Cambrils, Spain

Wes and I just joined some good friends for a trip to Cambrils, Spain which is located on the Med and within an hour or so train ride from Barcelona.  While we were there, he and I ventured off to Tarragona to meet up with my cousin Joe, who is studying in Spain this semester.   Although I can speak Spanish enough to get around, they speaka the Catalan, which is quite different.  We had a wonderful time and I'd definitely go back when the water is warmer!! 

Joe and Wesley

Get me outta here!!!

Wes and Madison on the tractor.

Mile-high playgroup...the little girl was Spanish and quite cute.

Wes and Mitch sleep while we have Fanta, beer and ice cream!

Only problem was the ducks were the only ones brave enough to swim in the pool!

She is very European...

Keukenhof 2008

Keukenhof

Even Wes was able to enjoy Keukenhof!  There was a little petting farm for the children and if we go next year, he'll definitely enjoy the playground.

Our little panda cub!  So sweet!

Amsterdam!!

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Houseboats on the canal; some are quite nice.

John loves the public urinals in Amsterdam...

We are sooooo innocent!!

We headed a few hours northwest this weekend to visit a few loved ones!!  Nicole was in The Netherlands for some Air Force medical training, which provided us with the perfect opportunity to see each other and introduce her to Wesley.  We had a wonderful time touring Amsterdam with her and having Eliza to visit there made it even more special.  I was thrilled to meet her girlfriend, Laura...I was the first from our family to meet her!  Our day was perfect, although we really had to bundle our guy up to keep him warm!  Eliza and Laura even babysat while we toured the "Red Light" district.  Can't wait to see everyone again!  We miss you already!

Eliza and Wes

Eliza, Laura and Wes

Our gang walking down a quaint street around the corner from Eliza's apartment.

Nic and me!

Quick Visit in KY

Before heading home to Germany, Wes and I stopped in Kentucky for a little visit and for my cousin's baby shower!  I also had the opportunity to meet up with two friends that I haven't seen or really talked to in a VERY long time!  It was so special to see Amy and Emily!!  The only bad part about this leg of our trip, was that mom was still in Florida...her house was quiet and lonely without her!

Wes and I went to visit Deb, Dennis and the kids for a night...he enjoyed time with his cousins.  Not sure which is Brittany and which is Brooke, but if I had to guess I'd say Brittany is the one on his right...DEB!!!  Am I right??


We were able to spend lots of time with Auntie Beth and help her get ready for Sara's baby shower!  Wes LOVES Aunt Beth and Uncle Greg's dogs...3 Shih Tzus and a German Shepherd.  Oscar would get right in his car seat and lay on his blanket with him!

Michelle and Alan's for a Visit

After leaving Deb and Brett at the airport, Mom and I headed down to see Alan and Michelle, my step-sister in their cute Florida home!  We had fun visiting and getting caught up!  

Uncle Alan and coasters kept Wes entertained...those coasters were like magic!  He loved them!

Wes isn't one for wearing shoes yet...he'd rather kick them off and eat them!

Wes and Gram in the nice, warm pool!

Wes watching a movie while we ate dinner...he cracked up through the whole thing...so cute!

  Michelle got this guy moving across the floor!  Not a true crawl yet, but he gets where he wants to be!

St. Augustine, Florida with Gram, Auntie Deb and Brett

After saying see you in June to The Vrabecs, Wes and I drove to JAX to pick up Mom, Deb and Brett Brett!!  We spent 3 days in St. Augustine at an incredible place with an incredible pool for the children!!  Our old friend...time, not age, Georgia came by for lunch and it was great to visit with her.  It sure had been a long time!  We made it to the beach one day, but ended up staying at the sprinkler park instead of sitting on the beach!  We also made it to the outlets and got mom a very nice pair of pants...inside joke!!  It was a great little getaway!!  Wish we had more time, more time!

The sprinkler park at the pier in St. Augustine!

My big man, Brett!!

This is all I could ever ask for...my cousins are like siblings to me and I hope our children will share in the joy of family that I have had...and John too!

Trip to the Eglin AFB Beach

So who ever knew that Wes likes to eat sand??  I couldn't keep the stuff out of his mouth!  While laughing the whole time, Cheyna and I were sure he'd eventually STOP eating it!  He likes it!!  Is it genetic?  Do we have any other sand eaters in our family history??  I would put him further back in his tent, but he'd lean forward enough to get to the 'goods'!  Abby had fun burying herself and Wes, but once again, I had to sneak to get the pic!

Someone new to miss Bucky!! Baby Wes

I miss Bucky!

Visit with the Vrabes!

Wes' first trip to the zoo was in Pensacola!  He made eye contact with one animal, the jaguar.  It was a beautiful day and we had a nice time!

   ~Cheyna and Abby~

The girl didn't want to be bothered by the boy...he just wouldn't take a hint!

Abby didn't like to have her picture taken...but they were both so cute and happy otherwise!  She was like a wonderful big sister to Wes!  He is actually looking at the jaguar in this picture.  It was moaning or making some wierd noise.  I think he wanted OUT of the zoo!

I think she was trying to give Wes the duck treats!

Back to the States!

Wes and I just returned from his fourth round-trip across the pond!  We began this trip by flying space-a into Baltimore, where we spent the night with my friend Jen's Aunt Sue!  She was a wonderful hostess and we were able to meet some of Jen's family...like her mom, who wants her to go HOME for a visit!  Wes had fun in the walker; he was able to go wherever he wanted and got there quite fast!  He also had a nice time in the sink for his bath.  Aunt Sue watched him while I was able to take a bath in a real bath tub!!!  No pics of that one--sorry!  It was a great way to begin our trip and I appreciated the opportunity very much!  

Wes was so happy to see Daddy...and me too!!  John said our little 9 1/2 month old grew a lot while we were gone.  I think sunshine will do that to anyone.  It certainly put an extra 5 lbs or so on me!!  The biggest change in Wes is that he is able to scoot on his tummy across the room!  That came in handy a few days ago in the BWI airport, where we were able to spend 10 hours waiting to see if we got on the flight to Germany!