Another one bites the dust

Well loved ones, another summer bites the dust! And what a summer it was. During our adventures, we travelled another 15,800 mi./25,400 km. (with another 5,700 mi./9,200 km. to go), met two new babies, hugged and kissed our loved ones hundreds of times, and laughed, and laughed... and laughed!

Our fun started in California with another whirlwind trip. The time was made spectacular by meeting the newest addition to theFagundes clan--Roman. He is such a happy (and huge!) baby. Another perk was seeing my grandma, Nama, doing so well and living at home again! The Fagundes household was bursting at the seams with no room left at the inn, but the high volume of guests made for great chats in the garden with loved ones from all over the globe.

Towards the end of our time in the states, we were able to squeeze in an important familial event--Roman's baptsim. The group of honored attendees made the event so intimate and beautiful despite the fact that Roman did not want to be dressed up and the center of attention!

The next stop was Belgium.

Thanks to my dad and his Delta benefits, the four exhausted Langlands' slept in Business Elite during most of the JFK-BRU flight (a privilege most 8 and 9 year olds don't get regularly!) When we arrived in Belgium, we hit the ground running with shopping sprees for clothes, shoes, and beer! After 5 years in Muslim countries, Rob has continued to explore his homeland for the newest and finest beers they have to offer. In just 2 years he has tasted and ranked over 80+ beers. He is eager to have some of our international friends visit in the summer so he has an excuse to try even more beers.

Our wedding anniversary was documented in Belgium this year with a national fete. The country, celebrating its regular independence day, also relished in the crowning of their new king (the former having stepped down to bestow the honor upon one of his sons). Another great event was meeting the newest addition to the Belgian family by hugging "the brut", Vince.

Of course our summer could not be complete without some sort of hitch in our plans. This years' chaos led Anouk to the hospital with pneumonia and bronchitis (which she loves saying the Belgian way--bronshit!) After two nights in the hospital (where breakfast and dinner included Nutella sandwiches) Anouk was sent home with a stint so she could return for daily IVs. She is doing well and this experience has left her with a positive hospital experience-- thank goodness!

The most important package delivered to the house this summer included our South African visas. Though Rob will be the only one entering the country with a visa, the timing allowed for our shipment to depart Indonesia with our dog, hopefully, following soon.

We depart for Africa 2.0 tomorrow. We have heard that our brand new house is stunning and even has it's own pool. We are eager to meet our new colleagues, make new friends, and see what life in South Africa has to offer.

Until then, it's been another great summer... one that we are grateful for!

To see some photos of our great summer, keep scrolling down and check out our Flickr feed.