Family Reunion

Watching Uncle Kevin play his racing game

We went down to my grandmother's house in Tennessee for our annual family reunion.  I think Robbie is getting better about his car rides.  We decided to do day time diving only this time, and Robbie did very good.  We didn't have to make any special stops for him on the way down or on the way back up, which was great.  He even slept through a thunderstorm we drove through while we drove through Kentucky.  Even the lightning strike that struck a telephone pole about 200 or so feet in front of the car while we were driving didn't make him stir.

Being a ham

Sleep was another matter once we got there.  The first night he simply would not sleep in his pack and play.  He would only sleep in the bed with mommy and daddy, and this bed was only a twin so barely enough room for us let alone Robbie.  The other two nights we spent there were better but sleep was not something we got a lot of while we were there.

Posing

During the day Robbie did much better and had a great time.  He enjoyed watching Uncle Kevin play his racing game.  We also took a trip to a park called Fall Creek Falls with Tante Kortney and Papi.  It was hot out 90 some degrees but Robbie got to play in the water for a bit to cool off.

Eating corn right off the cob

Robbie also decided he was going to be a big boy while he was there.  He started eating corn right off the cob, so now he loves corn even more.  He also wanted to wear his big boy underwear (i.e. regular underwear not trainers).  He ended up "sticking out" of his underwear and pointing at it with pride, which made everyone crack up laughing.  He later was watching his uncles though the sliding glass door with this big grin on his face. A few minutes later Granny asked why is the floor wet?  Ummm . . . . . . oops! And more laughs ensued.

Sleeping right through the thunderstorm 

Looking out at the lake at Fall Creek Falls

Robbie has a fascination with rocks

Nashville

After Granny's house we drove over to Nashville for Kelly's 10 year class reunion.  It was nice to see some of her friends from high school that I had never met.  Kelly had a good time reminiscing with them, and we got to walk around the halls of the school as well.  Unlike my class reunion where we reserved the upstairs of a bar, at hers we walked around her school cleaning up trash, and then we had a picnic.  There was a formal dinner the next night but we didn't go to that.  

After the reunion we got to hang out with her family for a couple days.  Robbie enjoyed playing with their dog who is older and pretty much just laid there and let Robbie pet her.  The two days we were there the temperature was near the mid 90's so on Sunday we all went to the hotel pool to cool off.  On our way to the pool we made a quick pit stop at the mansion we were married in and took a few pictures.  Robbie was asleep for them, but he needed his nap.

High five with Kelly's sister Kortney 

Tickle Tickle

Picture on the steps of Two Rivers Mansion, where we
were married

Swimming at the pool

Visiting Granny

After Myrtle Beach we headed to Kelly's grandmother's house for a visit.  Robbie had a good time and so did Granny.  We visited Kelly's grandfather's grave and Robbie just wanted to hang out around his head stone and foot stone, and did not have much interest in moving.  Whether it meant something or not it did make for some memorable pictures for us.

Robbie wanted to help clean the dishes, but only got to
clean his feet

Cleaning up his the water he splashed while playing
in the sink

Kelly and Granny re-potting some plants (dirty hands)

Meet The Family

Rather than drive the whole way to Myrtle Beach in one trip, which would have been a lot for Robbie, we stayed a night in Greensboro, NC where some of my family lives.  We drove overnight so after breakfast we met my cousin Shelly at a playground where she got to play with Robbie.  He's usually pretty tentative when meeting new people but seemed to take right to her.  Later we met the rest of the family for lunch.  At this point Robbie had not had a nap yet (too much going on to sleep), and was pretty tired.  Unfortunately he didn't interact with them too much, he was more interested in his mommy milk at that point.  After that it was time to check into the hotel and crash.

Cousin Shelly at the park

Uncle Bob, cousins Amy and Shelly, and Aunt Priscilla 

Vincennes

Ba Ba was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, so Robbie and I made a trip to Vincennes, IN to see him and get paperwork taken care of.  It wasn't an easy trip but one I'm glad I made.

Monterey & the family reunion

Here are some good photo ops from the trip to Monterey, TN for Kelly's family reunion.  Robbie did pretty good for the most part being in an unusual place.  He also got to spend some time with each of the family members that were staying with us at Granny's house.

Robbie with Tante Kortney and
Kelly's god mother's son Dale

Grandpa sleeping with the animals

Robbie playing patty cake with Granny

Robbie sleeping with Kortney
(it was a rough first night)

Hello Uncle Kevin!

Uncle Kevin is pretty cool.  He let me sleep on his bed, and play with his teddy bears.  We even shared shades.  I tried to keep them on, but they were just too big for me.  He's my youngest uncle, but I think he's the tallest.  Don't tell Uncle Kenneth and Uncle Chris I said that though!  He's going to be going to the University of Tennessee in August, so I won't get to see him too much, but I hope I get to see him again before he leaves!

Robbie chilling out with Uncle Kevin

Uncle Kevin's Graduation

Finally, the big day was here!  The reason why we went to Nashville.  Uncle Kevin's Graduation!  It was hot, very hot, and crowded.  And loud.  Robbie did very well, until people around us started screaming.  Then we walked around for a little bit.  We weren't able to all sit together, but Robbie made the rounds to see everyone.  We tried to video record everything, but it wasn't easy keeping the camera still with the baby around.  Since everyone was wearing Red, the school colors, it helped though.  Robbie's favorite color is Red!

Front Row: Kelly, Robbie, Nana Connie, Tante Kortney,
Step-Great-Grandma Janice, Great Grandma Gran-Gran.
Second Row: Uncle Kenneth, Matthew, Uncle Kevin,
Papi Richard, Great-Grandpa Baw-Baw.

After it was all done, we all had a bathroom break, and then went outside for pictures.  Luckily there were some non-family people with us that were willing to play photographer so we could all get in the pictures.  We took every combination of pictures imaginable.  When we were all done, we joined the queue trying to get out of the parking garage and headed home to decide where to go for dinner.  What a celebration!

The children: Kelly, Kevin, Kortney, Kenneth, and Robbie

Hi Tante Kortney!

Tante Kortney is very special to Robbie.  She is his only Aunt, but rather than be called a bug's name, she chose Tante as her name.  That's okay.  Robbie will be able to say it one day.

Tante wasn't feeling too good when we came to visit.  Robbie tried to make her feel better, and in return, Tante let Robbie play with her teddy bear.  Finally, a bear that makes Robbie look small!

Hi Papi!

Papi, I can't quite figure you out.  You are one cool dude though.  You have this fun chest hair to pull, and gave me a talking Eeyore.  Every time you talk, I have to stop what I'm doing to listen and look.  You've got really cool glasses that change color in the sun.  And as long as my belly is full and I can see Mommy, I'm happy hanging out with you.  Will you show me how to use the chainsaw?  Or lawn mower?  We don't have those at my house, Papi.

Hello Again Nana!

Robbie remembered my mom, Nana.  She came to see him right after he was born, and he also has gotten used to hearing her voice on the phone when I call her.  I think we even have a video of Robbie talking on the phone to Nana before he was 5 months old.  So when we got to Nashville, Robbie was glad to see Nana again.  They played games, and it was good to have someone else besides Matt and myself that he would go to for a few minutes.

Hello Uncle Kenneth!

Uncle Kenneth and Robbie

I think Robbie likes Uncle Kenneth.  They played some games together, and got to know each other pretty well.  Robbie was okay while Uncle Kenneth held him, which says quite a bit.  Robbie doesn't like to go to just any guy...he's a ladies' man!  Usually when Robbie started to fuss, Uncle Kenneth just had to talk to him or make a face at him and Robbie started to smile and laugh.  It won't be long before they can run around and chase each other, play outside or make mud pies. Robbie can't wait!  

Robbie's First Road Trip

We were preparing for Robbie's first overnight road trip to Nashville.  This would be the first time Robbie has been out of Northeast Ohio and even to another state.  My younger brother Kevin was graduating from High School and we wanted to be there to commemorate.

I was really nervous and excited since this would be the first time for most of my family to see Robbie.  My mom, Nana, came in January for a few days to see Robbie and help out, but the rest of my family couldn't make it.  So of course, I had two different checklists going, and I started packing a week in advance.  He had one bag for clothes, one for diapers and burp cloths, and one for towels and blankets.  The hotel we would be staying at had a swimming pool and I was curious to see what Robbie thought of it.

I spent all day Thursday packing, putting everything in the van in just the right place.  We would be leaving at night and traveling the 8 to 9 hours overnight so Robbie would be asleep most of the time and we could travel further faster.  Matt would be driving first so I wasn't worried about having enough sleep.  I've become very good at sleeping anywhere anytime.  New moms out there know what I mean.  Robbie and I went next door to our good neighbor Maria's for a few hours so Matt could get some peace and quiet and hopefully sleep.  I'm not sure how well it worked but we tried.

When we came back, we woke Matt up, and then I hovered and sat around bouncing with excitement.  I think I made him really nervous but I could hardly wait for us to get on the road.  I wanted Robbie to meet his grandfather Papi, his uncles Kenneth and Kevin, and his favorite aunt Tante Kortney.  Then there was extended family to meet as well.  What a busy weekend we have planned; I just hope we all survive it since we don't know how Robbie will act in a new place, sleeping in a strange hotel room, and being around all sorts of strange people.

Nashville or bust!