Day Seven

Well, Wednesday night was our first difficult night. Poor Emma has gotten some allergies since she has been here and had trouble breathing while sleeping because her nose was draining so much. Even with nose drops and suctioning it, we had to keep her upright to sleep. I have been having a rough time with the allergies since I got to VA, as has Jason. But we got going Thursday morning packing for our overnight trip to Norfolk. Jason and Angelica went to September's school and surprised her for lunch. When they got back we loaded up the car and were on our way. We arrived to Norfolk around 4ish (after remembering how much I hate the traffic and the bridge-tunnel!) and Joanie had made a delicious Italian dinner. She opened up her house to anyone that wanted to stop by....it was so good to see Colleen and her hubby and new baby, Dave & Mary, Ginnie & Becky, Carol and the twins (loved Alyssa's pigtails and Sean gave Angel her first kiss!), Wendi, Melissa & Chris and the 4 kiddies, and John Domingo!! John - I feel like I caught up with everyone thru you!!...and I am serious about organizing a youth group reunion!! I wish I could have had more time but it was good to at least get hugs and catch up a bit and have people meet Angel and Emma. Angel crashed sometime during the busy talking and poor Emma finally got to sleep, again upright and with daddy on the couch....hoping her nose and allergies get better soon!! Thanks so much Joanie for letting us stay with you and visit. The air mattress was great! We love you so much!!! (I think both the kiddies are teething as well...Angel's first two year molar came in today!)

Day Six

Today Mom took off, so we had a nice breakfast together. She and Angel cooked bacon and pancakes!!! Then we went to a couple stores she wanted to show me, and of course found some fun things to get! We then stopped at a STARBUCKS and got our coffee fix for the day. Angel was having fun wearing her sunglasses and hat and saying "Cool!" When she does it, she points her finger in the air....so cute! Then we met Ann, Lexi and Olivia at the Richmond Metro Zoo. It was very nice and we saw LOTS of animals. Luckily, Angel wasn't scared and really liked the monkeys and the ducks. There was a giraffe there that you could feed and it puts its tongue all over you....but she was scared about that. Mom and Lexi and Olivia fed it though. It was about 80 degrees or more, so it was hot walking around (especially when you are carrying a baby in a front pack). I think the pollen here is really getting to me too, because ever since we landed in Richmond my throat and nose have been bothering me a lot!! Grammy bought treats and toys for the girls when we were done and we headed home, all a little tired and hot. For dinner tonight Mom just got this neat cooking grill rack that you put in the middle of a table and cook the food in front of you. We did red pepper, shrimp, beef, scallops, asparagus and mushrooms.....very yummy. She seasoned them and such the night before. Underneath it you melt different cheeses to put on potatoes....fun and different to do....we were all STUFFED!! Angel of course played outside some and in the boat with Grandpa and Mom and I went to Kohls so she could get some birthday gifts for Angel. Now we all hope we have a good night sleep!! (Check out the slide show for some neat pics of the animals....we got some good ones!! And too many good ones of the day to show here)

Day Five

Today we went in search of a coffee place in the morning and finally found one, but didn't compare to our WA favorites! Then we stopped by a store for a few items we needed and also picked up some Chick-Fil-A for lunch!!! I love that place and wish we could get them on the west coast. Then we went to Nannie's house again and the girls finally got to meet Grandmaw!! Aunt Chelle-Chelle (Michelle, Jason's sister) also came by to meet them. After visiting, Aunt Chelle-Chelle took Angelica with her to go pick up September from school. Then we met them at Kohls and Chelle-Chelle bought the girls some adorable outfits - thanks so much!! We headed back to the house and Angel played outside some, looking for the squirrels at the feeder. She and daddy and Grandpa went for a walk. Mom made a delicious pesto chicken dish (yes I will bring home recipes). Afterwards Angel ate more peanuts and played in the boat with Grandpa and then he gave her a fun bubble bath in the Big Tub. She loved it although did not want the jets on!! Having lots of fun and can't believe our trip here is halfway over!!

Day Four

Today we let the girls sleep in as long as they wanted....and they did!! Poor things were completely exhausted from all the travel and excitement. So we had a late start to the day and eventually headed over to Nannie's house. (Jason's maternal grandmother) Nannie was so happy to meet the girls and enjoyed playing with Angelica. She cooked us a big lunch and Angel must have had four plate helping of green beans!! She also tried teaching Angel how to bowl. Later on Jason's sister Kim and the kids, Lauren and Tyler came over. Lauren showed us all her gymnastics tricks which I got on video. Uncle Junior came home from work and we got to see him as well. On the way home, we stopped at Jason's sister Michelle's house and saw Uncle Chris and the kids, September-Connor-and Jacob. Angel had so much fun meeting all her cousins and having so many people to play with. We came home had dinner with Mom and Dad and then got kiddies bathed. Angel has decided that her favorite place to play is the garage....why? Because that is where Grandpa gives her unlimited amounts of peanuts and they play in the boat. Angel kept walking around tonight finding Grandpa and saying "boat!" One time we opened the door and found them fishing over the side!! Another time Angel was driving the boat and singing "Jesus Loves Me." She has been calling Grandpa "Paw-Paw", so we shall see what sticks! So fun! Wish it was warmer and we could actually ride in the boat!!

Day Three - Hello Richmond

We left NYC in a taxi-van from Meg's apartment around 930am and once we finally got thru security and walked a ways to the very last gate...were on our way to Richmond, VA. Becuase of the whole Delta or FAA child seat regulations....Jason and Angel ended up in the row in front of Emma and I. They had two seats to themselves and a lady sat next to me. It was a very small plane and luckily a short flight. The girls did perfectly once again. Angel loved watching the clouds and singing her Barney airplane song. In Richmond, it was pouring down rain and a little hard to walk down slippery wet stairs with a baby in a front pack and carrying luggage and none of the attendants offered to help!! I am sure we looked quite comical walking up the terminal stairs with a kid in each arm, carry on luggage and toting a stroller - and now drenched with rain!! Oh well, we just laughed and kept on going! Jason's sister Ann and her hubby generously loaned us on of their vans and two car seats for the girls to use while we are here. Mom and Dad picked us up and Mom had a yummy lunch for us when we got to the house. Then we got Angel and Emma down for naps. That night Jason's sister Ann and her family came over for dinner. Angel finally got to meet her cousins, Alexis (Lexi) and Olivia. It was fun to watch them all play and spend some time catching up with Ann and her husband Jason as well. The girls are so lucky to have so many cousins!! Dinner was yummy....I am going to bring home more recipes...and the dessert was so good...as you can tell from the pics of Angel eating it...it was an ice cream, chocolate peanut butter cake. That night we all crashed and Emma actually slept for 6 hours!! I think everyone is tired!! But good to be "home".

Day Three - Goodbye NYC

It was sad to leave Meg and Chris on Sunday, but we had a fantastic visit and so much fun!!! I was worried about the sleeping arrangements with the kiddies in such a small space, but it was perfect....we even had to wake the kids up they slept so well!! I have put a slideshow and video of their NYC apartment if anyone wanted to see....Things I will miss about NYC: all the fun parks for the kids, the ability to walk everywhere, the delicious-cheap-cultural foods, and of course my family! Things I won't miss: jay-walking, crazy taxi drivers, eating on the couch becuase there is no room for a table and having the power go out when we use the microwave because too many things are plugged in!! But it was all a fun adventure!!