East Coast Vacation, Last Part

To conclude our vacation we had a surprise ending!  The return flight got off to a bumpy start...well, it actually didn't start at all.  We were supposed to connect in Atlanta from Pittsburg to Seattle, but there were thunderstorms over Atlanta.  We were late boarding the plane, and once on we sat at the gate for about an hour, waiting for the skies to clear up.  While we were waiting they determined that the fuel leak that had sprung on the previous trip was too big to fly with (nice to know that sometimes they do fly with fuel leaks :/)  So, we all got off the plane. By this time the kids are bonkers, as you can imagine.  I managed to get Ty to sleep in the stroller while Matt got us on another flight that would connect through Minneapolis.  We had to wait in the airport, so I also managed to get Siri to fall asleep in the stroller (we have a Phil and Ted's Sport double.)  After they woke up we killed more time by playing at the play area in the airport, where Ty fell and cut his lip which bled all over my shirt.  We were so thankful to get on our flight, but still feeling stressed because the kids to such short naps, and we were going to have a 1 1/2 hr layover in MN and be landing in Seattle at roughly 2 a.m. EST.  But, on the plane I had a great idea!  We prayed for favor, and when we got off the plane we asked customer service (well, Matt put on his exasperated face) if we could extend our layover one day.  We got on a flight for the next day at 5, and called my brother to tell him that they had unexpected guests!  It was AMAZING!  We have not been in Minnesota during the summer for 3 1/2 years...and it is definitely the best time to go!  We all got a good night sleep and Emma and Siri got to play in the back yard with their cousin, Elijah.  We got to oogle over Miles, who was only 6 weeks old, and we even made it to the Mall of America for lunch before we headed home.  That layover was the whipped cream, on top of the icing on the most delicious cake I've ever had!

East Coast Vacation Part 7

This just goes on and on, doesn't it! :) I love recounting this wonderful trip!  When the great, but exhausting week at Messiah College was done we rented a car, squeezed all our bags and gear and kids into it, and headed off down the road to Pittsburgh to hang with our besties!  The thought of being in their presence is heavenly to me.  We met everyone at the Elsers' church pool where the kids had a blast.  We stayed 2 nights at the McAdams' house and got to hang out with them and the O'Connells for 2 days.  It was amazing.  I can't believe we're so far from them all, but God has been so gracious to allow us to see each quite often, considering.

The whole crew: 8 adults and 12 kids!

They must like his long hair...at least someone does :)

This involved farting.

East Coast Vacation Part 6

I've been slacking in my blogging!
So, this is the next installment of our trip back east.  (It was just so great that we're still thinking about it!) We packed up Matt's parents' car and drove to Messiah College in PA for Messiah Conference 2011 where Matt volunteered for the last year (because he is too old!)  We stayed in a student housing apartment for the week and Emma was in the kids program for the first time.  Siri and Ty enjoyed time in the nursery, and we had fun in the pool.  We got to see TONS of friends there, and the icing on the cake was that our be sties from Maryland, Troy, Jen, and Lyla Wallace, came up to stay with us for the last night.

  

East Coast Vacation Part 5

The New York leg of our trip was rounded out with Matt's cousin, Lisa, her daughter, Claire, and Matt's Grandma (Granny) coming for the day on Friday and staying for Shabbat dinner.  We spent the evening outside in the warmth and Emma relished the last few moments in the hammock, which was her favorite spot all week.

Saturday morning we were off to shabbat service at Shuvah Yisrael where we saw tons of old friends, and I shed a few tears...almost as soon as we entered the building.  Then, we were off to Pennsylvania for Messiah Conference!

It was too short of a time in New York, much too short.  There are  lots and lots of things I would have loved to do, but until next time...

East Coast Vacation Part 4

On Thursday of our vacation out east we took Emma and Siri to Central Park on an "Enchanted" tour.  Matt was brilliant to bring along the movie on his iPad so that we could recount each scene from the movie as we came to the places in the park.  I was such an awesome day, though we had a couple of major meltdowns directly related to heat, lack of snacks (silly mom), and a skipped nap.  We planned on walking past the Central Park Zoo to see the clock because Emma loves the Penguins of Madagascar cartoon so we gave the girls a choice of picking out something to buy in the gift shop or taking a carriage ride.  They, of course, couldn't agree on a choice, so we caved, agreeing to buy small gifts from the shop (small, meaning inexpensive, was easier said than done), and taking a carriage ride.  Siri lost her privilege of buying something, but she was the one pulling for the carriage ride.  It was amazing, and I just felt at home again, being in the city.

All hot and exhausted we took the subway back to Queens where we had parked our car just down the block from our former apartment.  Nothing has changed.  I love it.  My old stompin' grounds.

Since we were a little late due to traffic and lengthly carriage rides we stopped several places on the way back to Westbury picking up things needed for the open house that we hosted at Matt's parents'.  We rounded out the day talking with friends from Shuvah Yisrael and Matt's cousin Tovah.

Great day.

East Coast Vacation Part 3

After our fantastic day at the Queens zoo had us all wiped out we just hung out at home (Matt's parents' house) and 3 of "my girls," formally from the Shuvah Youth Group came over to hang out with our kids.  Emma stepped right up and bossed them around.
Day 3 was spent soaking up the last few moments with Jake and Heather and Rachel.  It was SO awesome to see them and spend time with them, to chat, and reminisce, and talk about how much we took living close for granted those years ago.
In the evening we met up with a whole pile of our former youth group members at John's Pizzeria in Times Square for a refreshing evening of talking and laughing about all the crazy memories we share.  I am so proud of all of "my kids" and get emotional thinking about them, what they've accomplished, and how so stinkin' little they used to be!

East Coast Vacation Part 2

For our second day in New York we all went to the Queens Zoo.  This was nostalgic for me because it was so close to our apartment and easy for me to take the girls to.  There is a part with exotic animals such as crocodiles and sea lions and pudus, and a separate section for feeding farm animals.  Matt was so surprised that I was so generous to buy ice cream for everyone (let alone just for our kids), but in reality I was so happy to be "home" that my cup overflowed...with cash. :)