The rest of our Memorial Day weekend was full of fun in all new places!  Sunday, after church, Russ and I took Millie Janalee to Yaya Sherra's pool for a Yaya pool day.  My parents followed shortly after us.  We blew up some of the floats Susu bought for Millie Janalee, and splished and splashed around the pool all afternoon.

Mama and Millie Janalee

Daddy and Millie Janalee

She enjoyed her little pink car float.  For a little while.  Then, she just wanted to swim around.  We did find a float that she LOVED!  She loved Yaya Sherra's adult float.  She used the netting as her own little Millie Janalee pool.  I put some toys inside, and it was like a floating bathtub.  Ha!  Sweet girl!

It wasn't too long until she was wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands.  And we all know what that means!  Naptime!  Susu quickly took over nap duty and relegated herself to the "baby corner."  The "baby corner" was a small patio area that was shaded.  Both Yaya grandbabies napped away in the shade.

While I did this...

Yaya Twinkies!

I know.  I should go ahead and confess here.  In public.  When I visit my parents, I do very little parenting duties.  I'm unashamed (kinda).  Truth be told, if my parents didn't help so much, I would probably be way too tired to travel weekend after weekend after weekend alone with my sweet girl.  Ha!  Either way, I'm thankful for the time I'm able to enjoy with my eyes closed and sun on my face.

Yaya Sherra and Millie Janalee

Once Millie Janalee was well-rested, it was time for some more pool time.  This time with YA-YAs!  Yaya Sherra and Yaya TT took a little baby swim time with Millie Janalee.  I think it's safe to say that she had a great time!

Yaya TT and Millie Janalee

The Yaya hubbies were in attendance also.  They manned the grill as we prepared for a yummy supper of smoked chicken, hot dogs, dips, fruit, and homemade ice cream!  While we waited on the food to cook, the Yayas began our traditional ceremony to welcome the newest 'Lil Baby Yaya to our sacred sisterhood.  You may remember Millie Janalee's initiation here.

All official Yayas gathered around Junior Yaya Marci and her 'Lil Baby Yaya Rayne.  We presented Rayne with her very own official 'Lil Baby Yaya onesie, tutu, and bib.  Rayne is the absolute tiniest little thing!  It was so funny seeing her in that giant tutu!

The presentation of the 'Lil Baby Yaya uniform

Third generation Yaya!

Rayne really has no idea what is in store for her as she grows!  This group is one crazy crew, and we aren't afraid to flaunt it.  As we got our group picture, I realized how huge Millie Janalee seems next to Rayne!  Where is my 6 pound 13 ounce baby?!

YA-YA! (minus Junior Yayas Natalie and Kristin)

Millie Janalee took the opportunity to welcome the newest 'Lil Baby Yaya to her little club.  Rayne wasn't feeling it so much.  Maybe she was just upset because her mama took her tutu off...

"What's wrong, baby Rayne?"

"Everything's gonna be okay.  I'll take care of you."

It was the perfect ending to a Memorial Day Sunday!  On Memorial Day, Russ, me, my mom and dad took Millie Janalee to lunch at Pickwick and to Shiloh National Park for a stroll and pictures.

Mama, Pawpaw, and Millie Janalee taking a break

Strolling with Susu and Pawpaw

A delightful Memorial Day weekend, indeed!  Now...on to the beach!!

Baby's First Boat Ride

I told you we had a fun-filled Memorial Day weekend!  And we did.  Russ got off work Saturday morning and drove over to spend the weekend with us.  After attending the funeral of a good friend of Russ's dad, he met up with us for a Memorial Day weekend boat ride!  Millie Janalee's first boat ride.

Lee and Kristin invited us out on the boat, and we jumped on the opportunity.  I asked my parents if they wanted to come with us and keep Millie Janalee company in the shade.  Ha!  They jumped on that opportunity too.  They always jump when it involves Millie Janalee.  The plan was for my parents to take Millie Janalee back whenever she got tired or was just ready to get off.  Gosh, I'm so thankful for grandparents!  Aren't you?

I paced the floor all morning waiting on Millie Janalee to wake up from her nap and for Russ to come back from the funeral.  If everyone could just stick to my schedule, I'd be such a happy girl!  Haha!  Millie Janalee jumped on the boat with us just as happy as she could be.  Until the life jacket went on.  And, I don't blame her!  I felt so sorry for her, and then I realized she was hungry!  Oops!  In all the excitement, I forgot it was past her lunchtime.  Susu and Pawpaw took care of feeding the hungry baby while Russ and I enjoyed the sun.  Again, thank you Lord for grandparents!

Millie Janalee and Pawpaw trying to rig a way to be comfortable in this life jacket.

Yummy!

After Millie Janalee partook of her lunch, the rest of us began to dig in the coolers for our own lunches.  We fixed sandwiches, ate chips and dip, fruit, and more.  Just the kind of thing we like to do when wearing our swimsuits for the first time this year...eat!  Just to see how far they will stretch. 

Susu is so funny!

When everyone was fed and hydrated, we began hitting the waves again! 

Sheila and Dustin

Russ and Kristin

Captain Lee!

Millie Janalee loved watching the water behind us and the wind in her hair!  Who woulda thought that a full baby is a happy baby?  Sorry, baby girl.  Mama got too excited!  We fed her a few more snacks to keep her happy while wearing her life jacket, and we let her take it off when we weren't in motion.  I thought I was gonna be a nervous wreck having her out on the open water, but it turns out she's a pro at this whole summer thing!  It's a good thing...because we do summer up right around here!

Watching the waves we made

"The sun is so bright!"

"Hey Uncie Lee!"

"This is the life!"

You might say that we are spoiled.  We grew up on the water.  Not because we own a boat or a lakehouse.  Because we always had friends who did.  When my sister, brother, and I were younger, we spent many holiday weekends and summers in a nice lakehouse riding on wave runners and in pontoons.  We've rented boats and houses when we needed our fix.  Spending time at Pickwick is certainly on mine and Russ's list when all this "doctor training" mess is over with once and for all!

(Side note: Russ will be 33 years old when he officially finishes school/training.  He deserves time on the lake!)

Me and the hubs

The sun was bright, and the water was just fine!  Lee is always so good to navigate us away from the crowds to avoid being knocked to kingdom come with the waves and crazies!  It was such a relaxing day laughing, dancing, listening to music, visiting, and taking in the sun!  It's always a fun time with the siblings on the lake!

Sistas...Sheila, Kristin, and me

When Susu and Pawpaw decided it was time for Millie Janalee to return to land, we all got a few extra minutes of playtime in with her cute self.  I'm so glad she is such a happy baby and loves all the things we do.  Even if it's only because she's too young to know better.  Russ and I always want Millie Janalee to experience things with us because she's just so fun to watch!  This makes it a little difficult for the grandparents to get alone time with her, I've been told.

Millie Janalee with Auntie Kristin and Uncie Lee

Mama and Millie Janalee saying "See ya later!"

After dropping off the grandparents and Millie Janalee, Russ and I enjoyed some much needed fun time on the boat!  After riding around a while, we tied up with another boat full of people and enjoyed our time while the sun was still out. 

Well, most of us enjoyed the sun...

Sleepy Dr. Russ

It was a fun start to the summer!  Thank you so much, Lee and Kristin, for inviting us along!

Seth's Graduation

Me and Seth

Millie Janalee and I had a full and busy Memorial Day weekend!  Thankfully, Russ was able to join us for most of it.  Friday night, our nephew Seth graduated from high school.  Sadly, Russ was working.  Seth's older brother, Will, also had to work.  'Tis the plight of hospital workers I suppose.  Most of the family gathered together to watch as Seth walked with the rest of the 100+ graduating seniors of Corinth High School.  Jenny and Jeff thought ahead and brought ribbon to rope off enough seats for the family.  I will have to mark that idea down for later!

Seth receiving his diploma

It's pretty crazy to watch Olivia and Seth graduate this year.  These two were merely 5 years old when I met them, and now they are off to start the college life.  Crazy!  I'm feeling pretty old.  Maybe this is how Russ's brother and sister felt when we graduated.  Ha!  I love the age differences between everyone on Russ's side of the family.  It makes life interesting...and provides lots of "I was only 2 years old then" moments for me!  Ha!

Our graduates - Olivia and Seth

After graduation, the entire family (totaling 15 people) marched single file down to the floor to find Seth and take a few pictures.  I'm thankful that I had my camera in the car.  I was dubbed the official family photographer of the night.  I'm used to it.  It's okay.

Seth and his girlfriend, Anna Kate

The Jimmy Johnson family with Seth

The Mansel crew (minus Will and Kristi's children)

We ended the night with an impromptu "party" at Granmomma and Pop's.  We enjoyed some of Granmomma's pound cake and visited with each other.  It was a surprise party for Pop and Granmomma.  Ha!  They had no idea we planned to gather at their house.  I hope they weren't planning on resting. 

Whew!  These graduations have really hit me with "it won't be long til Millie Janalee graduates" syndrome!  I'm hoping for a loooonnnng 18 years ahead!

May She Find Us Faithful...Memorial Day 2013

I hope you and yours have enjoyed a fun-filled Memorial Day!  I also hope you took time to honor and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have been blessed with in our country.  I hope that you took time to pray for those who are risking all for our beloved country.  And perhaps you even took time to pray for a revival in this land.  Our country is full of so much sin and corruption that it can be difficult to watch or listen to.  What will we do for our country?  May our generation be the difference makers.  And may ALL who come behind us find us faithful...

"Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful

May the fire of our devotion light the way

May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe

And the lives we live inspire them to obey"

Oh, may Millie Janalee find us faithful!!!