Maine

While Duane is in Tokyo, Dax and Mommy decided to get out of the Texas heat and visit the Rioses in Maine. We had such a good time! Dax did really well on the plane rides (he kicked the back of the seat on the first flight, but we were able to finagle bulkheads for the other flights). Ron and Mikaela had to go to DC for a job interview, so I had all 3 kids for a couple of the days. I'm proud to say everyone survived. :) The Rioses were great tour guides and really showed us the best of Maine. But, the best part was just spending time with them. We love them like family and we're so blessed to be able to spend such quality time with them.

A warm welcome from the "cousins"

Flying kites with Katie

Hiding in wait to scare the pizza guy

Dax thought Nate was so funny!

Katie being sweet to Dax at the Children's Museum

Katie wasn't too sure about Dax's driving skills

Picking blueberries (Quality Assurance check)

Baking a blueberry pie

First time to the beach (the water was C-O-L-D!)

Roasting marshmallows for smores

Pals

Mommy also enjoyed the lobster rolls

New Job

Daddy has started a new job. He is now an official employee of Dell and he's running a big project for the Business Automation group. The project is based in Japan, so he'll be traveling to Tokyo fairly frequetly. Luckily, we have webcams and we can skype each other every day. It will be a transition for all of us, but we're very excited for the opportunities this job brings.

Trips for Dax and Mommy

Mommy helped plan a surprise baby shower for her long-time friend, Beth. Beth lives in North Carolina. So, Mommy took Dax to stay with Aunt Kay for a few days, while she and Amy flew to NC for the big surprise. It's not usually a good idea to completely surprise a pregnant gal, but we did it anyway; Beth's such a trooper. We had the best time catching up with Beth and her family and we can barely contain our excitement over her upcoming addition.

Dax did great at Aunt Kay's all by himself. This was the first time he'd spent multiple days away from Mommy and Daddy. We're so proud that he's so adaptable (and SO thankful that we have family that's willing to step in).

The 3 friends reunited (sitting in the cockpit of one of the Ospreys that Mark flies)


Beth and Karen at the beach (we were trying to keep Beth away from the house where her sisters-in law were decorating for the surprise shower)


Beth at the shower. We enjoyed decorating baby clothes for her baby and also guessing children's books.


The beach


Amy and Karen enjoying the beach to celebrate our successful shower


Saying "good-bye" to the Newmans