Summer Holiday in the US (Part Two)

Stopping for a little burp with Gram

Whew!

So, after we got Kyle on his flight (no upgrade this time, but he was a lucky boy in first class on the way to the US), I wiped my tears and Nathan and I headed to the cottage with my mom and dad.

The Robinsons, Allens and Woodruffs joined us (still digging for those pics). It was a lovely weekend, and Nathan was never too many minutes between out-stretched arms just waiting to feed or hold him.

Sophie's turn

Sage's turn

                                

                                    The Allen girls with their man

Sophie's turn

Sage's turn

Sami's turn

Jess, Sophie & Nathan

Special guests at the cottage were Michelle and her son Graham. In January, Graham will have a little SISTER! Congrats, Tobins!

Anyway, she and her sister and kids came up for an afternoon. Michelle was at the cottage practically every weekend of our teenage years and beyond. It was really something to be up there now with children of our own. Wow. (and I didn't take any pictures, but I think Jess might have some...I will try to update). Thanks to Michelle and Tanya for making the drive!

The rest of the time in the States was spent going. Going here and there, to and fro, hither and yonder. Nathan was on tour. I only wish I remembered my camera for each outing. Oopsie.

Grandpa and Nathan on a visit to cousin Claire's

Nathan giving Annette a birthday hug

Annette hugging him right back :)

Nathan, Sami & Sage

Nathan, Sami, Sage & Sophie

Nathan meeting Nancy Doty. She is a very special lady! She used to watch Pete for me, and was his trusted guardian while we enjoyed our wedding weekend and left for Korea. I don't think I would have been able to get Pete on that plane without her.  It was so great to see her! 

Beepa, me, Mom & Nathan for his (belated) birthday dinner

The day before we left, Jess had a great idea to run to Portrait Innovations, just to get some shots of her girls and Nathan together. They turned out very cute and it was fun. I got in trouble in the lobby for snapping a few of my own photos. Naughty. Here's some of our takes:

Nathan in deep thought

The fam

Sophie

Sage

Sisters

Nathan deciding he doesn't like the beach scene

Sami

The group

Nathan with a secret

My favorite thing about the trip is that I got a little more time with folks. I got to see friends two and three times for various lunches and evenings and outings. I got to go to the cottage twice for two long weekends--which means I got to see my lonely tree four times! I got to make my mom hold Nathan for his vaccinations (sorry, Gram).  I got to walk with Sandy and Phil in the afternoons (well one afternoon, but it was fun and Laura and Claire joined us). I felt like I got to really catch up with some people--in a way that I didn't last time. Thanks to the Bupps for taking us in!

I was tired by the end. But a good tired. A kind of "my life is so full of love" tired. I think it is the best kind of tired you can be. 

:)sbc

PS--Happy birthday to my brother-in-law Matt!