Case, Nate and Walt Together Again

On the last night of my visit we were able to reconnect with some of my oldest and dearest friends.  It’s the 1st time I can remember of us each having our whole family together in one place.  It was a great night.  Hopefully we can do it again before 4 more years pass by…

The 3 idiots back together (see the movie)

Javi Case, Lukie Thompson and Coop Walters break bread together

Javi wielding the light saber, ready for battle

The boys battle, Javi and Lukie wrestle to see who is going to be A-dog

The party moves to Kate and Lukie’s room

Ezri and Kate start warming up for their performance

Kate preparing the crowd for her solo perfomance, Ezri accompanies on the keyboard

Katie is an American Idol

Uncle Nate helps Javi with the guitar – where’s the guitar strap Uncle Nate?

The boys all dressed up – Cooper Super Hero, Lukie Lightyear, Javi Cowboy

Who’s been supervising these two – how did a little make-up turn into Kiss?

The kids finishing up watching Rio, still going strong as the night wraps up

Nate & Kelly’s – Photography by Kelly Thompson

One wonderful thing about visiting Nate and Kelly’s is that Kelly is an amazing photographer and takes some fabulous pics.  Check some out:

 

 

Ezri and Javi Visit the Louisville Zoo (2 of 2)

Javi gives the gorilla a kiss…

This gorilla is either really deep in thought and quite angry about being outside, I don’t want to find out.

Javi gives the Tiger exhibit one glove up!

The train has been shut down until further notice so we didn’t mind letting the kids walk on the track.

The kids get a look at the brown bear.

The kids pile in as Ezri drives to the food mart.

Ezri and Javi Visit the Louisville Zoo (1 of 2)

As world class as Hong Kong is, I’ve heard the zoo is not anything to brag about and that it pales in comparison to the Louisville Zoo.  Javi was highly interested to make this visit after Gaga Case brought up the possibility.

Before embarking on our visit to the zoo Javi had the opportunity to drive Brady’s jeep, which he loved.

The next day he kept saying, let’s go ride peech car, the peech car dad, let’s go drive it. Not looking forward to his 16th b-day as nervous as his driving the kiddie car made me.

First stop was the Giraffes.

Second stop, Rhinos, luckily they decided to peak their heads out and say hi.

Next stop, the elephants – which one is the Asian? which the African? How to tell?

Annie, Kylee, and Ezri on Dumbo

Javi gives the Lion exhibit a thumbs up.

Stay tuned for tomorrow – gorillas, tigers and bears oh my!

Case Family Road Trip to Charlotte

The normal person might of thought to slow down a bit after a 20 hour trip from Asia to the U.S., but me, I’m ready for a road trip to Charlotte, 20 out of 48 hours crammed into minivan?  Bring it on, I’m a glutton for punishment.

We finally make it to the hotel the first night, the kids are evidently captivated by something on t.v.

Brady and Javi thoroughly enjoying themselves. I’m enjoying the fact that I know I would never allow this in my home and I know at any second Javi is not going to make the jump or he’s going to truck Annie (which happened shortly).

Ezri and Kylee stay the night together.

Annie recovers quickly.

The kids enjoy the pool with Gaga Case

Javi practicing his strokes.

Gaga Case and 4 grandkids, Brady, Kylee, Ezri and Javi

Javi loves the hot tub so when Uncle Brandon went for it I knew he wouldn’t be far behind.

The kids pile on the luggage cart for a ride down to the lobby ala Papaw Case.

Waiting for the train to the stadium on what is very likely the coldest night Ezri and Javi have ever lived through.

Go Cards!

Immediately after this clip, Britt’s kids wisely went into hibernation under the blankets not to be seen again until after the game.

After the game the, Javi still going strong, hey it’s only noon Hong Kong time.

Aunt Gwenda’s and Papaw George’s on Christmas 2011

After we finished at Wayne and Karen’s on Christmas we took off to see the extended family…

Most of the Vincent family gathered together.  Ezri chillaxin with Aunt Gwenda before reading the Christmas story together.  A great tradition Vincent family.

Mel’s strategy to keep things small was to tell the family to get costumes. This time Javi got a police man outfit and Ezri a princess.

4 generations of the family, Mel please put Papaw George down for a Louisville Cardinals hat next year.

One of Javi’s favorite Christmas gifts, excellent choice Papaw!  But no rock music coming out of that thing?

Wayne’s grandkids show off the cowboy boots he bought them.

Drake Family Christmas 2011

The 2nd 24 hours of my whirlwind tour in the U.S. included a jaunt down to Muhlenberg county to celebrate Christmas with the Drake family.

The Drake family homestead, Love the Happy Birthday Jesus Banner

The madness is about to ensue…

The Pappyrazzi is all in full force…

Eli shows of the wood and nails that he received on Christmas morning as he starts his journey of becoming a craftsman.

Ezri gets not one but the whole princess set and she’s emphatic about pointing out to Ava they got the same thing.

Ezri, pretty happy about getting some clothes for her princesses.

Ezri showing off her cowboy boots, stompin in her big pink boots…

A pic of Ez and daddy just to prove I was actually there.

Playtime begins, Javi is ready to zoom…

Javi, showing lucky his new Finn Missle secret agent car.

Case Family Christmas 2011

I arrived on the evening of the 24th and the whirlwind tour ensued for the next week.  Here are some pics from the 1st 24 hours, Christmas with the Case family…

The kiddos help with my bags.

I really think Javi wanted to jump on a ride.

The Case family living room, the madness is about to ensue…

The madness begins, Gaga Case right in the middle…

Ezri thinks Buster wants to join the party, Papaw give that dog a bone!

Mel holding Baby George with Ez and Javi in the background.

Ezri opens the outfit Gaga Case handmade for her and loves it!

Mel and Baby George with Papaw Case looking down.

Unwrapping is finished, play time is about to begin.

Thanks Playmobil, could you add just a few more small parts that my baby son will potentially choke on?

Doc Kylee and Jailbird Javi at Christmas breakfast

Annie chilling with Baby George about ready to listen to his heartbeat.

Pappy Wayne’s

Mel says that Javi’s become quite the outdoors-men with Pappy Wayne… she got the pics to prove it.

Javi, Pappy Wayne and Lucky Dog

Javi hat, Pappy Wayne cheesin

Javi’s first fire roasted hot dog and he gets to do it himself – Those are the best Jav!

Is this thing done yet Pappy?

Pappy giving Javi a little help, Javi wondering if that a bear he sees over there in the woods.

Ava, Eli and Ezri

Who’s that strange guy on the couch?  When did he arrive?

Isaac and Jav, kicking it in the brown boots

Ezri and Eli’s Birthday Party

In case you thought Ezri was actually finished with the celebrations we had here in HK, and her princess party you would think wrong… Eli and Ezri party on…

Ezri pointing out this is her 2nd b-day party in the States

Birthday girl and boy

Ava, Eli and Ezri decorate the cake

Ezri in her ruby slippers, Gaga Karen helps with the cake

Ava, Eli, Ezri and Isaac – Ezri reminding us this is the 2nd b-day party

Ez and Eli, and sprinkles galore

The kids gathered around the table

Dance time!

Ez and Eli bobbing for apples

Isacc bobbing for apples, Javi eating the apples

Javi going for the pinata – don’t hurt Lightning Jav!

Ezri looking like she’s really going to enjoy going after Lightning McQueen

Here comes the candy!

The kids scramble for the goodies!