Trip part 2

We then had a party at my parents house with the five family's that all grew up together. It was amazing because some of the kids that I grew up with were there and I had not seen them for almost 15 years. Anna got to meet all of them as well as the boys and the crabster was in the middle of all of them. It was so great but there were almost 35 people in that house. All my parents friends got the kids presents and it was wonderful just to see them all again. My parents were the only ones that I know of that could have possibly pulled off a party like that.

The next night it was off to my sisters house for Christmas Eve. We went to my parents house for a little bit and then headed back to Amy's. We got to see Karen and Tom, Heidie and Glenn(Jacks sister and brother in law) and their two kids Max and Owen. Oma was there and so was Larry and Renee. As well as my brother and his wife. We had a great time and the food was out of this world. We all got to sample Amy's food and it was unreal like I said. Then we got to chill out and it was almost a sigh of relief as everyone realized that we were all going to get along, in part the mood was brought on by the hostess my sister who went out of her way to welcome everyone and made a precarious event into a memorable one.



The next day was Christmas and it was a whirling dervish of excitement and chaos. We woke up and Emmy and Melanie were both excited in anticipation of a visit from Santa. We went down stairs and called Mom and Dad and Grandpa George, made coffee and waited for them. Then it was a blurry of sounds and sights. Ripping of paper and bows were flying through the air as six kids all opened their presents. Of course Abby tried to open others and I think that she did succeed at least once. That was the first time in years that I got to have Christmas with my family and that it was reminiscent of my childhood that I found peace and nostalgia amongst the fluttering butterfly running around and the Nerf darts whizzing bye, as well as the decapitated heads. I even spotted a six foot bald fairy with wings and a wand. We hurried back to Nana and Papa's house opened more presents and then to Karen's.


Anna and Andi have both put on some impressive spreads and we actually fed close to 50 people at our picnic/pig roast, but the spread that Karen put out was amazing and like nothing I have seen before. We all sat around the table including the kids and, Everything one can imagine was there, I ate until I almost "Need a bucket" to quote the meaning of life. Karen and Tom out did themselves and again I will say that I am so lucky to have them in my family all I can say is "NANA BOO BOO" to all of you that don't. After dinner we cleaned,chatted and then we moved downstairs and opened up more presents. I tell you this I was sick of seeing presents. Between all of the party's I loved each of them for different reasons and they were all outstanding for different reasons

After the holidays we went to NY again and it was like something I have never been through before wall to wall people and lines that were incredible. We were there for 8 hours and only got to go into 2 stores and one restaurant. And although we were late getting back onto the train we did make it after watching George run for the first time since Anna was 8. We ate at a fabulous little Irish plate and got to see an interpretation of the movie Psycho by my sister trying to poke "air holes" in the American doll box so Emmy's doll could breath. All the while a pair of little old ladies were watching with the rapt and horror usually reserved for death matches or public beheading.

Then it was off to see our best friends in NH Jim and Julie. It was both happy and sad as we all realized how much we truly miss them. They are doing well and looking healthy and exactly as we remember them. They are intent on moving back here and we hope that they do. Unfortunately we had to cut our trip a little short because Abby had a 102 temperature and a nasty cough. We decided to go to the doctors in CT and left NH early.

On the way back we got to use my Fathers brand new GPS and Anna learned first hand how truly fragile they are. After restarting the thing 2 times she was a bit frustrated and pushed the screen again while I was calling my mother and I heard a "pop" I look down and Anna says "OH CRAP I BROKE IT Papa will never forgive me." we of course started yelling at each other, Abby;s coughing and crying and it is all recorded on moms cell message. We ended up getting the GPS replaced and Abby went to the MD and diagnosed with bilateral ear infections and URI all in all stressful. We got home and had dinner at my sisters for the last night and we got to talk and eat her FABULOUS yam salad (which I lost the recipe for in the trip back up hint hint) said our good byes, slept at mom and dads and then got a ride in a luxury van back to NJ. All in all a great trip and memorable for so many reasons. We love all of you and miss you so much. Thank you for opening your homes and hearts for an to us. Oh and bye the way we went to CT with 5 bags for all of us and left with 12 two of which were hockey bags.

We got back after a 5 hour delay in Seattle to Sarah and Peter picking us up and then that Saturday, yup more presents at the MA and Pa Reed house home coming/ Christmas party.