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Claxton Family Reunion: Mary Frances Claxton Lawson's branch (not pictured: Ginger and Jamin. Ginger was in the car with Lora) |
The family reunion was nice, as always. Daymian and Jordan collected so many railroad spikes from the railroad behind the Claxtons' house. They also put pennies on the train tracks, to smash as the train passed. Liam fared well. He was "well-held" all week / weekend. Aunt Jean had us over for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday night she gave each of the girls a cake pedestal or dish that has been in the family for some time. She is so sweet! On Sunday morning Aunt Jean came to the hotel where we were staying. We had "church" before everyone went their separate ways in their cars. It's pretty neat to have so many generations of Lawsons in the same room, together praising and giving thanks to God. It puts "long term" in perspective. The kids did AMAZINGLY well for the car ride. I couldn't have asked for better travelers.
We were able to go to Yates Cider Mill on Monday with Grandma Pam, Aunt Sherry, Daymian and Jordan. Ava gobbled up the doughnuts. We also went to the park with Grandma Pam and Grandpa Bill. We met a friend at the park, as well. It was a little chilly but we stayed warm by playing.
We got to visit Great Grammy's new condo on Tuesday. It's SO nice! Jamin visited Grammy (Grammy to Ava and Liam, Grandmother to me) while we were there. We were all in the next room trying to find a box of family pictures when LIAM ROLLED OVER! We caught the little sneak on his belly when we came back into the room. So, Liam was 13 weeks + 1 day when he first rolled over. :) Since then, he has been perfecting this skill as soon as we lay him down on any flat surface!
We had dinner with Grandpa Dean, Grandma Dolly, Great Aunt Freda and Uncle Dave (also Great! :-), Rachel, Paul, Troy, Luke, Adam, Kristen, Rebecca near Lake Orion on Tuesday night. It was so good to see everyone. They gave the kids the sweetest Detroit Tigers outfits. Thanks so much! I can't wait for the kids to wear them soon!
On Wednesday Olivia, Sophia and Uncle Chris came over to Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly's for dinner. We ate Halloween cupcakes after Olivia, Sophia and Ava decorated them. Uncle Chris snuggled-up to Liam. The kids also made some fun Halloween cards. Ava partied hard all week long in Michigan. By the end of the week, she was wiped-out!
On Thursday we went to Chuck E. Cheese with Grandma Pam, Grammy, Daymian and Jordan after I signed the paperwork for our mini-van. Grandpa Bill came over to play that day, as well. Crazy... we saw the Flanigans at Chuck E. Cheese. The entire crew! Molly and I wanted to get together at one point during the week, but it just didn't seem to be working out between schedules... We couldn't have planned this "dinner" better. Not that we got to have any in-depth philosophical conversations with the kiddos in tow, but it was GREAT to be able to see each other!
On Friday, we went to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth with Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly and also ate some really good fish at DaVinci's. Ava loved all of the Christmas ornaments and seeing Santa. She was interested in the ornaments and handed a few of them but did so very gently. :-) Ava enjoyed watching Grandma and Grandpa's "Dora" movies, too.
When Doug came into town on Friday, Grandma and Grandpa Carey picked him up and they all came to Grandma Dolly and Grandpa Dean's. Even being away from the kids for just a few weeks (since they came down to visit us in GA a few weeks ago), Grandma and Grandpa Carey said Liam had grown so much! We were all able to visit Aunt Tracy's house in Royal Oak with Grandma and Grandpa Carey on Saturday and went to eat at Mr. B's in downtown Royal Oak. This was the first time Aunt Tracy was able to meet Liam. Ava enjoyed running around Aunt Tracy's backyard and having Grandpa and Aunt Tracy read a Dora Halloween book to her.
Sunday we headed back to Atlanta in two cars. It took 14 hours, but we arrived back in Atlanta safely. Nothing beats Michigan in the Fall. We really enjoyed our visit with everyone. It's never enough time, it seems, to soak in all the special moments with family. We savored every moment!
Our love to you all,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
A sweet picture of Liam taken at Grandpa Dean and Grandma Dolly's house. This boy loves bananas.
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