Beginning our New Orleans adventures

Of course we really didn't get out much the first couple weeks because we were in land of boxes. R liked to set up shop inside the big ones complete with food, drink, blanket, pillow, flashlight and DVD player. Joe did take Robin out a lot so I could get unpacking uninterrupted.
The AirStation has library programming on Saturdays which we have been going to right before the pool. Robin loved this magic show.
Cool thing about where we live is that's it's pretty easy to get around and we live pretty close to downtown. One way to get there is taking this free ferry over. It's fun for the kid and most things are walking distance since it drops you off right in the French Quarter.

The Louisiana Children's Museum was our first stop in the realm of kids stuff. You have to go to air conditioned places this time of year. Can you see Joe in the middle of the eye?

My favorite thing there is all the Mister Rogers memorabilia. I took a photo of Robin and Mr. Rogers' actual sweater...but he has no clue how I grew up watching that show!
Right where the ferry drops you off, there are tons of things to buy, eat, and do. We let him go on this right after a huge vanilla milkshake. Can't believe he held it in. This Riverwalk area also has a mall. Joe & Robin picked out a dress for me, and made sure I knew that Catherine Zeta-Jones bought three of them in different patterns...so said the salesperson.
Although we are finding lots of "cool" stuff here, it's still very HOT. We set up a small pool in the courtyard for the boy to practice his underwater skills and we have even gotten in to cool off too.

We're enjoying it so far...won't bore you with R's constant tonsillitis or joining the local Mom's group right now. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and you New Englanders are not complaining about the heat. We'd love visitors.

Change of Command

Getting ready for the ceremony
Joe & Elsa came down for the event


Robin was very well behaved through the whole, hot & sticky change of command. He also gave thumbs ups to all who spoke...Captain Kulisch was appreciative.
LCDR Jones, CAPT Kulisch, LCDR Meuse
Robin congratulating his Dad right after the ceremony.
Joe's coworkers/bosses from ITD Yorktown.
Riding the ferry over to the French Quarter for a celebration dinner with parents and friends.
My daredevil son with his almost equally as daredevilish dad and grandfather.

Last days in Williamsburg

Goodbye, Williamsburg, Virginia. We will miss you very much...Busch Gardens, Water Country, CW, our awesome neighborhood, parks, my yoga friends, and the list could go on. Here is a brief post about our last month or so.
Robin's school had its end of the year Carnival...bounce house, petting zoo, balloon animals, crafts, icecream, etc.

We needed an emergency visit from Abuela & Papa. After getting a good runaround from a certain Military Treatment Facility and was told to go home since I was just fine, I ended up having an emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. Thank God for listening to your inner voice. I muscled my way in to get an ultrasound appointment when the doctor said I didn't need one. I knew something was wrong. If I had listened to her, I might be dead right now. Frustrating!!! Joe took great care of me after surgery and while the movers packed our house, but then he had to leave to NOLA. His parents came down for a few days to help me. Thank God again. They were such a blessing.
We stayed at Ford's Colony since our house was empty. The hotel was super nice, but it rained every day.

Snuggling with Abuela
I owe another huge thanks to our friends the Dubnanskys, who have just moved to Jacksonville. When Elsa & Joe left, I was still not recovered so they let me lay on their couch and entertained the little guy with their little guys. On the way down to their house one day, R & I stopped at a Williamsburg Festival.


The green hair was a must, but it took a few shampoos to get it out of the scalp. Ugh, chemicals.
Joe came back before Robin's last week of school. Thank God again because we were tired of sleeping in an empty house with a mattress on the floor! Here's R getting his feet painted by his teacher on water play day.
As soon as Joe got back, we spent our last few days at Great Wolf Lodge. Of course I was not allowed in the water, so Joe took Robin to the water park for hours on end. Robin is not only comfortable with going under the water now, but we can't seem to get him to stay on top. Thinking we must get pool for our new house.

Poor Joe, not a fan of the big water rides, but he had to do them all, over and over. I love them. Next time.
So, Joe left for NOLA before us so he could drive the cat down and get there in time to start work. That left me and the kid at Great Wolf together. I knew he was going to be disappointed he couldn't do all the things at the water park that he'd been doing with Dad, but he was a great sport about it. We basically didn't play long and then I basically spent a lot more money...arcade, magic quest, restaurant. This boy needs a haircut.
My little wolf the night before our flight. New Orleans, here we come!
Stay tuned for my next post...Joe's change of command, and our first days in NOLA.

Jamestown Settlement

I wish I had known this sooner, but residents of Williamsburg can go to Jamestown & Yorktown settlements for free! Robin & I had to check that off the Williamsburg bucket list before we left. So glad we did, 'cuz he loved it. There were a ton of school field trips there that day. Robin fit right in with the middle schoolers...first one to raise his hand and ask a question...usually about weapons.

Grinding corn.
He was quite at home on the ships. He said that he wished his home could be on a ship. Uh oh...maybe he'll follow in Joe's footsteps.
Trying out all the bunks.


I think this was his favorite part. After watching the musket demonstration, we wandered into one of the houses and there was the guy with the musket. So excited to hold a real weapon...oh boy.
The last day of April Joe & I went to the CG Ball. It was nice to get out. Here is Joe with his first XO and friend Lawrence who was on the same ship with him back then.

Joe & LG again.
Oh, and I lied about this being my last Williamsburg post. The May post will have to happen later since Robin & I are scheduled to fly to New Orleans in a few hours. So sad to leave this area, but so ready to get where we're going. See you later!

More April 2011: Homecoming, Birthday vacation, Visitors, Easter...oh my.

It has been one or two crazy months here, especially the last few weeks, but I'll save that for my next post. Here were some happenings in April...

Thank you Chick-fil-A for your educational books that come with the meal. This science kid had to build that volcano immediately after reading about it.
You might notice the caterpillar (I think it's just an inchworm) if you look hard enough.
Dad comes home after 3+ weeks.
And the next day we fly to Grand Cayman for Abuela's birthday. Cousins digging away.

The boys ready for day of golf.
The whole gang out to dinner for Mom & Jenn's birthdays.
The girls
Happy Birthday!
My little family
When we got home, college bud Kelli was at the house with the family. So nice to catch up with good friends! Please tell me you think this photo is as ridiculous as I do. Here is Kelli, Remi and baby Camryn...and Joe couldn't resist.
Kingsmill's Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Robin with his best buddies Griffin, Trey & Myles

Checking things out

Easter morning at home.
Easter morning at the Dubnanskys.
Popcorn after water sliding.