Lower 48

Molly and I have made the trip to the lower 48 to visit family while we wait for the phone call from Jon saying he is one his way for our mini-vacation. The Army lets you come home for 2 weeks if you are deployed for a year and so we decided to meet in Texas where it is warm, there is good food, you can easily drive to fun places and Jon can run outside without getting frostbite.
While we wait Molly and I are visiting family and friends. We have seen all the grandparents/aunts/uncles and cousins who live in the US (sorry Brian) and will be going to see my grandparents, aunts and uncles this week in Tennessee. My mom and her sister are meeting to sell the Key family farm.
Molly will get to go on many flights in the next few weeks and I am thankful to know that if I put her on the ground below my feet she will close her eyes and go to sleep. Let's hope she continues to be a good traveler - she hates her car seat but she loves going places - oh boy!
Here are some picture highlights from the past week.
Aunt Jenn feeding the goats at the Reston Zoo. Molly wanted some of that tasty looking food but Grandma McP won't let her.

Just monkeying around.

Grandpa McP, Grandma McP (with Molly in her arms) and Aunt Jenn. Molly isn't getting spoiled or anything during this trip (note sarcasm)

Molly's first sheep encounter - not so sure about these animals she is much more used to moose, bears and whales.

Molly, Aunt Jenn and I went to the Baltimore Aquarium. This is them in front of the shark teeth. Word to the wise - the 4-d movie experience means they blow water and air on you. Please note when bringing a small child who is tired it is best not to put them in front of the water blower - the surprise water on their face makes them a little unhappy. Also when the air blows on the moms feet (making you think a snake and rats are getting you) and she jumps and almost drops the child that also upsets them. Aunt Jenn was nice enough to let us leave the experience early b/c I kept jumping and Molly kept waking up crying.

The dolphin show - much more our speed. Nothing crazy coming at you.

Molly and I in the water fountain at the Inner Harbor.

A week with Carey

This past week my friend Carey flew up for a jam packed week of fun! We went to the state fair, had a crab bake, she few to Denali, we went up the tram at Aleyska and then hiked the hand-tram hike, rode the train to Seward and hung out all day and of course saw moose, bear and whales in the wild.
Here are a few picture highlights of the week.

Carey with Molly - notice Molly's hairdo has wore off on Carey by the end of a week together.
Momma Beluga whale at Beluga Point no less. Her baby would come up after her so no picture of them together.
Carey and I testing out the 10 pounds of crab for our Labor Day grill out. I actually like seafood now.
Molly roasting her first marshmallow. Don't worry she didn't get to eat it just play in the fire while roasting it.
A nice kayak ride around Mirror Lake to finish off our Labor Day party.
Molly with the Sea Lion at the Seward Sea Life Center.
Molly touching Nemo's home (I don't know how to spell that). It was a lot more sticky than I thought it would be but she didn't seem to mind it.
Molly taking a cat nap on one of our many walks.
Molly's first railroad trip. This is actually a posed picture the day we rode the train we got up at 5am so I wasn't thinking too clearly - we had to go back and buy the hat and take the picture a few days later.

Molly after the hand-tram hike - she really likes that hike.
Molly kissing a moose in Talkeetna. This is one of the towns that the TV show Northern Exposure was based on. We drove here so Carey could get in a plane a fly to Denali.
Carey getting ready to fly. Molly and I walked around town and soaked up the sun while Carey landed on part of Mt. McKinley.
Carey, Molly and I with a perfect view of Mount McKinley behind us. Only about 30% of visitors to the state actually get to see the mountain because the weather is usually bad and there are lots of clouds. All my guests have been able to see it so far though.
The state fair!
It was miner's day so we got hats - oh boy.

A fun little walk along the Tony Knowles.

Food Glorious Food

Molly had her 6 month appointment and is still in the 25% for her height and weight and 50% for her head. The doctor recommended that we start her on rice cereal for the iron. Our original plan was to wait until she saw Jon to eat but I want to make sure she is nourished more than saving milestones for daddy. So the other day we started on cereal - the fun stuff we will save for Jon.

Molly's last day of a liquid diet
My little helper - if she had to eat she at least wanted to help. This was her first time ever to eat food!
The pictures below are her second time to eat. Tina was around to take pictures so there are a few more fun ones.

"Not so bad mom"
"Wait I hate this" - followed by a whole body shiver. She tolerates the rice cereal I wouldn't say it is her favorite but it is worth it for the nourishment.
Molly cleaned up after her meal
The fun thing about food is I manage to find it everywhere. The first night we had a lot of cereal snot, moose in our hair and under our multiple chins.