Friday, October 24, 2008

Our grand tour of the upper midwest

It's obvious how behind I am in updating this blog when I'm posting pictures from last weekend - on a Friday.  I've had a mental block about writing lately...but I figure a rainy day is as good of a time as ever!

Last weekend, we visited Joey's family in Mishawaka, Indiana to meet his brother Aaron and wife Michelle's new baby boy, Logan, who was even cuter than in pictures and remarkably calm and well behaved.  Proving once more that our 2 wild monkeys, Anna and Margaret, were indeed the high-strung, colicky babies that I remembered.

Here are a few pictures of the new babe and family:

Logan in all of his adorableness
Proud parents Aaron and Michelle
And a tired Daddy taking a nap with Logan
Uncle Joey
Uncle Joel (Aunt Karolyn, so sorry I didn't get you in this picture!)
Grandma and Grandpa and their 4 nieces and 1 nephew

And a few pics from enjoying the beautiful fall weather and falling leaves in Indiana:

The friendly stray cat that's hanging out at Joey's parents' house:
Perhaps it won't be by as often after getting chased:
Margaret enjoying a few throws in the air by Daddy:
Anna attempting to catch the leaves we threw in the air for her
Margaret not enjoying this game as much

Sunday night, we drove to Columbus, Ohio, as Joey found out quite last minute that he had to be at a work meeting Monday morning.  I was a bit apprehensive of the whole experience, as we had yet to sleep in a hotel with the girls, but it went surprisingly well.  The 2-room hotel suite was perfect, and the girls were strangely giddy and ran laps around the hotel room when we walked in at 10 p.m. - well past their bedtime.  The hotel bathtub was also a huge hit, as apparently the travel sized hotel shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion bottles are the coolest - things - ever to 15 month olds.  I think they carried those bottles around the entire time we were there.

Monday morning, Joey attended his meeting and I lucked out to find a city park (Goodale Park) right next to our hotel to burn some energy and entertain the girls before we got back on the road.  Anna and Margaret tried out the playground (doing their requisite attempt at climbing up the slides, as they do every time), petted a few dogs (the new obsession in their lives), and even posed for a few photos taken by several Ohio State University photography students at the park doing class homework.  We wandered over to the pond and gazebo area, at which point the girls were drained and wondering why their mother was denying them of the critical morning nap - note the exhausted looks:


After they could take no more of the park and stroller, we went back to the hotel room and had a little Fruit Loop snack party on the floor while we watched Elmo.  Who they strangely refer to as "Da."  Spoken in a high pitched, frantic, "DA!!!!" every time they see him on TV.  Elmo is #1 in their lives right now.  Don't try messing with them when Elmo's World is on in the morning-  that's must-see-TV for these chicks and their furry, red, monster friend.

5 comments:

Lisa said...

Sounds like your trip went really well! I have been thinking a lot lately about our trip to Mexico in December and freaking out about staying in a hotel for several days and a plane ride, which neither girl has taken before! You'll have to coach me!!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

what a trip katie! but it looks & sounds like it was a lot of fun! we have yet to get out and play in the leaves, but i think it is a wonderful idea...thanks :) so happy you were able to get up there to meet your nephew too, he is absolutely adorable!

BuckeyeBundle said...

Oh my goodness....SO CLOSE! I know this was a last minute kind of thing, but if there is a next time, YOU MUST stop by, last minute or not! Or I'll meet you! I would love to meet you and the girls! Glad you enjoyed your brief visit and congratulations on your new handsome nephew!!!!

Linda said...

Looks like a fun few days!

Cheryl Lage said...

Oh Katie, what wonderful pictures from what was so obviously and incredibly memorable trip.

Can I just say that the image of mid-air Margaret brought tears to my eyes? Complete and total joy. :)