Welcome Gabe!

July 11th - We welcomed Uncle Gabe “home” from Afghanistan today. Lisa had received a call from Gabe yesterday saying he was in Kuwait and would be arriving into Stuttgart around 8:30 this morning. Lisa and the boys went to pick him up from the airport while the rest of us went to Panzer to get ready for the Run to Remember. Lisa, Gabe and the boys met us there. Anne-Marie had brought some small American flags and so all the "cousins" lined up to greet Uncle Gabe as he arrived. It was good to see him and he was equally excited to see everyone. The race began at 10:30. It was a ½ marathon and 5K. Lisa ran the 5K and finished second in her age bracket. We were so proud of her. She received a medal which will probably be her best souvenir of the trip. After the race, there was lunch provided along with some activities. We all ate lunch and then the kids enjoyed throwing the ball at the dunking booth. We left base about 1:00 to go home to put kids down for naps. While kids were resting, we enjoyed our time catching up with Gabe. After naps, we walked about a 100 yards to the very top of the hill by Anne-Marie’s house to some Leonberg German festival. It was located in a clearing in the trees and there was a stage for the band, long tables, and a food building. The adults enjoyed great conversation while the kids played. We brought a wagon for the kids and they found a small hill and where using the wagon like a roller-coaster ride down the hill. They did this over and over, entertaining themselves for the night. It was a great night of music, food and company.