Summertime with Family

At the end of June, we took advantage of the opportunity to visit our families and introduce Emma to her relatives while I was on maternity leave and Dan had summer break.  We flew to Texas for the Campbell family reunion first, and had a wonderful time with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins who were able to come to the Ranch House. My parents hosted a reception for Steve and Sheila so our family could congratulate them on their marriage.  Sheila's family flew out for the occasion and got to meet our extended family, just as we met theirs at the wedding in Michigan. 

After a fun week in Texas, we flew to Virginia to spend a week with Dan's family.  The Jesters have a great yard for summertime, complete with an in-ground pool and hot tub.  The weather was warm, but not hot yet, so there was a lot of running back and forth between the cold water of the pool to the warm water of the hot tub!  Emma did great on the flights and enjoyed the constant attention and play time she had with family.  Things probably seemed pretty boring when we got back home!

Dan and Emma ready to fly! We've somehow been able to cram all our stuff into carry-ons to avoid the extra fees for checking luggage on our flights. It's a good thing all Emma's clothes are tiny. :)

On this trip, Emma got to meet Uncle Paul for the first time!!

The extended family went out for Mexican food during the Campbell Family reunion

One of the prettiest sights I've seen in Texas - fields of beautiful sunflowers

We woke Emma up to take a family picture. She was apparently not quite awake yet. Ha!

Our traditional family game of men vs. women "Trivial Pursuit"

Emma got to meet some of her younger cousins who she'll grow up playing with - like my cousin Emily's son, Beckett

And my cousin Tricia's daughter, Laura

She hardly got any attention during the reunion, poor thing. :)

Steve, Sheila, and Sheila's parents and brother traveled to the Ranch House from Washington DC and Michigan for Steve and Sheila's wedding reception.  I didn't get a picture of them that weekend, but here's a picture of our families the night before their wedding in May.

The day we left Texas was Father's Day. Here is Dan celebrating with Emma at about 1:30 a.m. :)

We both got him Father's Day cards.

Our next stop was Williamsburg, VA, where we spent some fun days with the Jester Family

The weather was nice enough to swim in the pool, and we had a birthday/pool party for our good family friend, Christina King

Cousin Jon, Dan and Emma, and Dan's brother Tim

Cousin Carrie and Chloe, who is almost a year old. I cannot believe Emma will be that big soon!

Christina (the birthday girl) and her sister Kimberly

Dan and his sister, Robin, who is expecting a little one in September! So exciting!

Our nephew, Benjamin, is showing off one of the tree frogs that were everywhere during our visit. They made a really loud noise that sounded kind of like a duck quacking. 

Left to right: Our nephew Nathan, cousin Dylan, nephew Benjamin, and cousin Tucker. They were like peas in a pod.

Emma got a picture with all her Jester cousins. Left to right: Aaron, Benjamin holding Emma, Nathan, and Josiah.  I'm *kind of* hoping that Robin has a little girl so Emma will have a girl cousin her age! But I'm sure she'll keep up with all the boys, no matter what!