Cicadas: The current sound of summer

Hello hello from the good ol' U-S of A. Yes that's right friends we have successfully made it back to America after 6 months of living in Kuwait. No, no not a permanent thing. Just vacation. And we've already done a lot in the last month. Let's fill you in:

• We arrived the Saturday before Mother's Day and was able to surprise Kiersten's Mom on Sunday.

  

  So excited to go to America!

  
  
  

  

  Our first, mostly empty flight. They wouldn't let us change seats.
  The next flight was more full and about 15 hours long.

• We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on May 14 and were able to take a little weekend getaway just the two of us. We drove to a cute Inn in Warm Springs, VA and did some sightseeing at the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We've had lots of playdates with cousins.
  
  
  
• Memorial Day weekend we went up to Baltimore with Scott's brother's family to the National Aquarium.

  

  Didn't get pics inside the Aquarium but this was the drive home.

  
  

  

  Both passed out.

  
  
• We got COVID! No it wasn't exciting and really only Kiersten and the girls got it, despite the fact Kiersten is fully vaccinated. Stupid. Losing sense of taste and smell is VERY interesting. Not smelling things ok but not being able to taste, BOO! Eating isn't fun if you can't taste anything. Luckily that only lasted about 10 days. We're all good now.
• Walks with Grandparents.

  

  Hot days = Popsicles!

  
  

  

  Learning to help take care of the environment with Grandma Jackson.

  
  
• Shopping trips.
• Eating out at our favorite American food places.
• Sleep overs.

  

  Uncle Brad got his Pilot's license and took M and Scott up one day.

  
  
• Enjoyed cooler weather, then hot and then cooler again.
• Family! Nuf said.
• Craft projects. The girls have done drawing, watercolor painting, stamping, rock painting and fossil creation.

  

  Becoming a proficient painter.

  
  

  

  Birthday gift that was kind of a bust. I blame the instructions.

  
  
• The X brood of Cicadas. They emerge every 17 years and OH MY GOSH they are so loud! Driving home on 95 from Baltimore, traveling at 65 mph with the windows up, we could STILL hear them!
• Two birthday parties for Mackenzie!

  

  Her real birthday, June 10.

  
  

  

  Duplos from Daddy.

  
  
  
  
  

  

  First party, June 3

  
  

  

  Thanks Grandma!

  
  

  

  Rainbow cake. So much dessert!

  
  

We have really been enjoying out time back home. We have really missed family. Our last time in the States before the move to Kuwait was way too short in my opinion.

Scott sadly had to go back to Kuwait June 4 cuz ya know he works. Since he was going to miss Mackenzie's actual birthday we had a little Jackson celebration for her on June 3. Daddy made her a rainbow cake and she got some presents and played with cousins. She had a great time.

Cake #1. By Daddy.

Cake #2. By Grandma Hammond.

Now we have moved over the Manassas to be with Kiersten's parents for the rest of the summer and there are no cicadas here. Very interesting. But we aren't complaining! We FaceTime with Scott everyday and try to keep busy. But overall we are still having a great time. We are looking into signing up Mackenzie into a soccer camp and dance class for the summer. She's got lots of energy that needs a more constructive outlet.

Well until our next update, stay cool out there!