Happy Halloween!!

This evening was another example of how much my little man is growing up and no longer wants to be with 'mom' all the time.  Aydin stayed in Chipiona to go trick or treating with his friends, Steve stayed home to pass out candy and I took Morgan and Liam to base to go trick or treating with Rokzanne and her ladies.  

Aydin before he went out:

 On base... ready to GO!!!

 Mack and Mo

 First stop.... Capt. Cir.

 Liam asking for candy... 

 Madi getting her candy....

 Little cuties...

 Mackenzie, Morgan and Isabel

 Maria... passing out candy.... 

 On the hunt for more candy...

 Took a picture of Rox... to show her that she IS always on her phone... 

 We ran into Leticia and Ashleigh... 

 This house was awesome!!  They had it all decorated complete with a movie playing outside...

We walked all around base housing... and were a little disappointed with the lack of houses that actually had people passing out candy.  There were so many more people trick or treating with very few houses handing out candy... but that didn't stop the kids from having a great time!!

 Once we got home... we caught Steve passing out candy to the masses... we went through more than 20 bags of candy this year... and waited around for Aydin to get home.  I think he finally came home around 11pm. Its sad that our 11 year old son has more of a life than we do... 

Once Aydin got home and the kids were all into jambes... they went through their candy... trading each other for the candy they like and don't like. 

That was always my favorite part of trick or treating.

Welcome Miss Sienna Nelson!!

TODAY was finally the day.... 

Heather had her little lady...

For months- we had been waiting for this beautiful baby girl to come, even though we did not know she was a SHE until this morning... we could not be more excited for the Nelson family.  

I couldn't wait to go see her... so as soon as Heather said she was ready for visitors, Morgan, Mackenzie and I went straight to base to meet Miss Sienna Isabelle. 

I can't believe how beautiful Heather is hours after delivering... I mean seriously?! 

Cant she look ugly for a few hours at least?? Nope... not even baby #4 can do that to her... 

I first went to meet her alone, leaving Morgan and Mackenzie with Rokzanne in her office but Heather know how much Morgan wanted to see the baby and was so kind to let her come hold her... for a few minutes.  

Ok- so holding her makes me miss the baby stage... not enough to want another... although there are moments (BRIEF) that I would love to have more... moments like these... but then I think how old Liam is and starting all over again and the moment passes.... Steve thanks God daily for those passing moments :) 

Africa for the day

Today Cas and I spent the day visiting one of my most favorite places to visit.... Tangier.
The McCormick family has been coming to Spain for 12 years every holiday they can but yet Cas has never made it to Morocco yet... so today we changed that.  We got up before the birds to drive to Tarifa so we could take the ferry across the ocean an reach our destination... Tangier.

Welcome to Africa!

Aziz (my normal tour guide) was booked today so he sent Jamal- his friend to take us around... That lovely piece of paper in his hand had my name on it... like you would see at the airport... and it made me smile- like a dork).

Driving to the coast:

Stopped to look down the coast and valley:

First stop:
Lighthouse where we could see views of Gibraltar and Spain...

Next stop... CAMELS!!
I was so excited to see Cas get on a camel I could hardly contain myself!!

We then walked around town, taking in all we could of the culture, city, and food.

A lot of these photos I have already taken... I think I take some of the same ones every time I go but I just can't help myself. I LOVE the doors, the streets, the people... ok it ALL!!

Hanging laundry is one of my favorite things to see. There is something about it that makes me happy. Here in Tangiers, you can even see area rugs hanging on the line. It is so different than the American culture... and something I have come to love.

Getting ready to 'rock the Kasba'

Next stop:
SNAKE CHARMER
In all of the trips I have made here, this was a first and so very cool!

Next up:
Walk through the city...

Markets:

Mosque in the middle of everything...

Local baker:

Random tray of candied apples on the side of a house:

Some of the dresses that are sold are beautiful... and all handmade!

We went into a tourist trap- shop- where they tried to sell me a scarf. In their efforts, they put one on like I would have to wear it in their culture...
Not my most favorite look:

Cafe where they shot a Bourne Identity scene. Cas and I sat outside (one of only 3 women among more than a dozen men) and had a drink while we passed time before we had to catch the ferry...

Walking back to the dock:

Adios Tangiers, until next time...

Hola españa...
dove home to a beautiful sunset.

I am so glad we took this trip and that I was the one Cas shared her first time in Africa with. I love going, love the experiences I have there (every time I go I see or do something different), and love Cas! Today was a great day!!