Author Archives: familystoke

This month we celebrated Asher’s sixth (yes, sixth!) birthday.  Since his 5th birthday party, he has known exactly what he wanted for his 6th birthday- a rocket ship party!  This year, Asher has really developed a love of all things space, and he really wanted a party that was out of this world. We triedContinueContinue reading “Blast Off to Six”

This month we were thrilled to welcome my parents to Pedasi. They were our first family from the U.S, to come visit us in our new home. I was so excited, but the boys were even more excited to see their grandparents. They have a special bond with them, and they couldn’t wait to makeContinueContinue reading “Parents in Pedasi”

We took a little weekend getaway to Cambutal.  Cambutal is only about an hour and a half from Pedasi.  Cambutal is one of Brian’s favorite places.  He truly feels at peace when he is there.  Around ten years ago (maybe more), we visited together and there was nothing.  Just a dirt road only crossable byContinueContinue reading “Cambutal 2019”

Recently, I received a surprising phone call one morning as I was leaving the house to drop the kids at school.  It was unusual for my mom to call me at that hour, and she had a sense of urgency about her.  She struggled at first because she couldn’t figure out how to sugar coatContinueContinue reading “Ode to Papa Pete”

We have been blessed here to make such good friends with other families in the international community.  One family we have particularly bonded with because they have small boys as well.  Our boys play so well so we get together often.  Unfortunately, they had only planned to stay in Pedasi a year, and of course,ContinueContinue reading “Boys in Boquete 2019”

To celebrate the Christmas season, we left our tropical paradise for the tundra of Buffalo, NY.  While to some, that may sound crazy, it was awesome!  Not only was I excited to spend the holidays with my parents and sister, but this would be the first Christmas in decades that I was able to spendContinueContinue reading “Buffalove Christmas 2018”

The beginning of November sets off a full month of celebrations throughout Panama, but especially in the Los Santos region which is the heartbeat of Panamanian folklore and tradition.  In November, Panama celebrates two separate independence days.  So pretty much the whole month is a party and a celebration of authentic Panamanian culture. It startsContinueContinue reading “A Month of Fiestas”

This month PJC celebrated turning three.  At first, I wasn’t planning on throwing a party.  Then my 5 year-old (for whom I threw an epic birthday party last year) said, “Aren’t we throwing him a party.  I bet he wants a dinosaur party, don’t you?”  And PJC exclaimed, “Yes, I want a dinosaur party!” Well,ContinueContinue reading “PJC turns 3!”

Twenty years ago, when BC was a child in Panama, no one celebrated Halloween.  Boy, has that changed.  When expats introduced Halloween to Panama (costumes, free candy, games), the kids were all about it!  It still primarily is an expat holiday, but the local kids love to join in the fun.  We celebrated all weekendContinueContinue reading “Halloween in Panama”

One of the most popular tourist attractions in our area is Isla Iguana, a small island that is a 20 minute boat ride away from Pedasi.  We had never been, so when a friend  offered to arrange a trip, we jumped at the chance to go with some of our favorite family friends. You travelContinueContinue reading “Isla Iguana”