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We just got back from the US embassy where Isabella had to register to get her US passport. To leave the country she will need both her Chilean and her US passport to enter the USA.

Here is her passport photo. Her hair is looking a bit lighter now.

Things are well in Chile. It is getting colder in Pucon and its autumn and the town is mellow. The US dollar is very weak at 450 chilean pesos but still somethings are cheap – like healthcare ($70 a month for Mabel and Isabella) and basic food. Gas is about $6 a gallon in Chile though.

Isabella And Her New Present

I just turned 37 years old the other day and luckily my parents were here with me getting to know their granddaughter Isabella Virgina Marshall Araya
.

Here is a picture of Isabella in a restaurant in Puerto Montt

Back in Pucon my dad was pleased to discover that we all seem to have inherited a special ability for naping ..

Here below Isabella is learning about Pattycake from my mom now grandma

Life continues to be good in Chile  the only negative is that the US dollar continues to drop which makes  it hard to buy a house here.

Happy New Year to Friends and Family .. Its been a great year for me .. I got married and had a baby girl this year and to think 4 years ago I was VERY sick from Ulcerative Colitis.

Anyways sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down but this year has been a good year ..

A great article by the Latin Business Journal http://www.latinbusinesschronicle.com/app/article.aspx?id=1786 points out that America is being subsidized by Latin America. Don’t laugh. There are lots of wealthy people in Latin America. There is still an attitude in Latin America – though quickly changing – that the USA is a good place to invest.

My prediction – USA is on the way down and Latin America is on the rise.

Here are some quick facts about life in Chile where I live.

Monthly Expenses

• Rent $340
• Health Insurance for my wife and Daughter $60
• Internet $80 a month
• Food and Eating out $600
• Utilites – $80

General Factors Here in Chile

• Not as much corruption as the USA – no war on false pretenses
• A large middle class
• Smaller Population – Not as much overcrowding
• More Simple Lifestyle and less polution
• Strong workers rights a concern for the poor
• Some form of health insurance for everyone

Anyways Chile is the richest and most stable country in latin america and right now its a great place to live. It definitely has problems but overall its got its act together compared to the USA. Yesterday there was the teleton here in Chile. Its sort of national holiday in Chile for children with disabilities. Maybe their is something like that in the USA but nothing near it in popularity..

Viva Chile ! As soon as I can open a bank account here .. I will moving dollars into chilean pesos

Photos of my Life in Chile

My Wife Mabel Kayaking on the Upper Liucura

My Awesome Daughter Isabella

I have spent the last two weeks kayaking in Alumine, Argentina. My favorite spot to go kayaking in all of Argentina. This river is fun .. 2 hours of rollercoaster class 4+ whitewater.

Here are some photos of our time there including the star of this blog my daughter.

Photo Album

Over 1 week old and she is growing fast. Im enjoying being a dad. Im told Isabella is very well behaved. She doesn’t make too much of a fuss other then when she is hungry or needs here Diapers changed. She sleeps a lot and is very sweet.

Three of my favorites and then a whole bunch more here at this link here ..

http://picasaweb.google.com/fields.marshall/IsabellaBorn

Its late at night and Im tired but wanted to post two photos before I went to sleep more coming soon.

She was born at 12:20 pm weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces aka 3.6 kilos and 51 centimeters long .. Born at the Bio bio Clinic http://www.clinicabiobio.cl/

Sorry its been forever since my last update but we are now in Concepcion waiting for the arrival of our daughter who will be named Isabella.

It could be anyday now .. here are a few photos.

It was a nice day here in Concepcion Chile .. the beginning of Spring its Sunday and we had a nice picnic. The 18th of September is the equivalent of July 4th in the USA but they tend to celebrate a bit more here and take at least 2 days off

Its early fall here in Pucon and we moved to a new house. Its the same amount of money $340 a month – told to make those of you in USA jealous. There is no Internet or cable TV but still we are close to town. I hope to have an office in downtown Pucon soon.

Click on the photos to get a bigger image.

New House on the outskirts of town.

Juanchu and Lucas

Mabel and the dogs