Last week, Avery finally got to meet her Great Uncle Chris. My dad’s brother lives in California and recently retired, giving him more time to travel. We haven’t seen him for a few years, and this was Avery’s first introduction to her Great Uncle Chris. We had lots of fun family time together.

My dad and Uncle Chris both enjoy playing chess. My dad wants to teach Avery how to play, but obviously she’s way too young to understand the game right now. But one night, she asked Grandpa to teach her “chest.” Needless to say, the teaching didn’t last very long before she lost interest.

Karen, Chris, Uncle Chris, Dad and I played an entertaining game of Shanghai, the Hromada family card game. Grandma and Avery played with princess dolls.

We were ashamed that Uncle Chris beat us so badly. It seems he’s been honing his Shanghai skills in secret.

On Saturday, we enjoyed a walk along the canal downtown.
Avery posed on the woolly mammoth statue outside the Indiana State Museum.

Since California doesn’t have Steak ‘n Shakes, Uncle Chris requested that for dinner. He didn’t realize he would have to help entertain Avery at the table. But he quickly picked up a crayon and started coloring and playing tic-tac-toe with her. She loved having a new dining companion.

Following dinner, we played miniature golf. Luckily the course wasn’t too crowded, so the seven of us pretty much played together. I believe everyone made at least one hole-in-one…except Grandma and Chris (and Avery, of course)!

These two guys were really good sports. They probably weren’t very excited about miniature golf, but they complied. And I think they even enjoyed themselves! (You can’t tell at all that they’re brothers, right?!)

Avery was very excited to get a hot pink golf ball.

On Sunday, everyone came to our house for a cookout. After lunch, we played in the basement a little. As usual, Karen was invited inside Avery’s cardboard house, courtesy of Aunt Ann.

And Avery couldn’t forget about Grandpa! I was surprised that she didn’t force Uncle Chris to get in, too.

Then we moved the festivities outside. First up was cornhole. The Chrises easily beat Karen and Grandpa.

Avery couldn’t really participate in cornhole. So we got out lots of her yard toys. Uncle Chris stepped right in and played soccer with Avery and Daddy.

He even hit some baseballs from her baseball pitching machine! And suddenly it was time to say goodbye to Uncle Chris. Maybe we’ll plan a family trip to California in the next few years?
This is what happens after you spend three fun-filled days with Uncle Chris.

I was impressed at how quickly both Uncle Chris and Avery warmed up to each other. She didn’t hesitate to play all of her usual games and toys with him (except for Barbies…she threatened to make him play Barbies with her, but she never followed through). And he didn’t mind playing with a crazy 4-year-old. I’m so glad he made this trip to see us!

A great visit from a great uncle