Snapshots of STAS 2013

YES!  We are still alive! :)  We are still around... I ended up taking a break from the blog for a while, but we are gearing back up to head back to Spain, so I figured I'd better get you caught up a little bit. :)

Since our last post (MAY!... I can't believe it!), we packed up our house, put our things in storage and traveled home to the States for a 6 month STAS (or Stateside Assignment).  It has been so incredibly busy since we arrived home, I've hardly had time to think!

These were all our bags heading home to the States! Not too bad for a 6 month stay for 6 people, right? :) ... I think we'll have double heading BACK to Spain. :)

Arriving at RDU with all our STUFF.

Traveling over seas was SO much easier this time!  The kids did great...they each are so much more independent than when we left the US, so it made our trip so much easier. :)  We arrived in Raleigh, NC on August 8th and were greeted by lots of family and hugs. :)

Seeing my sister Aimee and her husband Corey for the first time in 4 years!!!... they weren't even married the last time we saw them!!!

Making memories with Grandmommy and Papa.  We have had lots of bonfires at the mission house in NC where we are staying!

We just LOVE the Cash family!  Andrew and Ben Cash... Jeff is missing from the pic... and Roxie and Emily too. :)  This is our first visit to Jubala... the best coffee shop in Raleigh!... a dream we heard about from the beginning, but hadn't been able to see first hand.  What an amazing blessing to see the success the Lord had granted these guys!

Since arriving, we have traveled to many different cities in VA, FL, NY as well as several different places in NC!

Thanks to a special gift from a special friend, we were able to go to Disney during our FL trip!

An added bonus... my best friend and her family had dreams of going to Disney too!... and so we planned and schemed and the Lord allowed all the details to fall into place!  A vacation with my best friend and her family.  AMAZING. Thanks for planning all the details, Lara!! :)

Carolina and Emma... are we sure they're not sisters?? :)

Then we went to NY where all the cousins got together again!

Mom and Dad rented this amazing cabin so we could take a weeks vacation all together in one spot in NY.  It was gorgeous... amazing memories all together!

And we got to celebrate all three September birthdays together!

While in NY, we were able to see my grandmother, "Oma" which is Dutch for "grandma."  We loved our special time with her!  She is 94 this month and in amazing shape!  I can still see her sitting cross-legged on the floor, opening Christmas presents! :)

 

Then everyone came to us at Thanksgiving!  Wes' parents were here to celebrate, and we finally got a family photo all together.

And then the Starr family! Together again!... for a moment, anyway. ;)

  Not too many details, but at least you've seen highlights of our adventures. :)  We have treasured the moments with friends and family, knowing how sweet and special they are... we've been truly blessed!  Christmas pictures to come... :)