Thanksgiving with the Webers 2022

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving this year! Our great friends, the Webers, stayed with us for a few days over the holiday as they ventured out on a road trip from FL to VA. We were all worried for a bit as Mark had gotten Covid right before their visit, so he was still wearing a mask with symptoms, making everyone nervous, but, fortunately, no one else got sick as we kept him semi-isolated! 

Bridget and I have known each other since 2009 (I mean, she has her own label in our blog!). This is a picture after 13 years of meeting each other, taken on our back porch. And I am wearing a T-shirt that I got in Misawa after running/walking a 5K on base WITH Bridget because she convinced me to give it a go. She went at my pace and made me believe that I COULD indeed run a 5K, which started my running journey. By the way, the T-shirt is super funny, of ugly brown color, picturing turkeys flying under a military plane (because it was a Turkey Trot on our Air Force base). 

Somehow, we ended up with no pictures from actual Thanksigiving! I guess we were too busy making dinner and then eating it! We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with amazing stuffing, pies, sweet potato salad, and a bunch of other stuff.

To be honest, I can’t remember if we went on a walk on Thursday or Friday morning, but I think it was before we started all the dinner prep. We took the Webers to the American Tobacco Trail. 

Those who actually went for a run. 

The rest of us enjoyed a very chilly brisk walk. 

In the evening we watched Enola Holmes 2 movie. 

Robert also was excited to show Tom and Bridget his practice, especially, now that it’s renovated and expanded. A much different place from the dental clinic in Misawa. 

And our farewell picture! The Webers are such wonderful friends--they make you feel good and positive inside, but can give you valuable advice as well. And it helps that their kids are amazing as well and they get along with our kids:). We missed Katya and Lizzie on this picture, two childhood friends who spent days playing outside in Japan when they were 6-9 years old.

 We hope they come visit us again! 

First Time at Universal Studios

While most people went to Disney World during our family reunion days, we decided to go to Universal Studios! We had never been so we all were super excited! 

We missed Katya on every family picture though! 

We were there just right after they decorated the park for Christmas, so it was very festive! Robert was able to get us a fantastic deal with his military discount, so it was a lot cheaper than a regular rate for two days. 

Look at this roller coaster behind us--yep...I went on that thing and survived. Once. 

The Mummy was fun! It’s like the Indian Jones ride. 

And of course, the famous shark. 

Alex saving me-hehe. 

We didn’t go on many rides at the actual Universal Studios part.

Saw the Harry Potter bus and all the British themed street and train station.

And we took a train to Island of Adventure, to Hogsmeade.

I know this is super cool but we didn’t stick around long enough to see it’s spitting fire. But it was an amazing looking street, so well done with a really cool atmosphere. 

Souvenir shops were super cute but we hardly bought anything. 

This us waiting for the train to go to Hogsmeade. 

Train was actually a real train, with seats and all that but with fake scenery.

Rowing and tennis T-shirts-haha. 

And finally we arrived. 

Look how busy this area of the Island was, and that’s on a non-busy November day. 

We ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks just as it started to pour! The food was pretty delicious! 

One of the most iconic places at Universal Studios--and a fantastic ride:)

Getting some pictures done between all the rain.

We were not so lucky with the weather, but it did not stop us! 

Mark in his favorite twirly ride. 

Getting ready to leave the park after a long day of fun! 

The following day was a bit chilly and rainy. The park was also closing earlier than usual because a storm was coming and the wind was picking up. 

We tried to go on a few of our favorite rides...A LOT. 

Alex and Mark went a few times on the Velocicoaster. 

And Robert and I went on the Hagrid’s ride. 

Oh yay, a picture of Alex and Mark going crazy in the rain on the roller coaster. 

As you can see, the weather was turning worse. A couple of roller coasters (like Hulk) had to close because of the wind. 

So that was our goodbye picture for the Universal Studios. In the rain.

We really liked it actually! It was fantastic for the age of our kid and we hope we can go back again! 

Lyana. 

 

Watson Family Reunion 2022

It was party time in Florida with so many Watsons gathered together! Every two years we are TRYING to do a family reunion with our Watson side of the family. And siblings are taking turns deciding where the location should be. This year, James and Michelle had the most fun plans ever! They rented a house near Disney World in Orlando, and then whoever could come, made plans to come. 

Of course, we were there!! 

Jenny, Brian and Lindsey, all their kids, James and Michelle with kids (minus Everett), Grandpa Chuck and Linda and Grandma Lorraine, plus us (minus Katya) were able to come! We were very sad that Benjamin couldn't come, and wish John and Adriana could have made it. 

Here is a snippet of the grandkids' picture. Theron, Elizabeth, Nate, Carter, Summer, William, Bentley, Mark, Mercedes and a part of Alex. 

And here are a few more added--Maddy and Abbie. Plus Grandpa and Linda. 

And here are most of them with Grandma Lorraine. Half of Mark though. 

And here are the grown up kids! We are fun! 

Always great times with these siblings! 

And James, Jenny, Robert and Brian. 

From Oldest to Youngest!  

Just like the monkey statues that Grandpa Holtkamp brought from Africa. 

With Dad.

And with both Dad and Mom. 

Goofing around with Mom. 

"Who is my favorite?"

One of the days, the weather was simply awful. We just spend the whole day inside and in the covered house pool, playing games. 

Dad and Robert did some guitar playing. 

The next day we had fabulous weather and were able to utilize the clubhouse amenities! Great pool, lazy river and just a fun place to hang out at. 

Oh yes, and on Nov 9th, we all got together for a quick dinner to celebrate Grandma Lorraine's 70th birthday. Glad she was with us on such an important day! 

Robert and Mark flew home and they were able to say bye to Grandpa and Linda at the airport, as their flights were leaving around the same time. 

Alex and I drove home. Originally, he and I were going to Augusta, for a regatta. I really wanted to be there to support him. But then the day or two before the regatta they cancelled it because of all these storms that blew through GA and FL! So we ended up having the car (otherwise, we would have flown probably all together) and needing to drive home... It was a longish drive of over 8 hours but I had a fun conversation maker--Alex, so it went by pretty well. 

I am glad we are trying to stay connected and see each other although not nearly often enough.

Lyana.