While I was unable to spend father's day with my 3 babies, I was able to spend father's day with my Dad.  He flew into Hartford on Thursday after a 2 hour delay due to rain and arrived just before 10.  I drove to Hartford through the rain and had to stop twice to fix my windshield wiper which kept coming off.  I made it to the airport though and my dad was able to improvise and cram some stuff in the wiper to prevent it from slipping off on the way back to base.  After our 75 minutes back to base, we went to bed.  
On Friday morning we woke up and got ready for our day.  My dad was able to experience morning colors(flag raising and National Anthem) at 0800 and then we went to breakfast in town.  Following breakfast we went to the Nautilus museum where we spent 3 hours looking at all of the displays and the USS Nautilus.  It was also the change of command for the Nautilus so there was a reception at the museum with a bunch of food, an Admiral, and a bunch of Captains and Commanders.  I wasn't in uniform so I just tried to blend in with all of the civilians.  While we were touring the Nautilus, the USS Springfield, a Los-Angeles Class Attack Submarine, was going out to sea so we were able to watch them leave port from the deck of the Nautilus.  Following the museum, we went to the base golf course which is only 9 holes and my Dad spent a lot of time with me teaching me how to properly swing a golf club.  Then after a bucket of balls on the driving range, we hit the course.  There wasn't really anyone out there so we took our time and really got some good practice in for our 18 hole course on Saturday out in town.  It took us about 4 hours to play the 9 holes and I definitely made a lot of ground in my limited golf game.  Following our round of golf, we went to Outback for dinner with my friend Steve and then came back to the hotel and watched Grand Torino which was a good movie.  
On Saturday, we woke up, observed colors again at 0800, and then we went to breakfast to fuel up for our 18 holes at Norwich.  It was a beautiful course and it looked like the weather wasn't going to hold out since there was a large storm rolling in from the West.  This was also supposed to be the case on Friday but for some reason, the storms never made it to our location.  It just stayed mostly cloudy, breezy, and extremely comfortable.  We played our 18 holes and I made a lot more progress.  Overall, it was just a great to be out on the golf course with my Dad for the first time.  After golf, we bowled 3 games at the base bowling alley and then went back to the room so I could put my uniform on.  Then we walked down to the pier and I asked the USS Greeneville to give my Dad and I a tour which they happily obliged to.  They were great.  They were leaving the next morning and had a lot going on but took 2 hours to show us around.  They had to rig the sub for visitors since my Dad doesn’t have the security clearance to see some of the stuff on the sub but it didn’t take long to do that.  We were able to go up to the bridge and look out the very top of the sail, my dad got to look through the periscope, see the berthings, the 1 head(bathroom in the Navy) that I will share with 19 other Officers, the wardroom, the CO’s stateroom, the torpedo room(where people were sleeping), and the crews mess along with some other random spaces.  They answered all of his questions and it was great to be able to have him see where I will be spending the majority of my time over the next 3 years.  On Sunday, we woke up and went to breakfast with my friend Steve again.  It was packed at the restaurant since it was Fathers Day but we didn’t have to wait long.  After breakfast, it was time to make the drive back to the airport so my Dad could catch his flight home.  I’m really glad he was able to come up for the weekend because it was the first opportunity we have ever had to do something like this and it will probably be some time before we will be able to do something like this again.  The next time we play golf together, it will be in Hawaii!

To Chris/Daddy: Happy Fathers Day! We all miss you very, very much.

You are the best Dad in the world! You are so loving and kind- you give the best hugs!
Thank you for the hard work you do and for all the sacrifices you make for our family.
I know this won't be the last Fathers Day we will be apart, but you are always with us in our hearts so we are never really apart from each other.
The kids talk about you every day and say how much they miss you. They miss you flying them to bed at night and playing with them on the floor. Every day Joey looks and acts more and more like you- I call him  my "little Daddy"!
When they see a picture of you on the computer their little eyes light up- we are counting down the days until we see you again (11!) 
   LOVE YOU, Laura (your soul mate), Joey- your little man, Sophie- your tender hearted tough princess, and Vangie- your baby. oh, and Stella too- your cuddly rescue puppy.

The other day the kids and I went to the grocery store. I gave them each a baggie of crackers to snack on. This was about 1pm. That night at 9pm Joey found a cracker in his hair!!! From when we were at the grocery store! I then began to think it was time for Joey to get a haircut. He wants long hair, but is too young to take care of it.

Today we went and got Joey a haircut. It looks so much better! He is such a handsome little man- just like his daddy.  It is finally warm out here in Michigan- 80 degrees today. The kids and I are getting ready to go to Perkins Pond and lay out in the sun. Okay, I will be laying out in the sun- they will be swimming/ playing in the sand/riding the paddle boat.

Vacation Bible school has come to a close- thanks for all the prayers! It went really well and 16 kids gave there hearts to Jesus- it was a very moving week.

I have posted some new pics- hope you enjoy!

I haven't posted in a while, things have been busy and hectic around here. By the time the kids are in bed and I have time to post I am too tired!
   Joey finally lost his loose front tooth. It came out last night with a little help from mommy and some dental floss. It was soooo loose! The tooth-fairy came and left a dollar under Joey's pillow- he was so excited this morning- he told me he saw the tooth-fairy and that she was a tiny ball of light.
    The kids helped papa make a HUGE fruit salad the other night- watermelon, muss-melon, honey dew, blueberries, strawberries,pineapple.... they each ate two great big bowls. (Vangie was already in bed getting her beauty sleep when this happened.)
    Vangie went to the Dr. Last Monday, she had a red throat and red ears, cough, runny nose.... she just felt bad! We got her on some antibiotics and now she is back to her spunky self.
     Vacation Bible school started today! The kids had a great time- I ran the craft room and things went very well. It also finally got warm here! It hit 80 degrees this afternoon so of course we had to go to Perkins Pond and play in the sand and water. 
   17 days until Chris flies home for the 4th of July celebration at Perkins Pond! We can't wait!

It's Monday evening and I'm all alone again.  Laura and I had a great time this weekend and we stayed really busy.  She arrived Thursday afternoon and we stopped in Mystic, CT for dinner which is only 8 miles up I-95 from Groton.  We had dinner at a seafood restaurant on Mystic Bay, S & P Oyster Co,  and I tried raw oysters for the first time.  I ate one and came to the realization that it was just like drinking sea water.  On Friday we woke up and ran 9 miles and then we had our meeting with the Navy lawyer(JAG) to make up our will. This way if anything bad were to happen to Laura and/or I, our desires would be clearly stated.  Then we ate a late lunch at a nice pizza place, Pizzettas, in Mystic once again.  Friday was pretty much a typical day in Groton, rainy and cool which is why it is dubbed Rotten Groton.  We also went to the mall and shopped a little indoors.  
On Saturday, we woke up to blue skies and warm weather and ran 6 miles to Bluff point State park, which is along the ocean, ran 5 miles there, and then the 6 back to base.  After this we went to a Thai restaurant in New London which is right across the Thames river from Groton and it was great.  After we ate we stopped at the USS Nautilus museum which is right outside the front gate of the base and toured the Navy's first nuclear powered submarine.  There was also a building completely dedicate to the history of the US Navy Submarines service which was really neat.  We had planned on going to the casino this night but we opted to watch a movie at the base theater and then we bowled a few games afterwards at the base bowling alley.  On Sunday, we ran once again but only 6 miles this time.  Then since it was still early, we went to the casino to check it out.  Mohegan Sun is less than 10 miles from here and that is where most of the single guys spend their time.  Supposedly it's the biggest casino in the US but I haven't confirmed that anywhere reputable.  It does have several casinos within it such as the Earth casino, Wind Casino, etc.  So we just grabbed some coffee's and walked around and shopped a little more, but we didn't gamble.  I didn't feel like giving any money away.  Following this we grabbed some lunch and then came back to pack.  I took Laura to the airport about 2 and they let me through security so I was able to see her onto the plane.  
So each day this weekend I got to go running(32 miles total) and I got to eat a really good meal at someplace new.  Now I just have 2 weeks of actual Submarine curriculum to get through consisting of 5 exams and then I will get to spend a weekend with my Dad here in Groton.  My last 3 weeks here will consist of leadership training and firefighting and flooding trainers. 
It is also worthy to note that the digital display that you see when you first drive onto the base was not reset.  It has a banner which states how many days there have been since the last DUI.   Currently it is at 10 but every single weekend I have been here, it has been reset, and I mean every.  The last time it was reset was on a Thursday which is why it is at 10 already.  So maybe Laura was good luck!   

I am so excited! I am getting ready to leave for the airport to fly to Groton, CT to see Chris for the weekend! Grandma Perkins is watching the kids so please pray that she is filled with extra energy! I am so thankful that I am able to go on this trip! Chris and I haven't had a weekend alone in about a year and a half.  Also pray for Chris because I am making him do a couple long runs with me while I am there..... Ha ha ha ha (evil laugh).

Yesterday I had a great 16 mile training run. Above is a new picture that I took just outside of Stanton, MI. I also ran by a turtle- there is so much wildlife and beautiful scenery here in the country.

The kids are enjoying their summer vacation- even if it is only in the 60's here (sooooo cold!) Yesterday I actually put on my winter coat to go to the store!  At least its warm in Hawaii!!!

Also, yesterday Vangie found the child scissors and cut her hair! Only the top on one side so it is not that noticeable- this is a first for me, neither of the other children ever did that!