Falling

The children frolicked in the gorgeous weather

OK so here's how it went down.

Last Wednesday, our Andrew was all set to go to Alaska for eleven days with a flight crew from his unit.

Andrew is a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot attached to the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard.

He and his buddies travel the globe to refuel military planes while in flight.

I got out my dollar-store clear glass plates and five-dollar goblets

And so it was that he packed up and left Brittany with both children on her own for the first time, Baby Guy one day shy of four weeks old, and reported to the base.

Only to be told that the trip to Alaska had been canceled and he would instead be going to California this week. He's there now.

Imagine Brittany's surprise when Andrew showed back up at home, his country not having required him to fly to Alaska that day after all.

We're dreaming of a new baby ... Cherica with Baby Guy

They got to talking and decided that it would be a lovely weekend to come to Columbia and show the baby off to two of Andrew's three sisters. The two who live here.

Our Stephanie and her family still have not seen Baby Guy in person.

Andrew contacted me to make sure that it would be all right for them to come and I said of course it would, and we decided to try and make it a surprise for Cherica and Rhett as well as for Audrey and Dagny.

Hey Punkin' ... you know me and my Cracker Barrel salt-and-pepper shakers

I quickly planned a spaghetti supper for Thursday evening and invited the two local families, not telling them of the special surprise guests of honor.

Then I got busy making the house ready and doing all the things, to include planning menus for the weekend, and shopping for the groceries.

The girls readily agreed to have supper with us on Thursday night and did not question the unexpected nature of the summons.

L to R ... Rhett, Skelly, Dagny, Ember

On Thursday at about five thirty, Andrew and Brittany arrived with Ember and Baby Guy. Andrew parked his truck down the street so that the girls wouldn't see it.

Erica was the first to arrive and she was all, like, whhaaaaat? when she saw Brittany standing in the kitchen, holding Baby Guy.

Audrey and Dagny came along about twenty minutes later and Dagny's jaw practically hit the floor when she saw her baby cousin for the first time.

I got these little darlings last fall

We had a splendid dinner of homemade spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, and spicy toast.

For dessert, I had bought a Marie Callender's Lattice Apple Pie -- which I baked that afternoon while making the spaghetti sauce -- and also an Edwards Cookies and Créme Pie.

What with the new Keurig and plenty of K-cups, it was EZPZ for everyone to make their own coffee.

We'll always have candlelight

It all went off without a hitch. After the festivities, Ember went home to spend the night with Audrey and Dagny while everyone else toddled off to bed here at the house.

The next day we got organized and went to CostLess Outlet Store and then hit the Costco. Two exciting destinations. Do you have a CostLess? I think it's only local here but I'm not sure.

At any rate it's a place where you can find great deals. TG found two pairs of tennis shoes -- one Puma and one Skechers -- for well under thirty dollars a pair. In his size of 13, which is not as easy as you'd think.

Baby Guy will be five weeks old tomorrow

I got a luscious fall wreath for my front door.

Later, at Costco, we enjoyed sample bites and picked up some essentials.

That night we enjoyed our standard cookout with hamburgers, chicken, and corn on the cob done by TG on the grill, together with baked macaroni and cheese and an assortment of chips and lots of varieties of soft drinks.

For dessert, Erica had brought a Costco pumpkin pie (those are excellent, IYKYK) and there was leftover apple and cookies and cream pie from the night before.

It seems I can't get enough of ceramic pumpkins

Ember went home with Audrey and Dagny again.

The next morning we hung out and drank coffee, and eventually everyone gathered to spend last moments with Andrew and Brittany and Ember and Guy, and to say goodbye for the nonce.

The weather was perfect. Gentle sunshine, low humidity, a breeze. The first day of fall.

Give Aunt Audrey a kiss ... Ember was unwilling to be captured

Dagny, Ember, and Rhett found broken tree boughs and ran all over the yard hoisting them aloft, as though they were flying kites.

Eventually it was time for leavetakings, and as you know those are always difficult moments.

As you have no doubt begun to do, we are looking forward to the holidays when we are all together again.

Here's that new door wreath I was telling you about

Our number will have swelled to seventeen by that time, when all are present and accounted for. Two of that number will be tiny infants.

We'll be creative in how we deal with the accommodations and all the rest.

But first, today and for the coming days we are on baby watch, with Erica due for her second son on October second.

Ember was already unhappy to see the party come to an end

No plans have been made to force the issue. As of now, nature will be allowed to take its course.

However, at her appointment this Friday Erica plans to ask the doctor whether she can be admitted and induced on the baby's due date of next Monday, provided he has not yet been born.

No one knows how it will go. And that is part of the thrill of anticipation.

It's a waiting game

One thing is for sure: I will give a comprehensive report when there is something to tell.

With pictures and all appropriate commentary.

You know full well that the pirate is as good as her word.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Wednesday

Comments

[Mari]

I love this! A better surprise could not have happened!
I can only imagine Dagny's face. :) I know those kids had such fun playing together.
Baby Guy looks older already, and he looks long in that shot with Chad.
I like the wreath - great find!
I've been thinking of Erica and waiting for that message! I'm looking forward to hearing about the latest Weber grandbaby!

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... Guy IS long but somehow he looks longer in that picture, haha! And yes he looks older. I got to hold him for HOURS. Dagny was out of her mind with delight to have both Ember AND Baby Guy to play with! She held him for ages too. Yes the wreath is pretty much the bees knees. I shall inform you immediately when there is baby news! It may not be long! xoxo

[Lori]

What a wonderful surprise!! I just adore your family. Guy is such a long baby and so stinking cute! I'm sure Dagny was just over the moon with excitement. Your fall decorations are so cute. I have a love of gnomes and all of your are adorable. I'm sure you're all on pins and needles to welcome that new baby hopefully this week. Have a wonderful week.

[Jennifer]

@Lori ... hahaaha he was born at 5:56 this morning! I will share pictures later! xoxo

[Jeanette]

What a great surprise for your girls to be able to meet baby Guy that way! Love that wreath and it looks nice against your blue door! Like mine! Well, I saw you commented taht the new grandson has been born! Can't wait to hear all about it and see pictures! XO

[Jennifer]

@Jeanette ... haaahaha mercy girl, that door is black. I paint as many things black as I can. Or I ask TG to do it, haaaa! Yes it was an exciting surprise for everyone last week. Stay tuned for news of our latest grandson! xoxo

[AC]

Spontaneous times may be the best times.

[Jennifer]

@AC ... That is a wise observation. xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

I love surprises.. I was able to pull off a surprise for my dad last summer before our Sam left for deployment.
We were celebrating his birthday and originally the boys were not going to make it. But a change of plans ... YAY ... my dad was so happy.

I enjoyed this post... as always. Love, Carla