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

Lake with Aunt Kay and Chance

Aunt Kay and Chance came for a quick visit, so we took them out on the boat. With all the boat ramps closed due to the low water, we pretty much had the lake to ourselves (plus we were there pretty early in the morning). Chance and Duane had fun wakeboarding. Dax had a fun time playing "copy cat" with Chance. Here are a few pics that Annette took:

Getting ready for the fun


Chance and Dax


Chance


That kid is really fun to watch!


Duane had fun, too

Ethan's 2nd Birthday Party

Dax's friend, Ethan, celebrated his 2nd birthday today. (His birthday was actually a week ago, but he was sick, so the party was postponed.) The party was at Gymboree. Everyone had a fun time, and they actually had a place to burn off all the extra energy from the cupcakes!

Hugs for the birthday boy


With buddy, Benjamin

Jumping fun

Momentary sadness when he and Ethan bonked heads


We're working hard to earn those cupcakes!

Aquarena Springs with Katie and Baba

Katie is visiting her grandma (Baba) in San Antonio, so we decided to meet them in San Marcos at Aquarena Springs. Back when I was a kid, they had a show with Ralph the Swimming Pig and an underwater ballet with "mermaids". It's since been taken over by Texas State University and is focused on conservation education. It's just as beautiful and you can still take the glass-bottom boat tours. Dax really enjoyed seeing the fish and the turtles. He was even able to see the "bubbles" from the underwater springs. The best part, though, was seeing Katie and Baba. he loves them so much. He was hanging on Katie, and taking her hat off and putting it on, and following her around like a shadow, and through it all, she was so patient with him. We're going to see her in Maine in a few more weeks, so this was a great preview of the fun we're going to have.

With Katie and Baba on the glass-bottom boat at Aquarena Springs


Checking out the aquariums


Burning off energy


Eating Mexican food with Katie


Dax loves Katie and Baba!

No Crying

Dax set a record today: no crying for 36 hours! This included waking up, getting dressed, getting in the car seat, and the real kicker: brushing teeth and going to bed twice! He even slept in until 7:00am this morning (sure beats the usual 5:15!). Not sure what I did to deserve this, and I know that one day these won't be major news, but for now, I'm enjoying it!