Okay, okay. Enough reminiscing, already!

Never fear--this is the last of the "where were we this time last year" posts.  It's hard to believe that a year ago today we were preparing to step on a plane that would whisk our family away to a new continent and new adventures.  We still feel like we're just scratching the surface of all there is to do, but I just have to remind myself that we are living here, not vacationing.  We still have work, school, orthodontist appointments, grocery shopping, etc; all the stuff of "real life".  We just get to do it in a different place.

After we left Sequoia National Park we drove to Yosemite for the day.  It was lovely, and we had fun walking the trails and seeing more of the beauty of America.

Then we headed to St George, Utah to visit with family, eat too much, stay up too late, and get too much sun in the pool and at the playground.

While in St George we took a day trip; our first stop was Bryce Canyon, where Abby got to participate in a ranger demonstration.

A kind passer-by took a family photo for us, and then we were off to the Visitor's Center so Josh and Abby could yet again take the oath of the Junior Ranger.

Then we went to one of our favorite parks, Cedar Breaks, where the elevation is over 10,000 feet, and where we can really let our hair down...

After thoroughly enjoying ourselves in St George, we headed back toward our beloved Clovis.  Much as we would have loved to stay and visit, we were only quickly passing through so a certain teenager could get his driver's license and his Eagle Scout award.

On our way, we stopped one last time at one of Dad's favorites, the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest.

We also stopped to visit with (mooch lodging and food off of) family before getting all the way to Clovis. 

See what good guests we are?  So helpful, so engaging...

We had a good time letting all the little people run around and make tons of noise.  We also made sure to eat their food, play their video games, and take over their furniture.  I bet they were glad to see the back of us!

Then it was Eagle Scout time!!

Yeah, Adam!

 Look at the concentration on his face as he pins the Mother's pin on me...

After saying good-bye to our house and friends, we were off to the airport in Dallas.

Abby also made sure to say good-bye to her pinecone from Sequoia.  It couldn't fit into her luggage, so had to be left behind...sniff, sniff.

Speaking of luggage--this is our checked baggage.  Sheesh.  You'd think we'd been living out of our van for a month or something.  Thankfully, when you are travelling on military orders the baggage limits are flexible.  Good thing!

And whoever decided to install children's play areas in the Dallas airport--thank you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you....

It was so hard to believe that at this time tomorrow, we'd be officially living in another country!  Sorry, but it's not something I ever saw happening to this girl from Ohio. 

We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to see so many beautiful sights before leaving, that we got to visit with so many members of our family, and with so many friends.  We miss you all, and hope you know that we'll be happy to host you if you feel like making the journey.