Thanksgiving in St George USA

3 years has gone by so fast.  At first I cried when I heard we were headed to England, I was convinced that after 4 years in Germany we were surely moving back to the USA.  Now that the time is gone I'm sad to leave.  Isn't that always the way? 

 This is all we have lived with for 6 long weeks and today is the day we head for London.  

Ava killing time in the shuttle

 Finally we made it to London, after a long detour around town.  Our hotel room had a huge picture window.  Owen loved to stare at airplanes and watch the people walk through the parking lot.

We made a pit stop at Washington Dulles Airport where we found this cardboard beauty.....

 Don't mind me, I love the spotlight!

and then it was off to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  My parents were kind enough to pick up our van in Dallas, Texas and drive it to Albuquerque.  They met us at the airport and had a room booked and ready so we could just plop our stuff down and go to sleep!

The next day we headed for St George, Utah. We took a little leave en route to spend Thanksgiving with the Millers.  This is the Colorado River flowing under the Navajo bridge at Lee's Ferry Arizona.  

 Totally different landscape then what we have grown accustom to over the past 7 years overseas!  Red dirt and sand...no trees, or grass or flowers

It was a lot of fun to celebrate Thanksgiving with family.  St George was even warm enough to eat outside!

We had a lot of adventures while we visited: 

New Harmony plot.  Ava created her own unique game of

 Hose Hoop Toss.

 We toured the St George Temple grounds and saw all the Christmas lights and nativities

.

Hiked in Zion's National Park

Visited Santa

Made cookies and decorated Grandma's tree!

 Our last day before heading back to Albuquerque was December 1st, Ava's 5th birthday.  We stared the day off with full tummies, enjoying the breakfast buffet at Golden Coral!

Then we had a fun family birthday party

We are excited to be back in the US and so close to family!  Now it's time to head back to New Mexico and find a house, unpack our stuff and decorate for Christmas!

I hate saying Goodbye...

Ava and I love West Row Pre-School.  They have been so attentive and sweet.  They helped Ava with so much and most of all gave her a love for learning.  Dave and I had the opportunity to "Stay & Play" during her last week of school and we had so much fun.  West Row  held a special going away party for Ava and invited the whole family.  Owen loved the "party food" and I loved the games and dancing. 

2 thumbs up for this party. Ava felt really special!

Ava's key teacher Ms Emma presented her with a going away book. It was perfect.

Then the kids presented Ms Emma with a wedding present.  It was a picture of a tree and all the children had put their finger prints on like leaves.  Ava was the golden leaf falling from the branch, how fitting.

Ms Emma has just been a light in Ava's life.  She invited us to her wedding on Nov 10th 2012. Ava has never seen a wedding before so she was super excited to see Emma's.  We sat in the balcony and had a perfect view of the bride and groom.
This is Ava and Arthur.

Waiting for the bride and groom to return after signing the registry. Were crazy like that!

Head teacher at the West Row is Ms Sue (or Ms Pickle) Ava has a great relationship with her.  We are sure going to miss you Sue! 

I love this special picture.  Wish we had more time with you Ms Emma.  Congratulations!

We have lived in England for 3 years and always wanted to go to the Theater in London but never made it,  so Dave surprised Ava and I with tickets to see WICKED.  We boarded an ITT bus and drove to London, had a special dinner of Ava's choice (McDonald's) and then enjoyed amazing seats at the show.  Now that I know exactly how easy it was I wish I would have done this years ago.  It was a really fun mother daughter moment for us, Ava absolutely loved the show and talks about it all the time.  She knows the songs by heart already!

The dragon above the stage was one of Ava's favorite because it moved and smoke came out of his nose.

Opening curtain, map of OZ.

 

So much fun! Wish we could do it again.

The next day was Ava's very last at West Row Preschool.  She was so excited to share her Wicked experience that I think she forgot it was her last.  When I picked her up that afternoon Ava gave Ms Sue a special goodbye, monkey style.  I think it took Sue by surprise, she didn't expect Ava to fall over like that during their hug.

I tried to keep a dry eye, but I told Ava I was a bit sad that this was her last day.  She calmly looked at me a said "let's talk about it in the car, mom." I tired to take pictures of us walking away. 

Last one of the classroom.

Last one of the Blue Gate!

Last one of the front gate.

This picture says it all.  Dedicated teachers, that take interest in the children's lives, want the best for them and help them to achieve their potential.  Miss you guys.

Nov 13, 2012 was our last night on base.  We had Amelia come over and play at the park.  Looks like it's midnight but really it's 5pm and pitch black.

It's hard to see your children say goodbye to their friends.  

Adventures ahead though for the Miller family.  

Our final dinner was at the Horseshoe Restaurant in Mildenhall with our favorite neighbors, Stefanie, Dylan, and Lucas Dean.  This was such a bitter sweet moment.  These kids play like nothing is happening, like no one is moving.  They share ideas and plans like there is a tomorrow, but tomorrow it's off to London and then America.

I hate saying Goodbye...