Family Fun

Cole and I have been enjoying being back home and being able to make the rounds with family more often. Two weekends ago on 4/21, we used Drew's Aunt Kim being in town from Chicago as an excuse to have a family get together at the lake.
It's always so fun to have the cousins together. Per Kylee: 'Cole's getting teeth and I'm losing 'em!'

This past weekend we enjoyed more family time with a trip to the farm. Steph and Jeff were able to make it along with Pete and Ashley and Drew's parents of course. Gigi and Pop surprised Cole with a new swing for the farm. Cole loved it!

We were on the go all day Saturday. We turkey hunted, fished, antique shopped (which was quite successful), fished some more and barbecued. Great day at the farm. We enjoyed a girls-only fishing dock for awhile while Cole napped and caught some nice ones.

 Sunday morning I decided to catch another hour of sleep instead of hunt because Cole had decided he wanted to not go back to sleep until 3:40am. When the alarm went off at 4am I said thanks, but no thanks. Jeff and Pete came back with two nice Jakes. Woo hoo!! That's Steph and Jeff's puppy, Jet, helping. :)

We're also having fun with family working on the house. The littlest updates can be so rewarding. Here's Cole helping Grandpa after Jeannie and I ripped out the carpeted stairs.

 We're about 1/3 of the way through this deployment. Six more months until our family is complete!

9 Month Stats

On Thursday, 4/26, Cole had his 9 month well baby appointment. I love going to the doctor and hearing that all is well with our baby boy. He is meeting or exceeding all milestones and is right on track with his height and weight. Or more like right on HIS TRACK with height and weight. :) He is a big boy at 22lbs 7oz and 29 1/4 inches long which puts him around the 80th percentile. Drew and I agreed it is time for this baby to get a haircut!

Business Trips

Nothing like a nice business trip to REALLY make you miss home. No news there that Drew is on an extended business trip, but this week I had to head to out to CA for work. On paper it looks good. Team trip to San Diego with nice dinners and team outings. And of course I enjoyed all that, but it truly made me appreciate the sacrifice Drew is making away from Cole. I had to have a sit down with Drew to relay my feelings. After only four days I was heart sick. Drew's response: I feel that way every night. So proud of Drew and all he has given up to give himself to our country. View from San Diego:

View back home: Cole riding the Kubota with Grandpa.

Thanks to Cole's amazing Grandparents on both sides for helping out while his parents were away. And sure enough Cole got sick the first day I was gone so the Grandmas tag teammed taking care of him. Never a dull moment.

First Fishing Trip

I won't spend too much time trying to put Cole's first fishing trip into words. We went to Rockbridge. It was a blast. The weather was impeccable. I canNOT wait until Drew is with us next year. Happy Easter!
Enjoying fishing stream side. We all took turns playing with him and he loved it. Worked out great!

He also loves being in his hiking pack which makes life easy.

Can't wait until Drew can join us to complete our little family pic in front of the mill.

Dad enjoying a cocktail at the mill while Wade and I get a few more minutes with our lines in the water.

Sar and Wade were all stars.

We didn't get the Lunker this year but there is always next year.

Cole & Grandpa

Last morning. I am surprised we aren't crying in this picture. 'One more cast' was repeated frequently.

Wade & Dad headed out of the stream to wrap up the trip.

A couple more things I need to document. Cole sat in his big boy high chair for the first time at our nightly dinners and loved it. I mean LOVED it. He has been sitting in his detachable car seat when we go to dinner but he is ready to run the table.

He also rode in his stroller in the big boy part instead of the car seat that clips in. He is getting so big! And don't be fooled. The weather was perfect but it was a chilly morning so we bundled boogie up.

He is also all about playing catch. He throws overhand back and forth repeatedly.
One last thing. We did celebrate Cole's first Easter amongst all the fun. The Easter Bunny came to the Harris House earlier this week. Funny how he knew we were headed to Rockbridge and his early arrival would let me wash his new shirts, shorts, socks, and pack his shoes. Cole has been playing with eggs all week.

And of course Grannie Annie had to bring presents. Gigi also gave Cole an Easter basket with adorable little camo rubber boots before we left. :)

How's that for a long post? Lots of fun stuff going on! Miss our big man but am doing everything we can to keep that time going by quickly.

Spring is in the Air

Spring is here in full force. The weather has been downright perfect. It has been really fun to see our woods fill in too. We bought the house during the bare winter months but everyday it is getting greener and greener and really filling in. It's gorgeous. Spring is in the air on a few fronts. Of course the flowers are blooming, Cole is growing and love is in the air! This past Friday my cousin Ellen O got engaged! We are so excited for them! Saturday we celebrated her 30th birthday, passing her boards to be a nurse, and Frank proposed on Friday night so we were able to celebrate their engagement. So many fun things for them. I was so honored when she asked me to be a bridesmaid. Such a privilege and it will be a blast!!
Wish this picture wasn't so grainy but here are the bride and bridesmaid. :)

And of course Das Boot had to make an appearance! A little background: On my Dad's 21st birthday my Mom's Dad, so my Grandpa and his father-in-law, presented Das Boot and had my Dad drink out of it. Well a few years ago we dusted off Das Boot and it has become a tradition at family parties where there is something big to celebrate. We all take a sip and pass it around. A bit funny but I think it is kind of neat. :)

Cousins :)


Happy to think that Drew will be back for the wedding and I can pass this to him!

Cole was a big hit with all of the family. Such the charmer. Here he is with Uncle Bob and his little cousin Annabelle (Bob's youngest daughter who is 2).

Friday Tina and John came out with their precious little girls to see the house. It was fun showing it to them!
P.S. Cole started waving this weekend and doing high five.

Josie loved climbing up in the loft where my office is and the balcony off of our master bedroom. Love seeing that little beaming smile.

This weekend we also practiced wearing Cole's new fishing hat. We're getting ready for a family fishing trip and Drew has been so cute to send new hats, a fishing shirt, shoes, etc. in preparation for the trip. So far so good with keeping the hat on!