God Bless the USA

Thank you to all our dear family and friends for a wonderful visit. We were thrilled to be back on American soil after 14 months away...

Week one was spent in Cape Cod with the DeNucci/Yirga/Degenkolb clan. Delicious homecooked meals and amazing seafood dinners at favorite restaurants. Lucas and Hailey were showered with love & attention by Sloopa, Oompa, Kiki, and "Uncle Chrissy." Tom and Lucas even waited out a rain delay at Fenway to watch the Sox with Uncle Chris Lloyd and cousin Andrew.

Week two was spent in Rhode Island and western Massachusetts. A few killer beach days, harmonious play with cousins, raspberry picking, catching up with friends, and more good eats- love red meat!

A few other thankfuls- Dunkin Donuts, Taco Bell, Marshall's, speaking English, striking up conversations with strangers, expanded cable (in English as well), & variety in all things.

USA

USA

Beacom girls, beach bonfire, Angel, and Superman eating ribs

USA

Summer

Quick update- we are having a fabulous summer with friends and visitors. Beaches are great and summer weather has come through for us; compared to last year's weeks of cold and rain. Everyone is happy and healthy. Lucas and Hailey are growing fast and gearing up for Dutch school in the fall. (Pics): Lucas loves water guns, water balloons in the back garden with friends, L & H blowing bubbles, and L & H laughing their hardest at a cartoon clip from the Incredibles.

July's Fun with Friends

(Pics 1-2) The Reeds, of Springfield, MA, concluding their month long European vacation at the windmills of Kinderdijk. Enjoyed their company.

(Pics 3-4) The Meister family, of Arnold, MD, included Delft as a destination in their European vacation. Tom worked with Neil when they were both stationed in Seattle. We met Gretchen (now 9) when she was a little younger than Lucas and Hailey. It was awesome to catch up, show them around town, and eat dinner on our patio set by the canal.

(Pic 4) The youngins on animal statues: enjoying our membership to the Rotterdam Zoo with all our military pals.

One Year Down

I love Summer

A Few More Pics from Gozo/Malta

Gozo

Citadel, Face in the Mountain, & Blue Window

Gozo

Blue Window, Fungus Rock, Megolothic Temple

Malta and Gozo

A plane taken from Schiphol to Valletta, Malta, a car ride from the airport to the ferry terminal, the ferry ride itself, and another short car ride to the beautiful villa in Gozo.

mygozovilla.com is the website of where we are staying if you'd like to check it out.

It's a tastefully decorated 3 story place with the perfect sized swimming pool, 4 spacious bedrooms, and red accents throughout the house.

We tried a restaurant called Oleander - we ordered fried rabbit, the local favored cuisine. First night, we all jumped in the pool for a quick dip after the long travel day.

Day 2- We got to the Ramla Beach before 9:30 AM and stayed for about 6 hours. The crystal clear water in all shades of blue, coupled with orange sand, 83 degrees air temp with a slight breeze, and cheap beach snacks and ice cream made for an excellent day.

FEASTS are a series of saint celebrations traveling from parish to parish all over the island. A mass, a procession, fireworks, and food stands were all the rage. See Lucas respond to the continued popping and cracking of some simple but loud fireworks.

Day 3- We love beach- need we say more.

Kids Swimming

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