June was a busy month for the Blair Bunch. For starters, we headed south to Dallas for the Satarino family reunion. (It was Jack's first flight, and we were so pleased that he traveled so well. Mommy, not so much... :) ) At the reunion we were able to introduce Jack to all the family. He loved being passed from relative to relative, and it was so good to catch up and see everyone.
After the reunion, Dan and I enjoyed the weekend with Mom and Dad, and hung out quite a bit with Michael, Gaby, Joe and Nana. Mom even made up our room with all things Italy to help celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. --On Sunday, Dan headed back to Denver and Jack and I stayed behind for a week. Jack got to meet his great Grandma, and his auntie's Jana, Katie, Erika and Susan. Mom and Dad loved getting to know him. Mom bathed him each night, took him outside to her garden and Dad enjoyed playing with him and propping him over his shoulder just like he did me when I was little.
Leaving Dallas was very hard, but Jack and I were anxious to see Daddy. We were able to settle in for a bit before we left for SD. Luckily the flight in was just as good as to Dallas. Jack is becoming an old pro at flying it seems. Nona picked us up at the airport and from that moment on, we visited and loved on Jack all week. We went up to Cheyenne Crossing for Indian Tacos, took walks in the park, saw the Conklins at the Pretty Place, had Two Pines coffee each morning and enjoyed Nona's delicious cooking.
Dan, Pam, and Grandpa arrived the weekend of the 4th, and we all enjoyed a family picnic and just relaxing with each other. The night of the 4th Dan, Nona and I took Jack to see his first fireworks. We took a lovely drive through Deadwood to Lead and sat huddled under blankets watching the display. (It was quite strange for this Texan to be bundled under a blanket wanting a hot chocolate in July, that's for sure.)
Sunday morning, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at Two Pines with Nona, Papa Rick and Shannon before Dan and I headed home.
I am so thankful that I have a job where I can be with Jack and take him to visit his family. These two weeks of travel have begun to lay the foundation of many more beautiful memories to come. My favorite memories were: 1. Seeing Jack in my mom's arms one morning listening to the birds 2. Visiting with Anne in her kitchen while Jack sat on his pillow on the floor watching us 3. Seeing Kelly holding him and telling him his stories about his great grandparents. 4. Seeing my dad hold him making funny noises to get him to smile. In perfect dad-fashion, he gave Jack the nickname, Jackhammer, because of the way he always moves his legs up and down. 5. Seeing aspects of each of the grandparents, aunts and uncles in Jack's expressions and the loving way he looks at each of them.
