Catching up from the move

The last few weeks we have been so busy that we haven't had time to post any pictures or update the blog. I had a few minutes while in my hotel to download the pictures and take a look at them. Needless to say the Otis gang has been adjusting our body clocks back to the United States both Hawaii time and then East coast time. After a week of getting my body back on a time schedule I uprooted again and flew halfway around the world only to have to readjust my body clock to Turkish time. It's been a week and I'm still not quite there yet! Nothing that drugs can't cure!

During the time together we had some family time in Hawaii and were able to do some fun stuff there that the kids really enjoyed. After that we all flew to Virginia to reacquaint ourselves with Amy's parents. It had been a little over 3 years since the kids had seen them. The kids were pretty excited to see Memere and Pepere. They were pretty excited to see the kids as well and to hold Kymbal for the first time. We were able to spend a week there before I jetted off to Izmir Turkey. Amy stayed for a few more days to host a baby shower for her sister. After that Amy drove down to Florida in her new van with all the luggage and kids. Just a quick 13 hour drive. I'm not sure how fast she was going but that seems like was making good time. Anyway Amy and the kids rolled into Tampa and moved into their new digs. The kids wasted no time and made good use of the swimming pool. In fact just about every day they wake up, wake Amy up and then get in the pool! That has been pretty much their day, besides unpacking boxes, setting up the house, meeting new neighbors, and shopping for the new home necessities!

I on the other hand has been living in the very nice Swissotel Izmir. I've gone into work one day in the past week. The rest of the time it has been "holiday" and some workers comp days for the NATO compound. I've used that time to get out and have been actively looking for a place to live. I've been underwhelmed at the places people live in over here. Let's just say I'm not looking to move out of the hotel any time soon. Anyway below are some pictures of Hawaii. I'll post some pictures of the Virginia time in another post. This one was getting too big.

The kids at Narita Airport chowing down on McDonalds. This was the last time they were going to be able to eat Japanese style McDonalds. Some say it just tastes better. I think McDonalds tastes like McDonalds! Moments later we realized that we left a suitcase (carry on) in the Naha airport. Yup just left it at the A & W. Several calls back to Naha over a 3 day period concluded with our lost suitcase being mailed to us. What a pain!

Devon exploring in Hawaii. This place was just to the east of Hanama Bay.

Ray at the Kaneohe Bay hotel.

Reagan a the Wild Waves just north of Honolulu. Ray loved the wave pool. I think the kid in the background loved the food they served there! It took some struggling but we managed to get Devon on some of the slides. Afterwards he didn't want to leave.

Ray and Makenley at the Temple.

Makenely at the Oahu Temple. The missionaries gave the kids some flowers to put them in their hair.

Kymbal on the beach at Kaneohe Bay. This was before she decided that the taste of sand was very yummy! Apparently sand mixed with snot is very tasty!

The kids playing on the beach at Kaneohe Bay. This was just after I told them to try and stay dry. I guess they keyed on the word "try" which meant "dad gave us the go-ahead to get wet". They really enjoyed playing on the beach there. It was quite nice.

Devon at the PCC trying to start a fire from rubbing 2 pieces of wood together. Needless to say Mom and Dad are safe from any fires getting started around the house from this way of doing it.

Makenely at the Polynesian Cultural Center during the canoe ride. I'm not sure if she is posing or putting on the pouting face. My bet is the latter!

The kids and I practiced how to twirl these balls. Normally they are on fire and then the fire dancer whips them around. All 4 of us would have been burned to a crisp!

Battle stations everyone! The kids got a kick out of these WWII helmets on the Mighty Mo. They enjoyed the trip for the first 30 minutes. Then it was just another big boat. I'm sure they were thinking it was not as cool as fighter jets.

Devon thought the guns on the Mighty Mo were pretty impressive. I have to admit even I was impressed. They can do some serious damage!