Last stop while in the USA: Tallahassee!

where shopping is always a pleasure

nice cart, kids

It was so special to see our good friends and see our kids play together

the food was amazing!

nothing like a round of street fireworks and some sparklers to say Happy Birthday America. 

After an amazing weekend with friends, we packed up and headed back to Panama.

  

These two big kids love an airplane ginger ale and a good book. 

Summer visit back to the USA. Second stop: Jax!

I popped up to Jax for a night to see Jan and her beautiful and healthy baby boy Luke.  We had a lovely lunch at my mom's house with my high school besties and their moms.  Then we had one of those good-for-your-soul nights of chatting and drinking wine and talking about life and kids and memories and future plans.  The older I get the more I realize how special these friendships are. 

a little later in the night. . . 

While I was there I got to see these two get ready for my Dad's retirement lunch with his co-workers.  We are all so happy for him that he is finally able to just sit back and relax!

Then the whole family arrived in Jax and we all got to love on our newest member, Baby Lou! 

Grammie's house has an amazing assortment of dress up clothes and dance costumes

painting friends

Sweet Woody in his blue jammies in a sea of pink jammies

Paddle Board Fun

this one is my favorite. haha

Bikes Rides to Coffee Shops

Fun Times with Friends

A Trip to the Springs

Sleeping Baby Section

the diver's placed a St. Michael's medal in one of the caves in memory of our diver that we miss so deeply.  Michael is so noticeably missed when we are together.  Of course we still have fun together but there is a space, a hole, a happy, large, energetic energy that is missing.  We feel his energy at times, but man, what we would give to just have him back.  

the ride back home

Surf Camp Mornings

Maresy

Woody and Annie on a Party Wave!

And not to be out done by her brother, Tohi was surfing her boogie board most mornings haha

Pop's Retirement Party and Tom's 70th Birthday!

a little game of pin the mustache on the grandfather

Waiting for Katie to come home from work

Woody was amazed by the water fountains! It's the little things in the USA.  haha

this big girl learned to ride a bike with no training wheels! Wahoo!

Tohi learned to ride a bike in about two tries.  It was incredible! This second video was her second attempt.  During her learning process, she never even skinned a knee! She came out pedaling hard and fast and never looked back. haha!