Hesseltine Krewe

No, it's not bad spelling - unless you dislike the French. Ever since I visited New Orleans, I've been itching to use one of the local terms I learned while visiting the Mardi Gras museum in Jackson Square, and used widely in the local vernacular of NOLA culture - "Krewe". The "krewes" of Mardi Gras are social clubs who among other things, finance and build their own floats for the parades of Mardi Gras, as well as throw parties, dances, generously participate in community service, and promote merry making of all sorts. With their annual particitipation in the Denver Heart Walk, and extreme excellence in general merrymaking, other than living in Denver, the Hesseltine family (my in-laws in case you were wondering) more than qualify as a Krewe. (if you want more...Wikipedia article on the definition of Krewe - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krewe)

This past weekend was a classic example. All of the Hesseltine siblings and their significant others were able to visit Sarah and I and hang out with Grace for several days. We partied, soaked up the sun, geocached, went wine tasting, flying, held competitive card and Trivial Pursuit games, and of course, engaged in copious amounts of all around general merry making. Grace was definitely the star of the visit and "Grace Time" as I like to call it, was in short supply. I think outside of feeding her and putting her to sleep, Sarah and I got a combined 10 minutes holding Grace while the Krewe was in town.

I am still adjusting to the dynamics of a large family. Myself being an only child, and having not but 3 cousins; having 4 siblings under one roof is a change in deed. To see the love they showed for our daughter, and glowingly welcome her into their arms and the family is an experience I will not forget. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who took the time, effort, and energy to make this experience possible. Thanks Hesseltine Krewe, and I can't wait to do it again.

Grace Notes: At 8 weeks of age, she is growing rapidly and hitting developmental milestones almost daily. She holds her head up, has discovered new sounds she loves sharing, is socially smiling (not just when she poops), and is now following figures with here eyes as she moves her head or as she is moved across the room. Please check out the photos below for lots of great shots by Sarah of all the growing Grace has been doing in the past couple of weeks AND photos from the Hesseltine Sibling Tacoma Gatering of '2010.

http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.templin/GraceWeek7#

http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.templin/HesseltineSiblingVisit710#