Voyatzis Visit

The girls and I had fun visiting Nana, Grandpa, and Uncle Jimmy in Greensboro, NC, while Brian had to return to Japan for two weeks. Here are a few of the highlights: swimming daily in the new pool with Nana and Grandpa as lifeguards, enjoying the awesome Little Tikes play kitchen and food Nana and Aunt Laura scored at a church fundraiser (all for $1!), trips to a couple of parks despite the heat, rough-housing with Uncle Jimmy, the fun and newly renovated Children's Museum, the animals and play area at the Natural Science Center, and playing the piano often (even Millie's). And we finally convinced Sydney to wear her Greek "koukla" (Greek for doll) t-shirt to get a photo with Grandpa the night we ate at a Greek restaurant.

Norwood Camp

After a few short days in Norfolk to square away a new home for ourselves, we relied on our newly released (from storage) Pilot to get us up to MA and NH for Curtis' wedding and a visit with Brian's family.

Here are a few highlights: Sydney swam in the cold lake with cousins Shane and Valerie, we saw Aunt Cindy and Uncle Bruce's farm and animals, Matt, Sandy and Cole came to camp for a visit, the girls ate breakfast (Life with blueberries) every day with Grampie, and we finally convinced Sydney to wear the less-than-frilly, gray "Future BU med student" t-shirt for a photo with Grampie. The girls spent the rest of the time monkeying around as usual, claiming the place as their own.

Curtis and Zareen's Wedding

Brian's medical school friend, Curtis, had to plan his wedding about one week too early for us, even though we told him it was going to be tough to make it since we'd be moving back from Japan.


We were just kidding about working around us, of course. Though it wasn't looking good for a little while, we eventually pulled it off, working some logistical magic! Brian just had to go back to Japan for two weeks to finish up with moving out of our off-base house and checking out of his command.















We were really glad to make it to Curtis' home town of Cape Cod to celebrate with him and his new wife, Zareen. We also got to visit with our good friends, Dave (another medical school friend) and his wife Danielle, while leaving the kids with Brian's parents--another reason it's great to be back! We're already planning when we can unload them on my parents.

Blast From the Past

We were very lucky to be welcomed home also by Brian's former Commanding Officer in Japan, Captain Krentz, and his lovely wife Kathy. They drove down from D.C. to see us two days after we arrived back in the States. We enjoyed a delicious Mexican lunch together in Norfolk. And it was just weeks before they returned to Japan, so we know they were busy.

Kathy is my good friend, so I know she'll be particularly pleased that I referred to her affectionately as a "blast." Those who know her energy (she gives new meaning to "Chatty Kathy") would have to agree. It was the first title that came to mind.