Ecuador Day 65- Happy Carnival!

How about a bunch more pictures again today? Since you can't protest, here we go.

Today was a really fun-filled day due to the activities of Carnival. For me it also turned out to be an emotional day. Weird, I know. I am on such a roller coaster these days. Even little things make me emotional. For instance- the festivities of Carnival today quickly transported me back in time to 6 years ago when I was here as an OSSO volunteer. I was super nostalgic because we had our own Carnival wars and it is such a fun memory of mine. I am used to being nostalgic for Ecuador and that in turn used to lead me to being nostalgic for Flor....but now I have both! So why was it making me sad? I guess just because I miss the relationships with the volunteers from when I was here, too. Who knows? I am such a sappy person sometimes.

Anyway, Flor and I went for a walk this morning and then as we came back, Angel and Jenny were getting ready for a big Carnival party they were having. In the meantime, three volunteers were off shift and decided it would be fun to get the other girls as they were coming home from shift. For those that don't know, Carnival is generally celebrated here by throwing water, eggs, flour, shaving cream, etc. at others on the street (or in the house in the case of OSSO). :) The girls prepared some water balloons and some guns and Angel stood behind the door with the hose for when the rest of the girls came home. I helped by photographing the proceedings. This house, much like the OSSO house from when I was here, has a little roof that you can climb on, which was perfect so the girls could overlook the street and attack at the right time.

Preparation for the big event is essential. Here are the girls and Maibe climbing up to get ready.

All ready to attack! They got a few random passersby while waiting for the girls to come home. All is fair in the rules of Carnival...(okay, what rules?)

AND....the war is on! Lots of flour and water were used. Pretty fantastic fight. And better yet, I had immunity since I was carrying cameras. 

Soon after the girls' fight ended, the party guests started showing up. Well, let me just say that the Ecuadorians know how to party! It started at about 12:30 with a delicious lunch of shiskabobs, corn, potatoes, and cake. The volunteers left for their next shift at about 2, but by then the party was just getting started. The house was full of people (and this is a big house)-mostly people from the ward, but a few family members and neighbors too. After lunch, Flor and I went downstairs for a while while she napped, but the music upstairs was blaring and there was no doubt that the people were having a great time. We went back up after she woke up and watched the masses of people dancing around the house. The music was on full blast and everyone was having a fantastic time. I took a little video of all the dancing, but it is taking too long to upload, so you will just have to use your imagination.

I didn't dance--instead I sat in a chair and took a lot of pictures. :)

Soon the dancing wound down and the Carnival festivities were in full-swing! This was really hilarious to watch because it was the adults attacking the adults, for the most part. The kids kind of sat back and watched, but there was some serious water flying, flour throwing, shaving cream attacking going on.

Angel and Jenny were right in the middle of it, of course. Sorry some of the pictures are blurry--I was snapping too fast.

Jenny tried to retreat to the kitchen but was caught with huge laundry sized bucket of water. Poor thing! You should have seen the floor...

Filling up her own bucket for revenge

Most of the kids stayed out of it, but Maibe (in the purple) and her friend wanted in. I thought it was hilarious that Maibe was wearing a rain coat and boots. Haha!

Jenny from the rooftop getting these men good. The one in the blue shirt is in the Bishopric in the ward we have been attending here.

And of course the hose- the best weapon of them all!

At times, it became necessary to hide behind the side wall in order to avoid getting hit from the hose. Flor and I were up there taking pictures for a while, but then we got full-on shots from the hose, so we decided it was time to take the back route and retreat back into the house.

Flor and I left at about 5:30 to go to dinner at Papa John's with the Schinnerers and the Scotto's and the party was still in full swing. We got back about 7:15 and the party was just winding down. The crew had ordered pizza for dinner. Talk about a par-tay!

Dinner was good tonight, as usual. We enjoy seeing our friends and spending time with them.

I came home and Skyped with my mom as well as Devin. The kids seem to be doing fine, but I just miss them so much. My sister had Hallie all day today, so hopefully she wasn't too wild. My cousin Cortney had Jace while my mom worked and I also hope he was okay. We are really appreciative of everyone and all the help they have given us. It means so much. But, I am so ready to be home and taking care of my own kids. I feel bad that they have had to be bounced around so much, even though I know they are in good hands. Devin will meet my mom halfway tomorrow to pick them up, so that will be nice as I know he is missing them, too. I just really, really want to be able to come home this Saturday so that I can see the kiddos and my husband again. How great will it be to have our whole family complete again? I can't wait. I get emotional just thinking about it.