Bear With Us...Long Post, Rewind: Summer

Warning. This will be a long post. You see, I've had a million things I've wanted to post and blog about, but when we moved, our camera/computer usb was misplaced. I just found it today... and I'm determined to fill all of you in on the summer we've had thus far.

My last blog update was Grayden's and my trip to Ohio for our small family reunion. Since then, Grayden rode a boat, spent some lazy summer days at the pool, went to the crazy Eckler family Gatlinburg reunion, visited the Gatlinburg Aquarium, and met up with his Aunt Jenna and cousin Luke for a swim play date.

"I'm on a boat!" Grayden earned his sea legs this summer courtesy of our friends Steve and Emily. I took off on the Friday before the 4th of July and we went out boating with some friends from church. Grayden HATED his life jacket. He screamed and cried for about the first hour he wore it...which was the majority of the first leg of the trip downtown. Once we slowed down and cruised downtown, he seemed to calm down. He even began to enjoy himself. We docked the boat downtown, had some dinner, and headed back home for fireworks. "All in all, it was a good day..."

For the 4th of July, we were invited to 2 separate swim/grilling out parties. Grayden spent most of his 4th of July swimming and eating hot dogs. (He's definitely hit his quota for the year). That evening my aunt Nina, Uncle Steve, and second cousins Wyatt, Abbey, and Shelby stopped by and spent the night. Grayden had a ton of fun with his cousins and they did a wonderful job taking care and playing with him. We had a great time with all of them and so glad we got to host them for a night.

For the second year (3rd if you count the time he went in my belly)- Grayden attended the Eckler Family Reunion in Gatlinburg. Each year, this crazy family that we are somehow distantly related to get together in Gatlinburg. I'm not joking about the crazy part, and I kind of understand how Rob's family is tied to them, but nonetheless, we really do enjoy getting to tag along in all the fun. I especially love that Grayden got to spend a little time with his Nana and Papa and of course his Mamaw, his Aunt Peggy, and Senior and Junior Phil. Grayden had his first taste of bacon (thanks to Uncle Senior Phil), first taste of powdered donut (thanks to Papa and Daddy), and a smorgasbord of cookies (thanks to the cookie fest held each night along and all the ladies who couldn't resist his "pleeeassseee"). Papa even treated Grayden (and Phyllis, Rob, and I) to a visit the the Aquarium. Grayden LOVED it....And is very grateful to his Papa and Nana for treating him to one of the best days of his 17 month old life.

And before I close this EXTREMELY long post, last weekend Grayden got to have a swim play date with his cousin Luke and Aunt Jenna. It was so good to see both of them, but I know Grayden (and Rob and I too) really missed his Uncle Danny. Jenna's cousin and her son Tucker also joined in on the swim play date. The boys really enjoyed relaxing in the pool on their floats. Too bad they don't make floats like these for adults!!

We promise we'll try to do better with keeping our blog up to date... I know these LONG posts are hard to bear through!!

PS. Rob would like me to add that Senior Phil also introduced Grayden to his first taste of beef jerky. Yes, my son ate beef jerky, don't judge.