A Tennessee 4th (+ a few other days)

Our month of July was nuts. And also very fun. We left Durham on July 1st and did not return home until August 1st. Yep. Gone from home for a full month- for the second summer in a row. We did this last year, too, while Brad was studying in Greece. This summer, we spent the first part of July visiting the Boswells before heading to Alabama to spend time with Amiee before she left for training in Virginia (in case you don’t know Amiee: she’s moving to Kenya for 2 years with the same program I was a part of in Ukraine). Amiee headed out for Virginia on the 15^th, followed a few hours later by Brad. Brad spent the last two weeks of July in Washington D.C., working on several of his academic projects at Dumbarton Oaks (you should read about the library and its history here). He wasn’t completing any kind of particular program, but he was able to use the library and work areas, as well as work with one of the visiting Greek professors…who was one of his professors last summer in Athens. It was a really great opportunity for him. Maybe I/he will write about it later.

First stop: Johnson City for the 4^th of July!

We left Durham on a Sunday and stayed in Tennessee until Thursday. It was a short-ish visit, but we covered a lot of ground! Brad spent 2 full days working and studying at ETSU (guys…that’s the kind of academic he is. It’s both admirable and annoying when on vacation.), and the girls and I hung out with Barbara, hanging and playing. Johnson City has one of the best splash pads I’ve ever been to, and we had a really great time.

EWWWWW

In the evenings (at least 3 of them), we all loaded up and headed over to the neighborhood pool where Brad’s Mamaw and Aunt and Uncle live for some really great swim sessions. Lots of shenanigans occurred, as you can see.

We had gorgeous weather on the day of the 4^th, and Ray Ray had some super fun water activities up her sleeve: water balloons and a slip-n-slide! The girls had a blast.

Brynnie was able to meet Brad’s Mamaw, Aunt Donna, and Uncle JD for the first time, and she seemed to really like everyone. 😊

Matching with Mamaw: not planned but a nice surprise!

It seems we got pictures of Brynn with everyone but Aunt Donna. We'll have to work on that...

We had a really great visit and are glad we live (relatively) close during our Durham years so that these trips are possible.

Ready to get Pal's for lunch!

Next up: Alabama beach trip + Lily’s endless maladies. It’s a real page-turner, y’all.

No, but really: pray for me. Lily has had NO END of issues this month.

And now, a parade of Brynn pictures:

Y'allllll. She's SO sweet.