Father's Day

We didn’t expect Gideon to be able to celebrate Father’s Day with us this year, so it made the day even more special. It was a day full of fun and love and just taking time to remember how special we all are as a family.


Hadley seemed to know it was Father’s Day as she kept asking Gideon questions and wanting to show him her Play Doh creations. It was very cute to see how much she loves her Daddy and how she wants him to be involved in everything she does.

For the third year we went to the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival. It is a great way to celebrate Father’s Day because you just can’t beat free samples, fest food, and hot air balloons.

We had to wait a little longer for the balloons to take off because of the wind, but with a pop-up tent and beach ball everyone stayed entertained and had fun.

It was a great day and I hope Gideon enjoyed it as much as we did.

Helping Daddy open his presents

Making a sand sculpture

Helping Daddy carry all of our stuff

Waiting for the balloons to take off

Thirsty

Trying to make the straw whistle

In front of one of the balloons being blown up

Look!

She was so excited she was bouncing and dancing

Saying Goodbye

Without a doubt, one of the hardest parts of being a military family is saying goodbye to friends. In the military your friends become your family. They are the people you turn to when you are lonely, want to do something crazy, need help, or just want to talk.


Some of the most amazing people and friends we have met during our military journey moved this weekend. Not only were Gideon and I friends with them, but Hadley made her first best friend. Their son Brady and Hadley were inseparable and loved playing together.

When I was pregnant with Hadley, I couldn’t stop thinking about having a military child and what that would mean for her. I imagined us moving and her having to leave friends behind. I never really thought about her friends moving and her having to stay behind.

Trying to explain to a 3 year old, even an incredibly smart 3 year old, that her best friend is moving away was not easy. Over the past few days she has mentioned playing with Brady and seeing Miss Caroline and the look on her face when I tell her that we won’t be able to see them again for a long time was heartbreaking.

Even though it is hard saying goodbye to friends, it is our friends that keep us going. James, Caroline, and Brady, we are so glad to have met you, become your friends, and can’t wait to see you again.

Best Friends

Swinging on Easter

Always together, even in trouble

Playing at Montshire

Hadley and Miss Caroline

Hugs

Caroline and I

Malia is 10 Months Old

Dear Malia,


All I can say about this month is “crazy.” If I thought you were mischievous and getting into everything before, I had no idea. You are intrigued by anything that is off-limits and work very hard to get into anywhere and everywhere you are not supposed to be.

One of your favorite activities is climbing into Hadley’s small rocking chair and then diving out so I have to catch you. You think this is hilarious and could do it all day. Really anything is fair game for you for climbing. You will climb on anything, including toys, chairs, drawers, and even Hadley if she sits still long enough.

Your vocabulary also exploded this month. Before you only said Mama. Now you regularly say Dada and Cat. Other words that you have said both don’t say all the time are Dog and Done.

Along with talking, you started signing this month. You can sign milk and have developed your own sign for all done. At the moment it looks more like a wave, but you know what you mean by it and we quickly learned.

You seem to get into things a lot more than Hadley did, so I’m sure you will continue to surprise me with what you think of next. I’m looking forward to the adventure even though I’m not sure if I’m ready for it.

Our First Outing

An essential part of dealing with a prolonged separation is keeping busy. The girls and I have been doing pretty well staying busy by going to Wal-Mart, the grocery store, and hanging out with friends. I was starting to go a little stir crazy though and wanted to get out of town for the day.


After a friend recommended Shelburne Farms, I decided to make it out first outing since Gideon left. When Gideon is home, it is two on two and not a major deal to go someplace new. The thought of taking both the girls by myself was a little daunting.

I’m a planner, so I thought through everything we might need and what might be just extra stuff to deal with. I began debating on whether or not to bring the stroller. I knew with all of the animals and things to see, neither of the girls would want to ride in it, but it is so nice for carrying all of our extra stuff.

I went back and forth on it and in the end I decided to bring it. At times I was really glad I had it. It was great during lunch when I had snacks and drinks. It also provided a place for Malia to sit while we were eating. At other times, I wasn’t so happy with it, particularly when I was trying to hold Malia and lift the stroller onto the trailer by myself.

Both times I got on the trailer I didn’t get any help. The rest of the day though, people were great and very eager to help. It really eased my mind knowing that I could take the girls places and get help from strangers.

We had as much fun at Shelburne Farms as my friend suggested. Hadley was drawn to the lambs, while Malia and I enjoyed the chickens. The two week old piglets were adorable, and the bunny was one of the biggest I’ve ever seen. We had some bad moments, but those occur even when Gideon is with us. Overall though we had a great day and it gave me more confidence that I can take the girls places by myself.

On the trailer going to the barn.

This chicken loved Malia.  It sat beside her for a long time and

followed her whenever she crawled away.

Hadley petting "Malia's chicken"

Two week old piglets

Using the mini wheelbarrow

Having fun

Being goofy during lunch

Petting the lamb named Mustard

Malia, Hadley, and Daddy Doll