ATC night out

We had a lil WSU reunion at Hard Rock. We waited FOREVER for a table and then Danno worked his magic and we were seated right away! It was so nice to catch up with my old coworkers and friends. Nice to be back in my "normal" for a night:) miss them.

Andy

Kathy(GA with me in Edinboro), David and ME:)

Nick and Kat
Sara, me, David, Kelli

Amy, Dan, Sara

David and Kelli - MY IOWA PEEPS!!

plane ride home

Ryan and Cole got up bright and early to travel back to Little Rock. Ryan had a trip to get ready for and I wanted a night to myself to hang out with my old friends and coworkers and get some SLEEP! (selfish, yes) Well, turns out, I didn't get much sleep anyway. Cole and Ryan had one of the longest days ever with delays and layovers. At least Cole got a little sleep:)

Philli bound

Tues. we got in our ford focus and cruised on up to Philidelphia. The drive wasn't too bad from DC. My Athletic Training Convention was there. So that was the original reason for the tour around the east coast:) I booked a sweet suite at Loews Downtown and got a great military discount!

city hall

We got to have some Philly Cheesesteaks at Geno's. Pat's was across the street and we were soo hungry we didn't make it over there. We just had our meal at Geno's (plus we got a table to sit at).

Cole loved the back-pack!! Thank you sooo much Bourcy's for giving it to us!

next stop: DC

After a great time in DE we loaded up our rental and headed back to DC. We got to see and stay with my dear friend Nicole and her husband Nate. It worked out perfect, Ryan and Nate got to watch soccer downstairs and Nicole and I got to enjoy the Bachelorette:)

They had school on Monday, so Ryan and I and Cole hopped on the metro and headed to Arlington cemetary. Funny enough, we met some people from Little Rock on the ride down there:)

Ryan and Cole at the Kennedy Memorial

Kennedy Memorial (eternal flame)
Amphitheater Ryan sang at when he was 13.

Changing of the Guards - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington Cemetary

After our long walking day we jumped back on the metro and headed to Kings Street. We ate at the Hard Times Cafe. They had some great chili and burgers! Just what we needed. Kings St. had some cute little shops and we spent too much money:)

Giving Cole a piggy-back ride. He wouldn't stay in his stroller while Nicole and I were walking.

I, of course, did not get any pictures of Nicole and Nate:( I was a terrible picture taker this trip)

I'm hoping Nicole got one or 2 that she will send me. We had a great time just hanging out with them! Miss you friend, Thanks sooo much.

chillin'

Day 2 at the Gilmore house hold included a going away BBQ for some of their friends. So many connections in the AF. It is such a small world.

Cole in the bounce house

Court and Cady busting a move
Cole after his dirt pie

Cara (Courtney's sister, AKA-Erin:) and Ryan

This was the last of my pictures. I'm so bummed I didn't have my camera out more. Court and I didn't even get a pic together:( UGH.

BUT we had such a great time hanging out. WE MISS YA! THANKS AGAIN!

east coast bound

My convention was in Philly this summer, so we headed out east to catch up with some old friends. First stop was Dover, DE. Our friends the Gilmore's live here. We had such a great time hanging out with them. Our first day there we went to Rehobath Beach and soaked up some rays while the kiddos played in the sand. The water there is FREEZING! While we were down trying to brave that FREEZING water, a family of dolphins was swimming by. I love dolphins.

Ryan and Cole, catching some waves:)
Trying to get Cole used to the sand between his toes.
Gunner flexing his HUGE muscles.
Cole, Gunner, Cady

playing in a big hole:)

AWESOME DAY!-thanks court, I stole some of your pics:)

plane ride

We were up at the weee hours of the morning for our flight out to DC. Thanks to our friend Abby for getting us to the airport. SHE ROCKS!

We got lucky and had a row to ourselves. We were a lil sleepy. This nap was short-lived.

boys

While I was away in KC, the boys had some fun of their own.

Ryan turned Cole's car seat around

they played with LOTS of toys....
and watched the beginning of the world cup!
they missed me:):)

weekend retreat

For my birthday I got to go to KC to see my dear friend Jenny. ALONE! It was wonderful. We shopped and shopped and shopped and had some dinner etc. Did i mention it was WONDERFUL?

Sooo great to see you jenny. Thanks again for a great time!

us eating in the power and light district. KC has so much to do!!

learning

Apparently Cole learned some baseball skills while staying at the West house. Trying to pick up his leg and throw at the same time. :) funny.

baseball

While we canoed, Cole went and stayed at our friend Lane and Joel's house. They have 3 kiddos and Cole LOVES playing and hanging out there. He went to watch Cooper play some t-ball and got to wear his old yanks jersey!

Thank you SOOOO much Lane!

caddo canoeing

We headed south to the Caddo River. Our fav day canoe trip. We love being out there and trying to communicate with each other while drinking capt. morgan. It works out so well (hint of sarcasm, just a hint:)

justin and blake

Amanda and Abby - they did SUPER for their first time out!
Justin jumping off the tree - always
Ry

beginning of the river -

It took us SIX hours to get down this river. FOREVER. the water was so low. the weekend after there was a terrible flash flood and about 20 people were killed in the middle of the night while sleeping at their camp sites. Mother nature is certainly unpredictable. I am so thankful we only had to worry about the river being low.

(photos courtesy of lynette panique!)

wwoooooohooo

He is mastering the slide:)