Visiting Old and Dear Friends

One of my favorite things to do when visiting my hometown is getting to see my friends. I keep in touch with several of my friends from elementary, junior and high school and it is always a highlight for me getting to catch up in person and introduce them to the newest members of my family!

Our first stop was a visit to the Lammer household. Elizabeth, a lifelong BFF (well since we were about 8 anyway!) lives in Chicago with her hubby and daughter Olivia (my Goddaughter who I had never met!) were back in her childhood home for the holidays and I was excited to take the twins over so we could all meet our newest additions! Elijah and Chip stayed behind at Grandmumsy and Pop’s house so it was just me and the twins on this adventure. Elijah and I stayed in the Lammer home almost two years ago when we threw “Beth” as I have always called her, a baby shower. The Lammer’s just  love Elijah and he was definitely missed from this visit. While we were there, Elizabeth’s sweet husband, Ben, and I discussed a possible Mama and Olivia visit to Houston in February. I am really hoping this trip materializes!

The three newbies to the group! Love my Goddaughter’s blond curls. I think she looks just like her Mama!

It is always so great to see my friend.

Such a cutie pie!

Elizabeth and my tiny boy.

Romance blossoming already?

Our last stop on the Main Line was visiting my two partners in crime, Ralphie and Carrie. The three of us were pretty inseparable for quite some time and even when we starting going our separate ways, even time we get together it is like no time has passed at all. We start bosking all over again!

Together again!

Cuddling some of our kids! Heehee. Annabelle wanted to be included too!

Awwww Auntie Bosk (that’s what Elijah calls Carrie) and Patrick.

Awwww I miss this face. (the one on the left…the one on the right I see every day)

Bosking my baby.

BOSK!!!!!!!

New Year’s Eve in New Jersey

Chip and I were excited to spend New Year’s on the east coast again this year! The last time we did this was 5 years ago. We were newly married and enjoyed a rooftop New Year’s party in Time Square. It was legendary. This year was more low key but oh, so much fun! WE enjoyed a party of family and friends at Papa John and Mimi’s house and had a blast! As a parent it was also nice to be able to put our kids to bed as needed although Elijah stayed up pretty close to midnight and Rory made an appearance shortly after midnight.

What a year it has been. I think I may need to do a Year In Review post because this has been such a blessed year for our family. But I digress. Here are just a few shots of a really fun night as we rang in the new year. Notice in the photo above the pots and pans. It is tradition in the north to bang pots and pans at the stroke of midnight. I remember doing this with my BFF Beth Lammer growing up. We had a standing date on NYE for ice cream sodas and pot banging. No fireworks up north. Just pots and noisemakers. It was always so much fun and a tradition maybe I can pass on to my kids if our southern neighbors will tolerate it….

 

The night began as many of my nights do, Rory smiling away and chasing me around the house.

Here I come Mama! I’m coming to git ya!

All ready for his first New Year!

A little high five for his Mama

Don’t we look dashing in our hats!

New Years hugs from my angel baby.

I love kissing those sweet cheeks.

Elijah loved trying out all the different noise makers.

Now THAT’S a noisemaker!

Mimi and me!

Chip enjoying playing a brass again.

No that is not really a martini in Brianna’s hand.

I love that I got to snuggle with my Rory right around midnight.

 

Happy New Year!!!!!!

A Very McLoone New Years Day and Beyond

On New Year’s Day our journey north took us a little south to the Main Line in Pennsylvania where I grew up. My aunt and uncle threw a New Years Day open house which was awesome because we got to see pretty my all the McLoones at once! My cousins Ben and Christine had a new baby that I had not yet met and I was so excited to meet my newest little cousin, Brayden! No one, except of course my parents and brothers, had met the twins and it was so much fun to see the boys get passed around and loved on!

The fellas enjoyed some “guy time” downstairs.

My cousins Megan and Molly could not get enough of our Patrick.

Gran and Rory checking out the McLoone Family Christmas tree!

Oh how I wish we lived closer! Cousin hugs are the best!

Our newest little cousin, Brayden. He was soooo cute!

Rory and Uncle Neil having a little man to man chat.

This is pretty much what I did the whole time. Traveling babies nurse a lot!

Patrick enjoyed showering his “little” cousin with kisses.

A serious moment between cousins.

Babies babies everywhere!

Rory did not want to sit still for the group baby shot.

Gran was so excited to meet our babies!

 

After the party we had two fun days to look forward to staying with my parents at their new home in West Chester. It is always so much fun for me to be back home. Even though the McLoone family has long since vacated the house in Berwyn I grew up in, the area itself will always be home to me and it is a dream of mine to one day move back there with my own family. This dream may never be realized but now that Granmumsy and Pop are back I am excited at the prospect of getting to spend more time up there, especially when the kids get a little older and travel better.

Elijah has been really into trains for a while. His favorite Christmas inspired story this year was The Polar Express! The reason the Main Line was called that was because of the local train system that runs through it and I grew up taking the R5 train through the Main Line and to the city. While we were there, Pop decided to take Elijah on his very first REAL train ride on that very train! They hopped on the Paoli local and took a ride for several stops then hopped on the train back. Elijah was mesmerized by the ride and the scenery. They even drove by the house Pop lived in until he was two, the same age Elijah is now!  I see this train ride becoming a highlight of many visits in the future and maybe even taking it all the way to Center City as we used to do!

Elijah checking out the house Pop once lived in.

I have gotten on and off the train at that stop more times than I can remember. The train station was also a “hang out” spot in junior high and high school.

Another local stop.

All that train traveling wore him out!

September Trip To San Antonio

Elijah and I decided that it had been too long since we had been to San Antonio to visit Nan and my parents (since July!) so we packed up our new van and headed west! It was a fun few days full of a whirlwind of activity! We went to Sea World with Granmumsy where Elijah got to mingle with all of his favorite Sesame Street characters.  Pop took us to the zoo and on a train ride.  My parents gave Elijah his Halloween costume, ELMO!, and he tried it on for the first time. It was a big hit! And of course, Granmumsy gave Elijah several baths as she always likes to do when we visit. He loves their tub and they have no short supply of rubber ducks, his favorite bathtime toy. Because of Christmas Pageant rehearsal at church in December and the fact that I won't be traveling much after Christmas, we are going to try to visit in October and November too.  I'm not sure how long I will wait to make the San Antonio drive after the babies are born but we need our Granmumsy and Pop time while we can get it. Of course, knowing me, I'll be on the road to San Antonio with three babies by March. Afterall, we can't miss Pop's birthday!

This is a cute video of Elijah dressed as Elmo and his time with the Sesame Street Characters as Sea World

Visiting Nan

Elijah loves his Great Nan. 

I know Nan just loves our visits. She is watching Elijah play with her stuffed bunny. 

Such a sweetie. 

My sweet little redhead. 

Giving Nan a high five. 

Sweet little boy hugs are the best. 

Checking out the outdoor action. Squirrels and birds.

Bathtime at Granmumsy's and Pop's house. 

Splish splash!

Elijah and Granmumsy invented a duck game. Elijah puts the ducks on the edge of the tub and knocks them off into the water and Granmumsy shouts "Timberrrrrr!!!"

"Timberrrrr!!!!"

Sneak Peak at Halloween!

And here's Elmo!

He was so happy parading around in his Costume!

My little Elmo

Having some fun with Pop!

The backyard with Pop

San Antonio Zoo

Checking out the crocodiles with Pop!

Elijah gave the crocs raspberries. 

Loves his Pop. 

Just two dudes checking out the wildlife. 

Great photo op! We didn't get to see the real hipps cause they were eating but this one was pretty cool. 

Elijah's favorite thing was the train ride at the end I think. 

Pretty boy. 

He looks like such a big boy there!

Tired boy giving Pop some love

Sea World

Elijah is still too little for Franklin's show but he loves getting to meet the character!

I actually had a hard time tearing him away. 

He really did not want to let go. 

I love this picture! This may need to get a frame for Elijah's room!

Some love from The Count

I loved watching these guys love on my little guy!

Rosita seemed to be Elijah's favorite of the day.....other than Franklin of course. 

So cute!

Rosita really gave him a lot of attention. 

hugs :)

Cookie Monster doing a little photo bombing :)