Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays

I grew up with family gatherings being a regular part of life, especially for birthdays.  One of my favorite things about our vacations in America is when we are able to gather the whole family- aunts, uncles, cousins,grandparents and great-grandparents so that the girls can get that sense of our greater family that I grew up being so accustomed to.  This year we had the chance to celebrate both Maddie (see left) and Abbey's birthdays with family.   Maddie actually got a celebration in Memphis as well as in Rome since we were there for her actual birthday.  We also got to join in the fun with Sarah Ann's birthday

Memommy with all of the cousins








Cousin Sarah Ann celebrating her 4th birthday.  Sarah Ann's grandparents have a pool in their backyard in Memphis and our girls loved getting to go over there and swim.  Thanks Nan and Pops!  It was a real treat for them to be able to swim in a backyard pool as all they have none is massive swimming pools on the beaches in Lebanoncrammed with people.
                                                                                           

Uncle Tom tormented me (in the best possible way) as a child and I love that my girls get to experience tickle monster like I did.  Thankfully his hands are a bit more gentle as a dentist.

The girls LOVED going for rides in Uncle Tom's convertible.  Even Naomi now points out convertibles whenever we are driving around the city "like Uncle Tom's"

AJ's 10th birthday party with the family in Memphis.

Below is Maddie's party with the Cox side of the family in Georgia;