November – Mirko in Town… from Argentina..!

Although I have had many friends from Argentina that have wanted to come see me it is on rare occasion that this would be possible.  So, we were shocked when Mirko called and said that he wanted to come and visit Matthew and me.  Of course we were even more surprised when he purchased his airfare and said he was coming for a couple weeks.

Shane was at a youth retreat when we picked Mirko up so we stayed overnight at my parents.  The next day we had the day to take him out to see things before picking Shane up.  We took him to one of our favorite spots first, Snoqualmie Falls.  We then went up to the mountains to play it the snow.  Mirko loves to try new foods so he just had to eat something at the Pancake House… which he raved about the whole time in town.  

Meeting my parents...

Snoqualmie Falls

Snow... what to do with it..?

Gorgeous view from the bridge...

We tried to vary his days from the mundane around the house and doctor appointments with Matthew to touring around and seeing different sites.  I had to work during the week which complicated things but he and Matthew were able to communicate fairly well.  Shane enjoyed playing Wii with Mirko and it was about the only time he wasn't nervous about interacting with him. 

Shane's new sweater from Argentina - nice and warm

Mirko cooking for us... we all took turns..!

Shane and Mirko - Wii bowling..!

When Matthew got sick Shane and I became the official tour guides of an area that I don’t really know very well.  It was the first time I ever walked around Port Orchard myself so it was fun being a tourist in my own town.  I was able to take him by my work and to his favorite location – the grocery store.  He loves trying out new foods from all the locations he visits.  

Down on the pier...

Shane and Mirko... in the great City of Port Orchard...

Shane and Mirko at the pier... 

Mirko also got to spend time with my family.  He met up with Matthew and Mirko for coffee, went to Elizabeth’s birthday party, and then had lunch after church with Jimmy and Karen’s family so he could play pool.  He enjoyed the family time as well as visiting our church and Bible Study group… which are things Matthew and I enjoy the most too.  

Clam Chowder - special for Mirko

Taco's at Jimmy & Karen's... 

Playing pool with the guys... 

His last big outing before leaving town was a trip to Seattle with our friend Bev.  Unfortunately Matthew was sick and I was working so Bev and Mirko took the ferry to Seattle and walked around town all day.  The rain didn’t even damper their spirits.  

Bev in Seattle... 

Mirko in Seattle... 

Coming home... 

Unfortunately Mirko had to leave before Thanksgiving so he missed out on that celebration but he is hoping to come back next Christmas with Natalia who is one of my best friends in Argentina.  Our time with Mirko was refreshing but also left me worn out and ready for a four day weekend.