What a Start!

Day one of our roadtrip:

It was a success getting to Springfield, MO. The kids were all very well behaved in the car. They pretty much slept the majority of the day. Sam was his typical roadtrip self. Had some tears, but he held it together very well for being ten weeks old. Thatta boy!

We checked into the hotel, and our original plan was to go exploring the caverns here, but Madeline had other plans. Poor girl is so very sick. She was burning up with a 102.8 fever. She took some Tylenol for us finally. It brought the fever down and she keeps telling us she feels better, but it's only because she wants to feel better so badly. Luckily, we are staying with friends tomorrow in St. Louis and one of them happens to be a pediatrician:)

Such a start to this long roadtrip. Is it really only Day One?

To Be Continued...

Happy to leave the hotel...finally! Tom took a pic of us following him, and the license plates were on the wall at the MO Welcome Center (which had a great playground for the kids too!)

Saddest sick girl ever.

 Oh PS. I chopped off all of my hair the night before we left. I am officially losing my mind. But it's summer. I needed summer hair. 

Goodbye Fort Sill

Today is our last day here at Fort Sill. Our very last day. It's hard to believe. While I am really excited for our next adventure as a family, it is a little bittersweet to leave Oklahoma. We have made this place our adopted home for seven years now. All three of our babies were born here. Never did I think I would have three Okies! We bought our first home here. We said goodbye to our sweet Riley dog here. Tom took command here. I learned how to live without a Target store. I heard my very first tornado siren here. And ate my first bite of brisket here. Heck, I finally learned what a Sooner was! We've shared a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, and so many beautiful memories from this place. We will be leaving here with lifelong friendships and happy hearts. Change is good. We needed it. And we are ready for you, Newport, Rhode Island!

Moving is fun...not really. Not really at all.

 Saying goodbye to Josie while eating ice cream...to keep the girls from crying;)

 BBQ at Tom's boss's house:) Delicious food, fireworks and lots of swimming. I'm going to miss that family so very much!

 Hotel living...for the past six days. 

 Tom receiving the Meritorious Service Medal. It was so nice that his boss invited the family to watch this take place. My favorite part was when Tom gave a speech and he thanked me. "I don't like the saying "that an army wife has the hardest job in the army". It's more like the hardest job in the world and I couldn't do my job without her." I love that man so darn much. 

Waiting to clear housing in a perfectly clean house

We get to keep the sign. I swear Madeline didn't steal it.

 Goodbye house. Goodbye Fort Sill, Oklahoma!

Wedding Time...Ft. Sill Style

We attended a wedding of one of Tom's co-workers, our friends, Jen and Dave, this past Saturday night. It was the first and only wedding we have gone to at Fort Sill. And it was awesome. When Tom told me the groom would be wearing jeans and cowboy boots, and the couple actually wanted all three of our children there, I knew it would be an interesting night. It was by far the most laid back, casual, fun wedding I have ever been to. The bride and groom were getting married for a second time and joining their families as one. The love was evident with all of them.

I loved that their wedding wasn't about having the fanciest of linens or flowers or an expensive venue. But more about the genuine love they have for each other and being able to share that with their closest friends and family. We felt special to be included in their big day and wish them all the blessings in the world as they begin their lives together.

 The bride with Sam

 The girls love Tom's boss

 Madeline at the bar...trouble, huh?

Sam dancing!

Two Months!

Oh Sam. You are growing too fast. Two months old already and too, too cute! You may be losing some of your hair, but you are packing on the pounds. You weighed in at 10.25 lbs and 22.25 inches at your two month appointment today. You have improved from the 3rd percentile for weight to the 19th! Your smile makes me smile. Your little "coos" are music to my ears. And your six hour sleep stretches are totally welcome. I simply love having a son.

The only thing missing from my life right now is a pause button.

 I love his smile so very much.

 Why do you torture meeee? ;)

Random Roadtrip Photos

I know...I take too many photos. I can't help it. I am the ultimate mamarazzi. 

Love how sweet he looks here

 Hanging out by the pool with us

 Awwwww

 Dinner with Grandpa

 All smiles outside

 And then back to serious Sam again 

 Roadtrip back to Oklahoma! Prettiest state to drive through!

 Yay! Selfie in the mirror of the hotel on our very last day on the road! Woohoo!

 First night back in Oklahoma. :)

Charleston Getaway

A few days after our Disney adventure, we took yet another roadtrip to Charleston, SC. This time we brought along reinforcements: aka the grandmas. We knew we would need babysitters because we were there for a wedding. One of Tom's Citadel classmates was getting married and there was no way I was going to bring along my sweet hellions to that wedding. (oxymoron I know, but it describes them pretty well!) Tom and I have been so excited to take the girls to Charleston to show them where Tom went to college. They always see pictures of the campus and think it's pretty awesome that their daddy went to school at a castle. However, I forewarned them many times that there aren't any princesses or princes here.

We had a great time exploring the open markets downtown and looking at the handwoven baskets, artwork, and watching the horse and carriages go by. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and it was so much fun to catch up with the Citadel wives (we are an elite group...or so we decided that weekend over too much wine! Ha!) I love the group of friends Tom made in college. I have known them as long as Tom has and for the past fourteen years, they have become family to us. He couldn't have handpicked a better group to be a part of our lives. I am so grateful those F-Troop boys were all stuck together as knobs...and continued to stick together all these years later.

The day after the wedding we took the ferry over to Fort Sumter and explored where the first shots of the Civil War had taken place (by Citadel cadets no less). The girls loved the boat ride, but couldn't care less about the history lesson. They found picking flowers on the fort to be way more exciting. After Fort Sumter, we took the kids to the Citadel. They loved it. We showed them the Summerall Chapel where we were married and they walked down that same long aisle with us. To see how far we have come in 8.5 years since our lives began together was a real blessing. Afterwards, the girls ran across the parade field to the red and white checkered quad. Luckily, there wasn't a guard on duty so they helped themselves inside. I know they loved visiting there, but I hope not enough to ever want to go to school there;)

The Citadel, Charleston, and everything it encompasses is why it's our favorite city in the US. We fell in love there, made lifelong friendships there, and now we are able to share that with our little family. Such an amazing weekend!

Enjoying a cold beer after a long drive!

 My family in Charleston

The grandmas!

The girls shopping at the market

Granny P bought some art

 Dinner at The Charleston Crab House

 Kids sent home with the grandmas and we went out to reunite with our Citadel family!

 Cit Boys!

The morning of the wedding...more exploring!

I love these sweetgrass baskets

Uncle Chris and Olivia came to visit, too! The girls loved seeing their cousin.

 Madeline...no shame!

Wedding time!

 Tom was a swordman

 I think he's the most handsome man on Earth. Hubba hubba.

Obligatory ring photo with the beautiful bride!

We took a pedicab to the reception! Much easier than walking. 

Pretty sure Tom is grabbing Josh's butt. 

Tom is always entertaining

The next day...Fort Sumter

On the ferry

Visit to the Citadel

Later that night, we went out to dinner and treated the girls to ice cream. Perfect ending to our Charleston getaway. 

Photobomb Tom.