National Lampoon's Oklahoma Vacation

Well, we're finally back in the ATL after our first familial odyssey. Three weeks on the road was fun but it sure is nice to sink into our own beds again. Anna didn't miss hers...it's portable, you see. We're weren't too sure how portable she'd be, but were continually surprised (pleasantly) at how easygoing she was with all the commotion of travel and meeting new people (i.e., getting passed around like a hot potato). By the end, we had logged a total of 38 hours in the car...we figure she cried for less than an hour all told! Way to go, squirt!

The first and last part of our trip in Nashville was spent with the Rice clan. Gina's sister, Kristen, and her beautiful kids - Hunter, Paige, and Noah - were waiting to greet us there when we arrived. The kids were very sweet with Anna, always wanting to hold her or stroke her skin. At one point, Aunt Kristen attempted to capture their collective cuteness on film by staging a cousin photo shoot. Even Kristen's vast skills as a distracter-of-children were severely tested by 4 adorable but impatient kids. Imagine herding cats and you get the idea. Kristen got better shots than I did, so I'll post hers when I get the CD. Anna also made her big-screen debut as a supporting actress in "Brent: The Movie", an epic home movie commemorating Gina's brother, Brent's, 40th birthday. Coming to a poorly produced DVD near you soon.

After 2 weeks in Nashville, 10 of us bravely piled into the 15 passenger van and drove to Oklahoma for some R&R (Rices & Reunion). First stop: the Fin and Feather family resort at beautiful Lake Tenkiller in Gore, OK. Anna tried her tiny hand at bowling in one of our outings. Unfortunately, her effort wasn't enough to help the girls defeat the boys. Boys ruled in Nertz, too. Greg and Johnny are a team not to be trifled with.

Then on to Yukon to hang out with even more cousins, aunts and uncles. On the way, we stopped to visit the gravesite of Papa and Mama Great Darden whom she never had the chance to meet. It was a poignant moment. You can see in the picture Anna's namesake - Anna Ruth Darden.

We had a blast with the rest of the Rice family at the reunion. Dance, Dance Revolution ruled the nightlife...who knew a bunch of Nazarenes could shake their groove-thangs? Admittedly, the in-laws performed better than blood relatives, but we don't need to bring that up. We were so happy that Uncle Brent and Aunt Hal flew in from LA and got to see their newest niece. Brent was especially impressed with Anna's cinematic talent. "What an incredible screen presence!", he was quoted as saying. How blessed we were to introduce Anna to her Greatgrandmother Rice, who celebrated her 95th birthday this year. Anna's got some good genes!!

Guess it's time to bring this novel to an end. You may be interested to know that our little Pooh now weighs 11lb. 3oz. and measures 23.5". The doctor says she's in the 50% for weight, the 90% for height...and the 10% for head circumference. Our modesty training is working: you certainly can't accuse her of having a big head!