Since we have a few new grandparents and some great-grandparents this year my sister-in-law and I decided to have a surprise Grandparent's Day cookout. Lindsey invited my parents and grandparents to their house just for a cookout, but it was really to celebrate them! We took Brooke, Kenzie's cousin, and Kenz to have their pictures taken together and then framed the picture for the grandparents. The pictures were much better than either of us could ever have imagined. We had nice weather and a good time with family.

August 30th, we had a family reunion with my Papaw's side of the family. Honestly, I don't know hardly anyone there, but we were there for the strangers to meet Kenzie. It was nice to see my great Aunts and introduce her to them.

We went to the farm to celebrate mom's birthday. We walked aournd the farm, picked tomatoes, and went out to donner. David and Lindsey joined us for dinner at a BBQ place in New Port. When we got David and Lindsey gave mom a beautiful necklace and cross. We had brownies to eat, but were too full from dinner. The girls played together for a little bit and then we all went home. (By playing I mean Brooke using Kenzie as hew personal chew toy. We all laughed so hard our stomaches hurt. I love watching them together!). It was fun watching mom introduce her to the chickens and turkeys, walking in the garden, and petting the horses. I love that she has the opportunity to learn about the farm and gardening. This will be a wonderful place to go and enjoy time with Granny and Grandad.

Johnny's sister Penny and his neice live in New Jersey. We have been wanting to see them for awhile, but haven't been up to the trip North. They were coming into Atlanta so we decided to go meet them. They hadn't seen each other in about 14 years. I had never met either of them, and obviously neither had Kenzie. We were very excited to see them (I think they were more excited about seeing the baby!). We met them at Uncle Gerry and Aunt Pattie's house for dinner and to play a game. We had a good time visiting and hope it isn't so long next time.

We went to Atlanta for Johnny's cousin's daughter's second birthday. We had a great time seeing the family and visiting with everyone. The trip this time was much better than the last. Compared to the 2 hours and 45 minutes of crying on the way there last time, this time Kenzie didn't cry at all. Cadence enjoyed her party by playing in her pool with some friends, opening lots of gifts, and eating cake. Before long her and "Baby Kenny" will enjoy playing together.

My mom has to go back to work next week, so she came over to spend the day with Kenzie and me and then give Johnny and I a date night. We went shopping during the day and just hung out. When Johnny got home he and I wet to P.F. Changs with a gift card Aunt Susie gave us when Kenzie was born. I ended up getting three free meals! They brought me the worng order, but it was something I was considering getting anyways so it was't a big deal. The waitress then had them make me the correct meal and went ahead and boxed it for me, then brought me out this other meal! I got about $40 worth of food for free! She got a good tip! We then went to McKays and got a few books and movies. It was the first time we had been out alone since she was born. We had a wonderful time just the two of us. Kenzie did great and had a good time playing with Granny and picking blackberries in the backyard. I am so thankful for such a wonderful mom and a great Granny to my daughter.
August 4

Since we were unable to see the family on the 4th, we decided to go for a night to see everyone and let everyone meet Kenz while she is still a baby. We left Friday, July 23 and came back on Saturday. She cried about 2 hours and 45 minuts out of the 3 and half hour trip down and a little less than that on the way back. But...we had a really nice time and I got to meet some of the family for the first time too. Friday night Kenz was grumpy, but after she went to bed most of us played "Cath Phrase."This game was tons of fun (my team won 4/4 games... Johnny-zip). We stayed up way too late, but it was well worth the fun with fmaily. The next day more family came by and we had lunch and socialized. My favorite part was Caydence, McKenzie's 2nd cousin who is almost 2, calling her "Kenny." She was so sweet to her and showed her many toys and shared many toys with baby "Kenny." I love to see how all little girls love babies and want to talk and play with them. We are so excied for Caydence and "Kenny" to grow up together. Thanks to everyone who came by to see us and for all your planning Aunt Pat!

Johnny took a week off around the 4th and we mostly stayed at home and relaxed, but we did take Kenz to the aquarium thinking she might enjoy seeing the colors of the fish and the movement (and so would we). We had a good time, but there were more people than we had hoped. McKenzie did watch the fish, how much she enjoyed... it I don't know. She took a good snooze on Daddy in the front pack though. We seen the penguin exhibit, which was pretty nice. We got seasons passes so we can go back anytime (but will have to listen to Kenz cry the whole way there and back!).

She had her first trip to Dandridge to see my parents. She slept most of the time, then enjoyed some Grandparent time.

The three of us enjoyed a nice day at Cades Cove for the first tie this year. We were excited the it was finally re-opened after being closed to be repaved. Johnny took a day off and we headed to the mountains. We didn't expect to see much because of the time of the day we arrived. Within a few minutes we seen the first of five bears, we seen many turkeys, and deer. We walked around some of the cemetaries and walked around the old mill. We ended the day with a dinner at Chedders. McKenzie slept the whole time at the restaurant and Johnny and I enjoyed the nice date together.