So happy together!!!

... finally after almost a year!!!

Our most favorite Calle Valencianan neighbors are in the Bay Area to cool off, smell the ocean and touch the grass and we were first in line to get in some hugs and "googly-awwws" for new baby T.

Our wonderful Miko came in tow with the Larking boys ... one cuter than the other and both have the word TROUBLE written all over them ... just like the Ls, a match made in heaven!!!

I have known little J-Man since he was 8 months old and fell in love with his infectious giggle the second I heard it. He was my little "Bubby and I was his Yaya" ... oh the good, old times!!!

His dad Troy is the tallest man I had ever seen and the sheer fact that I could use his size 18 shoes as a rescue boat, in the event that the 100 Year Flood would hit Tucson, made me like him right away ... and then there was the lime green suit that sealed the deal of course!
Miko as the Ls call her (Kimiko for the rest of us) is the nicest person ever and I so loved being her neighbor and seeing her every day. She makes the best pumpkin muffins and every time I see her I feel very, very home sick for Tucson, Sahuarita and the life we left behind there. Every day felt like a vacation to us. We had a dream house (too big ... I'd never buy such a large house again unless it comes with a cleaning crew), a dream community with a water park just minutes away, trails, parks everywhere and in 15 minutes you were in Tucson, a small but very charming city. We met the nicest people there, some of our very best friends. Without Tucson we would not have our FGF Holland in our lives, the Larkins, the Rudnicks of course, Ruby and her family, Max and Victor (L's first big loves) and, and, and ...

I must go and sob now ... here are some pictures of our happy reunion at the Oakland Zoo (we never really saw one animal ... just the Larkins were good enough for us!).

L style 

taking in some zzz.... before the big get-together

more zzz... on the other side

Ready for some Larkin-action!!!

She looks like such a big girl in this pic ... OMG ... where did my baby go????

Auntie Suzy; please note the necklace!! They have been glued to the girls necks since they got them!!!

Here they come!!!!!

Miko and baby Titan

The J-Man 

Stinking cute!!!

Look at all those kids ... wow!!!!

 Best pic of the Day!!!

... and then there was the famous Lulu-Miko hug!!! 

For everybody who doesn't know their history, Miko was Lulu's MOST favorite person in the world when we lived in Sahuarita. As soon as she saw her Miko I was out of mind and she wanted nothing more then to snuggle in her arms and stay with her forever. 

I had to pull her out of Miko's arms when it was time to go and it usually ended in tears since little Lulu had to go home with her bad Mama and couldn't stay with her one-and-only Miko. Those two have a very special bond and it was good to see them hug once more ... sniff-sniff

Thanks Miko for taking the time to see us! It was so good to see you guys and the time was way too short to catch up on all the neighborhood gossip or baby snuggles and J-Man hugs! Next time!!!! We miss you guys!!

Oh ... I almost forgot, here are some special pis for Miko!!! 

He is still ALIVE!!!

 My little piece of Tucson given to me by Miko last year. My baby Saguaro is doing well and we only have like 74 years to go until it'll grow it's first arm. 

... off to buy more Kleenex ... sniff, sniff ...