Memorial Day 2011

Dave made it home (from his France deployment) just in time to celebrate Memorial Day. We attended service at Madingley American Military Cemetery, just outside Cambridge UK. It was a perfect day, not too hot with just a sprinkle here and there. I was so proud of Ava, she sat still, stood every time we were asked, held her hand over her heart during the anthem, and showed reverence during the laying of the wreaths. The little boys in front of us however didn't show much restraint. There was a nice fly over of 2 F-15 and a KC135 from local RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath bases.

After we ate lunch at Nando's we spent a few pounds at the arcade. Ava and Dave rode the virtual motion ride a few times (much to my surprise, I thought Ava was scared of all things "RIDE") I took on the basketball hoop and Ava sped off on the motor bike and danced the revolution.

Royal Wedding in England

I'm such a sucker for romance and it was an amazing experience to be living in England when Prince William and Kate Middleton married at Westminster Abbey, April 29 2011. The entire country was in full pride with Union Jacks flying everywhere, and almost the entire month being devoted to celebration. A lady from church held a little Viewing Party at her home, where we ate scones and other yummies while watching the 2+ hours of wedding madness. I told Ava that a real life princess was going to be married on TV and she really liked seeing the couple ride away in the horse drawn carriage. Like a nerd I took pictures of the TV, but none of them turned out very good. These pictures are from PEOPLE magazine online.

Catherine's "something borrowed" was a Cartier "halo" tiara, loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth II.

There wasn't a whole lot of affection during the ceremony but I did notice the newlyweds steal a moment for themselves. I couldn't believe that they weren't allowed to kiss at the alter and wished they would have been given that privilege.

Introducing, HRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! William and Kate make their exit from Westminster Abbey hand-in-hand.

Observing protocol while riding past the Cenotaph, William pays his respects with a salute while Kate bows her head. Maybe because we are a military family ourselves but I thought this was perfect.

I thought it was so special that they kissed twice while on the balcony. The crowds went wild and Kate blushed with love.

They had an eight-tier Fruitcake decorated with over 900 leaf and floral touches

The newlyweds drove out of Buckingham Palace in an Aston Martin convertible. The vintage car featured a license plate that read "JU5T WED" and a red "L" on the front, short for "learner's permit." He might be able to fly helicopters but he still needs that learners L.

Ava's Easter 2011

Easter was so late this year and poor Pops was gone so he didn't get to see Ava's excitement when she read the letter the Easter Bunny left. He said that he lad lost his eggs around our house and needed her to find them. She ran down stairs and immediately started collecting them for E.B. I was video tapping and helping her locate some of the hard to see eggs. She turned to me a few times and said "mama, I'm so happy" and " I love you Easter Bunny!" She went through the living and dinning room before looking through the blinds and seeing her JACKPOT of goodies.

We painted a birdhouse to celebrate the SPRING

Pops sent flowers for our 6th Anniversary, Ava loved how the delivery man handed them to her.

I invited Brett and Calli Nelson over for a turkey dinner. Normally we eat ham for Easter but we ate so much ham over the Christmas holidays that I opted for a delicious bird. Thanks to good friends it still felt like a holiday even though Dave was missing.

Ava extremely happy with her Easter goodies

A mouth full of chocolate and her new favourite princess movie.

Magical cheeping Chick

Were all ready for church with new outfits. Thanks Grandma Miller for the Easter dress.

After church our cul-de-sac had a bit of a block party, complete with bouncy castle and BBQ. It was nice to finally talk with our neighbours of 6 months. We live so close together and yet never have a moment to really get to know each other. This is Ava with Lucas, he is 6 months older then her and they love playing together. Lucas knocks on our door at least 3 times a day asking if she can come and play.

Last Days with Pops

If you knew that spending time with your husband was limited what would you do together? If you knew he would be gone for an unlimited amount of time, to a foreign (but safe) country, where he might have internet access and might have phone privileges how would you prepare? Now think about doing this with 1 days notice. Dropping him off only to find out 3 hours later you need to pick him up, and do it all over again in another 24 hours. To go through all the goodbyes again and get the phone call that once more things have been delayed for another 48 hours. Finally 4 days after his original departure date you once again drive him to his destination (this time getting out of the car only so you can hug and have a quick kiss) wave goodbye from the window and drive away, never to see him again (until the Air Force decides that you can.) This is the typical description of a extended TDY. . .

How about this "GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER LIBYA SO MY HUSBAND CAN COME HOME!"

We are extremely lucky as an Air Force family to have never gone through an actual deployment yet. Dave has been active duty for 8 years now and somehow we have never been called to give that kind of service. Which makes this TDY a seriously big deal for us. To make matters worse it all happened so quickly. There was no time to really be sad (although I found a moment or two) there was no organized plan of flying home and visiting with family (my parents had already bought tickets to visit England 6 weeks from Dave's departure) and no way to get a 3.5 year old to understand what was happening.

Surprisingly we spent our last days doing normal things. Dave mowed the grass and changed the propane on the BBQ. I did every scrap of laundry, made dinner and bought him last minute shower supplies. We watched movies in our pajamas and fell asleep on the couch. We tried new restaurants and took a family outing to a petting farm. There were evening walks and playing in the park. We kissed and kissed and kissed some more, every time trying to hold onto the feeling of our actual lips touching. Oh the pride and pleasure it is to have a husband in the military, but the pain and loneliness that sometimes comes with duty is hopefully shorted lived in the Miller family.

The Church Farm Petting Zoo

Trying out a new restaurant in Mildenhall

Last breakfast (turned out to be the 3rd to last)

Final photos (Ava was literally pulled from bed, so she looks rough for a reason)

We love and miss you Pop's, come home safe and soon!

Ava's World

Little kids and cameras are an instant attraction, and since the invention of digital cameras (and deleting) the attraction isn't really harmful. Ava has developed the art of "stealing the camera" and taking a few thousand pictures around the house. As I looked through the pictures that she took a thought came "this is how Ava sees the world." So here is a taste of Ava's 3.5 year old world. . .