To Olathe and Beyond!

We made it back to Kansas and were privileged to get to stay at GJ's house again and have dinner with her, GUS, GAN, and Grandma B. Man we love them! Little Bear and I left this morning bright and early for Jonesboro, Arkansas. The roads weren't bad until we got to Arkansas and then they suddenly turned hilly, windy, and packed with cars and slow-going semi trucks! We arrived here at a great time though! Then found dinner, a place to go for a walk, and a playground in the mall!!

Here were some highlights from today:

Playing with GJ and her cat toys before we left this morning--Oh does LB LOVE his GJ!!!

Little Bear ate his picnic lunch quickly (and skimpily) so that he could go play

Mama Bear and Little Bear at the picnic stop in Springfield

Little Bear stretching his legs as he watched a short video in the car

Here we come Daddy Bear!!! See you tomorrow!!! Dear Alabama Weather--PLEASE cooperate!

Home Sweet Iowa!

Ah...here we are in Iowa. First stop, Stuart--where my parents were raised, fell in love, and were married, and my dad buried--to visit my other dear grandmother. We came in from all over the country--Mom, brothers, sister-in-law, and nephew for lunch with Grandma M.

It was a short visit with Grandma but wonderful nonetheless. Next, we headed to the cemetery where my dad and grandfather (and MANY other family members) were buried, and then to the former All Saints Catholic Church which was burned to the ground in a hate crime, but has since been restored (led by one of my cousins) into a beautiful community center.

This is the original church building:

And here is a glimpse of the original beauty of the dome inside the church:

Our next stop...Carroll, Iowa. Here we have met up with many cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, etc. for family dinner and birthday celebrations on Saturday. Then a family reunion on Sunday. What a joy to see so many family members gather from ALL OVER the country to reminisce about our family heritage. I'm so blessed to have such incredible ancestors!!

Little Bear has had a great time playing with his 1st first cousin, "Baby Niko,"

and his many other 2nds, 3rds, and twice removeds (???).

Now that we've said our tearful goodbyes we'll be up early in the morning and on to our next drive...back to Olathe!

World Traveling Beginnings...

And so we have begun our massive roadtrip. First stop, the beautiful Olathe, Kansas. We made great time getting here and Little Bear traveled very well. We were able to spend GREAT time with "GJ", Little Bear's great grandmother, and with "GAN" and "GUS", his great aunt and uncle. We also had the treat of some of our cousins and Little Bear's GREAT GREAT Aunt visiting on their way through, and ANOTHER birthday party for Little Bear! I hope we're done celebrating his 2nd!!

"GUS" and Little Bear--"Whoa that's a big present!"

GAN and Little Bear--new big boy booster seat!!

So far so good! Can't wait to see what our next leg brings us...IOWA!!

Our FIRST Air Show!!

Today marks a very special day: I am blogging on the SAME DAY as the event I'm blogging about! AND Little Bear and I went to our first air show!

It's quite hard to believe that it's my first considering my dad and brothers went every year of my childhood--I guess I just never had any desire to sit outside in the blazing heat just to look at airplanes. What was I thinking, right?

Well my sentiments were changed today! First, I had to overcome myself, but I finally decided to take Little Bear over there, even though I was by myself and had NEVER been to an air show, or even to that side of base. We woke up in plenty of time, gathered our necessities, and off we went promptly before 9 a.m. We made our way to "Building 3001," the mile-long building on the east side of base. We found parking easily enough, sprayed ourselves down with sunscreen, and started the hike to the air show.

Let me just say that Little Bear LOVES airplanes and has ever since he's known what they were! This was right up his alley! We toured a couple of big jets, including the E-6 (the Navy plane his "Uncle J" pilots),

we admired others--some from a distance (this one's Daddy Bear's jet, the E-3)...

...and still others up close.

Little Bear even got to sit inside of a couple of smaller planes.

He LOVED every minute!

Next, we meandered over to the hangar where there was SHADE and had a little morning snack and toured the exhibits. I noticed that people were starting to congregate near the runway so, being the inexperienced air show attendee that I was, I followed suit. We found a nice little spot in the shade and parked ourselves to watch some of the "air demonstrations."

The lady next to us was instantly drawn by Little Bear's charm and began talking with us. As it turned out we had a lot in common so we talked for most of the morning in between gasps of amazement at the air stunts and the beautiful aircrafts. It was a great time!

I finally decided at around 12:30--when our shade was turning to hot rays of UV, we were quite soggy with sweat, running out of drinking water, running out of money, not to mention tired and hungry--that we'd seen enough for the morning and we headed back to the car.

Little Bear agreed with me.

Unfortunately for my workout, his nap was short-lived and he was up and ready to go again way too soon! SO...we did head back to watch the show but this time to a different location. One only available to those of us who have a military I.D. and know the right spot (Daddy Bear told us where to go ;D). And MAN did we have a great view of the Thunderbirds!!! They were incredible to watch BUT OH SO LOUD!

Now here I sit, alone with my computer, listening to what sounds like a fantastic display of fireworks outside, wishing my sweet husband were here to watch them with me. The day could've been better...only if it had been spent with Daddy Bear too. But we count our blessings, with thankful hearts, that he is safe and sound. And we count our days, with anxious hearts, until we are reunited!!!!!!!

God, please bless America!

Happy Birthday, Little Bear!

So far, Little Bear has had two birthday parties and a string of gifts and celebrations. I do not want this to become a habit but I know Little Bear has thoroughly enjoyed it. And there's one more party yet to come with extended family when we travel in a couple of weeks. We celebrated small with Grandma Bear and Mama Bear on his birthday (and he got his presents from his Great Grandma--one of which was a new slide).

Then a package came from his Oma, Opa, and Ur Omi the next day.

Yesterday was a birthday party with friends.

Then gifts last night and this morning from that party (I didn't have him open them at the party because we were trying to keep it simple--I know I sound like a mean Mama Bear, but believe me I had my reasons). More gifts to come in Kansas City in two weeks...oh my! Our prayer is that we are able to shower him with love and gifts (when appropriate) but keep him grounded in what the meaning of this life is. I hope to teach him the value of giving more than receiving as he grows and help him mature into a generous, kind and loving soul. At the age of two, that is hard to achieve. But I feel we are on the right track. :)

We miss Daddy Bear but we are managing this month on our own. We talk about him a LOT, talk to him everyday, and can't wait to be reunited with him next month!

Best Friends

It's such a wonderful thing to have a best friend...and Little Bear already knows it! Here are some moments this past month with his best friend, "Aubbie." Write your own captions...