Father's Day Weekend

Saturday morning Jason woke up and got all his fishing stuff together and packed snacks/drinks then woke Gavin up to head out for a morning of father/son fishing.  Erik/Nico and another dad/son went as well and they had a great time catching lots of catfish at a kids pond here on post.  They iced them down with intentions of having a fish fry later that evening.  More on that later.  

While they had boy time, I got Stella ready and we went out for a girls morning.  We went to do some shopping at the PX, picked up Jason's ASU pants from the cleaners, and stopped at Starbucks for a latte and coffee cake.  Stella was a little angel for mommy!  It was nice to just have girl time for a few hours and get to browse every aisle of the PX with no distractions.  Stella and I also picked up a Fathers Day card and surprise for Jason while we were out.

We all met back at home around lunch time and napped and got ready for a birthday party that afternoon.  Our neighbors son was turning two and we were invited to the party.  Gavin had a good time with his friends and enjoyed the lasagna and cake.  We came home a few hours later and the rest of our evening plans changed.  

Instead of packing up and heading to the Mineo's for a fish fry, we ended up rushing LT to an emergency after hours vet.  While we were at the birthday party, LT had gotten into a bag that had broken glass inside (Gavin threw a ball in the basement earlier and broke the light fixture, so all the broken pieces were in the bag).  A piece had cut into his upper right arm through skin, tissue, and muscle.  There was lots of blood and we weren't sure how long he'd been in that condition (we were next door almost 3 hours).  We threw the kids in the car (Gavin on a sugar high from the cake).  They had no shoes, snacks, drinks, etc.)  Jason did his best to hold LT still and wrap up the wound on our drive.  Blood was all down Jason's arm and in the car, it was a mess.  Not at all a fun experience.  Gavin knew something was wrong and kept asking if LT was ok.  We pulled into the vet and Jason carried LT in.  I knew it'd be awhile and we were the only people there so I brought the kids in to wait in the waiting room.  Gavin was all over the place (barefoot, I remind you) asking for snacks, toys, a drink, and all I had was a water fountain to offer!  The vet was apparently in surgery with another dog that had been bitten that day, so the nurse told us that they'd have to put him to sleep to clean up the wound, trim the skin, and sew everything back up.  They gave us a quote on the services and told us to call back 2-3 hours later if we hadn't heard from them.  It was a long few hours, stressing over if he was going to be ok, and the money we weren't expecting to spend.  We picked him up just before midnight and were relieved that it didn't cost the full estimate they had given earlier  (but was still rather expensive since it was an emergency service performed on a weekend).  At that point, we were just glad he was ok and that we had the means to pay for it.  We got home and all crashed!

The next day was Father's Day.  We spent the entire day in our pajamas… spending the day as a family, relaxing, napping, movie watching, etc.  That night was a first for us in a long time.  We had a sitter and plans for our very first date night in over 6 months.  We had plans to eat at this place called The Market, but got there and realized that downtown Columbus is DEAD on Sunday's (nothing like Savannah) and that the only restaurants open were Cannon Brew Pub and Houlihans.  We opted for Cannon Brew Pub, it was delicious.  We sat at the bar and actually had a complete adult conversation, no child interruptions.  It was a much needed, really good time.  We went to Houlihan's after for drinks at the bar, and then returned home to our precious kiddos.  Thanks so much to Cara for taking Gavin bowling, to dinner, and the park so that he didn't have to stay at home.  And thanks to Hannah, Stella's first babysitter!!!  We couldn't have done it without yall.

Ready for fishing

First catch

A good day of fishing

Stella and Mommy, ready for our girls morning

Birthday Party

Poor LT

After "surgery"

A lazy Father's Day at home
Jason and his first baby, LT!

Date Night!

Friday

iPhone Videos

I apologize now for any lack of clothing you may see in the following videos.  What can I say… it's summer, its hot, he's all boy, we're potty training, and clothes just seem to be optional for Gavin lately!  Ha!

Keeping Cool Inside

With temp's over 100 degrees out, we've been finding ways to stay busy inside!  Turning boxes into race cars,  picnics in the living room, making use of the basement play room, lots of singing, movie watching, napping… so fun!  

Had to include this one, wow - Stella!  

Sweet, Sweet Baby

Orders Are In

…and Ft. Drum, NY it is!  

It's hard to believe our time here at Ft. Benning is almost complete.  I feel like we just packed up our Savannah home, and here we are already researching schools, neighborhoods, cold weather clothing, vacation spots, weather, etc in New York.  Where does the time go? 

Jason completed his company phase a couple weeks ago and is in battalion phase now.     He'll graduate the course in about two months.  We knew our time at Benning would be quick, but not this quick!  We've loved the conveniences of on post living and have made great friends with neighbors.   One thing we won't miss is these 100+ degree days we've been having!  

We have all intentions of living on post at our next post as well, but the wait for housing at Fort Drum is currently a 12-14 month wait for company grade housing (it's new housing, therefore very desirable).  Our search is on for a rental home or townhouse in the surrounding area in the mean time.  Hopefully that wait list will shorten in the coming months, as decent rentals off post are hard to come by without driving 30 miles to work.  I've emailed a few people and am waiting for responses.  

In all our searching, we have found the kids awesome snow suits at great discounts.  Jason's nana and papaw (in Crossville) were so gracious to gift the kids with their first snowsuits as a VERY early Christmas gift.  Thanks, GG's!  We tried them on last night to make sure they will fit this winter - they are so cute!!!  The insides are lined with thick, warm fleece.  Love them.  Taking any recommendations for good kids boots, gloves, hats, and sleds next!  In about 4 months I have a feeling I'll be posting pictures of Gavin building snowmen!!  Here they are in their snowsuits - I know Stella's looks huge, but it's a 9-12 month and I'm sure she'll fit in it in no time.  Gavin's is a 4T - can't believe how big he is getting.  One of these days I'll start looking for winter gear for myself, but the kids stuff is so much more exciting.

Haircut @ Ranger Joe's

{May 15}

I recently posted on a Fort Benning Area Facebook page asking for the best place to take a toddler for a haircut around here… Everyone recommended Ranger Joe's, the same place Jason gets his hair cut!  The next time Jason needed a cut, we all went.  Gavin has never enjoyed haircuts, but he did great FINALLY!  He looked so grown up when his cut was finished.  We'll be headed back soon for his next cut.  

BEFORE

AFTER