4th Of July!

Dear Kate,

Hooray!  Mommy's home!!  Well, home at Mimi's that is.  I got back Monday night and you and Sister greeted me hugs galore at the airport.  After lots of snuggles and kisses and hugs (and a drive back to Munford!) I got to read you a book and put you to bed, something long overdue for sure!!  We spent the next couple of days at Mimi's getting ready for our big family reunion on the 4th of July.  It was Mammaw's family, so your great-grandmother and her brothers and sisters and their kiddos, and their kiddos and their kiddos (that would be you) and even some of THEIR kiddos!  Lots of folks.  But first, Mimi had a little Fourth celebration at her house.  She has the best spot to watch the Munford firework show and this year for some reason it was on Tuesday, the 2nd.  As usual, a gazillion friends joined us to watch the show and you enjoyed the entertainment for a bit...

However, you were exhausted (and so was your momma - jetlag!) so I put you to bed before the fireworks even got started.  I know, so sad, but I don't think you would have cared for them anyway, not to mention it was 9 before they got started!  You were perfectly fine sound asleep in the bed inside!!
Finally on Wednesday night Daddy came into town and everyone was so happy to see him.  And then the 4th rolled around and we were off to the reunion.  It had been 4 years since the last reunion so no one had met you so it was nice to show you off to all our family.  You enjoyed lots of things like blowing bubble with Gracie...

And copy catting what those big kids do!!

And, of course, sharing John Michael's popsicle.  We had 1 million desserts but the ice cream truck found his way over to our picnic.  JM was super nice to share with you and I'm not real sure how much he got himself!

Oh, you thought you didn't get your own?  No, you had your own, just finished it and wanted some of JM's!

Surprisingly, it wasn't too hot that day (we've had great weather all summer), but the day grew longer and it was about time for you to try to take a nap.  Mimi insisted on pictures first, so we took our infamous family photos! Here's Mimi and her crew!

And your great-grandparents - Mammaw and Pawpaw

And, of course, us.  Can you tell who's being the ham??? :)

Then it was time for Mammaw and her great-grandchildren.  Guess who was in full blown silly mode????

Yep, you.  Finally I had to pick you up and let Mammaw hold you, which resulted in full blown mood swing!

After a drink of water from Daddy, you cheered up...

Then it was off to nap, in the car, as I drove around.  It took a total of 4.8 minutes before you were out. We didn't stay too much longer and since we had such a long day, we decided to just chill that night.  We also chilled because we were getting up in the morning and heading straight out of town.  Oh, you think we went home? Nah, we headed to the lake to meet Ash-ash and Uncle Jay.  We got their Friday around noonish, just in time to hop on the boat.  We got some yucky weather a couple times, but it was nice to be on the boat, as always!

You love the boat, which is a good thing because the rest of your fam does too.  And, just like the rest of us, the boat wears you out.  But that's what naps are for!

Daddy is getting very good at driving.  So good, I think he needs to purchase one himself, what do you think???  See how sweet you two are, loving that boat?

And loving the water!

On Saturday, we had much better luck with the weather and went for a long drive down the TN river.  We eventually met up with Bibi and you spend some quality time playing with her on their boat.  We hung with them for a little bit then made our way back to the lake where we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the water.  We love love love going to the lake with Ash-ash.  It's so laid back and relaxing, and always a good time.
On Sunday we did finally make it back home.  I think every one of us was super excited to step foot in our house, in our bed and me, personally, in my shower!  Those Europeans don't know how to do showers right :)
It was a great 4th of July and a great vacation, but now we're back as a family!  Let the rest of the summer begin!!
Love you sweet Kate!