Who knew that 10 years after his return, we would be married with four children and settling into our first home? I wonder what we would have thought, as a young dating couple, if someone had shown us a video of our future together? (I often think about silly things like this.)
Jeremy stands outside his hotel, the place where he stayed when he first arrived in Besancon, France.
He sent many postcards to show me the places that he had seen.
This is a postcard from a trip he took to Italy; this church is in Venice. The back of the postcard says: "Aubrey, this church was beautiful. The entire interior was a mosaic. You'll have to believe me when I say that the picture doesn't do it justice. The churches here are so huge. This one is in Venice, Italy. I loved it there. The whole city is an island with not a single car! Everyone has a dock in their backyard. It was so peaceful."
I received several air mails from him. It's neat to look at the postmarks and stamps.
Jeremy sent this calendar page for my birthday. He had been to Czechosolovakia (we both have Czech roots). This page says March 12.
Isaiah loved climbing, trying to run in front of the swings, and came back toward us every so often to check on his baby cousin in the stroller. 
"Brie, watch this," said Noah. His aunt followed him toward the jungle gym. 
Morgan had so much fun on this toy. She nearly touched the ground when she rocked backward. What are these things called, anyway?
After playing on the playground, we headed across the road and up the hill toward the statue. Surely this will wear the children out! The girls ran ahead, so Brianna followed them. She is followed by Noah, then Tre'mon, then Isaiah. Valley, Khalil, and I brought up the rear.
The children ran down through the woods toward the bottom of the hill. They stopped at a pond which was still frozen. They tried to throw things in it. I said it was time to move on and Noah said, "but Mooo-ooo-oo-ooom, I want my stick to sink first!" Sticks don't sink, Noah.
Noah and Tre'mon played together at the edge of the pond. 
The children reluctantly left the pond and followed Valley and me up the path. 
We made this walk a very long walk. It was so nice to be outdoors on a 61 degree day. Noah pulled two balloons out of his pocket. He kept the yellow balloon and gave the orange balloon to Tre'mon. This slowed the boys down! 
I stopped to wait for Isaiah, whose little legs were becoming tired. Madeleine is standing with us. Brianna took the last several pictures. Thanks, Brie! 
Madeleine took this picture of her cousin having a bottle when we settled back on a picnic bench near the playground after our walk. I wish you could see more of his face; he is so beautiful.
Anderson's presents were about as big as he is! 
Cousins and siblings gather around Anderson as he opens his birthday gifts. I love to see Gabriel and Morgan with such big smiles, giggling with each other in the foreground. 
Noah watched Anderson part of the time and sat oblivious on the stairs behind him for a few minutes working on his punching balloon. 
Morgan helps Anderson open his new tools. 
Anderson and Isaiah play with balloons on the sun porch. 
I'm not sure whether Clare was pretending to be a saint or a scary ghost but she was funny! 
Gabriel plays Blue Moon on the piano. He has his eyes closed deliberately. He must have memorized the music. 
Morgan plays with the new Craftsman saw.
Gabriel blows up a punching balloon. 
Isaiah can't decide what's more exciting: presents or what's about to come out of the kitchen! 
Laurie dishes up the ice cream and chocolate chip cookies. 
Grandma feeds Isaiah birthday dessert. 
Jeremy poses with his mom. 
Delphina and Morgan (a year apart) love to play together, even at school recess! 
Madeleine sits while Anderson opens his gifts. She's wearing a Hello Kitty watch which she received as the prize in her Happy Meal. Boy, have the toys improved since my childhood!
Mandy and Claudia cuddle together.
Closeup of an outdoor mural