Mountainfest

Every June Fort Drum has a weekend they call Mountainfest. This is a weekend of airshows, a concert, playing for the kids and fireworks. Saturday Andrew and I joined some friends and headed over to the airfield to enjoy the festivities. We were there for about 7 hours so needless to say it was a long day, but fun just the same. When we first arrived there was so much to do Andrew didn't know where to start. We went over to the area with all of the bounce houses and slides. One thing you have to love about Mountianfest is that all of the activities are free. After going down a few slides we headed over to the food tents to find something to eat. There was so much food to choose from and although it isn't free at least I know the money is going to a good cause. Food and drinks are provided by different groups affiliated with Ft Drum and they sell them as a fundraiser to I was happy to give them my money. After eating and visiting with friends we went to find seats for the concert. Each year there is an artist who comes to perform for the troops at no cost and this year is was country musician JoDee Massena. Unfortunately we did not get over to the stage area early enough to get good seats so I don't have any pictures of her on stage, but it was just as nice sitting towards the back watching the kids run around and dance. After the concert everyone went back over to the seating area for the twilight air show. I got some pictures but because of the dark all of them didn't turn out well. Andrew loved the airshow!! He kept worrying that the planes were going to crash. It was very cute watching him react to everything. Once the airshow was over they closed out the night with a fireworks display. We did not get home until 11:30 at night! It was such a good day and I am so glad I decided to take Andrew.

waiting for the concert to start with his cotton candy

dancing to the music

being silly while waiting for the twilight airshow

i thought the sunset that evening was pretty, especially since it had been raining off and on all day

if you look at the smoke pattern you can tell the plane on top was looping around the other

yumm.....M&M's

this was 6 planes flying VERY close together

a parachutist

after everything was done. He was sooo tired by this point, but still going strong

Last week of school and Pre-K graduation

This was Andrew's last week of school. On Monday his class took a field trip to the local library for story time.

Andrew's class

walking to the story area

listening closely

playing the Farmer in the Dell





Tonight was his Pre-K graduation. All of the kids were so cute and looked so big standing up there. It's hard to believe I officially have a Kindergartner!

singing songs about Kindergarten

shaking hands with Father Rocker

getting his certificate and hugging Ms Rice, his teacher

Andrew looks so much like his daddy in this picture

showing off their certificates

getting some love from Ms Mullins, his art teacher

My little man is growing up so fast! It's hard to believe he will be going to school all day 5 days a week in just a few months. Andrew drives me nuts on most days, but I couldn't be prouder of him. He is becoming such a big kid and I can't wait to see what happens next

Andrew's 5th birthday

Ok so yesterday I was FINALLY able to have Andrew's birthday party. Because of my Grandma's death and us traveling to AR his party here in NY was postponed to a later date. Sadly once we returned home and I was able to come up with a day all of our friends had other plans and were unable to come. Fortunately I have an awesome kid so it didn't seem to bother him one little bit that it was just the two of us celebrating. After school yesterday morning we went to the store and picked up his Transformer cake which Andrew was super excited about. Then we came home, opened presents, hit the pinata and ate some cake. All and all it was a good day and if I'm being completely honest I'm kind of thankful it was just us. Can you say no stress what so ever?!?! Here are just a few pictures of my little guy's special day......3 weeks after the actual day :-)

He loves his Transformers

such a silly little grin

trying to read his own card

I love this expression!

not sure what I was thinking buying him a Spiderman web slinger

looks like trouble don't you think?

can you tell he's excited??

my sweet boy has been begging for Moon Sand since before Christmas

posing with his Transformer pinata

Thanks for getting it Nana & Pawpaw!!

getting rid of some agression :-)

here comes the candy

OK Mom....that's enough pictures

showing off his Fireman costume

Andrew has been talking about his Transformer cake for over a month now

make a wish!!

11 weeks and counting

Yesterday I had my ultrasound to see just how big this little girl is getting. Everything looked great and she's right on track. The tech estimated her weight at 3lbs 2oz so she isn't getting too big which is what we were worried about. They were also able to figure out why I have been measuring so big the past few months. Apparently I am measuring big because of where the placenta is placed. Nothing dangerous about it so that's great. My due date is still around August 22 and if everything goes as planned Adam should be here for the delivery. Of course we all know babies and nature do whatever they want to despite our best laid plans so I just have to keep my fingers crossed that it all works out. I think Adam and I have come up with a name for our little girl but I'm not going to announce it just yet. There is always the risk of us changing our minds so for now I've told a few family members, but no official announcement. Andrew is still excited to be having a little sister. I really hope his attitude lasts, but deep down I know it will be a difficult transition for him. Fortunately he will be starting school a few weeks after she is born so he will have something to occupy his days and with any luck I can schedule her naps so that she takes one after he's home from school. This will let us have some Mommy & Andrew time which will be very important since Adam will have to go back to Afghanistan until January. I was able to get a good picture of the baby yesterday using the 4D ultrasound, but I don't have a scanner so I can't share it with you. I'll try and find a friend that has one so I can share it with everyone.

A long 2 weeks

May was a crazy month for us. The week or so was fairly normal. I was busy trying to get things ready for Andrew's birthday party plus doing school work along with all of the normal daily stuff. Mother's Day was good, but kind of bittersweet. As many of you know my Grandma (Mom's mother) has not been doing well for quite some time now. The Thursday before Mother's Day my mom was called by the nursing home because they did not think she would make it through the day. She ended up passing away on Saturday night. Fortunately two of my mom's 3 sisters were able to make it before she passed so they were all there around her bed when the time came. While we are obviously very sad and miss her greatly she is in a much better place now and no longer in pain. Thanks to my father, Andrew and I were able to fly down to AR for the services and spend 2 weeks with my family. Of course because of this Andrew's birthday party here in NY had to be postponed but we managed to make up for that in AR.

WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES!!

Andrew snuggling in the chair with his cousin Caryn

watching a movie on the laptop in our hotel room in LA. We buried Grandma in Alexandria, LA next to my Grandfather

Caryn, me and Cate (my cousins on Mom's side)

Mom's family had a "mini" birthday party in our hotel lobby since we were down there on his actual birthday. Poor kid got to spend nearly 7hrs in a car that day driving to LA.

chowing down on a b-day cupcake

it's hard to tell but his mouth is covered in icing

me, Andrew, my dad and my mom

Once we were back in AR my dad's family was sweet enough to help me throw a last minute birthday party for Andrew at my Grandmother's house. I really appreciated everyone taking the time out of their Saturday to come and help celebrate with us. Especially since they all had about a 1 day notice. I wish we lived closer to my family, but unfortunately the Army doesn't seem to want us to leave NY. Maybe one of these days :-)

Andrew showing off his new favorite shirt...Transformers!!

getting some help opening presents from baby Lydia. It's hard to believe this sweet girl and her cousin Eden are 1yr old already! They grow up so fast.

By far Andrew's most favorite present. Optimus Prime!! Thanks Pawpaw!!

Caroline, Evie and Andrew impatiently waiting to eat ice cream cake

make a wish!!

cousin Craig patiently trying to teach Andrew and Evie how to play checkers

Ok so I put this picture in as an attempt to show off my "baby belly" it's not a real good view, but will have to do for now

On the Saturday before we left my father offered to walk Andrew around the mall while mom and I shopped for maternity clothes. I don't think I could ever tell him how much I appreciated that. Andrew loves hanging out with his Pawpaw. After the mall my parents went above and beyond the call of duty by willingly going with us to Chucky Cheese. It was Andrew's first trip, but despite never having set foot in one before he knew exactly where we were. Thank you television commercials. Despite being totally surrounded by way too many children (some of whom were NOT supervised what so ever) everyone seemed to have a good time.

playing a racing game at Chucky Cheese

learning to play ski ball

He did really well considering he's 5 and has never played before. I have no idea who the girl next to him is :-)

he was having soo much fun

playing a game with Pawpaw

me and my sweet boy our last night in AR

Well that was our crazy hectic month of May. It was great going to AR for a few weeks despite the circumstances. Sadly it's going to be a while before we make it back down. I am going to attempt to have Andrew's NY birthday party this weekend. They are calling for rain and I'm not even sure if anyone will be able to come, but we are having it no matter what. I'll post pictures of that when I can.

A quick update on me and Adam. Adam seems to be doing well. We spoke to him on Sunday and he seemed fine. His battalion has lost some guys, but so far none from Adam's specific company. Right now we're just waiting to see what's going to happen with this little girl. It's going to take a HUGE stroke of luck for him to be here when I deliver, but we're doing what we can to make that happen. As for me I'm doing ok. I had my glucose test last week and so far no word on the results so I can only assume that means I passed. I am measuring a little bigger than I should so they are sending me to get another ultrasound tomorrow to check her weight and make sure everything is ok. Other than that we're just hanging out and trying to find things to do this summer. I'll update soon on the party and my ultrasound results