Highs and Lows

Spending a week away from home has some amazing benefits. As you all probably know, intermingled in with those delights there are also a few less than desirable moments. :) Allow me to share~ The lows would have to have been: Getting tied up in Chicago traffic during rush hour twice - once being a Friday afternoon on a holiday weekend. Ughhh.

Seeing the aftermath of flooding and tornado devastation in towns around where I grew up. Made me feel a little sick and weepy.

Tired overstimulated boys. Having somewhat scheduled boys who are used to a routine is awesome at home. When you take them out of that environment however there are a few issues. :) We are working on flexibility...

Twenty month old 'only mommy will do' fussiness. :( This was especially hard when I was so excited for my family to see all of the cute things Noe is doing and saying and all they got was a "you look at me the wrong way or take me from mom and a noise will come out of my mouth that will make you cringe". I felt sad that he didn't bond much with my mom. He has only seen her maybe 5 or 6 times though - so more visits will equal more comfort and bonding. :) Here is photo documentation of just such a moment with my grandma:

Less sleep and no naps most days tended to equal crabbiness for the kiddos (for sure only the kiddos...)

A full out kicking and screaming fit from Jay on the last day we were out there which required some intense one on one daddy time and a few hours for him to calm down.

(I guess part of me expected the boys to be on their best behavior. I some times get this unrealistic desire of wanting my family to see this great put together family that I have. :) Ha ha... In reality, the boys are still in quite the training phase. They didn't do awful bad, but being away from home and being taken all over - visiting people every day, some they knew and some who they didn't remember very well, does not exactly promote BEST behavior.)

Here's the good part. The highs: :) A very successful first long trip since potty training. Jay did perfectly in that aspect. Oh so happy about that!

A great traveling companion. :) At the last minute we all got the great idea to have Dave's mom accompany us on the trip. She was able to spend time with Dave's brothers family while we were out there and we also benefited! :) it was great to have a one on one ratio of adult to child on the trip and she entertained them nicely when they got really tired of their car seats. :)

Having a photographer come out to my brother's house (where we were staying) and take beautiful photos of my entire family. Keepsakes for sure!

Good health and feeling great during our traveling and entire week away. Serious answer to prayer!!!

Beautiful and comfy accommodations. We stayed with my brother and sister in law who built their house 3 years ago. Very nice and roomy!

Watching the fun my boys had with their cousins. Any body with toy power tools is just too cool in Jay's eyes. :)

Seeing my boys with my parents.

A day out with 'the girls'.

Seeing her. :)

Camping.

Time with my grandma.

Time with my oldest sister and meeting my kitty niece and nephew. :)

More Trisha time.

Seeing the progress on the house that Dave's brother and sister in law (my friend Sarah) are building.

Being away from work and the responsibilities of home - which also meant having quality time with my sweetie. :) Loved that!!! The boys soaked up daddy time like sponges!

It was really lovely! Now we are trying to adjust back to being home and our routine. Dave goes back to work tomorrow and we will miss being with him all day every day SO much! I am pleased to report that my house is pretty clean and all travel stuff is put away and taken care of. :) I do have 4 loads of clean laundry glaring at me from my couch asking to be folded. All in good time. :)