From Russia With Like: Summertime in the USA: Part One

Would you like some advice from me to you? If you ever have the opportunity to leave the US- do it. Because when you come back you will appreciate this country so much more than when you left. Our time in the US went way too quickly, but we loved every minute of it and we are looking forward to our next trip back.
We spent a total of 7 weeks in the US. The first week was in Connecticut with the Allen family (my sister Suzanne, brother in law Josh, and my two nephews Brendan and Ryan). After that we moved down South to Hilton Head, South Carolina. I have to apologize right at the beginning of this blog. I do not have any pictures from our visit with the Allen's. Suzanne has all of those photos, so if you are lucky enough to be friends with her, you have probably seen them. I also do not have any photos of my brother Sean and his wife Jeanine. We saw them over the July 4th holiday, and once again I was not taking any photos. Thank goodness my mom and Suzanne are so good with the camera. But, what was lovely is that for a few days in July the ENTIRE Collins family was together. All 19 of us. A great Grandma, a Grandma and Grandpa, 4 siblings, 4 spouses, and 8 grandchildren under the age of 8. It was a wild few days.

The best event of the summer was John's baptism and Colin's First Communion. They happened on the same day, and most of my pictures are from then. My lovely sister Tara and her husband Daniel took most of the pictures, which is why I do not have any of Tara and Daniel. Colin is John's godfather and my mom is the godmother. Shhhhhh- I fibbed and told the church that my dad is the godfather because Colin is too young. But I love the way that Colin was so involved in the day and was so excited to participate in the sacrament.
The first three pictures: It's important to document Kathleen behaving in church. I love the look on Colin's face in picture number 2. He was so interested in the baptism. And in picture 3 John is actually getting bapitzed.

Once again, I love how interested Colin is.

Amalie and her pretty smile.

My nephew Lucas running with a smile on his face.

My parents are doing something important regarding the baptism, but what I found funny was Colin sitting on my grandmother's walker. It's tiring making a new Christian.

I had to include a picture of the girls in their super cute matching dresses.

My godson Mack, who was baptized two weeks before John. Look at that face!

My parents with the boys.

Jesy's mom at the baptism.

My grandmother with her 7th great grandchild.

I always have to keep in mind when I look at these photos that John had not had his morning nap and was exhausted during the baptism. And he behaved so well!
The kids and I spent a lot of time at the beach and pool this summer. I mean a lot. And I am proud to say that more often than not I took them by myself. The kids were usually very well behaved and we had fun. It amazing what sun, water, and Southern hospitality can do for kids. Thank goodness Jesy showed up at the end of our summer visit. That's why I have these pictures.