Bomstads Visit the Philippines

Heyo Family and Friends,

We heard a heap of nice packy snow hit home again… phew! Hoping you’re warm, with a cleared driveway, and a snowman or two in the yard. I think it’s safe to say we’ve eased out of spring and into summer here in the Philippines. The days are heating up and the plants are screaming for some rain. Things are looking pre-tay brown and crispy but thankfully we had a little rain earlier this week. This post is about our wonderful week with Natalie and Andrew!

The second-to-last snow storm you all had almost disrupted Natalie and Andrew’s flights here. This would have been a repeat of their last international visit to see us in Singapore, which included delayed flights and a lost bag. Thankfully all worked out this time, with them bravely driving to Chicago in the storm the night before their flights and all proceeding on time after that. Phew. They visited us here in Philippines from Friday, 24 February to Friday, 03 March and the focus of their trip was to experience our home together and spend ample quality time together.

We started off their time here with a BBQ with our Philippines crew and played bags into the early morning. Kudos to Natalie and Andrew for doing this without a nap… impressive. We did an adults-only dinner night out in the city, where we ate incredible Peruvian food. We spent hours in our pool, floating and talking. Merrick showed Auntie Natalie and Uncle Andrew his school. We went out for breakfast at some of our favorite spots. Travis took a workday off and the four of us headed south to San Juan, Batangas. There we spent a gloriously sunny day at Laiya Beach. We rented a couple cabanas, played a ton of euchre, drank a bunch of Don Papa rum, and chatted all day using the Basecamp conversation starters card deck. The rest of our time was filled with playing with the kiddos and relaxing around the house. We all made a bunch of new memories together and Natalie and Andrew left with a nice tan and feeling refreshed.

Huge shout out to Natalie and Andrew’s parents, who watched the kiddos and gave them peace of mind on their first international trip away from their little ones.

Since the Bomstads departed, we’ve been pretty low key… getting back to routines, spending time with friends including a Holi celebration, and nursing two sick kiddos back to health this past week. On Friday, our fam is driving down to Mabini, Batangas to hang with friends for the weekend and experience Anilao’s world class diving.

Have a great weekend!

All our love,

xo Team Jansen

Samantha’s favorite memories. Quality time together, chatting, and simply enjoying each other’s company in our Philippines home. Seeing the kiddos play with their Uncle Andrew and Auntie Natalie. The entire road trip and day at the beach. Samalie dominating the men in euchre. Not-so-favorite memory… the golf cart dying the second day of their visit.

Travis’s favorite memories. Mid-week beach day with rum-induced, soul searching conversations, cook out and bags duel, making Andrew his first and last Negroni, sharing our life here!

Merrick’s favorite memories. Playing mixer truck and rocket launcher with Auntie Natalie and Uncle Andrew. Swimming in the pool and showing them where his shoes go at school.

Natalie’s favorite memories. Day at the beach sharing libations and playing the card game that asks table topic questions leaving us in deep conversation at the beach, in the ocean, and throughout our car ride home. After nearly two decades of friendship, still learning more about each other and our hopes, dreams, and outlook on critical issues (like what technology you couldn’t live without). Spending quiet mornings in the sunshine, sipping coffee. Learning about the people and places in the Philippines. Winning Philippines 🇵🇭 in our Bomstad/Jansen world euchre tournament (Team Samalie!). Finishing an entire book for the first time in a long time. Soaking up all the sun rays. Eating DELICIOUS mangos. Spending time with Merrick and Arden. Dropping Merrick at school and saying “hi” to his turtle friend. A week of friendship. ☀️

Andrew’s favorite memories. Being able to wake up and have coffee with friends on the porch. Continuing our global euchre tournament with the Jansens (had to let Samalie win one). An awesome dinner in downtown Manila where we got to try all kinds of different foods. Meeting Travis and Samantha‘s group of friends, and playing bags late into the night. Slipping in and out of the pool on a whim all week – super relaxing! Being able to have dinner with the Jansens and catch up on our day. It reminded me of when we all shared an apartment right after college.