cleveland time

It's COLD (not really just for a southern convert) in Ohio. The kids have had fun visiting with grandma and playing with Jeremy and Ashley. Tuesday we went to Chucky Cheese which is always a favorite for the kids and then I got to visit with a college friend for a while. We had a lot of fun catching up and she gave me lots of good Disney advice. Yesterday we went bowling while Jeff's mom did her league. The kids had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing grandma bowl as well. We then went tothe Science Center downtown and the kids really enjoyed the hands on exhibits and just exploring all the things to touch and see. Cameron has been spoiled with all the extra hands and attention he can handle!

arriving in the US again

We left Lajes on time and the flight was really good--a bit bumpy (heather loved the parts that felt like roller coasters and had me checking to see that we really still were level) but we were on a cargo plane with a tiny passenger space in the back for about 30 people...what can I say we were on the plane. Once we got through customs we were getting ready to call my sister to meet us and there she was. The kids were very excited and I was excited that she greeted us with drinks and cookies--YEAH! She took the kids in her car and Jeff, Cameron and I attempted to take the bus and 6 bags to the car rental place. Forunately (note sarcasm) two buses didn't even stop and the one that did was 90% full. A very nice lady held her ground and did not move while we basically lifted suitcases over and above her to the seats near the back of the bus. After the 4th suitcase and Cameron had been loaded a gentleman actually helped move the last two suitcases. Had we had the all kids it would have gotten many sympathetic looks instead of the swearing I'm sure people were thinking. We met up with a college friend and his girlfriend for a quick dinner near Kelly's house and are about to crash.

cameron and Heather's new tricks

Cameron has started blowing bubbles/raspberries whatever and he thinks it's pretty funny. Usually he does it when getting his diaper changed and we think he's started doing it somewhat in response to our making similar sounds. It's pretty funny to us ;-). Heather's a monkey bar pro--she gets calouses on her hands pretty badly b/c she does it at school during recess then wants to go to the park and keep swinging...i wish we could transfer it to gymnastics but no interest (And not available anyway ;-(). We're heading for Ohio tomorrow to see Jeff's family for a week and have a little reception to celebrate Jeff's brother's marriage almost a year ago. The kids are pretty excited and we told them that we were going to disney in between grandma's houses. I wish we had video of that b/c it was so cute! Lots of excitement and chattering about Lightening McQueen and what characters we would see. I can only imagine the excitement they will have when we actually are there--then the fear of the characters (oh I hope not!!).

great weekend

We had a great weekend! I can't believe it's Thursday already!! We spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday exploring the island. Saturday we went to one of the rocky beaches and just walked around and looked for sea glass (glass that somehow made it into the ocean and has been smoothed out by the waves/rocks--it's cool) and shells. Sunday we went to another two rocky beach spots that we had been to before and just climbed around and enjoyed an OK day. Monday was beautiful and we went into Paria and did some street shopping, had lunch at a little outdoor place (burgers and fries and some chicken paste baguette?!), then headed out for a "little" hike. After walking through cow fields (fortunately no cows) we headed into the "woods" on a little path which was half dirt/half mud. Cameron slept for about an hour of the hike as Jeff lifted the kids over mud puddles and streams. They really enjoyed finding the red and yellow trail markers. Half way into the hike I asked Jeff if it was a loop or out and back, "i didn't look at the map that carefull." Not knowing how much further we had we turned around. At this point the kids were furious that we didn't keep going and we were beyond trying to avoid the mud. Halfway back Heather said, "dad help" and you couldn't see her feet--really! She had sunk in a muddy spot up to her ankles and charlie was right behind her. We wish we had taken a picture...the kids loved the hike and after we discovered that it was a loop (by looking at the map when we got back) we vowed to finish it another time. This week has flown by and we're working on packing to get to OH and disney and OH again in the next few weeks.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since the last post. We've pretty much settled into the routine of eating, school, and sleeping with a playgroup and grocery store visit thrown in. The last two weeks Heather's had a friend over to play which has gone really well and although she still really misses her friends from the states I think it's helping her adjust. Last week we also had a friend over to play with Charlie and the boys played really well together. Last weekend we went to the beach and enjoyed the first nice day that we had there. It has been windy the other times that we've gone so we didn't stay long but this time the kids spent a lot of time playing in the sand with the family we went with as well as venturing into the FREEZING water and they all got pretty wet. After changing clothes we went to have lunch in town and do some "shopping". we learned that the stores are mostly closed Saturday at noon and almost all day Sunday--makes shopping a bit difficult as a clan! Thursday night I went out to dinner with a few ladies which was nice. The restaurant (although it was dark) is located right on the water and is one of those tiny--8 tables I think--places that is so european and cute! There's a swimming hole right next to the restaurant so I'm sure we'll be back there. This morning we exchanged valentine's and hope to head out to enjoy the nice day soon.

big boys, bumps and bruises

We had a nice extended weekend after Jeff got back since the base took the day off today as a "goal day". Yesterday we checked out the base church service which was a very small traditional type of service. Then we hung out and went for a walk around base, getting sprinkled on and watching the kids play at the park. Heather has gotten really good at teh monkey bars and when she is willing to try can tackle them easily. Cameron can't wait until he can run and play with his brother and sister--slowing him down will be the biggest problem when the time comes ;-). Charlie took some rough turns this weekend, falling off a slide about 5 feet, running into Heather and going head over handlebars on his bike (it was windy and he couldn't stop--it's REALLY windy here), and running under the slide still wearing his helment and not being used to the extra 2 inches of helment he failed to clear the bottom of the slide and went feet up in the air onto the ground. The worst was a run in with the basketball court--as illustrated by the picture above. Cameron posed for a few pictures in the mirror. Many contained heads of big sister trying to get into the action...Back to regular stuff tomorrow. We also saw a double rainbow, the first was VERY vibrant and the second was much lighter above. I'm not sure how it turned out in the picture but this was the bright spot in a gray day today.