Virginia Or Bust

At the end of September, we stuffed our luggage & flew to Virginia to stay with my sister, Missy, for 2 weeks. We were there for her wedding & just to spend some much-needed sisterly time.

After a long day of traveling (with Hannah on my lap, mind you), we arrived at their home near Virginia Beach. Jacob was sleeping, but woke up as soon as he sensed his cousin's presence. From that moment on, they were inseparable. They played, ate, fought, read, shopped, whined & bathed together non-stop for those 14 days. That was exhausting!

The wedding was at the end of the first week. So, family began to arrive from Maryland, New Hampshire & Florida. First came my little sister, Melanie, and her daughter, Caitlin. Oh boy, does Hannah like Caitlin. She's her little shadow! Of course, Hannah can't say Caitlin, so she opted for, "Clayton." It's not that far off.

Our first order of business for the wedding was the Bridal Shower. Mom, of course, was our model for the toilet paper wedding dress design contest. She sure did rock it down the runway - work it, mom! Haha. Hannah was busy stealing jelly beans from the guest book table. I'm not surprised. At least she wasn't drinking the yellow punch!! ;)

Over the next few days, we prepared wedding favors, made uncomfortable phone calls to companies who were being ever-so-helpful by messing up online orders so they would arrive after the wedding, cooked, cleaned & let the kids play. Hannah & Jacob really enjoyed their trips to the playground. You know, I thought we had great playground equipment out west until I went to several playgrounds in Virginia. They don't even have as many kids back there!! Not to mention, the coolest playground is right next to the beach. One afternoon, we took the kids to let them play in the sand & see the water. It was Hannah's first time at a beach. The moment her little toes touched the sand, she looked down, wiggled them for a moment & then held her arms up saying, "Up, Momma." Missy helped her calm down by running back & forth near the water. Of course, she didn't want to leave.

So, the wedding day finally arrived & no one was balding yet. It was held at a botanical rose garden - beautiful. They were married under a rose-covered trellis in sunny, warm eastern fall weather. Hannah & Caitlin were flower girls. They did great holding hands & bouquets as they walked down the aisle.

That weekend, our family stayed & we took a day trip to Colonial Williamsburg with our Dad's side of the family - our grandparents, uncle & cousin. This is when Hannah finally warmed up to her Great-Grampy. He's so warm with kids - they all love him. Later that day, my parents, Grandmother & Great-Aunt & Uncle (all on Mom's side) met up with us & walked around the battlefields in Yorktown. While there, Hannah & I sat on the grass for this photo & a little tick climbed up, burying it's nasty face in her shoulder. I found it that night when we got home.

We were so, so, so glad to see our family & spend time with those we don't see often enough. I'm thinking I should just move in next door & be Missy's neighbor. That way, our kids can grow up together & we can see that side of the family more often. Ha - that's dreaming. ;) Besides, living out West has it's own benefits.