Visiting Uncle Clay and Aunt Karen at Fort Drum

by Madison and Luke

Over the past week, we traveled to Fort Drum, New York to visit our aunt and uncle. Fort Drum is in Watertown, NY, 30 miles south of Canada on Lake Ontario. We had a fantastic trip and really enjoyed seeing our aunt and uncle. The weather was great-nice and cold for us to enjoy! While Madison has been to Fort Drum once before (she was seven months old, and it was just before Uncle Clay left for Afghanistan), Luke was a first-timer to the Mid-Atlantic area. We hope to go back and are even hoping to be stationed there next.

Our trip started with an approximately 14 hour drive. We broke this up into two seven hour days, staying overnight at the Comfort Suites in Hagerstown, MD. The second day, we jumped on I-81 and took it north until it almost ends. We went to the top of NY! All Mommy and Daddy have to say is THANK GOODNESS FOR IN-CAR DVD PLAYERS!!!!!

Here are some of the fun things we did while there:

Sacket's Harbor, NY...this is where Aunt Karen and Uncle Clay live.

Their complex, Madison Barracks (Madison liked the name) used to be a post during the War of 1812. It's been renovated and is like a small town.

View from their place...they live right on Lake Ontario

We spent a lot of time playing outside. It was in the 40's during the day. Luke, who loves to be warm, loved the fleece stroller insert Mommy put in.

Madison loved the outdoors...the cold didn't bother her!

Checking on Luke for Mommy...I had to make sure he was okay, even though Mommy said he was fine.

It was SO much fun plaing with Lucy and Uncle Clay

Hanging out with Aunt Karen was a lot of fun, and I loved the apple pie she made.

Luke had a bad cold he couldn't shake (started in NC), so he was a little under the weather.

Madison LOVES, LOVES, LOVES apple cider (who doesn't??), so we took a trip to the local cider mill. As you can see, she's cheesing up the pictures.

One of many attempts for a Christmas card picture...nope

Too bad Luke isn't their kid...this would work for a card

The falls were at the cider mill. Everyone enjoyed hot apple cider, except Mommy, who likes hers cold. Madison discovered she HATES hot apple cider and opted for the cold stuff with Mommy. Luke, once again, was not allowed to partake in the fun.

Now, hot apple pie with ice cream is a different story...

Lucy, Uncle Clay, Aunt Karen, and Desi

Back outside

Mommy loves this picture and says it reminds her of the opening scene to Little House on the Prairie.

Being silly with Daddy

Chasing Lucy

Alone time

Another attempt at a holiday picture...nope

The cold weather convinced me to wear my hat

Luke-feeling a little better

Strike Three

The drought has affected Lake Ontario. Where they are walking should be underwater.

Luke was glad to be home and glad to be over his cold.

Even Bear didn't seem to mind a baby petting him.