Striiiiiiiiiiiike!

Tonight we took the boys bowling for the very first time.  They had a blast!  Who knew they made bowling shoes so small.  I was half tempted to see where I could buy some they were that cute, well just see for yourself.

Blayne's shoes

Ethan's shoes

When Ethan watched Kevin to see what we were to be doing, he was excited to say the least.  Then, it was his turn.  (part the clouds in the sky and insert choir of angels singing).  You'd of thunk he found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  He was in heaven.  He wanted to help everyone with their turn and we had to start making him wait on a chair and he was so sad to have to wait.

Ethan after the first time he pushed the ball down the lane

At the end of the game, he had it all figured out.

Blayne, is our easy going and as long as mom and dad are around all is right with the world.  He was happy to humor me and pose for a picture and had fun when it was his turn to bowl, but was more excited to run around like a wild man.  We tried to teach him to stand and push the ball down the lane, but he rather sit and do it.  Hey, what ever works.

are ya done yet mom?

Blayne's prefered method

We're leavin' in a jet plane, don't know when we'll be back again........

I didn't take any pictures in Fayetteville, it just didn't happen.  But we did run into our friends the Prices at Wal-mart at 8pm, go figure!  We also had lunch with a our dear friend Stan and his wife Jane.  It was fun just to be.

I want to say that 330AM is early beyond early.  We had a 735A to Atlanta, then a 3 hour layover before our flight to Boston, then another 4 hour layover before our flight to London.  Say what?  I know we could have taken a non stop from Atlanta, but when we thought about it, we figured the Boston flight was better because of the time of day it arrived.  7A vs noon.  we thought 7a would be better to help them wake up in the morning with jet lag.  Hopefully we were right.

So they boys did great flying.  Blayne was asleep before our flight out of Fayetteville took off.  Ethan played with dad.

From Atlanta to Boston, Ethan slept and Blayne was entertained looking out the window and "reading" books, followed by a nap the last 45minutes of the flight.

I just have to say, that Boston's Logan Airport is my new FAVORITE airport. We got off and there are family restrooms everywhere and they have a Kids Port! The Kids Port is a toddler playarea, with a bouncy padded floor. The boys did not want to leave. The bonus of the whole thing is that it let the boys get all tired out before the last flight of the trip. 

We decided to put the boys in PJs before our last flight, so they know it would be bedtime.  Saved a sippy cup of milk for take off and hope for the best.  They were up for about 2 hrs of the flight and were sound asleep before dinner was served.  Blayne on the other had started to fuss and would not sleep unless being held.  So I held him for the rest of the flight.  at least I got some sleep too.

I did forget to take pictures of all of our suitcases after we picked them up in London.  We did have checked baggs!  It took us two carts for the bags and one for the carseats plus the pushing the double stroller. 

Road trip to Europe Part 3

This is our last day on the road! Thank goodness.  We were all tired of riding in the cars.  I do have to say what a fabulous job the boys did.  There were only a couple of times they were on  the verge of a mutany if we didn't pull over and eat or play.  I think our main saving grace was the portable dvd players that kept them entertained and their minds off being in the car for the most part. 
We had turned in our car at port to be shipped to the UK, so we had to pick up a rental car to get us to NC.  I went to pick it up and the girl said that she could upgrade me for only $12 TO a Tahoe.  I was a little hesitant and didn't know if it would have the trunk space to hold everything.  She insisted it would, so OK why not. As hard as we tried, it did't work,  We had one suitecase and double stroller too many.  So I went back to return it and pick up the mini-van I had originally wanted.  She then offered a Suburban.  Reallly?  The woman just did not want to give up the minivan she had to a one way rental.  I asked how much more and she said nothing.  Nothing?! OK why not, it would give us some more room.  Well, I guess it was the way we packed it, but it seemed that we had more space in our own van.  It fits and I wasn't going back. We just wanted the road trip to be over!  I must say it was a comfy ride in the suburban.

Road Trip to England part2...

With a successful day one under our belt, we were ready to hit the road again.  Before we left Biloxi, we got up and walked on the pier at the beach and let the boys run on the sand.  Gotta get those wiggles out before getting into the car.  It was a bit chilly, and Ethan did not like the icy sand under his feet and would not get off the bottom step to walk the beach.  He did however have fun running up and down the pier. 

We're off to the races!  next stop is The Gregson's house for a potty/wiggle break.  Blayne fell a sleep in the car 5 minutes from their house and slept the entire time we were there (despite Mollie's best effort to try and play with him).  Now the sad news.  One, we had to get back in the car and two, I forgot to take in my camera.  It's a good thing Lori was on top of it and got some pictures with her camera.
Next stop Hotel Young!  Come to find out Aunt Nancy and Uncle Robert had come in and we had just missed them, by a couple of hours.  However bummed we may be, Aunt Nancy had made dinner for everyone before they left.  All I can say is Italian Chicken, Yummy Potatoes, and peanut butter bars! mmmmmmmMMmmm.
We had a great time visiting with Amy, Aunt Karen, Uncle Bill, Cris, Eli, Becca, and Olivia. Oh, and we can't forget dear Mator.  He was such a good puppy with the boys.  We played, we chatted, we ate, we went to the park.

 I have noted this in a previous facebook post, but Amy has some AMAZING hills in her yard.  There is one that is a perfect slope for a slip n slide that would end in the pool and one in the front yard that is equally impressive.  I can see it now.

Road Trip to Europe Part 1

Just to start off let me remind everyone that 415AM is way too early in the morning to be waking up. But we did and were on the road by 530AM. It was a quite day, only one meltdown, and that is when we were leaving a McDonald's after lunch and Ethan didn't want to leave. Our goal was to make it to Biloxi, not only because we are taking our time, but we both wanted to eat at our favorite restaurant along the way, Yuki's. Kevin discovered this place the first time he was sent to Keesler AFB way back in the day (I think it was 2002). Any who, every time we come thru, we try and time our trip for dinner, doesn't always work out, but this time it did. It was way yummy and Ethan was entertained and even ate some of what was put on his plate, but tried everything. Blayne was too tired to care and just wanted his sippy cup. that is until they put food on his plate. Then he was all for it.

Blayne reading a book.  He loves to read!

See, Ethan does eat. 

Onion Volcano eruption

Together Again!

Kevin came home last night!!!  and we are one happy family....  here are some pictures of us pickign him up at the airport.  Ethan was all for Daddy and kept saying his name the entire ride home.  Blayne, knows he is supposed to know him and knows his voice but is still a little unsure of this strange man....

waiting for daddy to come thru security

Blayne not so sure about this man