Over the river and through the woods...

To grandmother's house we went. We flew out on Barrett's birthday and stayed for just over one week. Jon had a continueing education course that he took on Fri-Sun. My brother Zach flew in from Amsterdam on Friday. Colby drove up from Chicago and we even got to see Chad who had a little time off from his surgical rotation (organ transplants!!! crazy) We also got to see Puja, Colby's girlfriend and meet Gabby, Chad's girlfriend. The kids warmed up to everyone super fast this time. It was so great to be with the whole family and have chad and colby finally see their new nephew. I love my family more than anything and I am trying to instill in my children just how important it is to love your family. No matter the distance between us, or how long it has been since we have seen eachother, it always feels like we haven't even been apart at all. The love of your family is unconditional...that is the real lesson. A big huge thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for making it so easy to travel with kids. We had tons of toys to play with, car seats, high chairs, cribs and everything else you could possibly need. We just relaxed and enjoyed the week. Ate tons of Grandma's amazing cooking...probably gained 10lbs, but oh well! We celebrated Barrett's 1st birthday (see post below) and had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast too. Lilly really enjoyed going for walks in the woods, going for a ride in grandpa's jeep and seeing the movie Tangled with grandpa, listening to the Peter and The Wolf book on tape, cooking with grandma, playing candyland with all of her uncles, opening all of Barrett's presents and just being the center of attention. Barrett enjoyed playing with Charlie (the dog), playing with all the fun cars, listening to music with grandpa, running around the basement, yelling and pointing at everything, being constantly underfoot, eating yummy chocolate cake, taking tubbys in grandma's big tub. It was a great week. So happy that my kids got to know there uncles better and spend some quality time with Grandma and Gramps!! And once again, next time we will come when it's a little warmer and sunnier.

Sitting on the tired surgeon's lap...crazy eyes
Colby, Lilly and Puja
Playin trains
A better shot of Chad...b-man, not so much
Listening to the books on tape...her favorite Peter and The Wolf
cars, cars, cars
Barrett and Uncle Zach just back from a run

Grandpa and his girl
Making pumpkin pies with Grandma
Learning to crack an egg
A ride in Grandpa's jeep
Tangled
mmmmm Hot Chocolate!!!
Strong Uncle Colby
Listening to music with Gramps
...and he's out...
just a little lounging

Chad's famous sausage and egg muffins...a thanksgiving breakfast tradition
A quick photo shoot
" No Charlie, thats my lollipop!"

"I'm so over this..."
Playing hide and seek with Grandma
Barrett and Gramps
Love that smile
Squeezing bubba

Little man
This girl was always with her Uncle Colby
Enjoying his first thankgiving dinner.This silly dog watched these turkeys the whole time we ate.
Being silly with Grandma before we hit the road.