Third Cavalry Museum

Last month, Paul and Tonyamas came up to Fort Hood to visit. We were happy to show them a real Army experience - a boring museum. We took them to the Third Cav Museum so the kids could enjoy all the tanks and other Army stuff on display. They loved running around all the vehicles. Lottie, Claudia, Adam, and Bryan pose.

Posing with a "rocket."

Friends.

Inspecting a helicopter.

Even better than a tank - a bridge.

One last picture in front of another tank. We had a great time showing the Moores around the fort. I'm sure they saw more of the Army life than they ever wanted!

Lunchtime

Adam and Lottie love eating at the table. I think they like it more now that the table is in the kitchen - closer to the fridge for milk refills. They are always happy after a meal, dirty faces and all.

And they are always happy to love on each other!

Kerbey Lane

On their way to visit the Flachmans, we tagged along for a stop at Kerbey Lane for breakfast. They have great pancakes, so we knew Adam would love it. Before our food came, the kids had fun playing with creamer packets. Anything's fun with grandparents!

South Congress

We took Gram and Bapa to South Congress, a popular street in south Austin. Lots of eclectic shopping and restaurants. We were surprised at how little it had changed since we left about five years ago. Adam and Lottie enjoyed all the "local color."

There was a new cupcake trailer. Yum! They also had a cowboy troubadour out front. Only in Austin...

Lottie enjoyed a ride on Gram's shoulders. The hipsters liked her wacky Japanese hat.

In Austin, monkeys are ALWAYS welcome.

We didn't eat here, but the decor was too good to pass up the picture.

Adam standing in front of the most hip of the hipster hotels on South Congress. You might have read about the Hotel San Jose in every travel article ever published on Austin. Adam is so cool!

Gram & Bapa Visit

On January 15, Gram and Bapa came to visit. They also brought Sam, who made himself at home. Right on Adam's train tracks. With the Buddha peeking out by his tail.

The kids had a good time with Playdough.

Of course, Bapa (and Gram) always have time to read a book. Or five.

I Got a Feeling

Adam's lyrics to his "new favorite song:"

Let's live it up!

Mazel top!

Let's live it down!

Mazel off!

Actual lyrics:

Fill up my cup

Mazeltov

Look at her dancing

Just take it off

I think I like his lyrics better. They are more family friendly, anyway.

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!