Good-Byes

My sisters snuck this photo onto my camera without me knowing it and when I was downloading everything from the trip I was happily surprised to see their smiling faces one more time.

Stink Eye

This is the look Norah gave everyone from Grammy to my aunt to my cousin to my sister. She has such stranger anxiety these days.

Around the Block

For kicks, we took Norah on walks in an old school wagon from my childhood. She was so bundled up from the wind, she wasn't happy at first until we started moving and then she was thrilled to be on the ride.

Another Hot Dog Stand

Four things I NEEDED to do while in town was eat my favorite foods-Vienna Beef Hot Dogs, Jani's Pizza Panzerotti (deep-fried calzone without sauce), Dean's Cottage Cheese and Krunchers BBQ Chips. It might sound weird that food was on the top of my to do list, but you cannot get this food anywhere else, and it so good!!!

I was so pumped about hot dogs that on the way home from the airport while Norah was napping next to me, we stopped at one of my favorite hot dog stands and grubbed it up. And two days later we could be seen at my other favorite hot dog stand with the exact same meal, thank goodness Norah loves fries as much as me.

The Crew

Cassie and I were together the whole trip, it was super fun. I loved having someone to always talk to with me instead of on the phone. It was such an awesome blessing to have her there, it made a spectacular visit even more awesome!

PreSchool

While I was gone, Kyle took care of the kids without any help and even managed to bill quite a few hours while doing so. From the looks of this picture of Ava while at preschool the day I came home, he did a pretty good job.

Cooking It

The only thing I like to avoid while on vacations of any length, is cooking and doing dishes-thankfully at Dad's house, we were treated as guests and had to do neither. It was a beautiful thing, Cass and I just hung out and watched.

Aunt Cassie Time

Cassie was with us wherever we went, making her Norah's favorite aunt. She felt more comfortable in her surroundings if I was out of sight if Cassie was there. In fact, the one time I left Norah for 20 minutes to get a Cinnabon with Amber, Cassie was also at the store. When Norah figured out I was gone, she went hysterical on Grammy, crying incessantly until Aunt Cassie arrived and then life was good again.

I wonder if Norah remembers her from the October visit when Cassie watched the kids by herself for an evening while Kyle and I went a Brian Regan show? Probably not, she was not happy with Cassie at all the entire night.

Kicking It

After church with Grammy and a nap in the morning, we hung out with Grandpa and Grandma Barb for the rest of the day in Elgin. There wasn't much going on, just hanging out with family.

Norah loved all the floor time with everybody and took advantage of all the attention she would normally have to split with two other, equally cute, kids.

New Book

There wasn't much room in our suitcase for toys, and especially not for huge books. Luckily, Grammy is always prepared and had a super fun sound and flap book waiting for us when we arrived. Grandpa took advantage of this distraction and finally got some lap-time with Norah without her crying.

Grandma Barb

If she had forgotten Grandpa she had entirely forgotten Grandma Barb, that is until she swooped her up, twirled her around and plopped her on the floor for an impromptu tickle session. Norah was bewildered at her forwardness she just stared, but at least she didn't cry!

Hello Again

Grandpa's last visit was back in October when Norah was so tiny, and even though he was so smiley and happy to see her, she was still hesitant until he got out a little ball and began playing with her on the floor, she was instantly entertained and no longer fearful!