Dear Daddy,

Today Mummy took Molly and I to the Air Museum at Duxford http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/. We found out that because we live in Ickleton we can get in for free. I LOVED it! I saw lots of different planes take-off and we went into the American Air Museum just so we could find an A10 - they had one hanging from the ceiling! Here I am at the playpark there on the 'plane'. Molly didn't love it quite as much as me, but she did at least stay quiet for most of the time!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

This morning we had our Saturday trip into Saffron Walden I looked at tools for sale on the market with Grandad!

Then we came home and Grandad played with me. We had fun doing 'experiments' with tubes and water! It was really fun! I love doing anything like that and Mummy wondered whether you'd like to take a trip to the Science Museum in London with me when you come back on your mid-tour leave? They have lots of science experiments that I'd probably love!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday we had a busy day. We went into Cambridge and did some shopping with Nana. I got a brand new helicopter from the toy shop! It was SO hot and humid that we didn't stay too long. After that we went back to Nana's house and I had a water fight with Harriet. Molly watched from inside!

Here I am this morning, eating my toast! We are off to see Great-Granny today!

I need to speak to you about buying me some more track for my 'choo-choo's' ok?!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we went to Saffron Walden with Harriet. It was another beautiful day and we had a picnic at Bridge End Gardens http://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/main.cfm?Type=CLBEG&MenuId=338.

When we got home we played outside. Molly is funny, everytime you take out a camera she does her 'photo face' and here it is:

 Do you like her new shoes?

Here we all are with Lola too!

Miss you SO much Daddy. It was very nice to speak to you this evening ♥

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

You know how I hate drawing and writing? well today Mummy bribed me with M&M's and you also know how I will do pretty much anything for a 'weestie'. So, with the help of dots I wrote my name and practiced doing 'S's. I think I did very well for a 1st try. Im hopefully going to know all of my letters and be able to write my name before I go to pre-school on the 7th of September!

It's been a really nice day here again. Lots of sunshine! We played outside and Molly went in the wheelbarrow with uncle George! We also went to look down at the river to check and see if there were lots of fish in there. Mummy also took me to 'Scotsdale's' nursery and we looked at all their fish there too. They had LOADS! I even fed the huge Koi!  Here is a picture of Molly and uncle George!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we have done lots of playing outside as it's been a beautiful day. I have helped Grandad cut wood, been to the park and played on my firetruck with uncle George and Molly and picked fruit from the fruit trees - which we ate after dinner! Since Molly has got her teeth recently, I know you haven't really had a chance to see them at all. So Mummy took a picture of her for you...we laughed at her silly face!

Molly misses you too Daddy!!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday Mummy went to Ikea for a few hours and Grandad looked after me and Molly. It was really fun. We played with the play dough and made snails and played outside a lot. He even cooked us lunch. I was a really good boy and Molly was even good too.

Today Mummy took Molly and I to Great Grandma Jenny's house and we took her shopping on the base! she loved it - she even ate her first Charlies Sub!

Molly has 4 teeth now, the fourth one popped through 2ish days ago!

Mummy said that you couldn't talk to us tonight as you were too drunk. Good thing Mummy doesn't do that!

Here are George and I this evening playing in our cars. I had a broken lip as Lola bashed into me really hard as I carried my sticks and blood went down my white 'turtle' t-shirt that you got for me :( nevermind, it's ok now.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Sorry I haven't written for a few days. I didn't forget about you I promise! We have been busy! On Tuesday we went to Linton Zoo. Harriet came too as school is now finished for the summer. We saw lots of different animals - monkeys, lions, tigers, zebra. I was quite naughty though and ran away to 'find the giraffe' so Nana said we cant go back to any zoos until I learn how to be a good boy when we visit one as I also accidentally did lots of loud screaming and crying. I'm not quite sure why. I think maybe I was tired, or just having a bad day.

Today Mummy dropped us off REALLY early at Nana's house (6:20am) as she had to go to the base to take a class to learn how to drive in her own country - in case she forgot! We had fun, I played with the play dough and Harriet kept me entertained all day!

I love you and miss you very much Daddy! Here is a picture of me sleeping in bed! I miss you winding me up at bedtimes as Mummy doesn't do that!


Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Sorry it's been a few days! we've been busy! We went to the base and Nana and Harriet came with us! I got the coat that you sent me and I love it. I will be able to wear it when I start pre-school in September! Today we went to Saffron Walden with Shannon and Mummy! I wanted to find a battery powered Thomas for my track, but the toyshop didn't have them. So Mummy got me a tractor with a trailer instead.

The photo shows Molly in the sink! She had two days of soup-bum and needed to be washed - a LOT! it was gross! She is better now though. She has a doctors appointment on Monday to talk about her rubbish weight gain and then a 'health visitor' appointment on Tuesday so she can get a 'red book' like me!

I love you Daddy

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Yesterday I went out with Nana! we went to see Great Granny and then I went to her house and had lots of fun! Guess what...Mummy has her own car now! we went to collect it last night! I cant wait to go for a ride in it! Yesterday, Molly got scratched by Roger the cat, so this morning I tried to protect her from being scratched again. That's what the photo shows - me trying to protect Molly from the nasty cat.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we went to Nana Anns for a barbecue. I really had fun, I played with Harriet, Jimmy and Ryan. Nana has loads of playdoh at her house!

Before we left for Nana's I played on my ride-on toys that arrived in our shipment! Mummy also took a picture of me next to my sunflower. We each have one. You have one too. Mummy has one, so does Grandad, Nana Jo and George. George's is the tallest! 

Love Sam xxxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we went to Saffron Walden - our usual Saturday 'thing'. It was rainy and horrible, I got to hide under the rain cover for our Phil & Teds, something we NEVER did in Arizona! Then we went to the car shop and got Mummy a car! It's silver and we pick it up next week!

Molly now has 3 teeth Daddy! the top two teeth broke though 3 days ago - so now she has one at the bottom and two at the top! She has a gap too - like me and Mummy, so basically you're left out!

Here is a picture Mummy took - see what the movers did to our bookcase!!! They smashed it! :-(

Love Sam xxx

 Dear Daddy,

Today our things came from our old house. I was a bit confused as I still sometimes thought that we might be going back there, but now ALL my toys are here. So, that probably means that we are not going back to Tucson. Before the big truck came I played in the digger with Grandad. I got to move all the levers and make the bucket-thing move! It was fun! Molly and Mummy watched me!

Molly is feeling much better by the way. She doesnt have a fever anymore. She is still off her food but we both know that's just Molly!!

Miss you Daddy. LOVED talking to you on Skype last night!!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we went to play at http://www.tumbledowns.com/ it was really fun! I even went down the big slide! I did think at one point i'd lost Mummy though and went to the front desk and asked the lady to help me find her. Turns out id probably walked right past her anyway! This afternoon we went over to Nana Anns for dinner - although i didn't eat anything at all. I had blue pasta when I got back to Grandads though, so it was ok in the end.

Grandad grows his own organic broccoli and Molly thinks it's delicious (I dont!) Here she is eating it with uncle George last night at dinner time!

I miss you Daddy, hopefully tomorrow we are going to the base and we are going to send you a box!!

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

This morning I made mango ice lollies with Mummy. We blended whole chopped up mango, 6oz of tropical juice, 3 tablespoons of icing sugar and a tablespoon of lemon juice and just tipped into into the lolly thigies! They are delicious! Ive already eaten my way though the watermelon and raspberry ones we made, so we thought we'd better make some more.

After I did this I went to Tesco with Nana and did some shopping. I was a bit naughty this morning so this afternoon I took a nap to try and improve my behaviour. Here I am making the ice lollies!

Molly's fever has gone today, which is good. But she didnt want to eat any breakfast or lunch really, but Molly is always like that isn't she Daddy?

Love Sam

xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today I had my 'taster day' at pre-school. It was SO fun! They had sand and playdough, the also had firetrucks and a kitchen to play in. Outside they had a vegetable patch, a huge sandbox, a climbing frame with a slide, a play house and a 'diner'. I made 2 pictures and used TONS of glue! I also played with the other children outside going round and round in the cars. We got to have a snack together too! I can't wait to go back and see my friends again! I had so much fun I didnt even want to leave! I really hope that one day you will be able to take me or pick me up so you can see how fun it is! Maybe when you are back for your visit in February you will get to have a look as I will be going every day! 

Poor Molly had a high temperature this evening, we really hope she feels better soon! Mummy cant take anymore illness haha!

We miss you Daddybo!

Love Samuel xxx

Dear Daddy,

I have had a fun weekend. Yesterday we went to Great Grandma's house and had lunch. I got to eat tons of jelly! When we came home we went on a walk to the river. Nana Jo went into the river with me!

Today, we went to a barbecue at Andrews house. It was really good fun. I got to play with Chloe again and some other children too - although I was the only boy. I went swinging in the hammock and we made our own climbing frame! I would have loved you to be there (so would mama).

Tomorrow I go for my 'taster day' at pre-school. Mummy stays with me and I get to find out what it will be like for me in September!

Here I am with Jo in the river yesterday!

I love you Daddy,

Love Sam

Dear Daddy,

Today we went to Nana's house. We played for a while and then Shannon came over and we went and had lunch at the pub near Nana's. I had fish fingers and chips and beans (Molly helped me eat it!) I was a bit naughty and had a crying fit half way through lunch as I just wanted pasta! You know how I love pasta don't you Daddy?

Here is a picture of Molly this morning. She is probably my favourite sister! She is doing a LOT more walking recently - I wish you could see it!

I miss you Daddy,

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today was a rainy day. We went for a walk in the rain and I did lots of playing with George and Molly. Tomorrow we are going to Nana Anns, her chickens now live in the garden since I let them out!

Here I am, playing with George and Molly this morning.

I miss you Daddy.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we went to the base, Mummy and me posted you something! so get excited!! I saw planes again! We went to the BX and got Grandad a Cinnabon! I missed speaking to you on Skype today :( Tomorrow I will make sure Mummy takes a photo of me.

I love you Daddy, February is such a long time away - it makes me sad.

Love Sam

Dear Daddy,

Today I had SO much fun! I went driving in Andrews landrover and we went over all the rabbit holes in the meadow, it was bumpy - I even got to steer! Then I went to the river with Mummy, Molly, Nana-Jo and George. I went in the water with my shoes on! it was great! 

I miss you so much Daddy, we talk about you a lot.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today I had a lovely day. It was sunny and warm and we had some friends over. I made good friends with Chloe. We went in the paddling pool together and played in the sand too. We were outside almost all day!

Molly can say 'up' now, as well as 'cat' and 'uh-oh'. She is walking a lot more too, she walked around everywhere today!

Love Sam xx

Dear Daddy,

Today I went to see Great-Granny with Nana while Mummy went to look at cars. I had great fun. I played with my new friend Dylan and Rebecca took me on her quad-bike! Then this afternoon I played in the sand with Andrew and watched Number Jacks on TV while Mummy helped Gran-nan nail wood to the wall. I had blue pasta for dinner!! what did you have? I really liked talking to you on Skype today and so did Molly! 

I love you.

Love Sam xx

Dear Daddy,

I think im finally 100% recovered! Yesterday we had a day out with Nana, we went to play in the soft play area and I also ate cake!! We then went back to Nanas house and I decided that I wanted Nana's chickens to 'fly up to the sky' so I kindly let them out for her. Today Nana is coming to get me again so we can have fun as Harriet has a day off of school. I dont think she wants me to let her chickens out again though! I really wish you were here Daddy - ive forgotton your smell! Here is a picture of Mummy and Molly and George. It was early and she hadnt even brushed her hair! Mummy misses you a lot too.

Love Sam

Dear Daddy,

Sorry I haven't written for 2 days but I was so sick. Really sick. I ended up having to go to the doctors as I was just throwing up EVERY.THING Mummy gave me and I hadn't eaten for 4 days. The doctor was very nice and she said I didn't have anything wrong with me except a virus. She said I had 12hrs to stop being sick or I would have to go to hospital to get some fluids. Luckily my tummy heard her and stopped making me sick! Yesterday I felt much better and I was able to drink lots of water. I even went out with Nana Ann and we went to the toy shop and I got a playdough factory thing AND we went to look at motorcycles with Dave (but I like to call him 'Bobby' instead!!)

I have a pre-school visit organised for the 11th of July. Im so sad that you wont be able to come too :(

Here is a picture of Molly snuggled up with Lola! Molly is feeling much better too and she even ate some breakfast this morning! 

I love you Daddy

Love from Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Bad times :( I'm still sick. I haven't moved much all day again. We went out on a walk to see the river as it's really hot here but Grandad had to carry me in the carrier-back-pack as I'm too poorly to walk far. Mummy was getting a bit worried today as I really couldn't keep anything much down. Hopefully I will feel better tomorrow or I might have to make my 1st trip to the doctors here.

I love you so much Daddy and I wish so hard that you were here to lay down with me and make me feel better.

Love Sam. xx

Dear Daddy,

I'm still really sick :( I was being sick all day yesterday and a few times at night too. Luckily Ive only thrown up once today so far but I just feel so ill. I have a high temperature and I just don't want to move at all. We did go to the French Market in Saffron Walden this morning, but I just dozed the whole time and was very quiet. I wish you were here to give me a cuddle!

Dear Daddy,

I'm so sick :( I was up most of the night throwing up. Mummy let me come and sleep in bed with her as Molly had a fever too. Poor Mummy was going backwards and forwards between holding my sick bowl and taking Molly's temperature and giving her medicine. None of us slept much at all. I don't think Mummy even went to sleep. Here I am this morning feeling poorly with Lola. I have been sick 3 times this morning so far. I wish you were here to give me a cuddle!

Love Sam

xxx

Dear Daddy,

Molly has recently got really into climbing! she tries to climb on ANYTHING. Here she is two days after climbing on a box in the laundry room - she fell off and hit her face on a shelf! Poor Molly! You can see the bruise on her right cheek. She has also had a vomit bug. She sicked in her bed last night and she has thrown up a few times today too. Poor girl has had bad luck!

I love you Daddy, Molly really wishes Daddy was here to give her cuddles and make her feel better!

Love from Sam

Dear Daddy,

sorry I didnt write yesterday, we had a busy day at the base. Mummy went to see lots of different people! I saw LOTS of noisy planes too! They made Molly cry! I was very sad to hear about Grandpa Casey. I am glad that I got to meet him several times and I'm very glad that he got to meet Molly too. I will miss seeing him when we come to Ohio.

Here we are Daddy! playing in the sand. Molly loves splashing in wet sand! Notice how we're in long sleeves, no shorts and t-shirts here in England!! haha!

Dear Daddy,

It's Father's Day today and I miss you. I asked mummy again today if we could get in a plane and come and find you.

We spent the day at Nana Anns, we had lunch there and I played with Harriet. It was good fun! Im going to sleep much faster here than I did at home as Im so exhausted by bedtime!

Here is another one of my many, MANY webcam shots that I took all by myself!

Dear Daddy,

Today I stayed with Gran-nan and we did 'man stuff' while Mummy and Nana Jo and the babies went into Cambridge. This afternoon Mummy took me to the river while Molly napped. I saw fish swimming and lots of different plants! Im also getting really good at putting twigs down rabbit holes!

It was nice to see you on Skype today! I missed you yesterday!

Love Sam

Dear Daddy!

Here we are!! in my bedroom! Molly tried on your special hat that you let me keep!

Guess what Daddy! today we went into the meadow and took a container and I caught all kinds of insects. I found a ladyberg (and that is NOT a typo as you know!) a caterpillar, a bitey thing and a woodlouse. I wish you could have helped me!

It was nice to speak to you on Skype today again! I do wish you would wear something more than your underwear though!

Miss you Daddy

Love Sam xxx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4s6H4ku6ZY

Dear Daddy,

I thought the link might make you smile - like a 'cheese stick' I now know LOADS of the words. I sing it to mummy!! 'putting bottles on the ice, like a lizard....like a cheesestick' I like to sing it over and over actually. I also like to sing 'P!NK' and will sing 'right right turn out the light, we gonna lose our minds tonight, what's the deal yo?!' No one can say im not cultured Daddy!

Today I have come to the conclusion that you live in the computer! so that's what im sticking with for now as when I see you, that's where you always are! I wish you would stop living in there and come and live here with me! The bedtime routine isn't quite the same without you winding me up into an insane frenzy!

So, Daddy - today we played at home. Nana Ann popped over and helped me build my train track!

I miss you Daddy...a LOT xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today we went for a walk to the rec. I spent ages on the swings with Uncle George. I said that I missed you and that I 'wanted to go back to your house' so, I'm still confused about where you actually are!

Mummy found over 120pictures of me on the computer that id taken on the web cam all by myself! Here is one to show you:

 And for good measure here is one of me and Mummy. We have to use the webcam now as the camera has died and the cable is in the box you shipped to us - that still hasn't arrived!!

It was so good to see you today on Skype Daddy. I love you.

Love Sam

xxx

Dear Daddy,

I built a tower with Mummy using ALL of the blocks today - well actually, it's an 'airport'. Last night I decided I wanted to come 'home' to see you. Mummy explained where you were but I still don't quite understand really.

Today we went to Saffron Walden with Nana! we went to your favourite place - the Mocha!!! I even had a chocolate milkshake! Nana found me a massive trainset in your most hated shop! Im going to add it to the trainset I already have to make a HUGE one!

Miss you Daddy,

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

Today Nana Jo got some more balls for the play pen! I loved it! While Nana Jo and Mummy were at Tesco Gran-nan and I went to the shop and got some weesties and ate them under the big conker tree on the village green!

Here I am in our very own ball pit!

Dear Daddy,

Today we spent the day with Nana Ann. We went to a nursery (a plant nursery) but it had a play area which was SO fun - I even did a wee in it for good measure! This meant that Mummy had to take my wet trousers off and my wet underwear and thankfully she had a spare pair of my underwear in her bag - but no dry trousers. So I got to go around the rest of the nursery in my underwear! it was really fun! We went back to Nana's house and I played with Harriet and Ryan. We played choo-choos and I got a bubble gun which made bubbles ALL over the garden! I wish you could have been there!!

This picture is actually from yesterday but I thought it would make you smile. It shows a point when Mummy was in high demand with two babies hanging on her legs, both wanting to be picked up!

I miss you Daddy.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

I got a bit confused yesterday, I thought you were lost. It's hard for me to understand that you are away for so long. Mummy told me you were at work, but im wondering when you'll be home? Today I have been wondering if you will bring presents when you come back as Mummy said you might be back for my birthday next year. I hope you are. Today was a nice day outside, we played in the sand and on the swing. Here is Molly. She is feeling a bit better today and she LOVES the swing.

Im so confused about where you are Daddy and I cant wait to see you on Skype next week. I love you very much.

Love Sam xxx

Dear Daddy,

It's so nice having a dog again! I think Lola remembers me from when I was a baby! Today I stuck stickers on her to make her look pretty and she liked it!

Guess what Daddy!! Molly got her 1st tooth today! Sorry you missed it! I stuck my finger in her mouth as always and felt a sharp tooth poking through on her lower right side! Now she will be able to bite me!

Nana came over this morning and took some photos of Molly, George and I so hopefully there's some good ones I can show you! I

I hope you enjoy moving into your new dorm room tomorrow!

Love Sam ♥

Dear Daddy,

Poor Mummy - Molly was up almost all night as she has a cold today. Uncle George was up all night too with vomitation! When it rains it pours I suppose! Nevertheless we managed to get into Saffron Walden with Nana Ann and she got me a new plane and a sticker book!

I got to speak to you on Skype today as you're finally in Korea! The countdown is on!

Here I am eating grapes from Waitrose! 

we all  miss you Daddy. Molly wishes you were here to wipe her snotty nose!

Love Sam 

And, we're OFF

Dear Daddy,

we're off, our 'year' starts here. We made it. The flight was fun. I enjoyed seeing all of the different planes. Mummy made a video.

When I first arrived here at Gran-nans and Nana Jo's I was amazed by all of the flowers and trees! I couldn't believe how many differnt colours there were!

We went to see Great Grandma Jenny on Friday and yesterday we went to Saffron Walden and to Nana-Anns house. Today I have been helping Gran-nan in the garden with planting broccoli plants.

Molly is OK Daddy! she is doing lots of sleeping and playing with George.

Here we all are watching the computer with Gran-nan.

I love you Daddy

Love Sam

Dear Daddy,

It's our last day together for around 8 months. We wore our matching t-shirts. We went out to dinner AND lunch. I loved looking at the lobsters with you at Red Lobster. A nice man made me a balloon dog when we ate dinner at Texas Road House. I tried to be a really good boy as it was our last dinner together for a long time. I will miss you so much.

Love Sam

Dear Daddy,

we have 48hrs left with you. You're in high demand, mummy, Molly AND me all want to spend as much time with you as we can. We are living in the base hotel, which I LOVE as we are right near to my beloved 'blue slides' and you dont have to work so we have had fun going on walks to the 'X' and yesterday we went to the Children's Museum in Phoenix 

Here I am with Mummy.

Off  to climb on you some more while I can.

Love Sam xxx



Dear Daddy,

We have 13 days left together, the packers come on Sunday and Mummy is really trying to get things ready. I decided to help today. I put all of my balls into bin bags. I can't wait for you to finish work so we can spend our last days together for a while doing fun things. I love you Daddy.

Love Sam

Dear Daddy,

I will miss our lazy weekends together

that's all.

Love, Sam

Dear Daddy,

We have 25 days left with you. Molly is trying her best to take her 1st steps before you leave. She really doesnt want you to miss that milestone. The days are stressful, the movers come on the 19th to take away all our furniture and all of my toys. There is lots of things to do but mostly, I want to treasure our last days together. I will miss you so much

Love, Sam xx