We finally got to get together with Jim + Shawna. So much has been going on in both our lives, and we are both pretty much preparing for the huge liberation of getting out of the Navy. Jim just found out he is finally getting out, since he's been waiting almost 2 years unable to do much since he as of yet still has an undiagnosed illness that makes him really fatigued and has been increasingly affecting his reflexes. Hopefully when they get out he can go to a real doctor! They are in the process of moving from VA, back home to Kansas City Missouri. We will miss them so much, but are very happy for them. They have a lot to deal with in their life, but remain happy, respectful and hopeful. We have become good friends--since back when there was only Alex, then came Lucas, then Jacob, and finally Olivia!
Well, they met us up at the Kidsburg park and played for a bit. It was a beautiful warm sunny day--even without the flash it was so bright the pictures are all washed out!
Then they brought some steaks over for John to barbecue, I made a chicken pasta salad with sweet pickles, and I found the bold & spicy baked beans I like and made those--haven't seen them in any stores here, until I went to Food Lion. And we had regular salad and bread too. John cooked the steaks PERFECTLY! I like mine a little rare and it was so juicy and delicious. :)
The kids got tired of playing in the house and we figured out Alex was pointing and wanting the bubbles we had on the shelf. So we went and played in the front for a little bit.
Then Jim and John had a little 'mythbusters' guy moment and decided to mix some of the bubbles with gasoline to see if the bubble would hold and light on fire...It was cute to watch, and I do have video, but I am not putting it up because it's pretty anti-climactic. They were able to get a bubble formed, but not able to light it quick enough without popping it. The picture of Shawna pulling her boys away is so funny--her face says it all...boys will be boys. They were drinking so it really brought out the genius in them :)
And we took a little walk to the park around the corner. The grass was really muddy...Jim found out the hard way, running through it with Alex.
Shawna went out and took these cute pictures:
Then Jim and John played a new card game by themselves.
Shawna put Jacob down to rest on the couch, Alex watched his favorite shows, Olivia slept (pretty well considering the excitement) and I gave Lucas his bath and tried putting him to bed...he was NOT going to sleep with company over! He stayed up late with us, until we put 'Toy Story 2' on and he eventually went to sleep. We were able to play Stone Age, and even one of the original game, Settlers of Catan cities and knights. AND I WON!!!!!!!
In between games, here was Alex caught singing the "Wonderpets" song---he is learning so much! When we first met him he was practically mute---now he wants to sing and talk and interact with us. It has been a blessing to meet him and witness the start of his recovery.
We will miss them so much BUT we will see them November when we drive across country again and stay at their new house! We hope wherever we go when we're out, we can have regular trips to visit, and for them to visit us. We have to carry on the game night traditions! Thanks for all the great memories !(not to mention all the things you lent/gave us for the babies!!)
2 comments:
You guys appear to have great chemistry, like the Mertz's and the RIcardo's ;) I love it when couples can have friends like this. We used to be friends with a couple. But we bonded on being childless. Since we had Eddie we had not heard from them till recently. I think having couples as friends benefits the kids tremendously as well. I loved all of your pictures :)
i agree. It was so nice to have people we all enjoyed the company of. sometimes you have friends that you don't really enjoy being around....or they have kids that you don't enjoy being around (to put it nicely). Everything was so fun with them. The only times it wasn't great, was when one of us was being a brat about horribly losing a game!! (we all had our moments, but mine were probably the worst...back before I had lucas and i threw the cards lol) But it was always fun. thanks for reading and looking at my million pictures. And I know what you mean about friendships changing when you get married, or have kids. It calls for a different dynamic.
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