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!

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

Superbowl, Groundhog Day, Setsubun, and Chinese New Year

 We had a party for Superbowl (and all those other special celebrations.)  This photo is with Mitch and Jehangir (our neighbor).  Ben and Max Hunter in the background.  Most everyone left before the Katy Perry halftime performance, but the little kids got to see the Left Shark performance!

 Last visit with our favorite babysitter, Rama Fall.

Rama has lots of experience with special needs kids, and used to have a daycare in her home.

Below: Willow's surprise artwork.  She was on my lap at the big computer, and I did a long pre-employment survey for University Health System.  When I looked down, she had drawn this with a pen:

Cuddle time for the Hao Sisters.

Friends

 Ariel and Melissa had their last ABA session.  Melissa has been great, and Lisa, too.  We'll all miss them.  That's our Groundhog Day/Chinese New Year tree behind them.

 

 We visited Jaime, my friend from Washington Hospital Center.  We worked in the lab (blood bank/transfusion) together on evening shift.  Now she's Blood Bank Supervisor at Fort Belvoir Hospital.  It was great to catch up with her.

 

 Tricia was in town for a class (she lives in Norfolk, Virginia.)  It's always special to have her stop by, since she's allergic to cats.  She was showing her boyfriend, Jenz, around the city.  We wish Jenz lots of luck!

 

Bilbo Baggins and last day of school

 After gymnastics, we celebrated with refreshments at Bilbo Baggins in Old Town Alexandria

with "Hobbit Girl" who napped heavily after gymnastics.  She'll miss the last 2 gymnastics classes, so we enjoyed time with the class (Miss Cris, Miss Debbie, Miss Yve, Miss Heather, Omar, Paloma, Gabby, Leo, Talia, Dennis, and Nathaniel.)

 We walked around Old Town and by the water.  Ariel dipped her feet in the City Hall Fountain a few times.

 Ready to catch the bus on her last day of school before the big trip.

University of Tampa visit

My conference was just across the river from my old university (class of '92.)  This is the back of Plant Hall, the old Plant Hotel.  My friends & I used this entrance all the time to go to classes and pass through to the post office, cafeteria, library, and Plant Park.  Smiley Hall (where I lived 2 years) is just out of view.

Friday after the conference, I met with Tina and Sandie in Plant Hall, then we toured the campus giggling and telling everyone "we're alumni!!"  We hadn't been together there since 1992.  Sandie used to work in the library, so found a librarian she worked with.  We visited the pool and talked with the swim coach (who was there when we were.)

Tina & I roomed together in Smiley Hall in 1989-90.  Sandie showed up as a freshman across the hall.  We all hit it off and Sandie became an honorary ROTC member (and she will never be able to disentangle herself from that!)

At the computer center, where we and many of our friends spent hours on programming projects.  And getting snacks and drinks in the lobby.  Sandie and Tina both worked as student assistants in the computer center, handing out floppy disks and such!

 University of Tampa at night - always breathtaking!

 at Bahama Breeze on the bay

I had a lot of mocktails on this trip.  But that night I did have a Red Stripe because a guy was singing reggae songs.  That day we spent at Clearwater Beach.  It was gorgeous.  But Sandie & I were in the water when a whistle blew and fish started jumping and swimming crazily.  I thought I saw a shark swimming at us, so swam as fast as I could to shore.  Sandie just laughed, and I promised to save her next time.  I still think it was thrilling, and now I'm obsessed with sharks, just like Ariel.  The shark didn't stop me from swimming some more!

 at "Beer Can Beach" on the tip of Davis Island (in the bay)

I spent a lot of time in college running, walking, and biking in the winding, scenic neighborhoods of Davis Island.  I even swam at beer can beach sometimes, but it was prettiest at night.

 Plant Park at the university

 Sandie and Tina at Sticks of Fire (it's what "Tampa" means)

 Just like 24 years ago!  But this time, no studying.

 Meeting up with old ROTC friends at Hula Bay.  This is Eric, our little friend, now all grown up and a successful photographer in Austin.

 Brett, Sandie, and Eric reminiscing about alligators.

Selfie with Tina!

Let's do this Tampa trip again!