Pacific Grove, California

After Craig finished his last final (yeah!), we left for a few days in Pacific Grove, California, our home from June 2009 - July 2010.  Our former landlords became dear friends, like family, and we wanted to see them, this beautiful part of the world without the pressures of learning Russian, and catch-up with many from our church.  It was a wonderful, beautiful, restful vacation!

Lovers' Point in Pacific Grove

Enjoying the view

Vic helping Kathryn decorate their tree

Seth playing on Kathryn and Dana's kitchen floor

 

 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Vic

December 1st we celebrated Vic's 2nd birthday.  Oh, he is such a sweetie and a hugger and a little lover.  Here are a few Vic tid-bits:
1) He loves to eat but not so much sweets.  Grapes are probably his favorite.
2) His favorite book is the Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, which he calls "Hungry 'Pillar".
3) He is still a serious thumb sucker, only the left though.
4) He is a little obsessive compulsive and can get totally beside himself if his sandwich falls apart or something isn't exactly like he thinks it should be.
5) He is a talker.  If Seth says it, Vic does his best to repeat it.
6) He is just a sweetie! sweetie! sweetie! (most of the time)

Vic's birthday breakfast

Vic's birthday suit -- the winter one

Because he loves bugs, a bug birthday cake

Twin Babies

Not for us... for Uncle Bubba.  He invited the boys out to pet the two-day-old babies since they were in a pen next to his house.  Seth was not so sure of the cow petting, but he loved climbing on the tractors.  Vic loved the cow baby!

A farm is little boy heaven.

The Pumpkin Patch

In late October the boys and I headed to Alabama for a week, so we could have fun and Dad could work without interruptions.  We spent our second day home at a pumpkin patch with Gee, Pops, Aunt Jeannie, Rob, Tyler, and lots of other family and friends. 

Playing in the corn bins

Rubber ducky racing

Pig racing -- can't get one of those at any ol' pumpkin patch

Feeding the animals... watch your fingers

Vic with Lila

This and That -- Fall Highlights

Just a few other photos to share from our fall...

Sword fighting in the back yard

Homemade bubbles

Vic's first haircut

Susan came from Virginia for a visit, and I finally got to meet baby Ellen.

Pumpkin carving

Soccer

One of the highlights of Seth's fall was playing outdoor soccer.  There were no games, just a bunch of running around, teaching the kiddos some basic skills, and having fun.

Visitors

One of the great things about being back on this side of the world is visitors.  Most of our family has made the trek north since we arrived in August.

Gee and Pops stopped by for a super short visit in September.  We were glad it included Gee's birthday.

Seth enjoying the local kids' museum with Oma (Craig's mom)

Vic enjoying the Wonderlab too.

Paka (Craig's dad) delighting Vic in our backyard

Celebrating Bebe's (Sue's) birthday a bit early in October.

Lake Martin

After a brief trip to visit our new (rental) home in Bloomington, we returned Labor Day weekend to Lake Martin.  Almost all the Perry's gathered for a celebration of Eve Mother's life and to scatter ashes in the lake.  It turned out to be a true celebration with just a few tears.  We were grateful for a chance to be with all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and to finally meet all the other little ones.

Paka and Vic

Modern men -- taking care of the kiddos

The Perry's

More Alabama

More fun in Alabama!

Feeding the giraffes at the Montgomery Zoo

Riding the zoo train with Gee

A little boys dream... driving a front end loader

Eating dirt cake at Aunt Jeannie's

Family -- Lila, Vic, Seth, and Tyler

Back in Alabama

The boys love, love, love Alabama!  They would always choose a visit to Alabama over any other country in the world. 

Feeding cows with Uncle Bubba

"Driving"

A farmer and his dog

The Aviation Museum on Fort Rucker -- Victor loves airplanes!!!!  What did the lady really know?