through the fashion world with her bold selection of clothes.

Lucy in a beautiful dress.

Playing in the pool at our apartment building.  Lucy has the purple inflatable fish and Clara the green frog from a birthday party they went to a few weeks ago.  They love them!

Lucy experiencing the joy of wearing shorts on her head.

Just prior to the Chinese New Year celebration at our apartment building.  They girls were watching out for dragons and were not at all pleased when they came by.

Blankets as skirts.