Happy Holidays!!
Dear Friends and Family,
Happy Holiday! We are excited to share with you that The Gerbas are on the move again and this time to Nairobi, Kenya. Therefore, if you haven’t made it to Perú yet, your time is quickly running out. Michael has accepted a job with the International Livestock Research Institute so from cows to potatoes and back to cows. Michael will move in late March and Erin and the kids will finish up the school year and move in June. We are all excited for the new adventures that await us in East Africa. Start planning your safari adventure!
Q'illu
This move is going to include one more addition to the family, no…not that kind of addition, but Erin broke down and gave in and let Michael and the kids get a family dog. Q’illu (pronounced Key-Loo and means yellow in Quechua) joined our family. He is a yellow Labrador mix and the kids love him and Erin tolerates him or so she says. We think she kind of likes him but will not admit it.
Trekking in Andes
This spring saw Erin and Maddie trekking in the Andes for 5 days up to almost 5,000m. They went with a group of friends for a Mother & Daughter trip. There were a total 6 moms and 7 kids and Maddie was the youngest.
Rafting down Apurimac
Michael and the boys went on a Father & Son trip rafting down class 3 and 4 rapids on the Apurimac River near Cusco. The boys loved the trip especially riding the bull in the rapids.
This years’ summer theme was National Parks Out West, and we spent a lot of time in the car trying to hit them all. We kicked off the summer attending cousin Joan’s wedding in Winter Park and from there started a two-week camping trip. The first park we took on was Bryce Canyon and got the kids hooked on Junior Rangers.
Camping Out West
This years’ summer theme was National Parks Out West, and we spent a lot of time in the car trying to hit them all. We kicked off the summer attending cousin Joan’s wedding in Winter Park and from there started a two-week camping trip. The first park we took on was Bryce Canyon and got the kids hooked on Junior Rangers.
Gerba Clan at Joan's Wedding
Bryce Canyon
We then headed to the Grand Canyon while crashing at our friend Todd’s house. We entertained him and even taught him how to floss overlooking the Grand Canyon.
Todd Flossing
Erin Flossing
Mike Flossing
We wrapped the trip up with a spin through Needles, Canyonlands, Arches and only one trip to the hospital (only a flesh wound). We then headed back to Denver to visit with Erin’s family before the long trip back to Cleveland via Des Moines, to visit Grandma Betty. The highlight for the kids was swimming in the Colorado River after hiking in 100+ temperatures but the look on Erin’s face when Michael told her that the river was her shower for the night…now that was priceless.
Junior Rangers
Just before the accident
Camping
Bathtime
It was a long two weeks camping...
...and Erin and Mike needed to relax sometimes
The kids are growing up fast and are excited about the move. Porter, grew 10cm this year and is almost taller than Erin, is enjoying 6th grade and is excelling in track and field. Madigan is in fourth grade and has taken up baseball and still loves the Girl Scouts. Andrew continues to enjoy skateboarding and Tae Kwon Do. He is a second level green belt which is halfway to the coveted Black Belt. We believe it is a money trap as they charge for each belt change.
Erin is keeping busy with the school board, leading her Dining for Women chapter and being the treasurer for Maddie’s Girl Scout troop. She is looking forward to trying new things in Nairobi and who knows, maybe she will even finally find a job.
Kids are Growing Up Fast
The kids are growing up fast and are excited about the move. Porter, grew 10cm this year and is almost taller than Erin, is enjoying 6th grade and is excelling in track and field. Madigan is in fourth grade and has taken up baseball and still loves the Girl Scouts. Andrew continues to enjoy skateboarding and Tae Kwon Do. He is a second level green belt which is halfway to the coveted Black Belt. We believe it is a money trap as they charge for each belt change.
Erin is keeping busy with the school board, leading her Dining for Women chapter and being the treasurer for Maddie’s Girl Scout troop. She is looking forward to trying new things in Nairobi and who knows, maybe she will even finally find a job.
We will be sure to send out contact information once we get settled in Nairobi, but you can always reach us via email. We wish you all the best for the holiday season!
Cheers,
Erin, Michael, Porter, Madigan, and Andrew