The Halttunens

America did miss us!

2007-09-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

We're back in the states, most of you know that though. We haven't been keeping up the blog because, well we're seeing everyone in person, but now that we're moving to the east coast, we'll start posting pics again. It's been great to see all our family and friends this summer. Here's a bunch of pics to show the highlights.

Abi in McCall - Brown/Thompson Family reunionHil and Cousin Moby in McCall

"Warm"-tubbin' in Boise

Getting so Big

Grandad's Hats - always a party in McCall

I'm about to eat chapstick - try to stop me!

Bye Bye Balloch

2007-06-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is it, the end draws near. We are packing out our house Tuesday and Wednesday and make the move up to mooch off of Emily and Mike Thursday. It would be easy to focus on the things I'll miss like; Emily, Branston's pickle, and Wagamama's. I choose instead to focus on the things I'm looking forward to like; the rest of my family, Mexican food, cars bigger than the Volvo, and Target. But before we go here are a few last photos.

Emily and Abi in the sun tent during some beautiful weather.

Abi models her new suit (yes over her clothes).

Abi enjoys the Scottish beach in the sunshine (yes it really exists).

More Scottish beach.

Abi in the Abbey in Edinburgh.

Abi carries her own lunch during a picnic in Edinburgh.

Holiday Pictures

2007-05-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

Holiday

2007-05-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

We are back!!!! In case you didn't miss us; we were on holiday for ten days. We met John in Athens and all headed to Italy together. We love the Royal Navy AND we LOVE LOVE LOVE Italy. So here is my round-up of the week, it's not in-depth as John's but this is it.

Travel Update: Alone is not for the the faint of heart or the smart.

Abi was an angel of course. I was a mess. After spending three hours doing laps around Gatwick airport with all of our luggage I was basically a babbling idiot. After nearly losing my passport (it was in my pocket), covering both of us in baby paracetamol, and having a soda explode on me the airplane never seemed like such a haven. We arrived in Athens safely, if sticky and proceeded to our hotel (which is turns out was on the edge of the red light district, but also close to the center of town -I pick the best hotels).

Greece: The home of philosophy, astronomy, democracy...and mystery meat.

We met up with John Friday and spent the rest of the weekend wandering the streets of Athens and trying to gather the courage to climb up to the Parthenon. After the weather in Scotland Athens seemed ungodly warm and we spent a lot of our time hopping from one shady spot to the next while eyeing the barren wasteland surrounding the hill the Parthenon is on top of. We also discovered that those strange giant spinning meat things that you see at Greek restaurants and kebab shops are just like the ones in Greece. The meat in Greece is mysterious but delicious, especially when covered with taziki and feta. We finally got up the courage attempt the Acropolis and headed out with our trusty backpack and cranky child. It wasn't as bad as it looked but it was hot and dusty and there were lots of people, mostly Americans, so we left.

Ahhhhhhh, the Dolce Vita

Back to Italy, the happiest place on Earth (some people think Disneyland is, but they don't have Buffalo mozzarella at Disneyland). We flew into Pisa Monday. It was a shorter travel day and John came with us so all in all a good travel experience. Abi spent the whole day charming everyone she met. Now that she can walk she is free to roam smiling and waving. The Italians love babies and our baby loves Italians so every one was happy. We took a taxi to our hotel (we took lots of taxis, it's part of our new traveling mantra). It was nice, but the selling point for me at least was the fact that Teddy Roosevelt stayed there. We got up the next day and headed for the leaning tower. I've very proud of John for resisting the "I'm holding the tower up pose". It started to rain so we decided to cut Pisa short and head for Cinque Terre. We decided this vacation to just take things easy and relax in the beautiful Cinque Terre. It is a UNESCO protected site and still not completely discovered by the hordes of travelers (or so we thought). We stayed in an apartment in Riomaggiore with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean. We had the best lunch and did a little grocery shopping, then headed back to terrace. We spent our first full day having a leisurely breakfast on the terrace and walking to the next town, Manarola, for lunch (the big draw to this area is the walking between the five towns). Thursday we took the train to Vernazza and had gelato. I think I've finally decided that chocolate and strachitenella (vanilla with chocolate drizzle) is the perfect combination, although sometimes hazelnut calls me away from the other two. We found a little play park and Abi got some quality sliding time. Friday was the biggest day, swimming day. We took the train to Monterosso, the only town in Cinque Terre with a sandy beach. It turns out Abi is a water baby. She hit the beach running (after a quick nap that is) and didn't stop till she hit the water actually she didn't even stop then, she just kept wading in deeper and deeper until we stopped her. This baby is indeed a danger mouse and scares us while delighting us. Saturday our friends Tim and Charlotte (Tim is on John's ship) came out to stay the night with us and we had a lovely time. After a leisurely lunch and gelato (hazelnut and chocolate for me) we went for a swim just down the stairs from our flat. We had a wonderful dinner of pesto (local speciality) and insalata caprese with local wine and generally enjoyed the beautiful weather. Sunday we headed back to Pisa and TR's hotel. Another trip to the tower, this time with out rain. We sat in the grass under the tower and watched Abi make laps. John had to head back to the ship and Abi and I mentally prepared for the trip back.

The Return Voyage

So much easier. We traveled on BA and were able to check our stuff all the way through. It makes a huge difference. I actually remembered where I parked our car and we made it home.

That's it. I'll post some pictures in a separate post.

You Say It's Your Birthday (Again)!

2007-05-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

Abi officially celebrated the big ONE on Thursday, but we partied all weekend. We headed to Fort William to celebrate the big day and the beautiful weather with Auntie Emily and Uncle Mike. It was a beautiful weekend so we spent most of it enjoying the great outdoors and trying desperately to get our hands on that darn cat (Dakota).

The swing Emily and Mike gave Abi for her birthday.

The party continued on Saturday. We had a little family party with our extended family, and by extended I mean Mike's family. His five nieces had a great time entertaining Abi and she had a great time being entertained. A big thanks to the Smith family for a great time.

Abi on the trampoline with the girls.

Sliding with Uncle Mike and helpers.

Birthday cupcakes!

In Scotland you have to take advantage of the sun when you see it.

On the hammock with Uncle Mike.

Daaaaakoooootaaa. Where are you? Over there? No. Over here? Hmmmm.

I give up.

Un-tidy Up

2007-04-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

So...our house is a tip (as the British say), and it's not just because I'm a mediocre house keeper (although that doesn't help). It is because my co-inhabitant is on a reverse-cleaning kick. Every time she finds a full drawer, basket, or cupboard she feels compelled to empty it onto the floor. Needless to say the mess gets bad, fast.

Here are a few pictures of her working hard.

In the living Room

In the kitchen

In her room

Soooooo tired.

It's official! (almost)

2007-04-17T00:24:00.000-07:00

Abi is one, well almost. We celebrated early this year because John will be out to sea for the actual event. So John made pizza (one of Abi's favs from Italy), I baked a cake and most importantly made frosting. After some dismal singing by us, Abi dug in and ate and ate and ate. It turns out she likes cake. Or rather she likes frosting. With technique that makes a mother proud, she used her candle as a spoon to eat frosting off the cake. That's my girl!

Bunnies Hop and Abi Walks!!

2007-04-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

Abi took her first steps today!!! Got her some new kicks last friday and they've paid off. With help of her new shoes and the best behaved dog I know of, she's getting the hang of walking,

Happy Easter too. Had a great weekend. Abi's Great, Great Aunt Cindy and Uncle Bruce visited.

Hil made a great dinner and fabulous carrot cake. Abi wore here Easter dress and got a big chocolate egg from her Auntie and she loved it! (don't worry mom and dad didn't let her eat much at all)

CIAO BELLA!

2007-04-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

We went to Italy for two weeks! Traveling with an 11 month old baby: brave or insane? read Dad's day by day account and you be the judge. Quick disclaimer- the views submitted here are just John's so take everything with a grain of salt. Another note- Italy is absolutely lovely- I want to go back again and again. Love the food, the landscape and lifestyle. A must for all those that haven't been.

Day 1, Wednesday, 21 Mar 07, Balloch to Venice: Out of the house at 11:00, right on time. 11:14 arrive at airport...damn that was a quick drive, way ahead of schedule! 13:40 Fly from Glasgow to London. 4 hour lay over in London (that's what you get when your flight from London to Venice costs 99pence!) Abi is tired, tired, tired, but won't sleep. Finally a little nursing behind our mountian of baggage gets her down. 18:25 at Ryan Air gate for flight- sorry, babies don't get priority boarding- I hate Ryan Air. Terminal is hot, line is long, standing in line, waiting, terminal is hot, baby starts crying and complaining (and it's warranted), flight is delayed- I HATE Ryan Air. Finally arrive Venice 22:30 Local. How do we get to our hotel.....hold up, how do we get to Venice (some mis-communication on trip planners' parts) The airport is not really in Venice. Thankfully public transportation comes through and we catch the bus to Venice. 50 mins later arrive Venice....okay now what, water taxi (Vaporetto) to St. Mark's. Water taxi....is this thing sea worthy?? John having flash backs to a black cold night in Norway, thankfully engine doesn't seize or fall off and we arrive St. Mark's. Lugging bags through Venice, waded through a few puddles but thankfully my tracking skills found the hotel straight away. 01:30 on day 2, Finally at the hotel- Abi has been awake for most of the trip with exception of a few cat naps here but still manages to give us a 06:45 wake up call- Does this baby sleep??
Day 2, Thursday, 22 March 07, Venice:After our 06:45 wake up call, we managed to play/nap until 0900 when we started our day. Reception recommended a local place for breakfast and it wasn't bad (but really Italians don't do breakfast). Coffee and sarnies at a local cafe. Place was nice- met a guy from L.A. Another disclaimer- we haven't heard so many American accents since moving to the UK. Roamed the streets of Venice, lovely place, not pram friendly, but lovely. Another coffee in a Piazza, enjoying the sun. Abi sporting her new shades. More bimbling (walking) Pizza for lunch, in the sun, aahhhh Venice. Thought we'd check out St. Mark's Bascillica, but no bags allowed (we'll come back, it's only 1 1/2 minutes from our hotel). Got tickets for the Doge's Palace for tomorrow and then took the Vaporetto around the Grand Canal. Met a nice young couple from Seattle. Had a nice chat, which brings up a a good question about couple-vacation etiquette. Do you exchange names? numbers? e-mails? Seemed like cool people, probably cool to hang out with...what do you do? Back to the room, Sandwiches from the deli across the street, shower and bed. Nice thing about having Abi along....an excuse to go to bed early!

Day 3, Friday, 23 Mar 07, Venice:0700 Wake up call- Thanks Abi. Out and about just past 9. 45 minutes of walking and Abi finally goes back to sleep. Stopped in St. Mark's Piazza for coffee and croissants- $40 later- and you thought Starbucks was expensive- it was the best coffee I ever had...I might be lying but at $15 a cup, that's my story. Toured the Basilica...very nice. Main attraction was the alter piece made with more than 1500 precious gems/stones. Ya know you're an engineer when you're more impressed with the revolving mechanism that swivels the whole thing around so the congregation can see it than you are with the bling. Lunch- Pizza again......Ahhhh Venice. Back to hotel for some Abi play time. Then toured the Doge's Palace. Big place, cool prisons, Abi = angel. Back to hotel for some Abi play time (our hotel was very centrally located 2 minutes from all these places...good job Hil). Back out on the street in the late afternoon, had drinks in the sun and then to St. Mark's Piazza to play with the pigeons. Hilary was totally grossed out "They're Rats with wings!!" But Abi enjoyed them and I tried to play Dr. Doolittle.

Day 4, Saturday, 24 March 07, Venice:Walked most of Venice (from Hotel to Train Station). Got our tickets for tomorrow's journey. Stopped along the way for coffee in the sun of course and also to walk through a local fish/flower/produce market. After the train station headed to the Ghetto- yes the original Ghetto. Quiet, sunny, pleasant walk. Vaporetto to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Mostly modern art, had an exhibit of Richard Poullette Dart- we liked his stuff- bought the magnet! More walking and coffee. Then to the Gondola repair shop and a Gelato....mmmmmm Gelato. (The main difference between Gelato and ice-cream (as I've read) is Gelato has no air and usually more egg yolk and less cream- so although richer it's less fat- FYI). One tired baby on our hands... back to the hotel for bed.

Day 5, Sunday, 25 March 07, Venice-Orvieto (by train via Bologna): Vaporetto to train station, breakfast, then onto train. Spaniards sitting next to us....looking "thrilled" to have a baby next to them. Abi of course charmed their socks off and they didn't mind after all. Transfer in Bologna- I turn into the dumb American and jump on the train fearful it will leave before I make it to the right car. 4 days later I finally make it the right car and find Abi and Hil. (At one point I had pieces of luggage in three different cars at the same time...oh yes, I'm impressive). An American couples joined us in our compartment (seated 6). They were celebrating their 40th anniversary. Very nice people, from Michigan. Arrived in Orvieto and took a taxi to our Agroturissmo destination- La Rocca Orvieto. Beautiful views! Absolutely beautiful. We are the only guests....place to ourselves....it's great. Had a great dinner, Hil had the rabbit, I had the veal, locally produced olive oil and wine- all PRIMA!

Day 6, Monday, 26 March 07, Orvieto: Abi Turns 11months Old! I got a lift to town and picked up a rental car (we really were in a very remote location). Picked up the ladies in my pimping Lancia and headed to a local recommend- Chavita. Old city, accessible only by a foot bridge....a foot bridge with a decent grade. More beautiful views. Back in the car to old Orvieto. Had a good lunch.....Abi of course charmed the socks off a North American tour group. She loves an audience! Back to the "ranch" to relax.

Day 7, Tuesday, 27 March 07, Orvieto: Back on the road in the morning- 2 hrs later in another lovely hill town, Pienza. Had coffee on the street of love. Abi really started getting enthusiastic about walking (with aid) at this point, we walked back and forth in front of the cafe. Had a picnic in the car, where Abi showed off her driving knowledge (quite impressive really, it looks like she has a good idea of what driving is all about...there's video footage somewhere). Back to Orvieto for a lazy, playing afternoon. The local cats stopped by our patio and Abi had fun pointing/chasing them. Had another good meal at the "ranch." Abi made friends with the waitress (we were the only diners again). Stefani even got a cuddle as we left.
Day 8, Wednesday, 28 March 07, Orvieto to Rome (via train): Got to the train station 1 1/2 early (had to be done to return the rental). Sat in the sun outside the station admiring the day. Train was late, but we weren't too bothered. 1 1/2 later arrived in Rome. Our driver was waiting, sign and all (I'm becoming a very big fan of having staff, it sure beats hauling luggage up and down stair onto an unknown metro system). Owner of our flat was waiting for us. Got shown around....great apartment (1 bedroom/loft style), very modern, just renovated, tags were still on all the pots/pans/towels. Amazing picture window views of St. Peter's Basilica, plus two balconies with the same view. Unloaded our stuff, grabbed the stuffed suitcase of dirty clothes and headed to the Laundrette and supermarket. The laundry said it was self serve, but some Italian ladies were quite insistent that they would do it. So we dropped off the laundry and headed to get supplies. Picked up the laundry 1 hr later.....did I say I was a fan of staff...I LOVE STAFF.

Day 9, Thursday, 29 March 07, Rome: Rough night, Abi woke at 11 with a fever and in hysterics, vomited on dad (the start of many such nights). Thankfully we packed smart and has some medicine for fevers, calmed her down and got back to sleep. Got a late start due to the rough night. Plan was to do the Vatican Museum. Got there an hour after opening and the line was 4 blocks long....decided we'd try again. Went to St. Peter's Basilica instead. AMAZING Church!! Currently the largest church in the world (St. John's in NYC will be bigger if ever completed- FYI). The scale is unbelievable. Abi made friends with some Chinese girls. They asked if they could have their picture taken with her because she was so cute. She got a little shy though when one of the girls went to hold her, so no picture. I'm still proud though, in one of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in and my little girl was the big draw :). The basilica closed early due to Easter preps and the rumored arrival of the pope- never saw him. I tried to get to the top of the dome, but unfortunately it was closed. Pizza for lunch....ahhh Italy. Called it an early day, everyone was feeling a little rough. That's definitely a plus with a flat, come and go and lounge as you please.

Day 10, Friday, 30 March 07, Rome: Early start, on the 0815 train to the Metro stop at Roma Ostiente. Metro to the Colosseum and waited for our guided tour. Tour group consisted of us, a youngish couple from California, and a weird dude from Hawaii. The guy from Cali sounded just like my British shipmate's US accent impression ( I had to stop myself from laughing out loud a couple of times - us Americans are sure "nasal" in our speech). Our tour guide was okay, a girl in her late twenties I would guess, not a great story teller by any stretch of the imagination. What made matters worse was her boss was following the group, critiquing her performance. Every time he jotted something down in his notebook she lost her train of thought. Visited the Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Arch of Titus, the Forum, Caesar's grave (more appropriately- fire pit), and other interesting ruins. Tour ended just after one.....straight to lunch, Pizza......I love Italy. Bimbled around town, walked to the Pantheon and then to Piazza Navona, unfortunately the fountain was under repair. Kept going to St. Peter's Basilica, had a Gelato, people watched and enjoyed the sun.

Day 11, Saturday, 31 March 07, Rome: Out of the flat by 0900 to see if the line to the Vatican was any shorter. Right! 4 blocks try 6 blocks long. We'll come back. Continued on walking to Trevi Fountain. Abi threw in a coin by herself, so she's destined to come back to Rome (dad threw one in too, someone has to chaperon) Bimbled north, a coffee on the way and then lounged on the Spanish steps. Continued to Piazza Del Popolo, Abi saw her first horse....very excited. Couldn't get too close because "it might bite," we think she thought it was a big dog, but who knows. She actually cried when we finally left. Pizza for lunch at a guide book recommended place, wasn't great, but staff was friendly. Abi melted down a little and took dad with her ( a nap was desperately required). Walked around killing time before the "discount designer" store opened. 250 euro for a scarf.....this is a discount?!! How do people afford the full price stuff. Picked up BBQ supplies on the way to the flat, our first BBQ of the year, steak in Rome overlooking the Basilica. Not bad.

Day 12, Sunday, 1 April 07, Rome: Lazy Sunday...April Fools! Like we know the definition of Lazy when we're on vacation. Walked to Trastevere (the arty area). Ended up at a play park and Abi made some friends. Julio was 11 months old too, Dad Italian, Mom Brazilian. His dad spoke very good english, turned out he lived in Miami for 5 years trying to make it as a professional golfer. Went lunch at a place recommended by the golfer. Great pasta! Back to the flat...lots of walking, everyone is tired.

Day 13, Monday, 2 April 07, Rome: Early start so we can see the Vatican. In line 1/2 hour before opening, only two blocks long....not bad. An hour after opening, the line hasn't moved...what's up. A spanish man in front of us, mentions to us about babies having priority for entry, news to us. Hilary takes a walk with Abi, sure enough, the gates don't actually open until 10 to the general public (1 hour and 15 minutes after we thought they'd open) and babies do get priority entrance. She walked the 2 blocks back to me and we made it to the front of the line right at 10 when the gates opened and we were the first ones in!!! Made a bee line for the Sistine chapel since Abi was sleeping at this time. Very impressive ceiling...didn't realize it was so 3 dimensional! Abi woke up while in the chapel and she was impressed too, giving the ceiling a big wave! Continued through the museum and ended back at the start. Hil wanted to go back in and take some more time and see the Raphael rooms. It might have been an ill advised move, the place was heaving by this point, but we managed to get through again....just barely. Lunch at the Vatican cafe. Souvenior shopping on the way home, Hil got a fake prada purse for 17 euro, not bad considering the guy wanted 55 to start. That's it back to the flat to pack and play and get ready for our 04:40 pick-up to the airport.

2007-03-18T01:36:00.000-07:00

Another weekend, another party. This time for Abi's friend Amy's first birthday. It was chaos again, as each baby grappled for whatever the nearest baby had. Nothing looks as good as the toy in somebody else's hand. We had a great time and I had some delicious cake. Unfortunately Abi woke up this morning with the sneezes. Hopefully she will feel better before we leave Wednesday for Italy (!).

Here is Amy blowing out the candle and a few of Abi fighting for her rights.

Who is training who

2007-03-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Our rolling, tongue wagging stuffed dog (yet to be named) is helping Abi take her first steps watch her in action by going to her New Videos Link.

But before you do that, check out these puppy dog eyes!!

Babies, everywhere!

2007-03-12T01:27:00.000-07:00

As I sit here drinking coffee and feeding my baby left over croissant (note to self; must ask Jess about the best way to reheat croissants), I realize how lucky I am. Not only does my baby, who doesn't eat much, love croissant but she is also MY baby. We had the playgroup over yesterday (and yes we all had to go to bed early after the experience). While it was entertaining to watch them all try to run over each other with our rolling dog or brain each other with blocks I thought about John's comment that he wouldn't trade Abi for a million of someone else and I agree. She is a strange funny little one but she is ours. So now as she uses her sippy cup to paint designs on the floor and walls I smile indulgently and encourage her artistic nature.

Here are a few pictures from playgroup. Keep in mind that it is hard to capture the true chaos. I should have filmed some video.

Own biggest fan

2007-03-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

The only thing better than looking at pictures of babies, is if that baby is you!

Hats!

2007-03-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

Since the weather is still winter here, we have been wearing hats.

Some of us have reservations on the look, but I like it.

Eating with your hands is so uncivilised...

2007-03-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

Two new obstacles tackled!!! 1) Eating with a spoon 2) Crawling up stairs. As parents: overjoyed about the first, a little aprehensive about the second.

A video of the eating should be on the video site shortly and stand by for video of the stair walking too.

Our New Arrival

2007-03-01T08:44:00.000-08:00

He has finally arrived. That's right Teddy has come home, or rather come home again. The best-travelled Teddy Bear in the world (this is his second, maybe third, trip to Europe and he has been to South America) is now in the loving arms of Abi for good after a tempting visit last June. For those that don't know this teddy bear has been under constructions since before Abi was born and has been the subject of many debates on whether he would actually ever be done. Many thanks to Grandma Georgia for knitting, re-knitting, and re-knitting, and re-knitting him. And thanks to Grandad Moby for finally stopping the madness and popping him in a box and shipping him over here.

It was a beautiful day here and Abi and went for a long walk under the blue sky.

News from Lake Lomand

2007-02-28T07:22:00.001-08:00

Why is it that as soon as you think you have this parenting thing down and a routine sort of established the person you are parenting decides to change everything? I had grown accustomed to our schedule, sure getting up at 7:30 was earlier that I liked but it was doable and I got to have a nap at 10. Now we are getting up at 6:30 and napping at 9, which is okay but not quite as nice. The advantage to our new schedule is sometimes John is around to change diapers in the morning and she now gets a little nap in the afternoon, making her a much more enjoyable person to be around in the evening. So I guess this new schedule is actually better. Great idea Abi!

Some other Abi updates. Abi has recently decided that she likes things to be her way or else (I'm blaming this personality change on teething and not genetics). I'm hoping she goes back to her more easy going self sometime in the near future. She is not walking yet, but getting better at standing on her own, she is almost nonchalant about it now. She has mastered another baby sign, this time for book (thats my girl!). She has become very excited about books in the last few days and claps and laughs when we pick up one to read.

In other news we have finalized our trip to Italy for the end of March. Venice, Orvieto, and Rome here we come! And John got his orders so we are officially headed back to the states, and earlier than we thought. We will all be in the states from the end of July. John will have to return to London for a week for check-out and then he heads to Virginia for a course while Abi and I will be spending some quality time in Spokane, McCall, Boise, and Seattle. Or at least that is the plan for now. You know how the Navy is.

Here is a picture of Abi playing with her friend Amy at a birthday party on Sunday. Sorry it isn't a better shot. The camera ran out of batteries.

Dog

2007-02-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

The webmaster has uploaded the dog video, go to the New Videos link or click http://picasaweb.google.com/johnandhilary/Videos/photo#5033714285613994786

Dog

2007-02-20T06:12:00.000-08:00

We have had a break through here, Abi is talking! It might not be verbal communications but she has mastered baby sign, or rather one baby sign and that sign is DOG. Considering that we don't have a dog I think this is especially amazing. It is such a good feeling to realize that your child is in fact learning and putting things together. In fact such a good feeling that we have spent most of the morning and a good part of the afternoon making the dog sign and pointing to her rolling dog that her Auntie and Uncle gave her for Christmas (seen here)I'm sure it is only a matter of time until she tires of entertaining me in this way but until then we will keep pointing and panting (the baby sign for dog is panting like a dog-makes sense sort of but it does make you look a little foolish in public). I have gotten some video as proof but have no idea how to post it so my webmaster will have to take care of it when he gets home.

She has also started expressing her wants, mostly through pointing, and expressing her displeasure when those wants aren't met. I took this picture morning when I would let her have the pencil she wanted. Is it wrong that I laugh whenever she has a temper tantrum?

New set of Wheels

2007-02-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

We've seen the sun! The Scottish rain finally stopped today so we decided to go get Abi a new set of wheels (pictured here). We had to get an "umbrella" stroller so we can be ready for our trip to Italy this spring. That's right we're back to the continent at the end of March for 13 days. We'll be in Venice for 4 days, a remote farm house for 4 and the last 5 days in Rome. Thats our news for now.

2007-02-16T06:36:00.001-08:00

We will be back in the NW May 2008 for those of you curious about when we will be leaving Newport and heading West.

2007-02-16T06:36:00.000-08:00

Sushi for breakfast!

Homeward Bound

2007-02-16T04:40:00.000-08:00

We just got the big news of what John's next assignment will be. We're moving back stateside at the end of this summer. We'll be headed to Newport, RI this September and then moving back west to Everett, WA where John will be the Combat Systems Officer on USS Rodney M Davis, a frigate. After three years abroad, we are excited to be coming home and eventually being so close to everyone in the Pacific Northwest.

And so it begins

2007-02-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

Inspired by our tech savy super friend, SAWII, we've created a blog to help chronicle...us!

Hope you enjoy. We'll see how long it takes for us to 1) figure out how to really use this blog 2) stop updating it 3) find out how really uninteresting we are.

Now I'll test the picture function...