Home Sweet Home

After two weeks of travel, it sure feels good to be home. We had a wonderful trip, but as luck would have it, both Miss Emi and I were ill almost the entire trip! Bah. The weekend before departure, Emi came down with croup (yuck!, poor baby). Her ped said usually it starts with a cold and then turns into croup. Miss Emi, having to pave her own way, had croup first and then it bloomed into a nasty head cold. The only good thing is that it didn't become a chest cold, as it is she coughed almost two weeks straight. The night before we left I came down with what we thought was a cold. By the next day (travel day, no less) it was full-blown ick. Ends up I had bronchitis and something else I can't remember the name of. Basically a really bad sore throat. Imagine that.

We arrived in Memphis early evening and were greeted at the airport by our very dearest friends, Ron and Mary. They took us home, tucked us all in bed. We were exhausted. The next morning Emi was up and raring to go. She immediately honed in on Molly, the ever-faithful beagle. Dear Molly, there is a special place for you in my heart for surviving four days of Emi-love. That gal just could not get enough of Molly. Toys, food, her water bottle ... Emi wanted to share everything with her. Too cute for words, but I am guessing that Molly wasn't all that unhappy to see the backside of Emi. Probably slept a week. :)

We had a wonderful time in Memphis. Didn't do a whole lot, but that wasn't the agenda. We just wanted to spend time together, reconnecting and introducing Emi. We did just that. Ron and Mary fell in love with Emi, and vice versa. I was so happy that two of my most favorite people in the world so enjoyed our little girl. Just thinking back, remembering some of our days, brings a smile to my heart. I also didn't get near the pictures I was hoping for but I am going to try and put a trip together back to Memphis this fall for Emi and I. Crossing my fingers it works out!

Playing peek-a-boo with Aunt Mary, Molly, and Uncle Ron

After much too short of a visit, it was off to Virginia to visit Jeff's family. We had a great time, and Emi charmed her way into everyone's hearts. Even the "not really into kids" folks! We spent our days with Aunt Mary (this gal has TWO Aunt Mary's!) and Grandmom, big brother Drew drove up from college to spend a long weekend with us. We also had all three of Mary's children and their significant other's for the same weekend Drew was there. A full house, to be sure. Family cookouts, breakfasts and even a hike down to the lake. What a great weekend. Tons of photos were taken, mainly as many family members grabbed the camera and just starting shooting. Something I am so very thankful for. Here is the trip, in photos:

Discovering everything from bugs to twigs, Emi couldn't get enough of being outside.
Playing with big brother Drew. I love the looks on their faces!

Making bread with Aunt Mary and Grandmom, playing with Grandmom, playing with Aunt Mary


Ready for the hike! Complete with walking stick (hey, Grandmom got one, Emi needed one too!) and measuring spoon.


First shoulder ride and instinctively knew to pull on Daddy's hair and ears to steer, the three of us.

Well, that's the trip. Much talking, laughter and fun. We hope to make this an annual trip. Would be nice to do it more often, but we just live too far away. For now.