Dunford family reunion . . . Pigeon Forge, baby

This past week we enjoyed a wonderful Dunford family reunion down in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Organized by my sister, Heather, and my brother, Bryan (thanks again to both of you!!), all of my siblings were there with their families.

We all stayed in a large cabin that had 11+ bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a large kitchen, movie and game room, hot tubs, etc. It was a really large facility but pretty darn perfect for our size group (38 people). The weather was unseasonably nice and no one got sick while we were there--miraculous! Definitely a good time.

 Here cousin Clay is reading to Robbie. Robbie loves all the big boys, saying to them, "Hi boy!" or "Hi cousin!" Clay and Duncan were especially sweet to Robbie.

 We went go-karting; Clara was excited to go and Bapa took her since I don't enjoy that kind of thing. She informed me that she was screaming most of the time, which Bapa confirmed :-).

 Coming around the track.

 Michael took Robbie as well . . . not sure how he felt about it though.

 The second time around, Clara wasn't interested in going again, and so I went with my niece Ali. I just kind of hugged the right rail and tried not to get rear-ended. Not interested in being a speed demon, I still enjoyed being with Ali and was glad I could go with her.

Michael and Clara in the background; Wendi and Ali in the foreground.

 I took cousin Pete on these water cars, and he enjoyed pressing both the water gun and the turning button at the same time, causing us to go round and round in a circle. It was fun and refreshing on a hot day.

 Robbie and cousin Will loved hanging out in the toy car.

 I was proud of Clara taking a ride on these little swings . . . she yelled a lot but I think she enjoyed herself.

 Taking a trip on the train. Clara says, "I liked ringing the bell."

 Robbie was super excited about riding in these airplanes.

 In this shot it looks like he's a little nervous, but he really seemed to love it the whole time.

 Nana went on the carousel with Clara. My kids sure love their grandparents.

 Clara and Ali were bunk buddies in the cousin room and hung out quite a bit. I think they both enjoyed each other's company.

 My brothers and two nephews playing "Space Team," some bizarre cell phone game that is very funny to listen to being played.

 My sister Heather prepared some Minute to Win It games for an evening. It was hilarious; this game was particularly fun. You had to wear a pair of panty hose on your head with a tennis ball in each foot, swinging it around to knock over the water bottles.

 Hanging out with Catherine.

 It was a lot harder than it looked! Matt and Heather (my oldest two siblings) competed, and they both finished at the same time.

 Cousin Catherine was so kind to Clara, always saying hi to her and paying attention to her, even though Clara rebuffed her attempts at first. Catherine was persistent and Clara soon chose her above everyone else. I am so thankful for these types of people who have a special heart for others.

We also enjoyed some putt-putting in the rain, visiting Gatlinburg and enjoying ice cream at Kilwin's, and tubing down the river. The best times were the times we got to talk and play together. I am so thankful for my family and for Michael's acceptance of them and them of him; I am grateful for our temple covenants that bind us together. I am particularly thankful for my parents and for their sacrifice on all of our behalf. A beautiful and strong posterity is truly an irreplaceable gift.

Robbie's 2nd birthday

Robbie's birthday wasn't too exciting, but he enjoyed the day as he does every new day, with the confidence and enthusiasm that he carries naturally within him.

Before his birthday dinner, Robbie went outside. I discovered him in the baby pool, having filled it up with the hose more than it already was, wearing all his clothes. He was very pleased with himself.

Hence the shirtless birthday pictures--he was dry from the pool but I figured he'd get messy again from dinner. He enjoyed the macaroni and cheese but wasn't as crazy about the corn on the cob as I thought he would be.

 He loved blowing out the candles and especially enjoyed being sung to. In the days preceding his birthday, I sang the birthday song to him and he requested it many times in a row. He enjoyed the ice cream more than his cookie cake.

For his birthday presents, he got Cars and Trucks and Things that Go from Nana and Bapa, a big yellow Tonka truck that a child can sit in or push around, and a little toy garage.

Happy birthday to you, Robbie!

Almost two!

Robbie is just my favorite little boy in the whole world. He is talking more and more, saying things like, "I need help wit dat" and "Me no yike (like) bed" (I don't want to go to bed). After he hits or pushes or does something naughty and I haven't noticed or addressed it, he'll come to me and say, "No hit" and then I'll make sure he is soft to correct it (or else he has to go to his room for time-out). He loves to give hugs before bed and read books before going to bed. He will kneel down by his bed before bed and even naps to pray, and he repeats the last word you say. In the middle of a long Sacrament talk yesterday, Robbie called out, "Amen!" He loves to see Daddy during Sacrament meeting and wants to hold him. He'll yell out, "Hi Daddy!" and when the bread goes by after we've partaken, he'll say, "My bread. Mine" in an indignant voice.

The other day before nap Robbie said, "Hug? Hug Sissie?" and she came up and gave him a hug. He loves songs and especially likes "I Love to See the Temple," which he requests before each nap and night saying, "Tempu?" He has surprisingly good pronunciation for his age, saying "Buh-lue" for blue and practicing all the various consonant clusters. Last night at bed time, Clara came in tuck him in and was stroking him as we sang. She said, "Kiss? Kiss?" and went in to give him a kiss. He blocked her face with his book (a current Richard Scarry favorite Things that Go) and they giggled as she tried to kiss him. When I went to the door and said to Clara, "Okay, Sweetpea, he needs to go to sleep," she tried one more time and he let her kiss him. Robbie said, "Yuh you . . . so much." (love you so much) She told him she loved him. He also likes to yell out after you've left the room, "Yuh you!!" several times, with us responding in kind for the first few times (then we peter out).

Robbie really enjoys eating and willingly tries most foods, although pretty much any green vegetable is only eaten via green smoothies. He loves pasta and adores cheese. He would eat cheese all day long if I let him. He doesn't like to be fed or helped much with his food; he wants to eat like a grown-up.

The favorite songs/fingerplays of late are "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" and "There was a little house in the middle of the woods/a little old man at the window stood/saw a rabbit hopping by/knocking at the door/help me help me help me he said/or the hunter will shoot me dead/come little rabbit, come with me/happy we will be." He asks for both of those several times a day. He also likes "The Wheels on the Bus," "Roll Your Hands," and "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain." The other day he said out of the blue, "Hi babe!" from the song, which cracked us up.

Truck books are the highest priority these days; I find it fascinating that he will just look at one page for quite a while, looking at the construction vehicles. He isn't really interested in the pictures of trains, airplanes, or even cars; mostly he just likes construction machines and farm equipment. Pretty funny.

One of his favorite past times continues to be playing in the car after we've parked it in the garage. He knows how to put the key in the ignition and turn the lights on, and he is an expert at finding hidden pieces of gum in the doors, squishing down any lipstick he might find, and taking the cap off hand sanitizer bottles. Ahem.

Robbie's getting good at zooming on his little trike, although he doesn't know how to use the pedals yet. He is a very fast runner and climber and loves to jump off of furniture and ledges outside. He is interested and sort of scared by bugs and will say, "Touch?" to which I respond, "Sure," although most of the time he doesn't.

He loves loves the water, especially playing with the hose in the backyard watering the patio and the mulch . . . for some reason watering the plants doesn't appeal to him as much. He is great at picking ripe and unripe tomatoes off the plants, and while I know it's too early, we are wondering whether he will have the red-green color blindness that my father has. 

We are just so so thankful for Robbie's presence in our life. He makes it rich, beautiful, and interesting. I am grateful for the things he is teaching us through his delight and enthusiasm for life. I love the way he walks: arms swinging, chest out, confident and happy, ready to conquer the world. We each love him so much.

More phone pics

Here are some more happenings via the phone.

 Not sure what this says about Robbie's trust in my driving skills.

 Because two fingers in the nose is apparently better than one.

 Silly Mommy and beautiful boy.

 Oh I love that smile.

 The other side of the pic I posted the other day.

 Have to catch the sweet moments. Should I also be capturing the hitting moments so they--and I--remember the harder times, too?

 Fishing for "seaweed" with Bapa.

Savoring (? :-)) a Heath bar creme brulee in Charlotte, NC on a brief weekend getaway/financial advisor meeting with Michael.

My fabulous husband bought and painted this board, installed hooks, and then mounted it in the mudroom for our towels and pool stuff. I had no idea when I married him that he was handy, and I am so thankful!

Nana and Bapa come to visit

Last week we enjoyed a great visit from my parents. At the beginning of the visit, however, I lost my camera, so most of these are from their camera. I subsequently found my camera last night on the gas grill and it appears to no longer be working. :-(

 Wearing Nana and Bapa's hats. Word.

 Walking along Storybook Trail.

 Mom and I were taking pictures from opposite sides.

 Clara wanted to do a repeat of the "meditating" shot below that we took several months ago here on the same trail.

Back in February, Clara meditating.

 Nothing like rocks to climb on.

 Love you, Mom and Dad!

 At the end of the trail. Robbie picked up the thumb habit briefly after our trip back to Atlanta when he saw a cousin or two doing so. Pretty funny.

 Enjoying watching the kids antics.

 Cook-out at Wildwood Park.

 Nana helped Clara make this cute skirt! Good thing it only had about five seams . . . phew!

 My parents took the kids to the children's museum while I stayed home and got some cleaning done. This picture reminded me of the picture below.

Taken in the summer of 2011 before my parents had left on their mission and Robbie wasn't even a twinkle in our eye. (I think that's the same shirt, Dad!)

 Experimenting with magnets.

 Fun with Bapa.

Dr. Robert Weiler, future inventor and scientist.

Thanks so much for coming, Mom and Dad. We sure love you.