Seattle Okinawa Reunion

One of the highlights of our summer was going to Seattle to meet up with friends we lived with in Okinawa. We rented a house in the University District and all 4 families stayed there together for three nights. It was so much fun and we all decided that it would be something that we do every two years. Angie, who lives in the area came down for the day with her two kiddos. She is expecting her third any day now. I will cherish all the fun times we had together!

Group shot of everyone. We all look color coordinated, which was not planned except for the kids. Tritia did an amazing job getting all that organized!

Poor Jayce didn't want any part of it. But the picture still turned out cute!

The stadiums and Mount Ranier in the background taken from the top of the Space Needle.

 Breakfast time! Thanks to Noa and Julie who went to Costco and bought food for the trip. They did a great job picking out a bunch of stuff to feed four families for three days!

 We had to go to the Pike Place Market. 

 Jackson had the opportunity to catch a fish in the famous fish throwing area. He caught it on the second time...it was so much fun!

 These flowers were beautiful...and only $10.00 for the huge bunch!

 We are very happy because we are in the Starbucks line at the very first Starbucks!

 While the big kids played in the field...

 the littles were busy on the blanket in the shade.

 The kids being shisha statues.

 Two of my favorite Texas girls! Love them!

 The kids had a dance party one night. They were making me laugh so hard with their moves!

 Grace and Jayce were doing chest bumps. 

 The boys!

 After our time at the house in Seattle we took the ferry over the the Hammers side to stay at their house. We are so thankful for that extra time with them!

 Jackson loved having Sadie under the blanket with him for some cuddle time.

 I of course had to get this picture of Miss Ruby. She is such a doll! We had so much fun getting to know her cute little personality. 

Seattle was more perfect than I imagined. Fun times with some of our best friends. Who could ask for more?

Michigan Summer

     Here are some of the highlight pictures from our time with family in Michigan. It was so nice to be back after two years. We cherished all the wonderful memories that were made while there. Mackinac Island is always a special time and this time the kids were able to experience the island for all it has. 

                                         Chris and his girlfriend, Shannon, came for a visit.

 Jackson played with his friend Jayce about everyday that we were in Michigan. They are the best of buds!

 Aunt Sharon took us to the zoo for a "behind the scenes" tour. We were able to see the bears come out of the den and look for the special treats they were given. The best part of it all was being able to ride around on the golf cart. It was a hot day and we would of been exhausted walking everywhere!

 We were able to feed the giraffes. Grace wasn't so sure about it, but we all thought it was very fun.

 What would summer be without Jackson catching and playing with a frog?

 Identical twins...I mean...Jason and Chris

 Grace getting some Papa and Yaya loving.

 While the boys played with sidewalk chalk Grace took the time to catch some rays.

 Sweet photo.

 Making special memories at Mackinac Island.

 We rode our bikes around the island. The loop is about 8 miles of nothing but beauty!

 Taking a break from the ride to cool off.

 Grace got her first haircut this summer. We only had it trimmed a couple of inches. It made it look so much more healthy.

 Sweet GG with her great-grandchildren.

 Aunt Sharon with her favorite kiddos. She is so sweet and we always love seeing her.

I have one more picture that I forgot to post of my half marathon. But they are on a different camera so that will be a different post.
Michigan was so much fun and are so thankful that we were able to see family and and do so many fun things. Hard to believe that the next time we are there it will be two years!

Half Marathon #2, Brighton Hungry Duck

I ran in my second half marathon while in Michigan. I felt prepared in every way, except for running in the crazy heat the MI was having while we were there and the hills on the course were much more than I planned on. Jason's cousin, Sheryl,  is a personal trainer and has done 19 marathons and who knows how many half marathons. I am so thankful that she ran with me the whole time and kept me on pace. 

My time was 2:11:19, which was one whole minute faster than the last race I ran in Budapest.

It was a good challenge, but I am thankful that it is done!

June Bug Out

On Friday Jackson had his "June Bug Out" day at school. There were 20 different stations where the kids rotated doing all kinds of activities. Thankfully the rain held off and it was so much fun!

They (and me) were exhausted at the end of the day. Thankfully it was pizza and movie night at our house so we relaxed when it was over.

Grace and her friend, Elisa.

(Elisa's sister is in Jackson's class.)

Mrs. Bryant heading out with the class to the first stop...the bouncy castle!

As you can see Jackson was having so much fun!

Hannah, Jackson and Zoe

Grace had fun participating in the races as well.

Basketball. Check out that form.

At lunch time the each student was giving an award. Jackson's award was "Most Logical Thinking Skills."

They also sang some favorite songs that they have been singing throughout the year. I have tried to download the video, but it isn't cooperating. If for some reason it decides to I'll put it up.

So proud of him!

Chalk Station

One of the stations was to try on the military gear and do the army crawl. Jackson thought this was so funny.

The kids were able to beat "redman" with a stick.

As you can imagine this kids had so much fun with this!

The school's mascot and Sparky the fire departments mascot.

One of the last stations was an international dance party. That was interesting. 

It was a successful day! Nothing but happy smiles throughout the day. What a great way to end out the year. Only 3 1/2 more days and Jackson will be a first grader...wow!

Kinder Field Trip

Jackson's kindergarten class took a field trip to Luisenpark in Mannheim this week. I don't know if he was more excited about the bus ride there or the field trip itself. Since Jason takes him to school and I pick him up he doesn't ride the bus. So he couldn't wait to take the hour long ride to the park.

The weather cooperated and it turned out to be a very beautiful day. 

The kids had fun taking a boat ride through the park and seeing the fish, turtles, storks, penguins, flamingo and pelicans. We did lots of playing on the playgrounds and running through the fields. They were completely exhausted at the end of the day. Grace fell asleep on the way home and I now know she is done with naps. She didn't fall asleep until about 10 o'clock last night!

It's hard to believe his kindergarten year is almost over. It went by so fast!

This is the "schnullerbaum." 

It is a tree that the babies take their binky's to when it's time to give them up.

 Waiting for the boat ride.

 Landon, Jackson, Lily and Grace

 These cars cost 1 euro to ride. They loved it!

 The kids loved the ice cream break before heading back on the bus.