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Leaving Danbury

We’ve been back in the Kingdom for about two weeks now so we are fully adjusted to the time zone but not yet the heat.  We’ve actually had a good run of weather for the last week–it was plenty warm but dry and with a breeze.  Starting yesterday the humidity rolled in though; the heat index hit the mid 140’s with an actual high of only about 104.  Today the high is supposed to get to 111 and the humidity is still here as the windows are already raining ((When it gets very humid the water condenses on the cool windows of the house and completely fogs them over.  When it gets really humid rivulets of water will actually be running off of them.  Kai calls this “raining windows.”))

Today’s gallery contains a few pictures of our last couple of days in Danbury, Wisconsin.  Enjoy!

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The Washburn County Fair

While Ben was in Portland this summer Crystal and the kids visited Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs where they took in the Washburn County Fair. Tractors, farm animals, and hot dogs are high on Kai’s “cool” list so it was a great time. A few days later as we were at Underwater World at the Mall of America looking up through the glass window at sharks and other large fish he asked if we could leave and go look at chickens. Lucky for him we were on our way to Aunt Lea Ann’s who has a clutch.

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The Great Northern Railway

Last week we took the Great Northern Railway pizza train out of Spooner, Wisconsin with Lea Ann, Nina and Grandma. It was a real treat for the kids (except Nora who isn’t old enough to appreciate the awesomeness of a train) and a fun excursion for the adults as well.
In other news we are putting the final touches on our packing since we fly home tomorrow. This afternoon we’ll get one last hurrah as Grandma and Grandpa watch Nora and Kai while Crystal and I do a dinner and movie (courtesy of Julie and Eric).

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A Trip to the Jebel

This was our second trip to Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs at the Jebel house. They have two new Dachshund puppies, Gretta and Gaby ((my apologies to Grandma and Grandpa for not being able to distinguish them by name in the photo captions)) who are full of energy and completly captured Kai’s affection. He couldn’t wait to get back to play with them and would make comments through the next day such as “We sure could use some puppies here.”

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Everyone Loves a Parade!

The second day we were back in the States was the Spooner Rodeo Parade. Lea Ann, Steven and Nina joined us as we headed over with Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs’. We arrived just before things got crowded and had some great front row seats for a really wonderful parade. The best part for me was seeing Kai so flabergasted that they were throwing candy. Even near the end of the parade he would turn to me and say “Dad! They are throwing CANDY!”

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Visit with Grandma and Grandpa

Last Tuesday Crystal and I went into town for our annual eye appointments and then went on to talk with the cabinet maker and main contractor for our basement rennovation.  Kai and Nora stayed with Grandma, Grandpa and the new puppies, Greta and Gabby.   Grandma and Grandpa Jacobs get photo credit for the pictures below.

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Grandma and Grandpa Head Home

Grandparents and the KidsIt was a wonderful visit but now Grandma and Grandpa are heading home.  I think that it was a good chance for them to reconnect to parts of Dhahran that haven’t changed and enjoy exploring those that Family Picturehave.   We all did manage to share a pretty nasty cold that has been making the rounds over here and that wasn’t as much fun.   We loved having them visit and hope that they come back again.   In the first picture where it is just Grandma, Grandpa, Kai, and Nora, can you tell that the TV was still on?

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Grandma and Grandpa Arrive!

Kai and Grandma Prepare ValentinesGrandpa and Nora readingGrandma and Grandpa arrived late on Monday night and are here for a short visit.  Kai was beside himself the next morning eager to see them but, after the trip and with jet lag, they were still asleep.  Kai would screw up his courage to go upstairs to waKai and Grandma prepare valentineske them up but by the time he would get to the door he could only whisper “Halloo Grandma and Grandpa” and then run downstaGrandpa and Nora Readingirs.  By evening we were all awake and together and Kai got some help from Grandma to get his valentines ready for preschool and Nora was excited to have personal book reader.  You can tell from the second picture how much she is taken with Grandpa.

Her language has really exploded the last couple of weeks as well.  She is trying a lot more words and clearly understanding a lot more as well.  She eagerly attempted Grandma (Gam-Gam) and Grandpa (Guh-Ka).