Leaving on a jet plane

This past week was a big week for us, our first time flying as a family of four and this little ones first flight! We flew up to Connecticut to Mike's grandparents house for a couple of days. Flying is stressful enough but adding two little kids in the mix makes it even more crazy. But I am happy to report the flights went well. Our flight up was during Maddie's nap time and she fell asleep right when we took off and I thought, great, she will sleep the entire flight. Well, the nap only lasted for about 5-10 minutes but at least she woke up happy. She didn't want to miss her first flight! And it didn't hurt that our flight actually landed 30 minutes early, yay for fast pilots.

And who doesn't love to fly when you get to eat 2 lollipops and watch a movie on Mommy's kindle. Yes, we totally bribe her with whatever she wants on a plane to keep her quiet and happy and so far that means candy and movies!

Once we got up to Connecticut, we had so much fun hanging out in Great Grandma and Grandpa's pool and screened porch.

Maddie Grace in her cute new fourth of July suit! She was pretty excited about it!

Ella relaxing in her ladybug towel!

Ella and Maddie had so much fun with all their relatives. Most of them were meeting Maddie for the first time. Mike's grandfather is 92 years old but you would never know it. He is so active and just loves all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren so much. He loved holding all the babies and making them laugh.

Ella getting some loving from Aunt Kelly!

Ella had such a fun time playing with her cousins and second cousins. She especially loved playing with Connor. She would follow him everywhere and this night, they pulled their chairs up and decided to have their own little party!

And then sharing grapes by the pool! I wish we lived closer to them because it was so sweet to see them playing them together but at least they picked up right where they left off in December.

Maddie even got in on the pool action. She still doesn't love the pool but after a lot of time getting adjusted to the pool temperature, she finally let me put her in the airplane float.

 Ella is still a little hesitant around the water, she loves to be in it but she wants someone holding her at all times. Her favorite thing to do at the pool was jumping off the ladder while holding onto our hands. Mike was able to convince her to let him throw her in the air.

Grandma with Ella and Connor!

The kids table!

Ella and sweet Andrew!

There were a lot of adults and children that made the trip up and many who were just meeting for the first time. I think we counted there were 12 kids all under the age of 6. The newest 4 little ones were haming it up for the camera.

Noah and Owen (twins, 7 months old), Maddie 4 months and Max 6 months

There was a tradition started a long time ago where every year when all the grandkids came up to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the fourth of July, they would line everyone up on the diving board oldest to youngest. Since it had been so many years since they were all together, they had to re-enact the picture.

As you can tell, it was fun weekend and the weather really cooperated so we spent a lot of time around the pool. The pool sometimes got very crowded with all the adults and kids.

Great Grandpa with the sweet little twins. Owen was checking out Great Grandpa!

But sometimes the heat and sun were a little much for the little ones so we escaped inside into the air conditioning.

The return flight home went well also, it was very late and we were all tired but we had such a fun trip. There was a professional photographer that came and took group pictures so once I have those, I will post them so you can see everyone. It was so great seeing everyone and meeting new little additions and having everyone meet our new Maddie Grace.

Now back to home and our regular routine. We are staying busy the next couple of weeks with Ella in a couple different camps. Now, only if this extreme heat would break a little bit so we can enjoy some time outside!

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

We had a fun filled and adventurous couple of days! We had a lot of firsts as well. First time Ella and Mommy flew by themselves, first trip to Rochester, first time meeting some new cousins and aunts and uncles, you get the picture. We brought out all of our winter clothes again and packed for a long weekend in Rochester to celebrate Great Grandma's 85th Birthday Party. Only one problem, getting from Charlotte to Rochester is not easy. We finally decided that Ella and I would fly up Thursday night to Rochester via a layover in Atlanta and meet up DeeDee and Papa and travel with them and Mike would come up Friday after work. So, to be honest, I only had to take 1 flight solo and it was a short one. Ella was actually really good on Thursday flights even though it was way past her bedtime. Below is a quick pic I took waiting to board the plane in Charlotte. In preparation for the trip, I bought another stroller that was lightweight and folds up super easy. It's a little crazy to think we know own 3 strollers! Ella was very excited to see DeeDee and Papa in Atlanta and after some running around the airport, she did finally fall asleep on the flight and the slept for the majority of it! First round of the flights=success. On Friday, we had lots of time to spend with some new second cousins and aunts and uncles. Ella hadn't met my Uncle Al, Aunt Ellen and cousins Taylor, Timmy and Paige since they live in Rochester and this was our first trip. My other Aunt Jeanne, Uncle Steve, cousin Sean and Annie hadn't seen Ella since last Easter so she has definitely changed a lot since then. She loved the attention and even showed them all her favorite show, Yo Gabba Gabba of course!

She really bonded with my cousins Taylor who is in college studying to be a teacher. I would say based off Ella's reaction to her, she picked the right profession.

My Grandma comes from a family of 10 bothers and sisters so every visit to Rochester, we see tons of family and I am not really even sure how we are all related but I am pretty sure, they are cousins of my Dad. Below is my Dad's cousin June with her granddaughters Francesca and Adriana who were so sweet to Ella.

One person Ella really feel in love with was my Uncle Al. My mom nicknamed him the gentle giant! Ella typically takes a lot longer to warm up to men than women but she immediately warmed right up to my uncle. He would play special games with her, smelling her feet and she would only let him put her sweater on. While we were there, she started saying Al and today, I played the smelling feet game and she laughed and said Al again. I am so glad they got to spend so much time together.

If there is an audience, then this little girl knows how to put on a show and she loved being the center of attention! She would grab things, like my Grandma's table runner of the last supper ironically enough and put it on and everyone laughed. Whatever got a reaction, she just kept repeating.

My Aunt Jeanne is a lot younger than my Dad so when we were growing up, she was always the young cool aunt (no offense to my other other aunts, you all rock!) that took us for ice cream, gave me and my friends a wine cooler in high school and sent care packages to me in college, I mean we are both Hokies! Ella loved playing with Aunt Jeanne and I think she remembered the many care packages and presents that Jeanne gives Ella as well!

Of course the reason we were there was this amazing lady, my Grandma who is celebrating turning 85 years young. My grandma doesn't have internet and wouldn't know how to turn on a computer so I know she isn't reading this but she is such a sweet grandmother and great grandmother.

Anyone that knows my Grandma knows she is the most wonderful Italian chef around. She makes everything from scratch and she is giving Ella a cooking lesson on making the perfect meatball! Ella also feel in love with Grandma's cookies or coo coo as Ella calls them. I think she only ate coo coos on Saturday!

Ella had fun getting in all sorts of trouble at Grandma's house. Obviously nothing is child proofed so she was into everything, like this massaging chair. She also found something that looked like a stop watch and immediately pushed the big button on it. Next thing we know, we hear this loud voice come on, saying, "emergency emergency." Ella managed to find the emergency, I have fallen and I can't get up button. We quickly told them we didn't need any help but good know it still works!

Ella loves her Papa and his cell phone.

And DeeDee and Grandma and watching herself on the computer!

Ella has never really been too sure of Uncle Court. Every time we try and have him hold her and get a picture, it usually doesn't end up well, her screaming and trying to jump out of his arms but not this trip. This trip, she not only let Uncle Court hold her but she was laughing and happy about it. Progress people progress.

The reason for the big trip was of course the big party on Saturday night. Grandma had over 70 people come to celebrate and toast with her. 70 people!! At 85 years old! Quite a testament to the person she is. Below is a picture of our immediate family, my Grandma (minus my Papa who we lost almost 2 years ago when I was pregnant), her 3 kids (my dad, his brother and sister) and their spouses and children.

All the girl granddaughters posing for a picture with the birthday girl!

We actually had a date night of sorts. The party started a little too late for miss Ella so we had a babysitter stay home with her so we could have an adult night. Check out Mike's new sport coat, he got it while we were up there!

My grandmother with 3 of her sister, all over the age of 80 and Aunt Mary who is on the far right is 91. I would say they have some pretty good genes, they are all looking great!

Me and Taylor, almost 21 Taylor, almost!

The party, the visiting with family, everything was great! Ella had a ball and so did we but let's just say the trip home was not as successful as the trip up there. Before we left though, Rochester had this fun little play area in the terminal. I wish all airports had this. Our hope was Ella would have so much fun running around and getting her energy out, she would fall right asleep on the plane.

Well, she did have fun playing but unfortunately, it did not drain all her energy. The first flight was right during her nap time and she feel asleep on takeoff. Mike and I looked at each other and smiled, thinking this is going to be great. About 2 minutes later, she awoke. She couldn't get comfortable, she wouldn't sit still, she was overtired and cranky for the majority of the flight. Our DVD player ran out of battery life, she didn't want to eat anything or drink anything so her ears were popping. And that was only the first flight.

The second flight was even worse, a smaller plane, back row so we couldn't recline, the seats in front of us fully reclined, the plane felt like 150 degrees, and one very tired girl. Yes, we officially became one of those people that all over passengers hate and loath but we finally landed (good news we were early, bad news, no gate so more waiting) and made it home. We all slept really well that night and are happy to be back in our beds but also happy to have new memories and happy to have Grandma's that turn 85 that we get to celebrate with! Happy Birthday Grandma!