Jonathan's Trip to Haiti

Most of you know, but just in case, Jonathan works with a philanthropic organization (Equitas Group) and is trying to stop child slavery in Haiti. Here are some pictures from Jonathan's trip to Haiti in November 2008.

It's never hard to find some cute kids posing for a picture. They love digital cameras, so that you can instantly show them what they look like. (Many of them have never seen themselves before!)


This building is used to store salt that has been harvested from the ocean. This micro-business is one of the many example's of HOPE International's microfinance loans. You can find out more about HOPE International by clicking here.


Also, if you have about 8 minutes check out this new (very well done) video explaining more about HOPE in Haiti. Jonathan is friends with several of the people in the video.

Special Note: Pay close attention and you will see the exact salt storage building in the picture above.

These kids were showing off their toy truck that they made out of old plastic bottles.



Jonathan met two new friends. They spent some time trying to teach each other their native language.



Beautiful picture that shows the vegetation and architecture.


Here is a quick video show some of the city of Cap Haitien.



This was a precious little girl at a hospital/clinic in Trou Du Nord.


Go Vols!!!! Always good to see that color orange! This little girl was scared by Jonathan's rendition of Rocky Top. Here Jonathan is trying to explain that she is wearing a uniform from the school he attended.


Similar to UT Orange, you can't escape the reach of the Disney Empire. These kids were at an orphanage that was actually featured on Extreme Home Makeover just a few days before Jonathan was there.


Getting ready to come home! Snow White made the trip too...Caroline suggested this as Daddy was packing. She took pictures of herself and sent them to Caroline each day. Great idea, Snow White!



-Beth

Photo Shoot

For Christmas, we decided to have our friend Tracie Ancelet take some photos of Caroline, and also of the whole family. She is really growing her professional photography business, and for good reason...she did an amazing job! You can check out a few of these photos (I wish I could show you all of them) on her website. Click here to see them.

-Beth

Fantasy of Trees

Just like many Knoxvillians, Beth’s family has a tradition to head to the Fantasy of Trees every year. It is basically a huge wonderland of Christmas trees decorated by local groups, businesses, and professional designers...plus a virtually endless supply of stuff to do for the kiddos, like really great crafts, rides, putt-putt, visiting Santa, cookies, etc! Plus, local groups provide entertainment throughout. Jonathan and I really love the gingerbread houses/cabins/castles/Neyland stadiums though...some of these things are unbelievably detailed!! And the great thing is, the entire event benefits Children’s Hospital here in Knoxville. A place nearer and dearer to our hearts than we ever dreamed it might be.




Cousins! They both chose the penguin separately! I hope they are always such great friends.


Michael showing off one of his creations.


Concentrating on the perfect amount of icing.



-Beth

Halloween Fun

So we are back from our blogging hiatus and we’re flashing back to Halloween. That’s about where we left off...

Caroline had a great time picking out a pumpkin...the farm stand had all different kinds! Beth couldn’t resist buying a ‘fairytale’ pumpkin, along with the regular kind (think, the squatty pumpkin that the fairy godmother turns into Cinderella’s carriage).







Then, we were ready for the big night! Catherine and Michael (Dorothy and Boba Fett) came to our house for the evening. We ate a delicious dinner of chili soup, then headed out into the neighborhood. There were tons of kids running around...it was really perfect! We had a great time just hanging out and trick-or-treating. Then back to the house to watch the DTV Halloween special (sort of an 80’s Disney version of MTV...Disney cartoon clips played to great Halloween tunes...like, Thriller, Bad Moon Rising, etc.)

Caroline was mesmerized by the whole experience! I think she couldn’t believe that it was really happening...it was all magic to her! She still asks to play trick-or-treat around the house every now and then.




Check out Boba Fett’s jetpack, and Dorothy’s red sparkly spray-painted crocs! Ok, so maybe everyone didn’t recognize Michael’s costume...but 99% of the Dads in their 30s and 40s were like, ‘Hey, Boba Fett! Awesome!”.

-Beth