This weekend Katherine and I joined my mom on a whirlwind trip to Arkansas to visit family.  Katherine still had lots of family members to meet, so we packed our bags and headed south. 

For the past few years, family on my mother's side get together every fall.  I look forward to it each year because it's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and see my beautifully atypical family.  I hate that we live so far away from them. 

My mother grew up with lots of family.  She had lots of aunts and uncles and cousins.  I may not have had exactly what she had growing up, but I enjoy having all of her aunts and uncles around.  As they get older, I know it's important for me to see them as often as possible.  It breaks my heart that Katherine couldn't get to know them all, so every opportunity we have for her to see this part of the family is important. 

So off we went to the Nelson Family Reunion 2013.  All of the usual characters were there, as well as some new additions.  

{Katherine had a slight meltdown when all of the unfamiliar faces got in hers.}

{Katherine with her Mimi and Great-Granny.}

{Katherine and I with one of my favorite people in the whole world, (great) Aunt Rita.}

{All babies love Aunt Rita.  It's literally a rule.}

{We were no exception.}

{Four generations.}

{Katherine was loving being held by Mimi.}

{Cousin Connie.}

{It turns out, Granny isn't so bad after all.}

Before we knew it, it was time to go meet more family.  We left to meet my Uncle Joey and Aunt Janet.  This is how we ended up at Depot Days in downtown Newport.  

{We're legit.}

We scored an all access pass to Depot Days.  Basically we had access to air conditioning and a keg.  This is where we met up with Uncle Joey and Aunt Janet (my dad's brother and sister). 

{She made this face when I explained what a keg was.}

As luck would have it, we just so happened to be in the area where the band members playing in the festival came in to hang out.  My mom recognized this man and got his autograph.  It turns out, his name is Ace Cannon.  He plays the saxophone.   So, I spoke to Ace Cannon.  He asked if the keg by the door was what he thought it was.  I said yes.  It was a very meaningful conversation.  Nice guy. 

{Mom and Ace.}

{Mom getting her pass signed.}

{Katherine liked seeing her Uncle Joey and Aunt Janet, but wasn't crazy about her Depot Days experience.}

The next and final stop of the day was Granny Lu's.  I'm so glad she got to meet her Aunt Janet for the first time.   

{Katherine with Granny Lu and Aunt Janet.}

Katherine's first trip to Newport was a success.  It was a very, very long day from which we are still recovering, but it was absolutely worth it.  I love my family and Ace isn't so bad either.