summertime fun...

We had quite the weekend here in the land of Eakes...swimming in the pool, visits with cousins, visits at Jeannie and Bunky's, more swimming, a cookout with friends...did I mention swimming?

Mara and John arrived mid-week, and Warren and I went out to West Point to swim with them for their first afternoon "up north". Cute, cute kiddos! And of course, no afternoon is complete without a ride on the Elmore elephant...

later in the week, the crew came to visit us in Tupelo for a bit...note the changes in decor:

before the arrival of cousins...
3 minutes AFTER the arrival of cousins...

on Friday the entire Eakes family (Zip the Corgi included) headed back to West Point to spend the evening with Mara's family. We grilled steaks and corn on the cob, and thoroughly enjoyed mom's lemon icebox cake! Certain members of our families also learned some important lessons in sharing. Sharing, you say? No! mine! mine! mine!

peace was finally restored with the unveiling of TWO etch-a-sketches...
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Saturday evening we joined in a "farewell for now" cookout with friends for the Barath family, who are headed back home to South Africa for a 6 week visit. Everybody brought a dish (Rashni has shared her Indian-style chicken recipe...Misty, how about your Chocolate Chess Pie? Patrick, alas, maintains that his venison burgers are a family secret). In other words, we had great food and even better company....
and of course, no night would be complete without dancing kiddos! look out laurie, "warnen" only has eyes for you!!

here's to safe travels and a wonderful visit for you both, Rashni and Binita...and Navin! We will all miss you, and look forward to your return!