Tennesse Family Reunion

Earlier this month we had an exciting trip to Tennessee! When I was little, we used to gather in Tennessee almost every summer for annual family reunions. All of my cousins were close in age, to a varying degree, so we always had lots of fun together. Some of my best memories are of swimming, skiing, boating, eating grandma's surprises, and just overall hanging out at my grandma's house with my siblings and cousins. It was just as much fun to also go visit the Allen's, on my dad's side of the family. I always looked forward to playing in grandpa's garden and farm. Not to mention, eating a good old fashioned country meal.

We all got together again this year for a bittersweet reunion to memorialize my grandma and spread her ashes. It was the first time Ava got to meet my cousin's children and play like we used to. We were invited by Aunt Linda and Uncle Lee to stay at their home that they built on the same lake that my grandma lived. What a beautiful house it was! We were very grateful for their hospitality.

We had a lot of first experiences on this trip and Ava learned so much. She still talks about Tennessee. Here she is on her first plane ride. She did so well on the 3 hour flight, though didn't sleep a wink like her cousins, because she just couldn't miss a thing. Once we got to Tennessee, she immediately took it all in and headed for the great outdoors. It was a refreshing 77 degrees there and we felt rejuvinated, as we had come during a hot streak of 100+ degree temperature. She ran throughout the green grass, investigated all plants and bugs, and played on the canoe with her 1st and 2nd cousins. She got to swim in the lake for the first time. The same lake I swam in the summers, as a child.She took her first boat ride. Uncle Ty is helping Ava onto the boat. All buckled up and ready to go. She transitioned to sitting with daddy at the front of the boat shortly after we left. She absolutely loved riding on the boat and continued to ask to do it again the rest of the weekend. Side note, look how beautiful it is there!Visiting Grandpa Allen and Aunt Kay. We ate like no other and enjoyed every last bite. They were all impressed with how well Ava ate. Here is a plaque and tree planted in memory of my dad. Cousins.

The Allen's.

Grandpa's Garden.
Grandpa giving us the tour.

Cheese!

Eating tomatoes from Lee and Linda's Garden.

Happy 4th of July!

My Grandma's (former) house is back in there. So many wonderful memories there.

Feeding the fish.

Ava loved their dog, Tilly.

Ava fished for the first time. She didn't catch anything, but her cousin Abigail did!

Chasing Lightning Bugs. Another fun pasttime that I have fond memories of!

On a walk to pick wild blackberries. Ava enjoyed finding and eating them with Aunt Jill.