Welcome home, Drew!

At 4am on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, I got him! Does anything else I have to say really matter? Well one thing does...Cole saw Dad for the first time after 9 months around 6:30am. They were all smiles for each other! Okay, now does anything else I have to say really matter? Our little family is complete!! This past week has been an adventure! My parents helped us with the 12+ hour car ride and move on Saturday. Cole was a champ.

Here we are stopping for lunch at the park...parking lot that is! Yes, we found this joke funny after 10 hours in the car.

 We had a few days before Drew arrived so Monday we headed to Tybee to pass the time.

HOME!

 Cole was at my parents' cabin while I picked up Drew. I brought Cole over to our camper when he woke up. Here they are catching up over breakfast. It was perfect.

 Dressed in civilian clothes to enjoy the day. Thanks to Wade for getting Drew this Boulevard shirt.

 Checking out the ducks on the lake.

 Didn't take us too long to wonder to Crystal Beer Parlor, a Savannah favorite!

 Was telling my family it's really too bad Cole took so long to adjust to Drew. Look how uncomfortable he is. ;)

 Friday night we joined two of Drew's good buddies and their wives/girlfriends for dinner at Crystal Beer Parlor. Yes, we were there again. Miss Charli Rae is only 5 weeks old. Absolutely darling.

Cole couldn't stop hugging and kissing her.

 Group shot: Kayla, Beasley, Taylor and Joey.

Saturday morning we stopped by the pumpkin patch.

Got a good thing going here.

Counting Days

For nearly 9 months this has been my phone's background picture. Cole has more than doubled in age, started crawling, walking, running and talking. It's ABOUT TIME I take a new pic. Only a matter of DAYS now. :)

Out on the Town

Cole has been going strong on the St. Louis scene since Thursday. He kicked off his weekend by calling all of his girlfriends together at the Benoist house. He had a few things to learn from Miss Josie.

 And was so happy to meet little Gretchen. (He was at school the last time I saw her.)

 And Miss Natalie always makes him smile.

Then, Gigi and Pop spoiled him with two amazing days. First up, Grant's Farm on Saturday, followed by Purina Farms on Sunday. Cole had a fun, animal-filled weekend at two classic St. Louis establishments. He wanted to make sure he made the rounds before he moves next weekend. Thank you so much, Gigi and Pop!!

 

Last Mission Complete

Drew has completed his last mission and has left his small outpost. He is now at a huge base where he'll hangout, workout, and pass the time with his recently reunited buddies. We won't truly exhale until he is home safely but at least now we breathe a bit easier. PROGRESS.

Next Up: Drew's Homecoming

This past weekend rounded out the list of social events prior to Drew's homecoming. There is nothing else to cross off the list except for the final task of getting him HOME. Saturday, Cole and I headed to Anne's baby shower. It was darling!

Jen, Kylee and Anne
(Due in less than 2 months and looking great!)

Kylee helping Cole with his drawing.

Cole thought our present was a platform to showcase his dance moves.

Sunday, my parents, Cole, Juanita and her granddaughter, Lizzie headed to Three Barn Farm, Carleen's new Catering St. Louis venue. It is GORGEOUS!! The weather, music, food, drinks, and great company made for a perfect, relaxing fall day.

 

 Cole was a hit in his cowboy hat.

 

Such a groupie. Went straight toward the music.

Next up: Drew's homecoming.

OCTOBER

Helloooooo October! If October were a person, I would give her a huge bear hug, kiss both cheeks and probably end with a big smooch on the lips to tell her how happy I was to see her!! This is it. Now we talk days. We can do days. Drew and I were saying today now we focus on remaining calm. The past few weeks have been busy with family events which have been great for me as it passes the remaining time quickly but in all honesty it is hard to remain present. My mind so quickly drifts to all that lies ahead! So happy and fortunate though to be surrounded by supportive family and friends. I say that so often but I sure do mean it.
A couple of weeks ago my parents, Cole and I went to Kansas City to see Sarah and Wade. Saturday morning we went to the Kansas City zoo which of course Cole loved. Here he is dressed the part playing with gumballs in the front yard before we left.

It really felt like there was an elephant in the room....oh wait....look behind us... Yeah, yeah...dad joke. I know. :)

Saturday afternoon my Uncle Jim joined us and we went to the Kansas City Art Fair which was a blast.

 

Cole is all about music and dancing right now so he loved the live music everywhere. My mom also happened to see the Pottery Barn Kids on the plaza so we had to go in. Well, it just so happens that the week before Drew had found this hedge hog costume at Pottery Barn and said he thought that's what Cole needed to be. Of course as soon as I vocalized this story we had to buy it. Not to mention all of the women in the store (workers and non-workers included) were eating up the story that Cole's Dad was in Afghanistan and he picked this out...ya da ya da ya da. So long story short, it's in the bag! I think Drew chose it because it's camo and looks like a ghillie suit. :)

This past weekend, I went to Drew's cousin, Leanna's wedding in Springfield. Her husband is in the Air Force and they are stationed in New Jersey so it was great they could come in to celebrate the wedding vows they made last year. Was also a great excuse to head to Pete and Ashley's!

 B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L Bride and Groom!

 Just missing Drew and Cole in this Harris Family Pic.

 

 

 Meanwhile, back at the ranch...(Isn't there a book like that?) My Dad was on a fishing trip for the weekend so my Mom had Cole to herself. They had a blast. Here he showing me how he drives the Kubota with Grannie Annie.

Missed this little bean but had a great weekend. Truly don't know how Drew does it.