Katie's Dream Wedding

I think I talk about my cousins Katie and David and my Auntie Fay and Uncle Charlie on this blog as if they are just part of the family, since that's how I think of them--which is why Henry and I made the somewhat harrowing flight to Idaho for Katie's wedding.  As Casey said, being at Katie's wedding was a no-brainer.

Family portrait (minus Jason!)

Granny successfully kept Henry asleep during the ceremony.

Jen and Casey

Shaant and me

Katie has been dreaming of her wedding almost as long as I've known her (which is her whole life), and she--with lots of help from cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends--managed to pull off her dream wedding on a perfect Saturday night in McCall.  She had a shabby-chic woodsy barn theme that was perfectly complemented by the setting, and absolutely everything cooperated (even the mosquitoes--somehow we got home with nary a bite!).  I wish I had better pictures, but my one goal for the wedding was not to be the lady with the squalling baby.

David, escorting Sarah and Kaylee

Ring-bearer extraordinaire!

Here comes the bride!

Bridesmaids in a row

Uncle Tim officiated

Katie's big kiss!

Bride and her dad, bustin' a move

Spectacular exit!

 

There were lots of friends and tons of family to celebrate--and the Bunn cousins burned up the dance floor, as usual!  Cole was the ring bearer, and he was the star of the show (second only to the bride, of course!).

Dancing with the ring-bearer

Mason and Troy, watching the fun

Bunn Cousin Dancing

My new favorite dance partner

Katie looked absolutely radiant, and I am so happy for her.  I've only met Matt a couple of times (which is weird, that Katie would marry someone I hardly know), but everyone who knows him heartily approves (even my dad, so kudos, Matt).  I am looking forward to watching the two of them blossom together in their marriage!  What a great celebration!

Henry, Meet Idaho

I hadn't intended to brave the questionably friendly skies with Henry quite so soon, but when cousin Katie decided to get married in June, I decided to see what kind of traveler Henry is going to be.  Jason had to stay behind and work, so Henry and I had some quality mama-boy bonding time en route to Boise last week.

Henry thinks plane travel is "awesome."

Henry, it turns out, is really and truly our son, as he was a champion traveler--especially given the two cancelled flights, two four-hour delays in Denver, and hour and a half on the tarmack on the way home (thank you, United).  Denver and I have some serious bad karma.  Traveling with a newborn:  not easy.  Doable, but not easy.

Luckily, we didn't have to find joy in the journey to have a wonderful time in Idaho.  Granny and Papa were thrilled to see Henry again, and Aunt Shaanti and Aunt Jenny had been counting down the days until we arrived.  They were an endless pool of advice and encouragement, very happy to see this little boy about whom I'd been calling them almost daily with questions for the past seven weeks!

Meeting Aunt Shaanti

Aunt Jenny had Henry's number from the start--blanket up and around the face!

Henry couldn't wait to show Uncle Casey and Auntie Kim his Batman onesie (he just couldn't show the camera).

All the boys were enamored with him (all the boys except Kade, who did. not. like it when either his mama or his granny held a different baby!).  Troy kept asking how "my baby" was doing, and Mason loved on "Hemry" as much as he could.  Hemry is going to have so much fun with all those cousins in a few years!

Six boys.

Cole took good care of Henry!

Mason could hardly wait to hold "Hemry."

Cooper and Henry.

Hemry was the hit of the show.

Katie's wedding was up in McCall, so we spent almost all week at the cabin.  There were lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles, and dear friends to introduce him to at the wedding.  Plus, Krystal came down from Seattle so that she could meet him--yay!

Papa with Troy, Cole, and Kade

Playing in the perfect Idaho summer weather (sigh.  It's 104 here today.).

Henry's first trip to Ice Cream Alley.  He was very excited, clearly.

Hanging out with Aunt Mel.

Meeting Krystal!

It was extra special to show Henry to his great-grandad and great-grandpa.  (Unfortunately, I had the stomach flu that was making its rounds through the whole family when we saw Gramps, so no four-generation pic this time.)

Four generations of Bunns

With cousin Kary and great-Gramps Johnson

As an extra bonus, we were there for Troy's fourth birthday--yay, two nephew birthdays in one year!  He scored both a rifle and a bike, making him one very popular little cousin.

 

Ready to go huntin'.

Ready to pop wheelies.

Anyway, it was (apart from the stomach flu, blech!) an absolutely wonderful visit--it was only missing Jason!  It was a good thing he was here to welcome us home on Tuesday Wednesday afternoon late night when we finally, finally arrived at Dulles.

Father's Day

Henry gave Jason two wonderful gifts for Father's Day.  First, he slept through the night on Saturday night.  Hello, I felt like I could have run a marathon in the morning--we had coffee and breakfast on Sunday morning and we were on time to church.  Amazing.  

Dad and boy on Father's Day

Second, he gave Jason a great big smile after his morning diaper change.  He'd really started smiling on Tuesday (shortly after I'd freaked out after reading the weekly BabyCenter email update suggesting that six-week olds might be smiling and cooing in delight when they saw their parents), but unfortunately Jason always gets home just as fussy time starts and had missed every big smile.  I seriously teared up when I saw them grinning at each other (apparently those pregnancy/post-partum hormones aren't completely gone by seven weeks...).

Monday's gorgeous smile

We had a nice Father's Day, during which we stayed through Sunday school for the first time, went to lunch, and did loads of laundry.  I have absolutely loved watching Jason blossom as a dad--watching him with Henry has been the highlight of my life, and I feel so blessed to get to go through this parenthood thing with him.


It was also great to celebrate our own dad's, albeit long distance.  Our home has our dads' marks all over it--from our fantastic utility room remodel that Jason's dad engineered (and the beautiful condo kitchen that I still miss) to the garden my dad dug and all the things he's planted around here (including this year's garden)...and a million little spots in between.  Our lives have their marks all over us, as well, and we are rapidly learning to appreciate their sacrifices for us on a whole new level as our time, energy, and thoughts have become focused on Henry.

Check out these adorable duds!

Recently Casey and Kim took care of the Bucher boys for the weekend, and Casey described taking them fishing as "one piece of tangled line after another."  I remember many a Father's Day where Dad spent the whole time baiting hooks and untangling fishing line without ever getting to cast his own line out.  I'm pretty sure that's what fatherhood looks like.

Grandma and Grandpa Small

Henry got to hang out with his Grandma and Grandpa Small and Great-Grandmom last weekend, something we've all been looking forward to!  Jason's parents and Grandmom flew down from Ohio for a few days of baby holding and cuddling over the weekend.  It was great to watch them get acquainted! 

Henry meets Grandpa Small

Henry with Dad and Grandma

Four generations of Langdells

Great-Grandmom  with Henry

The whole party

Henry hanging out with Grandma and Denise

On Saturday, the Smalls' long-time friend Denise drove down from the Philadelphia area to join in on the fun.  Jason and I both regretted that we hadn't encouraged her to come and visit sooner--she was a great addition to the weekend!  Denise has known Jason his whole life, so it was special for her to get to know Henry as well.  Now we can't wait to introduce him to Uncle Justin!

Take Your Baby to Work Day

Someone--usually Mike--has mentioned over the past few months that we need to just put a daycare center in the office this fall.  Kaylyn and I tested out that theory last week by bringing Henry and Jack into the office to visit everyone.  To say it was the highlight of my week was an understatement--it was so much fun to show Henry off to Team Simpson...and it was really, really nice to see everyone.  I am alarmed at how much I missed work as I drove away.

The classic baby swap.

Henry with Solara

Team Simpson with the babies

Henry and Mike--you know, politicians and babies...

Jack is about three weeks younger than Henry, and he makes Henry look extra long--so fun to meet him and hold his little self!  Mike noted that I clearly hadn't checked my blackberry in the past six weeks, since he'd emailed me the week before to tell me he would think of me while eating the (horrid) eggs at a breakfast we got to every month, and I had failed to respond.  I think he was a little alarmed that I had no idea what was going on in Congress, and suddenly it seemed weird that I didn't.  Oh well.  I know I'm lucky to have showered every day and happy to be able to go up and down the stairs without help.

Here's a little "before and after" fun:

Good (and large) times back in February.

After--and much better

Henry seemed to feel pretty comfortable at work--no surprise, since these are the voices he heard more than any others before he was born!  Kaylyn and I both go back to work in September...and I'm still waiting for them to establish that daycare center in the office so that Henry can tag along!