Baltimore, Family, Virginia, Giggles, and a Wedding

Jack's first trip back to the East Coast was Awesome!

There were lots of highlights, but the main event was finally introducing Jack to his extended family! What fun it is to have a cousin, Tucker, so close in age (6 months older), and it was charming to see the family similarities in the two boys. Here, the cousins show off the same turned down mouth:


Tucker and Jack's first interaction was filled with all the drama and intrigue you might expect. Two short videos will illustrate:

Cousins: The Lord of the Keys, Part 1
Starring Tucker and Jack. Co-starring Aunt Megan


Cousins: The Lord of the Keys, Part 2 (The Stare Down)


All in all, Jack and Tucker seemed to get along famously. See below, a sweet moment (or is Jack just trying to get a little leverage to secure that toy...?)


Jack with Aunt Crystal, who made him laugh more than anyone else...

Four Generations of Powells:

Jack also had his first swimming pool experience while in Baltimore.




We braved the Capitol beltway traffic to visit our friends Scott and Elizabeth (fellow W&L alumni) and meet their 9 month old Will. Apparently lime green was the color of choice for the gentlemen that night.



Elizabeth and Scott win the prize for providing us with the best Jack laughter to date. After this encounter with Daisy, we might just have to get one of our own, just to keep the giggles coming...

By the way, these videos are sideways. They shouldn't be, but I cannot figure this one out. Sorry about that!


Didn't get enough? We didn't. Here's more of the same:


Back to the Shenandoah Valley, at last.

Jim had the great priviledge of performing the wedding of Jake and Jessie. Jim and Jake were friends growing up and went to VMI together, so there were all kinds of mutual friends at the wedding, and it was a great "this is your life" sort of experience for Jim.

Here, Betty, Pat, Jim, Jake, Shawn, Donny, and Brett. This group has been friends since high school. Amazing.


And here, the 4 roommates from VMI.


A few more pics from the wedding:





Jake and Jessie's wedding was picturesque and charming. They were married in a tiny country church on a spectacular day, and had their reception on their expansive property, like an enchanted gathering back in the woods. Jim not only was able to perform the wedding ceremony, but called the squaredance at the reception (much to Jack's delight, who hopped up and down in my arms throughout the Virginia Reel).

The view through the woods into the clearing where the reception was held: