Daddy's Deployment

Daddy is away at a special school for the Army but luckily he is in Utah, and not Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo or any other place where wives and children are not allowed. Its been 3 years since Dave and I have been separated by Hawaii or Iraq and of course the first time married with child.  He will be gone approximately 3 months give or take a few days.  To prepare Grant we ordered a Daddy Doll that is popular with military children.  Grant loves stuffed animals and sleeps with them so having daddy to hug and make him feel safe was a perfect gift.  We also filled a jar with Hershey Kisses for every night that dad will be gone. When the jar is empty, he will be home. Although....the jar is already empty and we are only 1/2 way through this deployment. I may have sneaked a few and Grant may have wanted more than 1 a day. Since I already know what will happen by bringing more chocolate into the house I think we will forgo this idea again. Maybe we need a jar of toy soldiers instead.  Grant took his first plane ride the other day and he did so well. He was so helpful and wanted to wheel the carry on all the way through the aiport to the terminal. I think he enjoyed the airport more than the plane ride but did like being served his own little can of cranberry juice and snacks. He was so excited to see daddy and he's doing really well understanding that daddy is away but will be home soon.  Sweetest moment ever was when I was tucking Grant in for bed and Dave was in the next bed already relaxing.  I asked Grant what his favorite part of the trip was knowing he had just been to the zoo, swimming, museums, etc and he didn't hesitate as he shouted out DADDY!!!! Best thing I'm sure Dave heard too!

The jar is empty and we still have 2 months to go

When Grant saw the fabric on the back he found his toys and matched them with his daddy doll

Watching TV with Daddy

text message to daddy

Backpack with toys and kitty, and wheeled this suitcase through the airport, TSA, all the way to the terminal

In Utah, notice the register and the grill close together.  This lady took our order, cooked and we payed our bill. Such a cute place.  There is a drink bar set up with condiments near by, it was perfect.

The middle shot is when he saw our plane taxing in, amazement. 

On the way home Grant sat on the suitcase and I wheeled him through the airport.  Everyone was making comments and smiling

Feeding a goat at Thanksgiving Pointe farm

Museum of Natural Curiosity

Utah's version of Benihana's. YUM! Grant did really well and ate everything. 

Thumbs up daddy. He went running for this police car cart.

Shooting guns with daddy at Scheels Sporting goods. This place had a ferris wheel inside. It was like an amusement park/sporting goods store, 2 stories.