2018 Week 27: Basking in Basque

Our activities this week revolved, for the most part, around events and activities on the Basque-month calendar.

Sunday evening the boys followed Esther, a neighbor friend who lives half a mile down the road, to swim in their pool along with the other Basque students.

Monday both Koch's Basque guests, Jon and Xabi, got to explore Dove's Crossing (Stephan and Karen's farm), tour the ice studio, and taste Stephan's cuisine.

Elijah is staying with us to be a friend to Jon this month, and Malachi and the younger ones are keeping Xabi entertained. My "Basque grandsons" taught me how to say it in euskera, their language--Nere illoba euskaldunak 

Elijah, Malachi, Xabi, Jon

Tuesday, we showed Jon how to make BLTs, took the boys for an afternoon of fun at the Splash House in Marion, and then to hear Dennis Quaid and the Sharks. An exciting day with no pics.

Wednesday, the boys joined Kristie's Fourth of July annual holiday family ruenion picnic.
Meanwhile we had friends over who live in Uganda and are visiting the US for the summer.

The Tuggys

The kids all enjoyed the zipline but I only watched the oldest take off.

Later in the day we joined Sam's family for the Muncie fireworks display. There was time for frisbee and fun in the park before dark.

Jude and Zion riding the buffalo

The local resident geese by the river watched us invade their park. I think the picnic experience was rather new and strange for our Basque boys. 

And the fireworks were probably nothing to write home about, considering that in their big city they have an annual week-long fireworks competition! Can't beat that. However, we later watched the video captured by the hovering drones, and that was more impressive.

Thursday started out slow and lazy. We watched a movie with Dennis Quaid in it--Soul Surfer, a very moving story. Jon had seen it twice before, but not in English. He's been to the famous international surfing competitions in his country, in Zarautz.

That evening the Koch men and boys went to and Indians game in Indy.

Right to Left: Mike, Sam, Elijah, Jon, Xabi, Stephan

Friday, Naroa's host family invited the kids to swim in their pool. They had to try out the trampoline first. Naroa (on right) is visiting Upland for the second time. Ainhoa on the left is the older college student or graduate who accompanied the group.

While they were having fun, we were enjoying food and fellowship at Ivanhoes with dear friends living now in the very town our illoba euskaldun (Basque grandson) is from.

The day was not over. Stephan and Karen came over because her parents wanted to try out the zipline! I went down for the first time also! Who said we were too old for such things?!

For Red, our consuegro  once was enough. Co-in-law (consuegra) Dolores was ready to go again!

Saturday, was the planned Koch-out, so as hosts we were focused on food prep and entertainment. I only got one picture of the kids enjoying the outdoors. Looks like their own variation of corn hole. We heard them ziplining, but didn't watch. We were engrossed in after-dinner conversation (sobremesa) with the adults.

"Our boys" spent the night at Sam and Kristie's. The end of a very full week.

In the midst of all that "basquing" we were able to keep up with our regular reponsabilities and routines. Amazing indeed!

2016 Week 27: Celebrating Independence

This week's pickings

The celebration began with a grand picnic/carry-in at church Sunday.

Monday, the 4th, we took a friend to the Indianapolis airport and spent a day in the city enjoying the sights and sounds.

Lucas Oil across from our hotel; Ivy Tech sign, a reminder that classes start Aug. 22; fun architectural designs

A sweet bonus was that coincidentally niece Tina and her young family were spending a few days in Indy and we got to hang out with them.

Betsy getting acquainted with la tía abuela (great aunt) 

Besides walking downtown and listening to a patriotic concert by the canal, we experienced the Rhythm Discovery Center, a fascinating percussion museum. (Take a virtual tour by clicking on the link and perusing the many images.)

Mike and I went back downtown later to see the fireworks display. We were rather disappointed. Due to weather conditions the smoke hung in the air in a growing cloud.

We caught a glimpse of Victory Field's fireworks, after their 20th anniversary sold-out game.

Tuesday, more family reunion fun--Stephan, Karen, and I spent the afternoon in Warsaw with my two younger brothers and their families--Ivan and Kim recently returned from Argentina, and nephew Jon visiting from California. 

Met great niece Adalyn and learned of her fascination with shoes.

Wednesday was a quiet day at home. Michael went in to the robotics shop nearly every day. They are getting ready for another competition next week.

I got tired of spending so many long days alone, so Friday evening I begged to go along on his regular bike ride. We ended up doing 22 miles on the tandem.

Saturday, the plan was to take Leah out to celebrate her adopted birthday, but that fell through, so I cleaned house all day.

It was also Argentina's Independence Day. I was moved listening to this very special guitar rendition of the national anthem by an 18 year-old--Himno Nacional. 

Sunday was a full day.  The friends visiting from Uganda shared in church and I was able to get an updated photo.

In the afternoon we went to a wedding shower for a dear young friend we met in the Basque Country three years ago. She is now marrying a young man from our town!

Courtney and Nathanael

 It was very fitting that Mike and I wear jerseys from that first Circle Tour for yet another pleasant evening ride, 20 miles this time.

My coloring page for the week also has a good message for us in these troubled times when the freedoms we celebrated even this week are being threatened.

2016 Week 26: Mid Year

This week I spent many hours at my desk in the loft writing and rewriting some of my life stories. . . and staring at the hummingbirds that zoom in and out. One of those times I was entertained by a very confused bigger bird who kept coming back and could not figure out how this feeder worked.

Bird with identity crisis

Mondays Kayla teaches a Family Dance Time for ages 1 - 2 accompanied by one adult. Rebecca gets to participate and so far quickly picks up all the moves--a natural-born little dancer!
An added bonus is that while Kayla teaches her other classes, Rebecca has some cousin time.

Photo by Kristie Koch ‪#‎cousins‬ ‪#‎playtime‬ ‪#‎juderiver‬ ‪#‎sharing‬

The Tuggys, visiting from Uganda, were at Stephan and Karen's dinner, and I forgot to take a picture. So here is one from three years ago. Before they leave I must get an updated photo as the children have grown several inches.

Nikki was in Leah's high school class and John was at Taylor U when Stephan was there.

On the drive there and back I read to Mike. We just started a new book, Tripping.
The sunset was so beautiful on the way home.

The clouds as we neared home

Daisies are profuse now, a whole field of them growing behind the tree sculpture.

Wild black raspberries are also thick. I picked a cottage-cheese container-full Tuesday while Mike was at robotics. In the process I discovered new paths he opened up and more berry-picking areas.

So many trees have fallen through the years and seasons. When I came across these branches of a dead tree, I was reminded of the sculptor who creates huge installations out of sticks--Bending Sticks. As the wife and mother of sculptors, I was fascinated when I saw this video of an artist using a very different medium.

Wednesday, grandson Malachi came to borrow camping equipment for a trip with friends to the  Audio Feed Festival.

 Elijah, in the background, wanted to go but he had his own getaway last week at Miracle Camp.

The robotics friends planned a surprise birthday party for John and asked to host it at our place.

Happy 16th, John!

Thursday
At last the lilies by the mailbox opened up!

Friday, while in Hartford City, I checked out how the pieces delivered last week were displayed at the Frolicking Roots. Can you find them?

Michael had a meeting with Andy Mark Inc in Kokomo to present two robot parts the team has been working on for some time, from design to completed sample product.Andy Mark Inc sells robot components to FIRST teams and they could see the potential of marketing these next year.

Saturday was I forgot day. So I'll just skip over that lazy day.

How are you spending this 4th of July weekend?
Come back next week to hear about ours.