Visitor Fun!

Cole was pretty jazzed to get home and settle back in. He's such a happy boy. Soon he heard that his Aunt Linda and Cousin Alex were coming for a visit and he couldn't wait.

Aunt Linda and Cole were having a good 'ole time. Alex was a tad bit under the weather so they didn't get to play at all.

Aunt Linda and Alex watched Cole so Mom and Dad could go out to dinner. It was a relaxing and wonderful meal knowing that our little Cole was in the safe hands of family. It's hard not having family nearby. Paul and I struggle with that each day. We want Cole to know his family but it's so hard being so far away: New York, Florida, Georgia, Montana, Washington State, Texas, California. Everyone we love is just all over the place. I guess one good thing.... we have lots of people and places to visit!

Aunt Linda and Cole chit chatting about stuff.

Later, a new friend came to visit. Brooks! It's so hard to imagine Cole getting to be that big at some point. Brooks turned 1 in July and he's is as cute as ever. He's walking, drinking from a cup and is a very curious little boy.

More of August....

With all the traveling we have been doing a bath was in order! Cole loves to get in the tub, I just can't imagine when he gets bigger. I imagine that he'll be a splish splashing fool! Daddy is a great bath giver....!

Since our boat was not ready for pickup, we decided to take a drive to surprise Josh down in Kings Bay, Georgia. It was a long ride in the car but totally worth it. Josh and Cole finally got to meet. It was a wonderful "reunion" of sorts. Brother to Brother.

Cole didn't want our few days with Josh to end. We were having fun on the beach and hanging out on Amelia Island. Next time they see each other, Cole will be 6 months old and very different. These are the moments to treasure.

So on our way back from Georgia, we received a call from Shady Side Sea Ray and learned that yet again, our boat was not yet ready for pick up. So we decided to take a detour to visit our friends Dennis & Kay in Charlotte. Now I'm not one to call up people and muscle my way over to their houses but that's what happened.
Nancy: "Hey watcha doing?"
Kay: "Not much, just chillin"
Nancy: "We're at the NC border, want some company for a few days?"
Kay: "Sure! Come on over"

Dennis and Kay were great, especially considering they were already having guests for the weekend. They took us in like some stray dogs looking for food. It was a blast.

August

So our trip to Montana was two fold.... (1) Meet and greet EVERYONE! and (2) Paul's 20 year High School reunion. The evening we got in there was a "social" at a local bar. Paul only graduated with 67 people which I find to be very funny. Anyway..... that day overall was the longest ever! I had gotten up to feed Cole at 3:30am and since we had to get up at 4:30 anyway to get ready to leave, I figured, oh well... just stay up. Kenny picked us up at 6:00 and we headed to the airport. FFWD to the bar.... tick tock with the time change it was midnight but really 2am our time.... I finally convinced Paul that we had to leave. We had officially almost been awake for 24 hours. It was fun to meet and see some of Paul's old buddies. The next day there was a full day of fun at a lake and Cole had a blast. It was a bit hot (very hot for Montana) but we made due.

Lots of fun things happen at this reunion party….. 

 

 

 

Corn hole was played       A LOT. 

 

 

Beer was “drunk” A LOT. 

 

 

Kids were swimming, fishing, boating and overall just having a ton of fun.  Oh….. did I mention that I ate my very first CRAWDAD??!!!  Thanks to EJ for showing me the ropes on that!

So we were staying at Grandma's place and again, Cole and Great Grandma were like peas and carrots!   They were always chatting and hanging out.  They mostly talked about us moving to Montana and how great that would be.  Cole would be the most spoiled great grandson there is!

Cole also was able to meet a longtime friend, Judy Hadlock.  Ms. Judy was a teacher of Paul as well as Josh.  I think Cole is telling her that he isn’t ready for school just yet, but he is going to work hard to make her proud!  Judy got Cole some wonderful books and we’ve been reading and reading….it’s never too early.

 

People in Montana do funny things like have barn parties and roast ENTIRE pigs to feed everyone.  Cole was great as we attended such a function.  He got to see his first real live horse although, I don’t have a picture of that.  Dad was very busy taking pictures of other important things.  It was fun… there was great food, music, horses, pigs, porta johns… well you get my drift.

July .....

I'm going to try to get you all updated on the Royston's happenings.... The rest of July was crazy. We spent a few more days on the boat and it was time to get home, do laundry and get packing. We had Cole's 2 month appointment on the 29th where we weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 14oz and 22 1/2" long! He was due for shots but because we were heading on a plan in 2 days we decided to wait until we got back.

It's always fun hanging out with Daddy!

So on 7/31 we headed out of dodge to head to the Big Sky country Montana. Cole was super excited to (1) get on a plane again (although we didn't tell him how long the flight was going to be and (2) Meet his new Great Grandma!

From the minute we arrived Cole and Great Grandma were like peas and carrots!

Traveling Fools!

We have been traveling all over... Montana, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina. Cole has been great. I will have pictures and stories up shortly!!

Summer of Fun!

It had been a quick trip to NY and we headed straight from BWI right to Reel It In Panaroy... Here is cole enjoying his little fishie friend from Kathy.

Sometimes all that excitement just really means a great nap is coming. Cole sleeps very good on the boat.

Here is Cole and I at our first raft up. We met our friends and anchored up at the horsefarm. It was our first overnight truly on the water with Cole (not in the marina). We were about 6 boats tied up. It was quiet and wonderfully cool that night. We slept with the door open and enjoyed every second.

Cole decided on Sunday that he had to enjoy some water sports too by taking a quick dip in his new pool. He seems to really like the water so far but we're not yet ready for big people pools (germs and such) and surely we are not ready for the Bay water either (germs and such).

At the end of a busy boating day, what's a kid to do but take a cool snooze in his crib. He looks so comfortable!

Cole's First Plane Ride!

It was an emotional weekend for many reasons...

Cole's first plane trip to New York. Thank goodness for Southwest.... they are so nice.... since there was extra seats (on both flights coming and going) Cole was able to have his own seat. Here he is with Daddy... fast asleep.

Our trip to NY was not without purpose... we gathered lay Mom to rest. Cole didn't get to meet his Grandma on the outside but she was very excited to feel him on the inside. We gathered at the cemetary and Linda read the reading that she read when my Mom and Pete were married. It was nice. The next day, Linda and I planted flowers and made everything look pretty.

Cole finally was able to meet many of his new cousins and other family members for the first time. It was a fun reunion of sorts! Uncle Robert, Cousins Alex, Robert and Jesse and Uncle Jimmy! He also met Ms. Nilda, and Juliana. Everyone took turns holding Cole.

Cole and Cousin Jesse

Cole and Uncle Jimmy.

Cole and Uncle Robert

Cole and Juliana

Cole and Cousin Alex.

Cole and Cousin Robert.

And of course, Cole and Aunt Linda.