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

It's Official!!!!!!!!!!!!

First things first.  Kevin is coming HOME!!  He arrives home on Sept. 22     We are so excited to have him home and to have our little family together again.  The fact that he is coming home, means we have our orders to where we will be transferred next.  When we were denied Germany, our hearts sank and we had come to the conclusion that we just weren't supposed to be there and we were OK with that.  Our hearts still longed to be in Europe, somewhere, but most importantly we wanted our family together in one place more than anything.  We had decided that it didn't matter where we would go just bring Kevin home and send us somewhere we could be together.  The next few days and weeks decisions had to be made and paperwork filed.  There was lots of prayer and as Kevin put it (his words not mine) some "crack deals" made in the middle of the night, and next thing we knew we had a new destination.  We have known for a couple of weeks, but wanted the final orders in hand before we announced it.  Let me just say it was the hardest thing to keep it a secret.  I just wanted to shout it from the top of the highest roof top!  So hear it goes:  we are going to, drum roll please,   (seriously have you not figured it out by now?  I even gave you some theme music):

RAF Mildenhall England!!!

That's right, we're headed back to England. This was a BIG shocker. Those "crack deals" made in the middle of the night were phone calls made to double check that there was absolutely nothing available in England. Sure enough there was something that was available in RAF Mildenhall. If you can remember, our original location was RAF Lakenheath, this is just a few minutes down the road from RAF Mildenhall. So much to do so little time to do it in. We look forward to our new adventure and are grateful that we were able to have the opportunity to go Europe like we have been trying to do for years.

We look forward to all the friends and family that want to come and visit.  So dust off the passports, make sure they are still valid.  If you are one of those people who still doesn't have one, what are you waiting for?  Get cracking!

OPAH!!!!

For over a year, I have been pestering my friend Jennifer for her recipe for Halva, or "Greek pastry".  She finally gave it to me a couple of weeks ago.  Today I made it for the first time, unsupervised all by myself.  I was thrilled when it came out just the way it was supposed to.  It is has a rich creamy yummy flavor and is addictive!  So here we go...

You'll need:

1c sugar                            1 1/2 sticks butter

2c hot water                      1c cream of wheat

On one burner mix one cup of sugar with 2 cups of hot water, bringing to a boil.  Simmer until ready to use.

Then, Melt butter in large pot, then add cream of wheat.  Stir over medium heat; making sure it doesn't burn.  Stir in syrup.  When pleasant aroma is emitted, and it starts to thicken, pour into a form and wait until cool to serve!*

When it has cooled a bit and is set, turn out of form and sprinkle with some cinnamon.  Then ENJOY!!!

sorry, all my pretty serving dishes are in storage, so you get a sheet pan :)

*now, if you don't have a form of some kind, use what you have.  an 8X8 pan, cupcake pan, even just a ceramic bowl.  However, if you are looking for one, Target has some way cute ones in different sizes and designs.  That is where I got mine.