Memorial Day

First and foremost, it's Memorial Day. Sure, it's a day off work, a good reason for beer drinking/BBQ, and the start to summer. But, I also like to take a minute and remember why we are celebrating a holiday. I just learned it started as Decoration Day during the Civil War where everyone was encouraged to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers then President Lincoln expanded it to Memorial Day and a national holiday. Kind of neat. I love the saying 'All give some and some give all.' So true. Thankful for all of our men and women willing to risk their lives to protect our freedom. So bottom line: AMEN for Drew Harris and all soldiers who have the courage to go to war to give me the right as a woman to drink beer in a bikini and BBQ. ;) Kidding but not really... you get the point. Big week this week when Drew was promoted to SGT! For awhile now he has been serving in a leadership role so it is refreshing, rewarding and encouraging to have his hard work recognized. SO PROUD of him. He had to go to the promotion board where he had to recite the NCO Creed and answer all kinds of questions based on memorization of weapons, codes, leadership questions, etc. He did a secure video conference because they are all in remote locations and he passed! They told him on the spot. So fun. I immediately wanted a date night with my big man to go celebrate this promotion but I am making mental note of all there is to celebrate. He also moved to a new room with AC yesterday so good week all around. Cannot wait until he is home. I know I say that all the time but honestly I don't know how I wait or any military spouse for that matter...you just do. I told Drew's parents this weekend and Pete and Ash last weekend that sometimes I miss Drew so much my heart hurts. Crazy that an emotion can be so strong to cause a physical feeling. Guess heart ache isn't only for the broken hearted. Crazy in love and my heart is complete just missing my big man in our house! Always say this but he is well worth the wait.
I alluded to this with BBQ, beer drinking and a bikini but this weekend Cole and I headed to the farm. On Friday the little big guy was 10 months old. This is when he just woke up as a 10 month old.

Gigi and Pop gave Cole a snake-designed baby pool. Thank you!!! Cole loves the bath so we weren't surprised that Cole loved the baby pool. Here he is while I was applying tons of sunscreen. With all of our outdoor activities he better get used to it. ;)

It was great to see Gram Harris and cousins on both sides of Drew's family. Steph and Jeff joined us and Annie and Andrew. So fun to see Annie who is working on a new addition to the family. :)

Sunday morning Cole and I stole a quick moment together for a morning run at Montauk. So pretty and so fun. Love family and friend moments but also love that I love our quiet moments. 

Sunday we headed to Brophy Ranch only for Cole to find...yes, the same pool Gigi and Pop got but in the hippo version. And once again, Cole loved it! Is spoiled the right word even though he is grateful and endlessly appreciative? I say no. And really he is merely the tip of the iceberg for all grandchildren to come. ;)

Also, a quick thank you to Aunt Julie for taking time out of her short trip home to come meet Cole. Love you, Jules!

Busy May Week

Last week was full of family and friends which makes for a great week. Wednesday night we went over to Brophy Ranch to find wood for our kitchen table. Cole came along while we searched for good table legs in my parent's valley. We found some good ones. We set to work with doing the initial cleaning then we'll bleach them a few more times. Cole supervised.

Cole loves looking at the horses.

Friday brought the arrival of Uncle Pete and Aunt Ashley. So happy Ashley could see the house and Pete could see our updates! Here Pete and Cole are enjoying Saturday morning cereal. I love having Petey around because it is a small taste of Drew for Cole. Cannot wait until Drew is home!!

Saturday was also Drew's cousin Leanna's wedding shower. We had fun planning it and it turned out to be a blast and a great visit!

Love this picture of the bride-to-be and the girl cousins. Missing a few cousins in this one but still love it!

After the shower I was finally able to connect up with one of my best friends, Brian. Every time I have made plans since we've been home I have had to cancel with either Cole being sick or myself being sick. SO GREAT to see Michelle too who is an old friend. It was fun having Ash, Pete and Steph there too as we all shared some great laughs.

Sunday we were able to see Aunt Sarah who was in town for a different bridal shower. Quick photo opp for the Godparents.

We wrapped up the weekend with Josie Benoist's 3rd birthday party. This was officially Cole's first friend birthday party! We were supposed to go to Natalie's 1st birthday party (Josie's little sister) but yep, you guessed it, Cole was sick. Here he is in his first bounce house. Still a little young but so happy to be there.

Cole and the birthday girl. Side note: We gave Josie that dress. :) So pretty!

A few more faces from this week that only a Momma could love.

I was considering paint swatches for our bedroom and Cole got upset when I pulled some out of his hand when he tried to eat them.

 And here he is before I scrubbed dinner off of his face. :) He LOVES bath time.

First Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Moms I know! Yesterday I enjoyed my first official Mother's Day with Cole and my parents. The weather was gorgeous so we played outside all day and rode the horses. We missed Drew of course but he was so cute to send presents earlier this week. I told him on Sunday morning I woke up listening for him in the kitchen making me breakfast with Cole but that will just have to wait until next year. :)

The past couple of weeks have been crazy. Cole was sick, then I got strep throat so my parents took Cole while I recovered. How did I say thank you? I gave my Mom strep throat. Quite frankly the saying Never a Dull Moment is getting old. Yesterday was the first dull moment in a long time which was much appreciated! Cole has been a happy camper throughout though. Love this little bean.

Enjoying running errands for the house. And NO that is not his soda but YES he got a hair cut. :)

Apples and prunes face.