We headed to Texas the morning after Dave passed away. Even though it was under such sad circumstances, we were glad to get to spent almost a whole week with family. We don't get to see them very often, and none of them had gotten to meet Cate yet, so we were happy to be surrounded with family. Cheri has a huge family, and they all came in from Nebraska to be with her. We've spent quite a few holidays with them over the years, whenever we were all at Dave and Cheri's at the same time. Cory and I have always loved them, and we're so glad Cheri has such a big support system.
We stayed with Dan (Cory's brother), Sarah, and little Hudson. It was so fun to watch Luke and Hudson play together, and everyone that saw them remarked on how similar they look. I tried to get some good pictures of the two boys, but getting a good pic of a very active two year old and a very active three old would be a miracle. So I got lots of silly pics!
Such cuties!
Playing hide-and-seek. I wonder where Hudson is? :)
Hilarious.
Luke's all-time favorite thing about staying with Uncle Dan and Aunt Sarah were their dogs. They have two HUGE dogs and one lab puppy. This is a picture of Luke with Bella, their great dane. Bella (or as Luke calls her, "Belwa") is one of Luke's new best friends. He loved her so much, and Bella tolerated Luke loving on her. She's the size of a small pony, but so calm and gentle. He kept asking if Bella could come home with us. And he still asks if Bella can come to our house. He was disappointed to come home to Ralph, who he kept calling "his little, tiny dog", and Luke kept telling Ralph to eat all his food so he can get big like Bella.
Dave and Cheri have a beautiful pool at their house, and Dave loved that pool. I'm pretty sure he and Andrew were in it everyday. We knew that Dave would have wanted everyone to be out there enjoying the pool, so we did. Luke had THE best time swimming all over the pool. He was so brave, and he really loved shooting the water guns at everyone.
Cory with Cate and Luke
Cate getting some lovin' from Gammie.
Cate was so good on our trip. She let just about everyone who came to see Cheri hold her, and everyone fell in love with her. They couldn't believe what a happy baby she was! And we were so thankful for lots of extra hands to help hold and entertain her! She definitely brought smiles to everyone's faces at a time when there were so many tears.
Luke's favorite place at Dave and Cheri's was always right next to Andrew. He's always loved Andrew ever since he was a baby. Luke follows him around and just wants to be with him. Thankfully, Andrew doesn't mind Luke being there, and he's really sweet to Luke. Luke also had a little crush on Taylor--a cute 15 year old girl! He would take her hand and lead her around the house with a flirty look on his face. We're in for trouble!
Andrew's 12th birthday was the day before Dave's funeral. It was so incredibly bittersweet. We all tried to make the day as happy as possible for Andrew, but it was hard not to think about the one person that was missing. I think Andrew had a good day--he had lots of friends and family there celebrating and got lots of presents.
We all attached messages to Dave on balloons and released them at the party.
We also reunited with Cory's aunts whom he hadn't seen in years and I had never met. They were so sweet, and we loved getting to spend a few days with them.
Me, Cate, Luke, Cory, Aunt Mamie, Cheri, Andrew, Aunt Kathy, Sarah, Dan, Hudson
Aunt Mamie and Aunt Kathy fell in love with Cate Cate too!
We met them for dinner one night in a little town called Gruene that's close to Dan and Sarah's house. Dave always took us there too, so I was really glad to go back again. We found a little band playing outside so we sat and talked and let the boys play in the little courtyard.
Luke even got a red sno-cone! His very favorite treat! I wish you could see how dirty he got that night. Oh my goodness. He was covered in red snow cone and dirt and sweat. But boy, did he have fun!
Aunt Mamie, Dan, Cory, and Aunt Kathy
So glad we got to reconnect with these two fun ladies!
Me and sweet boy.
Luke was SO good all week long. He must have known exactly what we needed.
Can you see his blue mustache that wouldn't wash away?? Luke loved being around all the family too. Especially since he had so many people to give him treats, and cookies, and blue drinks!
Gammie with Lukie and Cate
We tried really hard to get a picture of Gammie with Hudson, Luke, and Cate. It was not easy! :)
I had to include this picture because of poor little Cate. Both boys are looking so cute, but Cate is being smooshed to death in the corner. It was pretty funny! She was so mad--and she never gets mad!
So we settled for a sweet, easy picture of just Cate and Cheri!
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