Mini Vader

So the boys started out with Dark Mater and have moved on to Dark Vader/Vater, so we're almost to the correct title of Darth Vader now. It was thanks to Patti that Zach was able to meet Vader in person at Hollywood Studios this past Friday. Annually the park hosts Star Wars weekends for a month or so where all kinds of Star Wars fun goes down.

Patti picked us up early, and the boys were super excited when they found out their surprise was a visit to the park. She knew right where to take us to find Darth Vader. Ben immediately freaked out when he saw him, and had absolutely no intention of getting up close to him. Probably had something to do with his first encounter on Halloween. Zach on the other hand patiently waited in a long line for his chance and would tell me how handsome Vader was and how he wanted to give him a kiss and say "Nice to meet you." To top it all off, I had packed the boys' Vader capes and masks and Zach enthusiastically wore his in line and in his photo.

Later we checked out a MASSIVE makeshift store specifically constructed to house all things related to Star Wars right down to Darth Vader cupcakes. Wow! I was nearly speechless walking through the doors, and I'm not even a huge Star Wars fan. After we left the Star Wars Emporium, the rain started to pick up and we were content to leave.

The rest of the day we spent at the Bacons' new home, which they were busy moving into when the boys and I were headed out to Utah. It had been a month since we'd seen the Bacons, and it was so nice to be with all of them again in their new house and see how it looked with everything moved in. Their home is beautiful and in a really nice neighborhood. In back of their property is a nature preserve which is super busy with wildlife! In the evening while we ate dinner, we saw nearly 20 deer and 2 baby raccoons, one which came right up to the back door. Other interesting house guests are the tree frogs that climb up the sliding glass doors leading into their backyard. After days/nights where there is a lot of rain, the frogs (for some strange reason) scramble up the glass doors....probably by the hundreds! I got a peek at a few dozen of them while I was there. It's fascinating but also a little gross.


Just a fraction of the deer we saw.

The boys had lots of fun at the new house and had plenty of room to run around. I enjoyed a couple of pool games with Dylan and Patti and was thrilled for lots of time to hold Emma. A month away was too long! We missed our Bacons!

Caffrey Family Reunion

A few hours after our visit to the Masonic Cemetery, the boys and I accompanied Margaret to Uncle Gerald and Aunt Pauline's home where we met more of her mother's side of the family. Afterwards we all continued on to the Brockett Cemetery where we visited the grave sites of Laveta's parents, John and Dona; and her grandparents, James and Mary.

Later in the afternoon the Caffrey Reunion took place at a nice park in Pocahontas. I met lots more family and became even more confused trying to keep track of who everyone was. It's no secret that I'm terrible with names, so I didn't come away from the reunion with much more than I went into with. I can say that everyone I met was genuinely nice, and I definitely married into a family with good people.

I believe Zach's friend here is Riley, but I can't tell you who he belongs to! He was super sweet with the boys.

I'm beginning to notice a pattern starting with me....I totally fall for other people's dogs and want to take them home with me. Albert is awesome! I developed a soft spot for rottweilers after living next to one for a few years.

The family I met were all disappointed that Darius wasn't able to join us at the reunions, but it was because he was at home working hard that made it possible for the boys and I to attend. It was a great opportunity for us to meet some of his great aunts and uncles that are getting up there in age. I know it's important to take advantage of those opportunities whenever possible before they run out. It was also a bonus to have that time with Margaret and Alfred. The concerns I had prior to the trip were put at ease by the time we were headed back to Monroe. I would be happy to attend the reunions again next year, and hopefully Darius will be able to join us too.

Aunt Opal & Uncle Gerald

The day we returned to Monroe was Margaret's birthday and our last day before returning home. Margaret treated me to a super yummy shrimp po boy sandwich for dinner, and later in the evening the boys led a lively Happy Birthday song to their Nini and helped her blow out her candles.

Margaret & Alfred - Thanks again for everything. We're so glad we could come and share that time with you! We appreciate all you did to make it a great trip! Lots of love!