More Cousin Fun

Before we left New Jersey, we had time for more fun with the family. Adam and Jenna enjoyed some "soda" (what Jenna calls seltzer water).

They also tried on Grandpa and Grandma's glasses.

We went to one of Uncle Andy's basketball games. They were more interested in climbing the bleachers...

and making funny faces.

Visiting the Herrings

On our way back to New Jersey, we stopped in Washington, D.C., to see the Herrings (friends from Japan). We had left Japan right after Kana had little Kira, so she had obviously gotten a LOT bigger. We had picked Kana and Kira up from the hospital, so Adam and Lottie had met Kira when she was just a few days old. They were super excited to see her again. They were all over her!




Kira was happy, even with toddler fingers all over her.

Lots of hugs, especially from Lottie.

Holding hands.

Kisses! Lottie wants to take Kira home.

We had a delicious lunch and great visit with Kent, Kana, and Kira. It was great to see friends, especially ones who are also transitioning from living in Japan. The kids were happy to have some special Japanese treats that Kana had brought back from Japan and to practice their Japanese with her. We were so happy to be able to visit so many friends on our trip!

Now and Then

Adam and Alicia at 3 1/2 years old.

Adam and Alicia at exactly 1 year.

Visiting the Higueras

On Wednesday we were able to visit the Higueras, our friends that we met at Fort Riley. Bev and I were pregnant at the same time, and Adam and Alicia are only one month apart in age. They learned to crawl and walk together, along with their other baby friend, Morgan. We were excited to see everyone and to let the kids get to know each other again. We met at Chuck E. Cheese - Adam and Lottie's first visit. Lottie wasted no time in finding the slide.

Adam and Alicia starting to warm up to each other. They are riding Adam's favorite ride, the rollercoaster simulation.

Lottie liked riding the car with the dog.

After some visiting and lunch, we took the kids back to the time share for naps. They didn't even make it to the highway before they were passed out.

Alicia introduced Adam and Lottie to video games. He had no idea what he was doing, but it was Diego, so he was entranced.

By the end of the night, Adam and Alicia couldn't get enough of each other. Just like old times!

All the kids - Adam, Alicia, Carlos, Angelica, and Lottie. The twins were so good. They played with all the little ones without complaint the entire day.

Amy, Chris, Bev, and Hector. It was so much fun to see everyone. It really was like no time had passed, and we were just hanging out in Kansas again. I love that we get to travel and meet new people being in the Army; I just hate moving away from good friends. It was great to get to visit though. We're hoping to get stationed togther again!

Jamestown Settlement

On Tuesday, we went to Jamestown Settlement. It's not on the exact site of the original Jamestown, but is a historic recreation of an Indian village and the colonial settlement. First we toured the indoor museum (thank goodness, because it was COLD again). Adam really likes museums, so he had fun. Lottie and Jenna just ran around. Then we headed outside to the Powhatan Village. The kids enjoyed going into all the houses (which were a little warmer than outside, and would have been even better with the fire going).

Adam and Lottie liked grinding corn with Grandma.

The kids weren't sure about the fur-covered beds, but we talked them into posing on one anyway.

Then it was off to see the recreations of the three ships that brought the settlers to Virginia - the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. They were tiny. It must have been truly miserable. Yuck!

Adam loved it -he had to visit all three ships, and see every part of each one. Here he's steering the ship.

Sitting in the captain's bunk with Grandma.

Then it was off to James Fort. On the way, we checked out a canoe.

The kids loved the fort. They especially liked the church.

Playing with the cannon.

Doing some light housekeeping, colonial-style.

Trying on the colonial armor. Most of it was apparently just what the British had left over and didn't use anymore.

We also found some traditional decorations - oranges with cloves. Chris's favorite!

Naked cousins ready for a bath after a long day.

Indoor Pool

One of the best things about staying at the time share was the indoor pool. The kids had a ball.

Adam loves the hot tub - or any hot water. He kept making Grandpa go from the pool to the hot tub with him. Back and forth, back and forth!

Throwing Jenna.

Our water baby!

Colonial Williamsburg

On Tuesday, we bundled up and headed out to Colonial Williamsburg. We didn't pay to do any of the activities, but we just walked around and enjoyed the atmosphere and the Christmas decorations (all organic). Andy, Heather and Jenna are ready to go.

Adam and Lottie enjoyed the garden.

They had horse-drawn carriages, which you could hire. The kids enjoyed petting the horse.

Adam had to try on the colonial hats. A salute.

The purple hat was a "pirate hat", so he's making an appropriate pirate face.

The best part of the morning was enjoying the hot apple cider and ginger cakes.

Adam, Lottie, and Jenna in front of some Christmas decorations.

Enjoying time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Jenna and Adam tried the stocks. Jenna did NOT like it! Adam thought it was funny.

Stocks for bad parents.