Qatar Bound

Before Uncle Joe deploys for a year, he has been TDY to Hurlburt Field (same base as Steve) for the past several weeks going to a class and preparing for his deployment. This has been awesome. He stays on base during the week and stays at Paw-Paw and Lady's condo on the weekends. Nathan and Kathryn have been living a dream.

Kathryn likes not having to share her uncle with her cousins Jessica and Allison.

I like having Uncle Joe around because he's always up for going out to eat, especially seafood restaurants because Steve won't go near them. Yes, that makes living at the beach with Steve so much fun.

We've taken Uncle Joe on a playground tour.

Coolest uncle ever.

Nate showing off his playground skills.

He gets such a kick out of pushing Nate way too high on the swings and scaring him half to death.

Kathryn too.

Lady came down to visit while Uncle Joe was here so we took them both to a new favorite playground.

Nate had the other kids jealous with his new playground buddy. That's his friend against the fence, but Nate had Uncle Joe to play with so he didn't have time for kids his age.

After a little while of Nate being too cool I reminded Nate that the kids his age are the kids he has to go to school with... when he doesn't have his wingman Uncle Joe by his side. He agreed and included them, then they started to try to take over Uncle Joe.

Kathryn got in on the fun.

We found a new favorite restaurant for the kids. We introduced them to all you can eat Chinese food.

Nate is always a goofball.

Kathryn loved her food.

Nate loved having the options of pizza, french fries and chicken nuggets. He decided he loves Chinese restaurants.

Uncle Joe is lucky he didn't end up with Chinese buffet all over him after he went outside and started flipping the kids around.

Every kid should be so lucky to have such a fun uncle!

One day we Skyped with Lexi, Jessica and Allison. It just made the kids miss them though. They saw how much fun their new apartment looks in California and they wish they could be there too.

At The Crab Shack celebrating Aunt Lexi's birthday from a distance. Nate is so into birthdays lately. He knows everyone's birthday in his immediate and extended family and friends and everyone in his kindergarten class.

Nate and Kate called Aunt Lexi to wish her a happy birthday.

This little girl sure will be sad to see Uncle Joe go. When he leaves to go back to base every weekend she says, "I don't want him to go. I will miss him."