Trip to MD

I'll finish off 2012 with three posts - the first of which will be our trip to MD to kick off Christmas for real!  After much consideration (some said too much), we decided to keep Noah out of school on his last day before break and get a jump start on the holiday travels.  We feel strongly about making school a priority and making sure Noah knows that so we are always hesitant to keep him out of school for 'unexcused' absences.  But being that it was the last day before the holiday break AND trackout, we figured it would be okay.  

We decided fairly last minute to leave on Wednesday night (rather than Thursday morning as originally planned).  By the time we really got out of town, it was almost 7 so we were dreading a late night.  But the kids watched a movie and fell asleep and since we didn't stop at all (and Waylon probably went a tad above the speed limit), we arrived around 11:15 and it might have been the quickest trip yet.  The kids were excited to see Grammy and Papa but actually went back to sleep very easily once we got there.

On Thursday, Papa had to work so Grammy and the kids started out the day by making rice crispie snowmen that they painted with edible paint.  So cute!!

Then we went to a new nature center nearby.  It was pretty cool and they had a great kids' activity room there so we spent the majority of our time there.  Noah and Kylie both loved reading with Grammy, doing arts and crafts, playing games, putting on puppet shows, trying on costumes and watching the baby horseshoe crabs eat their lunch of mini-shrimp.

That evening, some of my girlfriends and their families came over for a 'Palmatier Pizza Night'.  I didn't get too many pictures cause I was too busy socializing but got a few!  :-)

Me, Tina, Jessica, Ali

Ali's little girl, Amelia

Kylie playing with Amelia

Friday morning, Leah and Sukha arrived - we were so excited to see both of them.  Sukha had already grown so much in just a month!!

That day was our annual Seafood Feast with the Stones (my dad's side of the family).  Always such a fun time!!  We weren't quite sure how it was going to fit in this year and had a tough time getting everyone on the same page but almost everyone was able to make it (we were missing Bruce and Chris, Brit and little Charlotte).  It was exciting to have such a great turnout when we weren't sure if it was even going to happen for a little while!

Tracy gave the kids magnetic books

Kylie had fun with Jonathan and Matthew and is still talking about how she wants 'those big boys to come back'

Kylie and Hope doing stamps with Grammy

Jonathan and Noah opening presents

Group shot - I guess Noah and Kylie had had it by then :-)

And of course we always have to do a silly one  :-)

We deemed Saturday our 'Christmas Day', so we exchanged presents and relaxed a lot.  This year, the adults picked names and we really liked that a lot.  Not so much stuff but what we did get was one big thing.  Leah got me a Nook which I was really excited about!!  I've already read two books on it!

Grammy and Kylie reading

Me and Sukha!!  I just *may* be getting the puppy bug - don't tell Waylon  :-)

When we started opening presents, we told the kids that the youngest got to open the first one...

....so that would be Sukha....

...then Kylie...

...then Noah.

Papa being Papa with his gift  :-)

So sweet

Noah got ET!

Noah gave Grammy and Papa (and later Nana and Grandad also) a magnet with a drawing that he did at school.  He was very proud.  We also made them a framed picture of their Mistle'toes' (don't have a picture here but do have one for a later post).

Telling Grammy and Papa about his drawing

Aunt Marie was still with us that day and was also very proud of Noah's drawing!

Kylie and her stuffed animals - just like Mommy was

Reading a cool book from Aunt Leah

One of her favorite gifts from Aunt Leah and Uncle Bill - a 'school'

Grammy's present from us - a exercise and sleep tracker that connects to her iPhone

 I think Kylie actually took these next two shots....  not bad, huh??

(No, we didn't plan it)

Once present opening was done, it was time to play with our toys (some started before we were even done - I think we've learned not to let Papa open his present until last).  :-)

Building a solar system

Playing a Cinderella game

Afterwards, we all got a bit relaxed and Kylie even fell asleep on the couch.  Julie came to visit as did Roz, Duane and Diane.  It was nice to see this 'extended family' on our 'Christmas day'.

Even Sukha relaxed a bit

Roz, Duane and Diane gave the kids walkie talkies - they had so much fun and Noah and Roz even walked to the top of the street and they still worked!

Diane showing Kylie how it works

10-4 good buddy

Love my Jules - our third sister

The kids love her too obviously!

That night, we went to dinner with Aunt Marie to a Japanese Steak House - always fun.  Then Grammy and Papa took the kids home and Leah, Bill, Waylon and I went out to get a few drinks.  So nice!!

Sunday, it was time to say goodbye and get back in time for Santa to come to our house!  We debated leaving late again since that went so well going up, but we were feeling ready to get back so we left after lunch and had a fairly uneventful trip home so that was nice.

Kylie wanted me to get a picture of her 'smelling the tree'  ???  It's cute though so glad she did.  :-)

Being silly!

It was such a nice trip.  Jam packed as usual but we managed to rest some too.  It really felt like we'd already been through the real holiday so it was fun to come home and realize we still had several more days of relaxing and celebrating!

The kids already miss everyone and often talk about Grammy, Papa, Aunt Leah, Uncle Bill and Sukha.  Kylie keeps asking for Grammy in particular and even got a picture of me and my mom from the guest room the other day and put it in her room.  I didn't even realize she'd done it and when I was in her room the other day, she said, "I put this picture in my room so I can look at you and Grammy".  :-)  So sweet.  She also often whines and says, 'I want to see Sukha again!!'  :-)

Thank you Grammy and Papa for making it wonderful - as always!!