"First" Stop Atlanta

Our summer vacation this year was a trip east to see Rob's siblings (Katy and Mike), their spouses (Big Derrick and Tara), nephews (Little Derrick and Evan), Dad and step-mother (Dick and Jackie), and Grandma (Ila). Here are the first of the photos - I've decided to split this into 3 large posts, rather than one monster. There's a bunch of pictures, so be warned.

After a night at my parents and trading them our Saturn Ion and dog for their Jeep Grand Cherokee and Pack N Play and an overnight stay in Alabama - we headed off to Mike & Tara's. They had graciously agreed to host this crazy gathering of 3 siblings, spouses, 4 kids and a set of grandparents. We arrived and the kids hit it off pretty quick. (Left to right: Kathryn, Elena, Derrick, and Evan)

Kathryn & her baby cousin Evan
Granddaddy Dick and Elena
Me with Elena and Little Derrick (in the background is Evan and Lola)
Dick & Jackie with their grandkids, at least from this half of the family. As a special treat, we planned an early family birthday party for Kathryn. If I remember correctly, the boys slept through it, but our little part animal strapped on her hat and binky and joined the fun.

Catherine (Katy) and Kathryn
Kathryn's cakeDick and Jackie departed for South Carolina and that was pretty much Sunday (with the exception of Elena discovering a whole new wail during the night).

On Monday, the kids had a portrait appointment (there will be a post of the proofs later) and then we just hung out and enjoyed each other's company.

Big Derrick and Elena got to know each other better. Check out the matching grins.
Katy gave horsey rides to all of the babies
We managed to get some good posed shots of the daddies and babies

And of the mommies and kids
These are some of my favorites from Tuesday morning before we left. This one looks like Evan and Elena are mid-conversation.
Nephew Evan and Uncle Rob

Then we headed off to see Great-Grandma Ila in Richmond, VA. That post should be up by Friday (yes, I am stretching this out, insert evil laugh here)

Finally, I'd like to thank Mike & Tara again for hosting us all, providing beds for my family, food, birthday cake, and decorations. We had such a wonderful (if a bit too short) time!

Happy Birthday

You've grown from adorable 18 month old to a beautiful teenager in the time I've known you. I am blessed to be your step-mother. Love you Kat.

Totally worth it

9 Days, 8 states, 2 motels, 4 houses, 2808 miles, and nearly 49 hours in the car

but on the other hand . . .

1 ECSTATIC Great Grandma, 2 happy sets of grandparents, 3 sibling together again for the first time since December 2005, and 4 cousins together for the first time

To quote MasterCard (which we used A LOT) - Priceless.

. . . pictures coming soon.

Is it a sombero . . .

Or a baby float?



On Saturday afternoon we FINALLY made it to the pool. Going to the pool for us is a bit of an ordeal, but it pays off. The only pool we have access to is a free indoor pool, but it takes about 20 minutes to drive there and you have to make reservations. But it is a nice pool (a variety depths and a spring board), you don't have to wear sunscreen, it's never overcrowded, and the life guards are attentive.

It was Laney's first dip in a pool. She warmed to it faster that she did the Gulf. She did get a little cold by the time we got her out.

An early birthday celebration

Kathryn turns 13 in early July, but due to our vacation and Kathryn's custody schedule (she's spending July with her mom) we had Kathryn's birthday party a few weeks early. We're still planning some family stuff closer to the actual day.

Loni, Kathryn and Grace at Fuddruckers. It was early and the place wasn't crowded so we let them have the Elvis booth to themselves.
Grace's oldest sister, Bethany, bought Kathryn a milkshake and the girls shared.
Rob and I have schmaltzy moment.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Birthday cupcakes and candles.
Kathryn opens gifts at home - a new monogrammed duffle bag (yes, that was a parental present, we'll have more fun gifts later), money for books and a fabric decoration kit.

The girls take a little of our birthday advice to Tara and dance like no one is watching.

How we spent Father's Day

First, we went to early church. Here's Rob with the girls . . .
Afterwards, we took him out to breakfast at the IHOP (he's crazy for the stuffed french toast) and then home for a while. In the afternoon we took him to the Natural Sciences Museum to see the Imperial Rome exhibit.
We had a good time (despite the fire alarm) and it was a good exhibit, just not quite what we expected. (Explain to me advertising that includes weaponry but an exhibit that includes only statuary and household goods) Still neat exhibit. Here's the girls at the museum. You can't read both the shirts, but Kathryn's says "My Dad Rocks" and Laney's say "I LOVE Daddy" - the rear end says "And Daddy loves me".
Laney's new thing - pushing her own stroller. This was quite funny yesterday at the musuem, she was very insistant!
Finally, dinner at home - one of Rob's favorite meals - Chicken Kiev (in this case the mini version made with tenders instead of breasts), Saffron Rice, and green peas.
Checking the blogs, it looks like everyone else had fun too! One more Happy Father's day to all those great guys out there.

A birthday wish for Tara

Live like it is Heaven on Earth
Work like you don't need the money

and Dance like no one is watching

Happy Birthday, Tara.

Love, Heather, Rob, Kathryn & Elena