Mega-trip: NY

For those who haven’t been introduced, here is the Wilde’s (Henry and Janet’s) house in upstate NY:

Now complete with porch!  and flowers! 

Our time in NY was a hodgepodge of activities—picnics, baseball games and some outlet shopping--but mostly just relaxing and visiting.  The only “big event” on this leg of the trip was the extended family get-together.  So, without further ado . . .

Emerson Park, where we played and picnicked after a trip to the agricultural museum.  The park was also the site of a moderately famous wedding 10-ish years ago :)
  From left to right: Uncle Erik, Aunt Rachel, Grandma (Janet) with Logan and Grandpa (Henry) at Emerson Park.

Logan spent a good deal of time here . . .

and even more time here. 

He also enjoyed “helping” with chores

and playing with the dog, Smiley.  He loved picking fresh strawberries out of the garden and eating them, but stubbornly refused to ride, or even sit, on the tractor.

    A very small sampling of the family, featuring Jake’s pregnant cousin Michelle (in purple), Rachel (in pink), and Aunt Joanne (in blue).  Then Michelle’s girls, Maddie and Lizzie, with umbrellas.

We were also able to visit with my Grandma McKie.

More fun for Logan—bike-riding with Uncle Erik,

and ice cream at Pete’s Treats.

It was great to spend a bit of time with everyone in NY.  We miss you all, but we look forward to seeing some of you again (relatively) soon!  Now onward to NC and the end of this crazy trip . . .

Mega-trip: DC

Logan goes for a ride in the airport.  We arrived in DC at 1:00 AM which is . . . something in HI time and something else according to the Okinawa clock.  We were pretty messed up by this point.  But that’s why Logan was traveling in his pajamas.  Check out his little pack that Jake made!  Logan got lots of comments about it from fellow travelers.  He carried his lamb and blankie inside, and bed bear, you can see, peeked out from an exterior pocket.  Two more exterior pockets could hold a sippy cup and a couple of small toys.

He was quite excited to get to the hotel and have his little bed.

Rach came up early to watch Logan for us while we went to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  Thanks Rach!  We really couldn’t have made this trip work without your help (or at least your car)!

The main event of this section: James and Heather’s wedding.  No pics were allowed at the ceremony, so we pick up at the reception.  Introduing the newly-minted Mr. and Mrs.!  Congrats and best wishes to the happy couple!

Jake looks somewhat self-satisfied after having completed his duties as best man and getting some solid laughter from the crowd during his toast.

I couldn’t decide which of these two pictures was REALLY the best shot of Jake and Rachel.  What do you think?

  The cake-cutting and James’ devilish grin as he kisses his bride afterwards.

Of course, we had a fabulous time dancing the night away.

Congrats again to James (who never really fooled anyone with his line about being “a confirmed old bachelor”) and Heather (the woman who finally called his bluff). 

Next stop: NY!  Coming soon . . .

P.S. Logan expresses his opinion on hitting the road again.

Mega-trip: Hawaii

View from our hotel at Waikiki.  (We didn’t want to over-book the Gaffney Resort, so we found an alternate location.)

My little beach babe.

Proving pregnant women CAN look good hanging out on the beach.

The Honolulu Zoo was also easy walking distance from our hotel, so we checked it out one morning before heading over to the Gaffney’s for the afternoon.

Snapped this at the zoo as well—a variety of heliconia, I believe.

Then on to the Gaffney’s for family fun and good times.  Logan was pretty excited to see his Aunt Rachel!

Of course, the main event was the Gaffney’s vow renewal.  Jake and Rachel shared a sibling moment before the ceremony began.

The gorgeous Gaffneys.  Congrats on 10 years, guys!  We were so pleased and honored to witness this re-commitment of your love and devotion to each other.  Can’t wait to see where the next ten years of your journey take you!

Elena was the picture-perfect flower girl!

And the ceremony was beautiful.

Logan entertained himself very nicely with Jake’s lei (made of some sort of nut).

Requisite family portrait.  (My lei isn’t broken; it’s open because I’m pregnant.  I don’t recall how the tradition goes exactly, although I’d guess that it has something to do with representing maidenhood—or, in my case, obviously not representing it.)

 
Of course, there was more time at the beach in the days following Luke and Sarah’s ceremony.

Look at those two cuties!And time for a hike as well.

The gang (Gaffneys including Memaw/Momma Jo, and Wildes including Rachel) at our Hawaiian waterfall.

Looking back over the island from the waterfall—our parting shot from HI.  Next time, moving two more flights and six more time zones on to DC!

I know, I know

And when I stop being tired before 9:30 (which is also before all the chores are done), then I’ll get right to it.  Be patient.  Yes, I still love you.

Friends and Chocolate—Life is Good!

We’ve had a couple of celebrations in the past week: first there was a very small “shower” for my friend Sue.  She’s pregnant with her 4th child so we just got her a bunch of diapers and had a very low-key party at the park after our workout.  Then there was Logan’s birthday celebration on Saturday, also very low-key.  It was basically just a playdate with cake and balloons, and it was perfect!  (Well, perfect except for Jake having duty and only being able to come to about a half-hour of the party.) 

First up, at the park, we have Melissa reading a story to Lincoln, Logan and Max.  Isabella (3) and Max (1) are Melissa’s.

Here’s Max, chowing down on . . . something, possibly a chocolate-covered graham cracker.  (Yikes, those things were good and simple to make!)

Next, there’s Amy who, unfortunately (and unexpectedly), is PCS-ing soon.

And Amy’s daughters, Allie (3) and Madison (1).  That would be Madison covered in the chocolate frosting!

And Sue, of course, the guest of honor at this particular fete.

Here are two of her kids—Buddy (4) and chocolate-covered Lincoln (almost 2).  Her daughter, Leslie, is 3.

Moving on to the birthday party . . .

The scene.

  The cake.  (More or less a large ice cream sandwich.  The outer layers are brownie with M&M’s sprinkled on top.  Delicious!)

Completing the cast of characters: Here’s Izzy (with the soap; she’s Melissa’s) and Leslie (with the blanket; she’s Sue’s).

Finally, Scott and Crystal, our neighbors.  Crystal was taking diving lessons on Saturday, so Scott brought the boys over, but when Crystal’s lessons finished and she came over Scott decided he’d had enough of being the only man at the party and he took off.

Scott and Crystal’s boys: Connor (4) and Vincent (2).  You’ve seen them before at Kurashiki Dam.

Missing from the pictures are Casey, Jennifer and Grayson (almost 3)—they came for a little while but had to leave early before I’d gotten the camera out.  Also MIA are Carol and Daniel (2), and Katie and Jack (2).  If you can keep all those names and faces straight, then you’ve got about 75% of my life here figured out!  Throw in a few more people from the neighborhood and from church, and you’re set!  Now that you know who’s who, I’ll give you the rest of the party pics without interruption!

     

 

Happy birthday to my awesome little boy!  He makes me smile :)

Maybe I’ll update while we’re in the States (so that the Wildes can see pictures of the Sharps and vice versa) or maybe not—we’ll see.  But we will definitely be seeing you (or almost all of you) soon!