This is Igor. He's the embassy driver for Greg's office. He picked us up the first time we arrived in Kyrgyzstan, and drove  us off to the airport every time we leave. He is super nice and a really good guy. Any time we had clothes or toys to give away, we'd give it to Igor and he'd take it to his village to give to the people who lived there. He's a really good man and very hard working.

This kids transportation during our travels . . .

Ready to go!

We had a lot of luggage to haul through the airports . . .

 Greg would push both the carts and I would push the kids. He is superman. I'm glad he's so super strong and willing to handle so much.

The flight went awesome! We only flew to Frankfurt, Germany and stayed in a hotel right at the airport! There was a grocery store right around the corner in the airport and we bought BERRIES and soft herb cheese and baguettes and it was SO GOOD!!!!! It was the biggest treat to eat all the goodies (and petite buerres) on the bed.

Uncle Steve and Ermgard came to visit and it was SO WONDERFUL to see them! It really was so nice. It was sad, we were so tired and lacking in energy but we were so happy they came. They left after a couple hours, but it was a sweet visit. Steve was recently diagnosed with cancer and we just really wanted to see them both. Steve looked really well, you wouldn't have known he was ill.

I love this picture. It's such a Steve expression. I can just here his voice talking when I see this.

 So sweet! I was so glad they got some snuggles! Scarlet was being too shy for the camera.

Then we went to sleep and it was WONDERFUL.

Then we just had one flight the next day to DC and stayed a week in our own town. It was GREAT!!!! Great to experience the USA!!! Fresh air! Smooth sidewalks! Understanding when people talk to me! Them understanding me! Being able to walk with a stroller and read a map and know where I am, confident that if I get lost I can simply ask for directions. Such a wonderful world. And we got to enjoy incredible clean, beautiful and safe playgrounds! Yea!

Greg worked all week while the kids and I caught up on jetlag. The last day we were all together we went to the national mall to see the sights. It was boring for the kids and we got a REALLY late start so we only saw so much. The kid's priority was seeing the dinosaurs!!!

We did a lot of foot soaking in various pools and it was wonderful.

It was beautiful, as always. I'd never seen the reflection pool before. Last time it was under construction.

I spotted a mamma duck and her ducklings. Sweetest thing I've ever seen!

The kids had fun running around. I loved watching them.

Washington Monument- beautiful as always!!!

It disappeared with the light but don't I look so skinny in this pic?

Last time we were here the Washington Monument was under construction so we couldn't walk up to it. This time it was finished so we walked up to touch it.

We were only there a week and I didn't know what schedule the kids and I would be on so I delayed calling my friends. I ran into Trader Joe's to get some chocolate and out of nowhere run into my old friend, Heidi Marshall. We were only able to talk a few minutes, but it was so exciting to see her! I loved it! It was SO GOOD to see her face and smile! So I came home and immediately contacted my other two friends from Herndon and they were so sweet and within 24 hours I saw them both. It made me feel so loved that they were so excited to see me and totally went out of their way to come to me. I was supposed to have a playdate with Heidi Marshall the next day, but it fell through last minute. I had lunch with my friend Heidi Barnes and she was PREGNANT with her first child! I got to see her belly and we ate at Chipotle while my kids got pretty bored. Then we talked at Chick Filet while the kids played. It was really good to see Heidi. Then I emailed Cori and she was SO EXCITED to see me! She brought her whole family to our hotel room late at night. It was so great to see her!

Her little daughter Adolina was so sweet and made Scarlet a little note and left it by her bed. All my kids were asleep so we all snuck in their room to peek at them. Brighton was a baby the last time they saw him.

I can't say how good it was to see old friends. I kind of got a complex in Kyrgyzstan because I never really made any good friends. I was fine until the end when I realized, "Oh my gosh! It's been two years and I still haven't made any close friends? Really?" It made me feel like something was wrong with me. But then in DC everything changed. I had friends and real and fun conversations. Everything was so relaxed and I felt more connected in these few moments than any time I spent in Kyrgyzstan. I'm soooo glad I got to see them.

Then the kids and I flew back to Oregon to stay with my parents, while Greg stayed an extra week for work. Scarlet would watch fishing shows and snuggle Dad on the couch. I spied on them and they would be talking about what they were watching.

Most of the week has been cold, cloudy and windy, but the last couple of days have been beautiful!

Mom built sandcastles with the kids.

Marius loves to chew on and eat whatever he finds. At parks he always finds a stick, puts it in his mouth and trots off on all fours like a little puppie. It's so cute.

He always would plant his face right in the sand!

Mom was super grandma today. Reading books, playing 3 board games, making pancakes. She was busy and the kids had so much fun. Every morning they wake up and ask, "Where's Grandma?" They want pancakes.

 

Dad fed Marius his soup today. Marius has suddenly become SO GOOD at eating! Hooray!! He's starting to refuse baby food.

Marius loves Dad. He'll peek around the corner and stare at him when he's in his office. It's really sweet.

 Tonight we roasted hotdogs and made s'mores.

Then the kids and I ran on the shore. It was super fun.

Marius can't get enough of the ocean. Man, he LOVES it! I kept pulling him away from the water and as soon as I put him down he turns around and practically runs back to the water. He smiles so big and once he gets wet he barely notices. He just keeps on running through the water- he is not afraid!

So cute.

All week I kept wishing Greg was here. We're meeting him in Eugene tomorrow- hooray!