Montgomery County Fair time!

In August we took the boys to the Montgomery County Fair. Benjamin was in heaven with all the animals and farm equipment. Abe Lillard, Bram's dad, and Jenny James, my sister, came along for the fun. Jenny took all the pictures, so you know they are magic!

Benjamin and Abe entering the fair.

Benjamin taking in all the sights on the midway.

Fire Department exhibit - Benjamin loves fire engines!

Benjamin attempting to kiss a baby goat!

Farm Equipment exhibit - The Boy was loving it!

Tractors! Another of Benjamin's favorites.

It was a lovely afternoon to visit the fair. We had a wonderful time and next year Christopher will be able to enjoy it, too! As it was, he slept the whole time this year :)

Unexpected developments

The last week has been full of surprises for the Lillards. Bram's trip got off to a good start and we were able to email each other frequently in the first week. On Wednesday I received an email from Bram saying that the boat was in need of a major repair, they were heading for port, and would be there for a few days. I got a call from him on Wednesday night! It was so good to hear his voice after a week! We were able to talk many times on Thursday, and we expected that he would be heading back out early Friday morning. Friday we had our "last conversation" about 5 times...in other words, his departure kept being delayed throughout the day. I last heard from him at 11:30 AM.

But then, as I was sitting down to dinner that night I heard the familiar sound of Bram's ring tone coming from my cell. "What are you still doing on land?" I asked in stunned amazement! His immediate response was, "Do you want to fly down here for the weekend?" He was going to be in port until Monday morning! So, he will be in King's Bay, Georgia for the weekend. He is on a very large military base - about the size of a small city - staying in a VIP suite for $33 a night! Bram said the room is about the size of the first apartment we lived in after we were married!

Today, he and few guys spent the day in Jacksonville, Florida and will probably go see Iron Man tonight. He plans on playing golf tomorrow after church...it's hard to pity him right now, isn't it (hehe!) I am so glad that he got the opportunity to get off the cramped quarters of the sub and get a little exercise...I am also very glad that we have been able to speak on the phone so often. This has been an unexpected blessing on many levels. I just wish we could be together in this time. But, I will take what I can get.

Benjamin and I have had a wonderful time in Cincinnati! We have spent a lot of time with family (my grandparents drove in from Missouri to visit while we are here) and I've got to reconnect with old friends (like my best friend from High School, Shilo, whom I hadn't seen in 12 years!) We are planning on visiting the Cincinnati Zoo next week and heading down to Kentucky to visit my mom's parents. This has been a wonderfully full time of fellowship for us...if I can't be with my Bram, these are the people I want to be with (only Jenny and Ryan are missing from the picture!)

More updates to come!

Outside time ("Spring is more fun")

We had outside time today. The weather was perfect for some frolicking good times! First we went to the backyard and played with some bubbles. Benjamin is fascinated by the fact that they disappear when he touches them. He isn't quite confident in walking yet, so he tried to crawl after the ones that got caught in the wind - pretty humorous to watch him attempt to crawl with one hand outstretched to catch the bubbles :) The other humorous moment was when I had to communicate to him that he could not take off his shoes while we were outside. You can see his consternation in this photo.

We also explored the garden which is only populated by landscaping rocks right now. It seems the last few springs have gotten away from me in the gardening department. I think I have a few good excuses though :) Benjamin didn't seem to mind, as he was very interested in the different colored rocks. I had to keep reminding him, "No mouth, Benjamin." Haha - he's such a boy!

Another very boy thing Benjamin is already expressing is his love of cars and trucks. While we were in the front yard admiring our crab apple tree in full bloom he caught a glimpse of a truck parked across the street. Let me just say the flowers couldn't cut it after that. All he wanted to do was to get over to the truck. I love how persistent he is at times - that is, when he isn't defying me :) We also brought his little push walker out front so that he could walk up and down the sidewalk. The walker converts into a little car, and he won't touch it unless its in that configuration. Even though he has to bend over to push it!

Overall, it was a very fun outing...other than the fact that I now have watery eyes and a runny nose :) As long as the boy is happy, it's worth it.
(Thanks to Jenny James who took the pictures to commemorate the occasion!)

Cherry Blossom festival

On Saturday we went to DC to see the famed cherry blossoms. We took the Metro down to the National Mall and walked a few blocks to the Tidal Basin. We came early to beat the crowds, as we knew there would be many people trying to catch the blossoms at peak bloom. Benjamin is enamored of any kind of tree, and we thought that he would really enjoy the beautiful blossoms while they were at their peak. It was cloudy and windy, but an enjoyable day nonetheless! We did a lot of walking, but it was worth it to see Benjamin discover the beautiful flowers.

You see them here checking out the blossoms...actually, I think Bram was playing keep away, one of Benjamin's favorite games! Benjamin really enjoys any time he gets with Bram. We have come to call these "Daddy days" and I have told Benjamin that I can't blame him for preferring Bram...I quite prefer him myself!

There was so much to take in at the festival and Benjamin made sure we both took note of everything he saw. Here he is in typical Benjamin form pointing to everything of interest. He has become so aware of his surroundings and everything is new and interesting. I love how every new sight brings new discoveries and new joys to his heart. He has his daddy's analytical mind and his mommy's ability to take enjoyment of simple things...I think that's a good mix!

At one point Bram was tossing Benjamin up in the air - they were both laughing so much. What you don't see in this picture are all the concerned looks Bram was getting from passers-by. You would think that the moms would be disapproving, but it was mostly men who gave him the "evil eye." Haha!