Author Archives: familystoke

We travelled to Buffalo again for Christmas this year. I know everyone thinks we are crazy to go to Buffalo in the winter, but there is just something magical about a white Christmas. Granted, Buffalo didn’t quite deliver this year and Christmas was more of a cold, muddy, sloppy Christmas, but it was still magicalContinue reading “Buffalove Christmas 2019”

From the wintery blister of Buffalo, we headed to tropical Cartagena, Colombia for New Year’s. Cartagena is located on the Caribbean coast and features an old colonial city surrounded by a protective wall. I didn’t expect to like Cartagena because I expected it to be just like Panama City. It totally exceeded my expectations. WhileContinue reading “New Year’s in Colombia”

I always scoffed at the idea of taking my kids to Disney World. I didn’t want to take them somewhere so commercial and manufactured. Travel is supposed to be about experiencing new cultures, learning about history and our environment. Not to mention- the crowds, the lines, and all the Disney fanatics. However, living where weContinue reading “Disney Adventures”

The boys wrapped up their school year on December 5th with an end of year celebration. Asher finished 1st grade and Parker completed pre-k 2. The year was not without its challenges. It was the first year for the new international school in Pedasi. We feel thankful to finally have a quality educational option inContinue reading “End of the Year Celebrations”

In November, PJC turned the big four. I always forget that he is actually so young because he keeps up with his older brother. To celebrate he wanted a T-Rex party. This is his third dinosaur party in a row. I’m not sure he realizes he can choose anything different. We had about forty peopleContinue reading “PJC Turns 4!”

Our kids trimester break coincided with Labor Day which made it the perfect time to travel to the States.  We chose to visit our family in Buffalo because my father was hosting our family reunion.  I wasn’t able to attend my grandfather’s funeral in February, and I thought this would be the best way toContinue reading “Buffalove Summer 2019”

While some probably think living in Pedasi is a permanent vacation, we actually have developed a pretty regular schedule.  Time is weird here.  It moves slowly, but also seems to fly by.  By Friday, I’m always wondering where the week went and why I didn’t get anything done.  I think part of it is thatContinue reading “Real Life on a Permanent Vacation”

In June, we had our first non-family visitors.  Our good friends, the Saldana family, came all the way from California to visit us.  They have a wonderful adventurous spirit, love to travel, and want to expose their children to different cultures.  However, the best thing about being with them is their sense of humor.  WeContinue reading “Saldanas Come to Panama 2019”

For the boys’ first trimester break, we flew to North Carolina to visit family.  While we spent most of the time in Raleigh, we also took a weekend trip to Wrightsville Beach.  Wrightsville is one of the places we are considering upon our reentry to the U.S.  We wanted to spend more time there toContinue reading “North Carolina June 2019”

The boys had a couple days off of school for Semana Santa so we decided to take an impromptu trip to Bocas del Toro.  BC and I have been to Bocas two times before, but our last visit was in 2006 (over 12 years ago).  At that time it was just beginning to be discovered,Continue reading “Brothers in Bocas del Toro 2019”