Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!

It was a busy day for Neo and Trinity - who teamed up with....




Spidey, a Ninja Turtle and a prizewinning astronaut



and we went out to trick-or-trunk - in the Embassy parking lot, which is a highly efficient system where trunks replace houses, so all the loot is collected in 15 minutes...

Then some brother bonding

Or was that brother beating?

Hope you all has as much fun as we did

The Swaneys

Back to School

First - our big news




Our next post with be PARIS!!!!



In a very unexpected turn of events we ended up with a very nice job that we hope will let us see much, much more of our family and friends than Cameroon - and which should allow for an easy transition back to U.S. living for the boys... Please book early, and this time we really do mean it :)



Anyhow, after a wonderful summer we have settled into a busy but very nice school year - with Graham enjoying a tiny class of 6 students with the coolest teacher at school - Mrs. Swaney. The other boys are doing well also, particularly Lincoln, who needs the structure and discipline that school provides, but who has begun to show a lot more of his kind and gentle side. For Bill - work is much more civilized with new and talented staff on board, and many fewer applicants.



As a result we are mostly focused on enjoying Cameroon and Africa, which we are really, really going to miss - and not just because we no longer have the appropriate calluses for cooking or dishwashing...

Some of our recent fun:

The weekend kickball game on the Embassy lawn

Graham enjoying some pool time with some less-fortunate Cameroonian orphans

(If you're looking for a way to touch the lives of some special kids who have had a rough go in life we can vouch for the head of this unique orphanage - www.greeneyesinafrica.org)

Boys dressed up as future veterinarian, kung fu champion and soccer star for spirit week



More spirit - pajama day

Some local friends and (very) extended family

Kristie's favorite day of the year - opposite day - when she finally gets three little girls

Graham/Elise

Lincoln/Maya

Taking in a soccer match with fellow teachers and tennis coach

Lego Man

Cub Scout Pack 1 Yaounde holds its first ever Pinewood Derby

End of Summer

Summer came to a sun and fun-filled set of visits to friends and family in the mid-Atlantic region, where we enjoyed the beach, an amusement park, and deep south barbeque. All in all - a tiring but amazing way to spend our time in America - remembering what we are thankful for, but also why we were happy to come home to our very different, but equally enjoyable (and busy) life in Cameroon.

Lincoln showing his poker face with cousins

Cousins

Lincoln Vs. Papa John - with the expected outcome

Swaney Boys looking into future employment options

Sand Men

Dinner at the Fish Market

Iwo Jima Memorial ceremony

Future Marines?

Kristie and Karma

and Adie

Memphis Nights

Best Buddies

Kings Dominion with our neighbors from Cameroon

The Mall with our VA pals

Back to Cameroon - the new Peace Corps Color Guard/Mascots/Cub Scouts