Andy's Vacation to the States

After Andy finished his time in Bulgaria, he came home for a visit.

 We had fun in the pool.

 Got some quality sleepy time in.

 Spent time with his parents in Tucson.



This is what most of our time in Tucson looked like: Amber eating TONS of blueberries and hanging out with Papa.

IOWA

 We flew to Iowa for a very short visit.

 Love it when kiddos sleep on the plane.

 Andy got to see his grandma Ethel and Aunt Donna.

 Maid Rite restaurant-yummy Maid Rites and milkshakes.

Our last night in Iowa we ate at the Machine Shed, it was really good and afterwards we got to go on a tractor ride.  Fun!  We also were able to see Andy's Uncle Tom and other Aunt Donna who so graceiously let us crash at their house AND borrow their car.  Thanks!

Baltimore

While we were "stuck" in Baltimore we got to do some pretty awesome stuff.  I say "stuck" because we were staying with family who spoiled us and took us to do a lot of fun things. 

We'll start with Story Ville.  Imagine lifesize play places for kids such as: a playhouse complete with kitchen, nursery, upstairs, etc., treehouse, grocery store, train, library, baby corner for the little ones, and a few others that I can't rembmer.  But, SO, MUCH, FUN!

THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM

I took too many pictures to post but we had a good time until Amber suddenly got a fever and wasn't feeling well.  This all happened during the dolphin "show" which turned out to be a lecture about dolphins and not much else.  Not fun with three 2-4 year olds and two babies.  But it was still a great time. 

Of course we had a lot of fun play time with Clark and Krystal's girls.  Amber had such a great time.  And we were spoiled with delicious food.  Thank you so much to the Morsbach family!

Washington D.C.

When the kids and I were returning to Italy we were flying Space A on an Air Force flight that tends to fill up fast in the summer months.  This plane flies out of Baltimore/Washington International Airport and when the plane filled up we were stuck in Baltimore.  Enter the awesome Morsbach family.  My cousin Clark and his wife took us in and let us stay at their house until we were able to fly out 10 days later.  We had a lot of fun with them and their three girls (I'll post more in Baltimore ASAP).  I've always wanted to tour Washington D.C. and thanks for Clark and Krystal I was able to while we were stuck.  Krystal watched the kids for me and I went with Clark to D.C. and while he worked I got to see the sights.  It was truly amazing.  I have seen a lot of sites in the world but I think I love Washington the most.  I got to see a lot of stuff but of course you can't do it all in one day, but this is what I did see:

MLK Jr.  The quote to his right: "Out of a mountain of despair a stone of hope."

FDR 

Random building with her flag flying. 

 Washington Monument

Unfortunately it was closed due to cracks from the earthquake a while back.

 Jefferson Memorial

Probably my favorite memorial.  It is something to see.

 Jefferson Memorial

 And again, Jefferson Memorial

Korean War Memorial

This one was sentimental for me as my grandfather, the late Don Cox, served in that war.

 Lincoln Memorial

 Lincoln Memorial

 Vietnam Soldiers

 World War II Memorial

President Obama's (hopefully) soon to be prior residence.

I arrived in DC at about 6:30 or 7:00 am and I had the place to myself for the first few hours.  It was great.  It did rain a lot and I was wearing sandals (this was not a planned tour and I had sent my tennies home with Andy).  But Clark gave me his poncho (always prepared) and it was still a GREAT day!  I also toured the United States Holocaust Museum and the American History Museum.  No pictures were allowed in the Holocaust Museum but I will try to post pics from the American History Museum. 

Randomness from NM and beyond

While Andy was in Bulgaria the kids and I took a trip back home and had a wonderful visit.  This post are just some random photos from the first part of our journey.

 Amber met and had an awesome time with "the girls" cousins Drew and Reagan.  Sleep over!

 Story time with Uncle Cliff and Aunt Jean.

 4 Generations Amber, myself, Grammy Debbie, and Nana.

 First time bottle feeding a calf?  Uh yeah!

 What a big girl helper.

 Feeding a horse with Nana.

 Miss Thang, wearing her shades and hair bows from Auntie Angelica.

 Jesse, growing fast and starting to sit up.

 "What ya doin Amber?"  "I do makeup." Duh.

 Riley's birthday party at Peter Piper in Tucson.  Amber was in heaven.

 Mama and Jesse in Peter Piper Heaven

 Pops and the outlaw Jesse Wyatt.

Col. Mason was the biggest help on the trip from Aviano to Baltimore.  Thank goodness for awesome, kind and helpful people.