Meeting Hannah

My perfect niece

We met Hannah on Saturday and I am convinced that I have the cutest, sweetest little niece in the world!  It was an ambitious trip, up-and-back from Tennessee where we were staying in the same day, but well worth it.  Matt and his parents went to the UK game while the kids and I stayed at Claudia's visiting with my parents and the Summers Family of Three.

Kate meets cousin Hannah

Luke meets cousin Hannah

Claudia and Stephen are doing great and look like they have effortlessly adjusted to life as new parents, it helps that at almost two months the newborn fog is lifting and Hannah is sleeping longer stretches now.  It was so good to see them.

Proud new Mama and her baby clone (Claudia was also a bald baby)

Hannah is of course still too small to run wild with her cousins, so Kate and Luke did that all on their own while we were cooped up watching it sleet outside.  Kate played hide and seek with Uncle Stephen (tip for my toddler- don't shout out where you are hiding), Charlotte's dog crate proved to be super entertaining to crawl in and out of, and as is tradition, there was story time with Oma.

COUSINS!

As usual, a captive audience when the professional librarian shares her favorite books

We have not seen my family since Christmas and I know my parents were thrilled to have all their grandchildren in their arms at the same time.  Mack family gatherings have been a good bit louder and more rambunctious since this new generation came along, and it's the best kind of chaos.

Oma and Opa's bunch

Oma and her granddaughters (one moose, one human)

Smitten with this Sleeping Beauty

Kate has been talking about "Baby Cousin Hannah" since before Hannah was born.  Let's be honest, cousins are usually more fun than siblings since you don't see them as often.  I know they will have a blast growing up together.  Welcome to the family Hannah, we love you so much and are so thankful that you are here!

Kate, the little Mama, nurturing her new best friend