Busy weekend, Part 1

Samuel with Grandma's cousin, Bruce (a.k.a. Santa Claus)

Samuel was the youngest "Tompkins" there.

Samuel with cousin Peyton and her mom, Sherrie

Who's this?

Samuel and Grandma's cousin, Barbara

> It was a busy weekend for Samuel. Mom and Samuel traveled to Alabama Thursday evening, and Dad came down Friday night, and we all went to the annual Tompkins reunion on Saturday. There were lots of folks there who'd not met Samuel yet, but they decided he was a keeper. We all had a good time. Driving home wasn't quite as much fun though. Mom and Dad had to drive home in separate cars and, once we got to the interstate, in really heavy downpours and thunderstorms. Dad had convinced Mom to let Samuel ride in Daddy's car, since Samuel's inevitable crying "would not bother Dad like it does Mom; Dad can tune it out" (per Dad). (That was partly what was worrying Mom). 15 minutes from Grandma's house, Mom's cell rings and it's Dad letting Mom know that Samuel is crying!! So much for Mom's peace and quiet----let's spread the misery into two cars....... However, Dad pulled up beside Mom at a redlight a little while later and let her know Samuel had stopped crying. (Samuel did resume crying 1/2 hour from home, but Dad wisely did not phone Mom !) Adding to the un-fun of the trip home was Alabama's double overtime and eventual 1-point loss to Arkansas. At stop signs, etc., Mom got to see Dad's gloating over Bama's mishaps in the rearview mirror, since we were both listening to the game. Oh well. We were very relieved to reach home safe and sound.