Myers Family Reunion

Well we finally made it to the reunion, only took about 10 hours of drive time and Ani was a trooper the whole way.  Once at the reunion Ani was able to meet her extended family including,

 Aunt Nellie (Ani's Mother's Mother's Father's Sister)

Aunt Betty (Ani's Mother's Mother's Mother's Sister)

Roxanne (Ani's Mother's Mother's Cousin's Wife)

These are just a few of all the wonderful people we met at the reunion, Also while visiting, Ani was able to meet Uncle Butch (Ani's Mother's Mother's Brother)

Uncle Butch has a unique kinship with the local Amish and was kind enough to show us around and introduce us to many of them.

(There would normally be a picture here but your not supposed to take pictures of the Amish)

so here's a Buggy instead

The reunion was Hawaiin themed this year and Ani really seemed to enjoy that

Also the reunion coordinator had set up games for all ages and Ani got to play

All she had to do was grab a duck to see what she won!!

but for some reason Ani wouldn't grab one so she got a consolation prize instead.

After a few hours Ani became a little over stimulated and needed to take a break,

she can only take in so much fun at once

But after some quiet time it was back to the fun

All in all we had a great time and look forward to the next time we can make it to the reunion.

Going on a Trip

Well we have lost our minds..... That's right we are taking Ani on a 10 to 12 hour car ride up north to visit Chiemi's mom's extended family.  Now I'll be the first to admit that Ani loves the car, hell on days that I can't get her to calm down a car ride is normally my fall back plan, but I have a bad feeling that I am going to ruin the car ride experience for my daughter.

so to start, 2 months in advance we reserved a Standard size SUV according to Enterprise (not the USS-NC1701) guidelines.

For those who don't know a standard size is roughly the size of a Jeep Cherokee or something similar.

That's not what we got...... let me introduce the Ford Escape a cute little SUV  for toting around shopping bags.

Did you hear me Mention LITTLE.  of course you didn't, but you read it.   So I call the company and ask,  Is the Ford Escape considered a Standard SUV?    and the reply is "No its one step lower"  ......   Now I know you don't need to be a brain surgeon to work for a car rental company but when some one reserves a standard size SUV (2 months in advance) and you give them something smaller don't seem surprised when they call.

So to give Enterprise some credit, they offer to come pick up our car and replace it with the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Good for them right??      ummmm   No....

Have you seen the Hyundai Santa Fe?  Of course you haven't because no one would buy it, but besides that it is the exact same size as the Ford Escape.

Now I could go into the whole brain surgery spiel again but I don't want to bore you, but I will remind you of that one special word LITTLE  and how are we supposed to pack 3 adults and one baby into a LITTLE car.  

Now you all may be thinking ,  "What the heck Ian, I come hear to read about Ani and I haven't seen a picture of her yet...."

So Here!

                                                 (Ani with a local Tucker Fireman)

OK continuing on with the packing...  Now When Chiemi and I go to visit her mother it takes roughly a Large Laundry basket, Diaper bag, Toy Bag, Bumby seat, Stroller and Chiemi's bag to have a successful visit.  Now if we need that much stuff for one day you can imagine the amount of stuff that we would need for a week.

Well to cut this short, I finally convince Enterprise that the same car under a different name wouldn't work and they ended up getting us a Jeep Commander 



(now that's a SUV)



and off we go......   

PS for those of you who put up with me till the end here is an extra cute picture of Ani.

Up to the Cabin

Ani went up to the North Ga Mountains to visit YaYa and Grandpa Nebiker.  This was Ani's first time walking on gravel.

While that may not sound fun, We had the hardest time getting pictures of her since she wouldn't stop staring at our feet and listing to the sound as we walked.

 The cabin is in for a change, power washed and painting for the outside walls and porch as well as some repairs taking place inside.  Next time we go up we may not recognize it.  

While up in North Ga we were also able to visit With Uncle Todd. Now is it just me or does Ani seem much smaller in this picture?

Though our trip was short, Ani truly enjoyed herself and we have already made plans to head back up again.

 On our drive home we passed through Cleavland Ga, Home of the Cabbage Patch Kid Mansion and went for a visit.

Ani found theses baby dolls extremely interesting and wasn't quit sure what to make of them. On the other hand there were some other little creatures there that Ani had fallen for.

Though she was too little this time to pick out a doll next time we stop in I'm sure we will join the ranks of the proud cabbage patch kid club.

Catch up

First, Ijust wanted to say sorry for the delay in the Blog. Life has been a bit busy and while we are still taking pictures we have just have not had the chance to post them so this posting will hopefully catch you up to the present.



Ani went to visit MeMa and Grand-daddy Stedman on June 6th

The visit went well and we had lots of fun, after dinner we went out front for pictures where Ani and Nathan had a life changing experience.

July 2nd
Uncle John and Aunt Linda came to visit for the week. Ani is now sometimes letting other people hold her we arent sure why some days she will and some she won't but we are hoping that the good days will come more often

July 3rd
I can now say that my daughter is truly enlightend she has spent most of the day with the local Tibetan monks that are visiting from Dharamsala.  The monks found her very cheerful and fun to play with though I'm not sure if they consider baby yoga meditation, I'm still willing to give it a try.

July 24th

While this picture may not seem like a big deal the main focus is actual the dress.  A former co-worker of Grandma Ura smocked dresses for Chiemi when she was as a little girl.  This dress, while made for another girl is small enough for Ani to wear.  As an aside, June, the co-worker also makes the most delicious strawberry freezer jam.

Julyth 25

Also Gigi Ura came down for a visit and once again Ani has proven to be more accepting of others. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this stranger anxiety can't last forever.