Cookout with Cousins

Whitley struts around outside in a new dress from Grammy. :)



This weekend, Tom's cousin Elyssa, her husband Chris, and their daughter Avery drove down for a night. Tom's parents also arrived from FL for their summer visit, and so, it was natural for us all to get together for a cookout. Of course, Dave and Terri came, too, as did Stacy and Drew. Elyssa and I were excited to see how our little girls would get along now that they're busy toddlers, and well... we got off to a rough start. Whitley, who attends daycare every week, and shares a relatively small room with eight other children, was surprisingly appalled by the idea of Avery playing with her toys. Avery was bright-eyed and curious, flitting from one thing to the next, while Whitley clutched as many dolls as she could, wailing, "No! Mine!" I've heard about this stage of toddlerhood, and I suppose we have arrived. Fortunately, this was not the end of the story. Elyssa, Grammy, and Aunt Terri were all excellent at coaxing the girls to play together. And when Drew showed up, his usual wide smile and charming personality just added to the fun. The three little ones were certainly very busy; more than once I didn't know where to direct my camera, because they were all doing their own funny thing. I'll let the photos tell the rest. :)

After a nice hike around the neighborhood, Whitley and Avery cool down and share some cheerios. (My baby girl's face gets sooo red when she's hot!)



Elyssa explains how fun it is to share the balls!

As Avery sits in Whitley's chair, Aunt Terri shows Whitley how exciting Avery's chair is!

And Whitley agrees!

Looks like Chris and Elyssa are raising a reader!

Papa makes the BEST bubbles!

Drew was so entertaining, chasing all the bubbles. Just look at the excitement on his face!

Avery knows to claim a good seat at a cook-out.

Pretty, preggers Aunt Swazzie has her hands full!

Whitley and Drew settle down with an episode of "Dora the Explorer."

And a nice Dora book!

Sunday morning, Avery takes Whitley on a ride!

And who would have guessed? The girls thought playing in the bathtub was bigtime fun!

Thanks for the great weekend, family! Woods, y'all are welcome to come down anytime!