Surprise trip to the Southeast

So Emma Kate and I were home for about 2 weeks when I found out that my grandmother was really sick. A few days after that she passed away and so Matt, Emma Kate and I went back to AL/KY for the funeral. It was a beautiful service and God was glorified through it all. I enjoyed getting to see some of my extended family that I haven't seen in YEARS!!!! Matt, Emma Kate and I also got to spend a few days with his family in Birmingham. It was a bittersweet trip in saying goodbye to my grandmother and hello again to all the family that I haven't seen in so long! Here are some pictures from the trip.

Mom with her twin sister Brenda and Brother Buck

Nelson and Sarah were able to come back from Russia and make it to the funeral

I want to thank Uncle Elton and Aunt Sue for coming to the funeral. It was wonderful to see them and to feel their support.

Once we got to Birmingham Emma Kate spent most of her time in her diaper because she loved playing in the pool that Gran-Gran and Daddy Steve have

Nelson sporting his Russian attire

I know, I know...it's been a while

I am so sorry to everyone. We were out of town for a few weeks but there is still no excuses. I am going to just throw a bunch of pictures up here. We had such a good time in Birmingham and Louisiana and enjoyed getting to see so many of our friends. Since we have been back it has been getting hotter. We have been swimming with some friends a little bit and trying to cool off in the sprinklers. Thanks to everyone for such a wonderful visit back home.

Before we left we got a new grill and Emma Kate read Daddy the instructions in Spanish!

Here we are in the Atlanta airport. Emma Kate is a great traveler and this was her 5th trip to the southeast since she was born. Now that she is walking we like the parts of the airport where she can walk and not get trampled. I got food poisoning the night before we flew and so I was especially grateful that we found this open space for her to get some energy out and watch the planes.

Abbey's baby shower was great and it was so much fun to see everyone. Jan especially loved the fun pens that we used to write Abbey some encouraging notes.Emma Kate enjoying the greenness at churchEmma Kate enjoys her time at Gran-Gran's and Daddy Steve's. She loves the wagon and the garden but more importantly she loves the attention and love they shower upon her. We both enjoyed our time with them.We were able to drive down to Montgomery with Abbey and Baxter to see Pappa and Helen. We had a good visit and wish we could have stayed longer. Gigi is in heaven with both of her grand kids! We wish we could have spent more time with Gigi, Nelson and Sarah. We know that they are having a blast in Russia and look forward to seeing them when we can. Our road trip to Shreveport (no, the did not ride like this the whole way, but they were troopers for 8 hours in the car!)

Abbey and Warren are so lucky to have a great neighborhood with some fabulous parks within walking distance. Emma Kate really flourished on the playgrounds and I am blessed as a Mother to see my baby turning into a little girl. During this trip I have seen some definite changes in her personality and I am so proud of how God is guiding Matt and I to shape her into such a caring little girl.You can't go to LA and not have crawfish!
Emma Kate is giving her loving goodbyes to Baxter. It will probably be awhile before we see Baxter and we are so thankful to Abbey and Warren for letting us spend so much quality time with them!

After we got back from our trip we went to park and enjoyed some time with Matt who we had not seen in over two weeks! Emma Kate was especially excited to see her Daddy and then her dawg (Ashton)!
It is starting to get hot and so cooling off is a must! Yeah sprinklers!