Homeward Bound

In early October, the three DC Ballards trekked back to the Midwest/South on our first big family trip. For a full week we visited relatives and introduced Harper to Daniel's and my hometowns. And it was a fun and busy week! Below is a slideshow/album photo-documenting the entire trip (about 100 shots per city; be forewarned); and below that is a recap of the week's events.



First order of business was Harper's first plane ride. And she was a trooper. Ate on the way up, slept most of the flight, was an angel when she was awake, ate on the way down, then fell asleep as we taxied to the gate. Couldn't ask for anything more. We flew my fave airline, Southwest, and Harper of course made friends with the flight attendants. She even got little Southwest wings.

We flew into St. Louis, picked up baby gear from my mom and sister (thanks, guys!) and headed to Owensboro. Harper was excited to finally meet her Granddad. (NOTE: all four grandparents now have unique names and spellings! Granddad is Dave Ballard. MaMaw (first syllable A sounds like MAP) is Kay Ballard. PawPaw is Terry Francis. MawMaw (first syllable A sounds like LAW) is Karen Francis. Got it?) Harper also met Aunt Rachel and Uncle Evan, though they weren't too thrilled to meet her, the little attention-grabber that she is! Harper got to meet her only living Great-Grandparents, her Great Aunt Elaine, tour the Ballard Estate and Gardens (as I like to call it), and in general get some fresh country air. It was a fun few days!

Next we packed up the car and headed back to St. Louis. Harper met all sorts of relatives, including Uncle Luke, Great Aunt Denise and GUS (Great Uncle Steve), Great Aunt Kathy and Great Uncle Kenny, my cousin Dani and little girl Lily, Great Aunt Vicky and great-Great Aunt Nellie. She also made her first trip to the Hill in St. Louis (the Italian neighborhood) to eat at Favazza's. It was more great family time!

After a full week, we headed back home to Washington with a few new fall outfits, a few hundred (seriously) photos and a whole bunch of memories of our first family trip.