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

First Hair Cut

My aunt Peg was in town and had cut my hair for my first hair cut.  So it was only fitting for her to do Robbie's as well.  While he didn't really need a hair cut, he could use a trim.  He enjoyed having the wet comb go though his hair and wanted to dunk it and comb his own hair.  He was a little more typical when it came to actually cutting his hair.  Every time Peg was about to make a cut he would move his head.  He didn't like having his hair tugged on when she was about to do the actual cutting, plus we think it tickled him a little.  Eventually I had to help hold his head still so we could do at least some trimming, he didn't like that at all.  Holding his head only went so far, so to keep him calm enough to finish as best she could Robbie got some mommy milk.  That was a first for Peg, she had never cut hair of a child that was nursing.

Getting ready for the first snip

I want to do it myself

You guys are mean

Front shot afterwards, seems happy again

Shot of the back

See it wasn't so bad

The McNally's

Playing with Kristy who has one in the oven

Robbie playing with moose

My aunt Peg (my mom's sister) was in town this weekend, the last time we saw her Robbie was still in his mommy's belly.  She was staying with my uncle John and aunt Ann for the first couple of days so we went over there to go see her and the rest of the McNally's.  Robbie clung to Grammy for a good portion of the night.  Which was nice for Kelly and me to just enjoy ourselves, but I also know that my mom wanted to spend time with Peg.  Robbie also had a good time playing with their dog Moose, which is good because usually he really wants to go see dogs but changes his mind when he actually gets the chance to pet them.  What made it even more amazing is that Moose was also quite interested in him and that is usually when Robbie wants to get away.  He wasn't too keen on Moose's enthusiasm but he wasn't screaming to get picked up either, so progress is being made.

Moose, Grammy, Carol, 2nd Cousin Jessica,  Great Uncle John,
"Fab" Aunt Peg,  Michelle, Robbie, & Mommy

Silly Jessica

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 

Foot Loose

Robbie is fairly well known for his dancing among friends and family.  Whether is be when he's happy or just hears a catchy song.  When my parents were over on Sunday he started to dance to Foot Loose.  We couldn't resist recording it, it's a bit long but enjoyable.  That same night we also go a video of the often talked about but never video taped Robbie moon crawl.  We find it quite funny how he crawls backwards sometimes, and we have named it moon crawling.

Robbie Plays With Grampy

This past Sunday my parents came over for dinner.  Robbie had a lot of fun playing with Grampy swinging him around in a box.  It was really great seeing the two of them have a good time.  My dad doesn't get to spend as much time with Robbie and my mom since she baby sits for us a couple days a week while we work.  Below is a video of them playing.

Kelly's family

Kelly's family showed up today from Nashville.  We had just moved into the new house on Sunday, so them showing up will be a big help in getting things ready for Robbie birthday party.  They left much later than they had planned, and ended up driving though the night.  We weren't sure for a while if they were going to make it because there were some issues with the trailer wheel bearings they came up with, but luckily they made it in at 8am.

Thanksgiving

Robbie's first Thanksgiving!  We got some good pictures (hard not to right), but he didn't eat too much at dinner, he was tired and ended up taking a nap halfway through.

A whole table full of food for Robbie,
Will it be enough?

High five dad

Family picture

Watching football with Grandpa

Great Uncle David

Robbie met my uncle David, unfortunately Kelly told David that Robbie liked being upside down.  She meant that he liked to be leaned backwards so that he is kind of upside down.  David took it to mean he liked hanging by his ankles upside down, now Robbie does not like David.  I'm sure he'll out grow that though.

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)

Anniversary Date

Kelly, Robbie, and I went on an early 3 year anniversary dinner/lunch.  Our actual anniversary falls on a week day and then we will be driving to Tennessee for Kelly's family reunion, then off to West Virginia for our first family vacation the following weekend.  We had a good time went to the Bone Fish Grill,  nothing fancy just a fun time with the two of us and Robbie.  It was our first family outing to a restaurant by ourselves, and Robbie did really well.  

Robbie, look at the camera!

Robbie likes bread from Daddy's hand!  

Chillin' With Gran-Gran

This here is my Gran-Gran.  She is the oldest member of my family.  She is Papi's Mommy, and my Mommy's Grandmother.  She was married to my namesake for over 60 years, which is a really, really long time.  I am her second great-grandchild, but the first boy. 

She came down special to see Uncle Kevin graduate and got to see me for the first time.  I wasn't so sure about her at first, because I was meeting all sorts of new people and strange places when I hadn't had very much sleep, but by the end of the day, we were having a good time.  I sat at the end of the table in the restaurant between Mommy and Gran-Gran, and it was so much fun playing with her and kicking the table.  I got to look around and see everyone else too, which made it lots of fun to make faces at people and play with them.  After I finally got tired and wanted to get out of my high chair, Gran-Gran took me and held me close.  I liked that.  Daddy got this cool picture of us snuggling.  When we go back to Tennessee for Mommy's family reunion, I will get to see her again, and stay with her.  I can hardly wait!  

Robbie with Gran-Gran.  A true "Aww" moment.

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!