Vacation in Annapolis and DC

Well, we just returned from our summer vacation and it does feel good to be home!! We made our way up to Annapolis, MD and on our way up stopped to see Christopher's birthfamily in Lynchburg, VA. We had a great time with them and they threw a 7th birthday party for Christopher (as they do every year). Then we headed about an hour up the road to Staunton, VA to visit our good friends from college, Jimmy & Renee and their 3 kids. That was a great visit...it had been 4 years since we had seen them, and their twin boys have grown about a foot and they have a little girl (age 3) that is full of energy!! We spend 4 days in Annapolis, MD with my mom, aunt, sister & her family, and Jessica. We did some fishing, toured Annapolis, and tried to relax a little. Then we moved to DC for 4 days where we did some touring of DC, visited Daddy T's resting place at Arlington Cemetary, and this house had a pool...so we did lots of swimming (which was perfect for 100 degree weather). We also had a very special opportunity to place a wreath in memory of Daddy T at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the 1 year anniversary of his passing, July 18th. This was very emotional and difficult, but honoring to him at the same time. We toured the barracks below the tomb and the kids got to ask some of the guards lots of questions about their job.
I do have lots of pictures of this eventful week....however, as I was packing the car, the irrigation system at the rental house kicked on and guess what it sprayed...my laptop!!! It will not even turn on...and my dinosaur of a home computer does not have the ability to upload pictures from my camera. So, until I find a solution, this will have to do. I am very anxious to share the pictures, especially from laying the wreath...so I will post those as soon as I am able. Maybe from my mom's computer, I think she is making a quick visit this weekend. Hope you all have had a great summer...what have you been up to?

Two Family Reunions & a Root Canal

Sounds enjoyable, huh!! Well, we were off to Murfreesboro for a long weekend. We had the Cooper Family Reunion (my Granny Lou's Family) on Saturday. Granny Lou passed away last August, so this was our first reunion without her. She missed it last year too since she was so sick. The Cooper Family had 13 children which leads to uncountable cousins, 2nd cousins, etc. We had a great turn out and enjoyed meeting new people and reuniting with ones that we already new.
Here is a picture of my Granny Lou & Papa Harris when they were newly married

Aunt Lorene, the last of the 13 Cooper Children

Then we headed down to Pulaski for a Family Reunion with the Williams Family. This is Wade's mom's family. It was very fun, and the kids had lots of fun with the other kids. I don't have pictures because I left my camera in M'boro. But it is beautiful countryside, on a small horse farm and lots of outdoor things to do. The kids enjoyed spending the night with Nana and are looking forward to going back soon.
Then we headed back to Murfreesboro. I had to have my first root canal today...it wasn't so bad, but not a great ending to a great weekend. We got back home tonight and it does feel good to be home!! A night of watching Star Wars VI on the couch with my family.

Cookie gets a Makeover

We took Cookie to get groomed today...and she came home scalped!!!

It was pretty shocking when I went in to pick her up. I think the lady could see the shock on my face...or maybe it was the "gasp...oh my goodness!!" that gave it away. I really had to look close to make sure that they had given me the right dog back. Here is what Cookie looks like on a normal day:

Quite a difference, huh!!! Anyway, we are getting used to it as the afternoon has gone on. And now, I'm actually starting to think she looks a little better. I just really liked the shaggy...."swiffer" look :)