Road Trip! (Feb 14017)

 Our drive from Virginia to San Antonio was relaxing, although my gas-pedal leg was very tight by the end.  We were going to stop in Little Rock to visit briefly with Mom and Sylvia, but a big ice and snow storm was hitting the country, so we detoured south.  We spent the first night in Bristol, Virginia.  Second night, Meridian, Mississippi.  Third night, Dallas.  We had nice pet-friendly hotels (Quality Inn and La Quinta), and we got to see friends along the way!

Ralph & Nene at La Quinta, Meridian, Mississippi.  

 We stopped at the mall in Bossier City, Louisiana (where Barksdale Air Force Base is), where we met the Luke Family (we'd been stationed with them in Maryland and Japan.)  First we played in the mall play area, where a nice lady from Pakistan asked me a lot of questions about adoption and how I would explain it to the kids when they realized they look different from us (good question!  I don't think Ariel will care, luckily.)

 Special friends Megan and Abby

Hank, who also flies helicopters and h

Then in Dallas, we had brunch with Dave and Kay Impiccini.  The last time we saw them was 2006, when we had just finished our dossier paperwork for Ariel.  They are a sweet family, and inspired us to adopt.  They have two children by adoption: Michael and Rebekah.

That night, we arrived at our temporary apartment in San Antonio.

last evening Feb 13

 We managed a quick playdate at Shari's house with little Brandon and Shari's parents (who live in Miami.)  They even fed us an impromptu lunch.  We'll miss Brandon and his love of planets (especially Saturn.)

 I sat with Jehangir and Gwyn while I waited for Jennifer to show up for the final walk through of the house.  Last view of Anesbury Lane.

View of the back deck.

Selfie with Jennifer.  The walk through was a success.  They've been nice landlords.  And it's been a nice house (although old, musty, with a tiny kitchen and bathrooms.)  It was worth it for the neighbors, pretty neighborhood, and good schools for Ariel.

Feb 13 - last day in Alexandria

 We saw some snow!  It was very cold.  Luckily, not too much snow, but enough to make the girls happy.

 We visited our friends Cate, Max, and Ben Hunter.  They used to live on our street.  We played in their awesome playroom!

 Ben, Cate, and me

 Then we stopped by Ariel's old school and visited her teachers there.  This is Marlene.

 Ms. Khan

Nasreen in the room across the hall (but all 3 preschool classes often got together.)

We also saw Shannon, Beth, Brittney's replacement, and some of Ariel's old classmates.  Our friend Karen also teaches there now.  Ariel was so happy to visit there.

last days in Virginia

Ariel's last day of school on Feb, 11 (kindergarten at Fort Hunt.)  Miss Jenny walked her out.

The day before, Jeff got a group photo with most of her teachers.  What a team!

Clockwise from bottom: Ariel, Miss Jenny, Miss Enright (Ariel's main teacher), Miss Quinn, Miss Wolfson, Miss Chase, MissYoung, and center is Miss Parham.  They have been great.  Ariel had sweet classmates, too (we have an official group photo in our household goods.)

Visiting Jehangir and Gwyn next door.  Ariel ate Jehangir's fruit salad, while Willow tried on cool sunglasses.

With Gwyn in the spinny chairs.  I'll miss visiting them in the afternoons, but can still call!

walking around Alexandria (Feb 8)

 Before Grandma Alice left, we had a sunny morning to walk up and down King Street in Old Town Alexandria.

 Willow was Miss Independent!

Riding the Old Town Trolley with Alice.

Karen & Family

Our friends and trusty cat-sitters Karen, Reese, and Joey.  They are also neighbors.  They came by for a last visit.  Karen is from Texas, so maybe we'll see her again here!

baptism festivities

 We had a fun time eating and visiting at Old Country Buffet.  They even gave us special room.  Pictured left-right: Cousin Janet and her husband Frank, Rich and Barb (Jeff's parents), Mom, Mary Pat and her husband Cortney.

 Later, we sat around at the house.  Neighbors James and his mom Erinn came over.  They've been fun playmates and we'll miss them.  (Also at their house: little Hudson, dad Joe, and dog Hebo.)

Goofing around Old Town Alexandria that night with Sandie, Mom, and Samantha (Sandie's niece and now Willow's "God Cousin.")

Willow's writing

 Willow surprised us by moving on from scribbling to writing tiny "characters" and writing in horizontal lines!

more from Willow's baptism

 Hand fun with Ariel.  Mom, me & Willow, and Jehangir on the bench.

 Jeff with his dad.

 Cousin Mary Pat (with cousin Cortney), arrived.  Other cousins who came: Eric & Lynn, Janet & Frank.

Willow wondering why she is the star today.

Father Tom at Good Shepherd Catholic Church

More from Willow's baptism (from photographer friend, Eva)

 Pure joy!  Ariel running around the spacious church lobby as everyone arrived.

 with Sandie, the Godmother

Willow's baptism (and more to follow from Eva's professional photos)

Jeff's retirement ceremony, Feb. 6th

Jeff's final flight Feb 4th