Summer Homecoming

The last week of July was a special homecoming for us—our daughter and her family came home for a visit—only their second since the beginning of the pandemic.  On Saturday evening, I picked them up at the airport and their youngest son raced into my arms for a running/twirling hug.  What better way to start a visit!

Sunday morning started out early in our backyard for coffee and breakfast.

Then coffee time extended into their first dip in the pool.

Then in the afternoon, all four cousins got together for another swim time.

The next day, Monday, was another special day.  First, my sister and her daughter and two kids drove over to visit as well.  Our daughter and my sister’s daughter are the only two girls in that generation of cousins, so they have always been close.  Living so far away, they mostly just get to talk on the phone or FaceTime.  So, it was great for these two to get together.

Second, it was our daughter’s oldest son’s birthday that day.  The celebration started off with a pool party for all six cousins as well as two generations of parents.  At one point there were at least a dozen of us in the pool.

For our grandsons’ birthday dinner, I grilled out his requested burgers…

…followed by the ubiquitous ice cream cake.

The next morning, we headed off to one of our favorite places, the Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM).  As always, the car assembly was a huge hit…

…as well as this “Easy Rider-like” shot of the cousins.

Then it was off to the green screen theatre where my sister’s granddaughter made her stage debut while Mom thrilled in delight.

All that play created some big appetites that was satiated by a nice picnic feast.

By this time, my wife and I were in need of a nap, so we departed while everyone else stayed and played until late in the afternoon.

No doubt motivated by the digital painting at CMOM; the next day started out with a traditional painting adventure…

 …followed by a trip to everyone’s favorite flat box furniture store.

And with the hot weather we were having that week, a dip in the pool to cool off was in order…

…before heading over to our son’s house for a pizza dinner, our last meal together with everyone as my sister and her daughter and kids drove back home on Thursday.

We had a couple days left of play for just the four cousins but interspersed were two kid trips to the doctor, one for allergies and one for an ear infection.  And I would be remiss without saying that when all six cousins were in the house together, it was sometimes a wild rumpus.  But overall, it was a great homecoming and visit.  And I am sure the six cousins made some fond memories of this get together.

Saturday afternoon, just a week after arriving I drove my daughter and her family halfway to my son-in-law’s parents’ farm.  We met up for the exchange at what is reportedly, the world’s largest fountain drink cup.  It was too hot for a family photo, but I wanted to be sure to mark the occasion with my grandson, the recent birthday boy.

My daughter and her family then spent the week at the farm for another homecoming with our son-in-law’s parents.  And judging by the photos that were posted on the shared photo stream, they had a great week on the farm as well.