Blogging from Baltimore.

Most of you know that we are able to take a military flight in and out of Baltimore for MUCH cheaper than a commercial airfare. However, we are only able to fly on a space available basis. On the flight we were hoping to be on Tuesday back to Aviano, there was no space available. Grrr. So here we are in Baltimore, biding our time until Saturday when we forked over big bucks for a commercial ride home. To top it off, the kids get to ride in our laps the entire time. Goody! We're praying for an empty flight so hopefully we can use an extra seat or something. We also have 2 lay overs. Not fun!

Although we'd much rather be home., we are trying to make the most of our unexpected vacation. The hotel shuttle will take us to the light rail train which will take us downtown. The first evening we were here, we traveled downtown and checked out the Inner Harbor. The first picture is taken at a water wall type place. Then we walked around and saw the USS Constellation; the last all sail ship built by the Navy and the last Civil War ship. We didn't go in--maybe tomorrow when we head back down there for a trip to the National Aquarium (pictured on the left). Here are my two fire crackers beside two cannons in front of the Constellation. We walked around a little more then ate dinner at Hard Rock Baltimore.

The second evening we attended a Orioles baseball game at Camden Yard. The picture of our family is just outside the front gate and the other picture is the front of the park at night. The Oriole mascot came up to the upper deck where we were sitting, though not for lack of seat in the lower levels. Baltimore is the birthplace of Babe Ruth. We took this picture at the Babe Ruth memorial at the entrance to the park.

Daddy and Ezra reading the paper in the hotel room.

PapPa went home to be with the Lord early on the 20th. While we mourned our losing him, we were all happy that he was no longer suffering. After that, it was a whirlwind of activity making preparations for the visitation, funeral and graveside service. We got some pictures after the funeral since everyone looked so nice. You don't see these guys in a suit for just anyone. There's Garrett with the money shot and some of the beautiful flowers people sent for the funeral. PapPa has a blog at www.doylegreer@blogspot.com

First are during and after shots of Ezra eating some pudding. What a mess?!

Then there's Meme holding Jonas.

I just can't resist a sleeping picture every once in a while. He just looks so sweet.

I have to say that Ezra and Jonas LOVED to go shopping with Momma and Nana. Of course it usually included a cookie and a trip to the kid's play area and who wouldn't love that? On tax free weekend, the Chik-Fil-A cow was around. Ezra liked him from a distance and kept moo-ing, but wasn't as enthralled as we got closer.









Daddy came back to Houston to attend the funeral and be a pall bearer. He and Ezra found a couple of toads in the backyard. Ezra did NOT like them very much. I asked, "What kind of boy are you?" I'm sure it won't be too long before he's trying to stuff them in his pockets (or worse if he takes lessons from his Dad--I hope not!).

Ezra loves to empty things. Cabinets, drawers, baskets,...anything. These are a few pictures of him emptying the cabinets in Mom's kitchen. The funny thing is that he doesn't just randomly pull everything out in a hurry and throw everything on the floor. He meticulously takes items out one at a time, turns them over examining them closely, and then places them very carefully at a pre-selected spot on the floor. We would all be really impressed if he was able to put them back into the cabinet. :)

Next is a picture of the kids chilling with Jennifer.

Every time we pull into the drive way at Meme and PapPa's house he starts saying Meme and Pap-pap-pap-Pa. He finally let PapPa hold him today and gave Meme a hug when we left. What a sweet boy! This picture was taken the day before PapPa was confined to bed. As PapPa was saying goodbye, he recalled this moment and was thankful that Ezra was finally that comfortable with him. Truly a blessing.

Here's a picture of Jonas with his pouty lip out. He must have been having a bad dream. Jonas is awake more and more. Every time I get the slightest little giggle out of him, he gets the hiccups. I feel bad, but I just can resist.

Behind again...

I'm actually so far behind that I don't have accurate dates/ages for when some of these pictures were taken. Jonas will be 8 weeks on Thursday. Crazy. Ezra will be 18 months.

I think the pictures of Jonas in his bug outfit might have been a week ago when he was 7 weeks.

It's nice to be here and have all the stores so close by, but

running around with two little ones

is still a pain in the neck. Especially, with out my trusty husband. However, Nana is filling in pretty well.

We attended Garrett's graduation from non-destructive testing school on Friday night and

took some pretty cute pictures.

We also found time to hit Fuddrucker's with Mike's Dad and introduce him to Jonas. And later, we went to the Potato Patch with the rest of Mike's family. The other pic is Aunt Jen with Jonas.

We enjoyed a visit with my cousin Adam and his friend Amanda when they came into town. We went bowling and indulged in some arcade games.