The Gurganus Family: 2009

Nobody Panic!

We are ok! I know it's been a few months, but we're back!

Take a look at the posts below as I try to catch up on our summer.

I consider myself rare to have so many cousins, so close in age. These are my cousins on my dad's side of the family. Despite living all over the country, we always love being together. Several of us have lived in Dallas (Sarah, come back!), which has been great. This was taken a few years ago and was the last time the 8 of us (all born within 4 1/2 years and the last four within a year!) were together.

L to R- Ben, David, Jean, Sam, Barrett, Carroll, Sarah, Betsy

My cousin Betsy and I have always been close. She has lived in Florida her entire life, and me in Texas. Somehow we have managed to keep in touch and see each other. The past few summers, because we are/were both teachers, she and I have taken a short trip. This year, with Anna around, things were a little bit different. I was so thankful she was able to come out to Texas to visit for a couple of nights. We did things we love to do with Anna tagging along, and Betsy even came to the rescue when I had an emergency come up and needed a babysitter for a few hours. Somehow we went the whole few days without a picture together. Maybe next time!

Ready to hit the mall!

Anna's first visit to the Mermaid Bar- mine, too!

Anna displays her enthusiasm for shopping...

6 month check-up. Anna LOVED it!

Just lounging around- what we do best.

Anna's First Vacation

At the end of July, Anna and I ventured out to the great state of New Mexico to visit my mom, who was there for the summer. This was Anna's first trip on an airplane! Anna loved the cool weather, and so did I! Here are a few highlights from our trip.

When we landed in Albuquerque, we went to straight to my Uncle Steve's house, where Anna met her cousin Leo for the first time. Leo was very interested in babies, as you can see.

Elizabeth came from Roswell and spent the night with us in Glorieta one night. Here we are in Santa Fe at The Square.

Anna playing with Aunt Sue.

Bebe got Anna her very own Raggedy Ann doll and gave it to her when we got to NM. This is still Anna's favorite toy. She loves the little face and thinks she is a real person.

Bebe taught Anna to stand up on the couch, so this was where she perched herself most of the week.

Anna and Bebe at The Jackelope

Anna and me at the Jackelope. Check out those cheeks! :)

Anna loved seeing all the jewelry and wanted put it all in her mouth, of course!

Here she is, looking out the window at the birds.

Ready to hike the mountains!

Piano lessons with Bebe

On Friday night, Casey came to meet us there for the last day of the trip. This is the tree my brothers and I had our picture taken in each year we visited as kids.

On the airplane- ready to go home!

Photo Shoot With Auntie Em!

My great friend Emily came over a few weeks ago to take some pictures of Anna. Seriously, these were picked pretty randomly- She took so many awesome shots I couldn't choose which ones were best. We loved them! Here are a few for you to see.

www.emilymulkeyphotography.com

question- why won't this turn the right way? Blogger friends, help me out.

Does anyone else's child do this?

Heading Home

At the beginning of August, we took a trip home to East Texas for our 10 year reunion. Since Casey and I are from the same class, it was really fun to see old friends and just be home again. Here are a few shots from the weekend.

Carrye, Allison, Carroll

Old friends :)

Carrye and me playing in the bubble machine. Yes, there really was a bubble machine! :)

Back home at Casey's parents' house, Anna had a blast hanging out with Papa and Gigi.

I love this picture! So sweet of Anna with Papa.

When we got to their house Friday night, Anna got up on all fours for the first time ever!

Anna with her cute cousin Coleman.

Coleman teaches Anna to read. :)

Anna playing with her great-grandmother, Mimi.

First Day of School

I always remember seeing pictures of me (or maybe it was my friends) by the front door before each first day of school. I decided to start this little tradition with Anna. Here she is, on the way to her first day of Mother's Day Out. She was much more excited than I was, but a few hours into it I figured out I could do this once a week! :) Anna's teacher reported that she was cooperative, friendly, busy, attentive, and happy. Sounds like an A+ to me! I picked her up with paint on her clothes and her legs, and she fell asleep before we left the parking garage. I'd call that a successful day!

Two surprises!

Anna has something to tell you.........

We are so excited that Anna will have another cousin! Sam and Christina are due in March, and we are all thrilled!

Anna with Uncle Sam and Aunt Christina

Our second piece of exciting news is that my brother Ben is going to marry Jen (finally!!!)! We have been waiting on this for quite some time now, and we thrilled to have Jen in the fam! (This picture was taken on the 4th of July- just wanted to post a pic of Ben and Jen.)

Both of these fun pieces of news came within a few days of each other. It was a great week!

Summer Fun!

We have had a great summer! Here are some of the ways we have kept ourselves busy.

Happy 6 months, Anna!

Happy 7 months!

This is Mark Gold. He's kind-of a celebrity as the Student Body President at A&M (or maybe that was last year). He is the little brother of my great friend Ruth. I picture him as being 8 years old still. You might see him in an election someday. You know those politicians- shaking hands and kissing babies!

We met up in Fort Worth with my good friend, Erin, and her little girl, Addison, who is a month older than Anna. The girls were so cute, and Erin and I enjoyed sharing stories. Wish we could see them more often.

Learning to crawl...

Swinging with Daddy

We finally graduated into the highchair!

Is this a sign that she is hungry?

Here is Anna with Flora Kate and Anna (picture below). I taught both these girls 3 years ago, and their families are so special to us. Thanks for coming to visit, girls!