The kids were super stoked to be on a plane. I took Anthony and Molly to NY 3 years ago when they were 3 1/2 and 1 1/2, so it wasn't their first time on a plane, but it's not like they really remembered it either. Timothy enjoyed the flight too. You should have seen all their faces during take off and landing when their bellies were doing flipsie flopsies. Totally priceless!
I sat with the kids on one side and Sam sat across the isle. This worked well as I wanted to work with Anthony on some school stuff and the people who Sam was sitting by were totally in disgust of our children. Oh well. You can always find at least one of those types of people, no matter where you go.
Our travel day went well, it was just looooooooooooong. I can't say it was fun and I don't recommend flying with 3 children, but the kids were as good as kids can be on a plane and we all arrived in NY in one piece. So that's a plus.
After landing at JFK, we got a rental car and started the 3 hour drive to my Aunt's house. We hit lots of traffic. Yuck. I have to laugh because Sam and I both turned to each other and without having to say a word, we both knew what the other was thinking.....the more places we go, the more we love home. Truly.
We arrived at my Aunt Susie's house at about 8 pm and after some hang out time with her and my Dad who was there as well, we hit the hay.
Thursday we went to IHop for breakfast with my Dad. Afterwards we stopped by his work to say hello to everyone there and let the kids see where Grandpa worked. We also drove around my home town, just taking in the sights and eventually stopped by Grandpa's house for a bit. It's always fun seeing what's changed and what's stayed the same. I had to make sure we stopped and picked up a dozen Dunkin Donuts. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had one of those donuts, but they tasted as good as I remembered.
Later that afternoon we took a trip to visit my Niece and Nephew. That was so much fun! We picked up a few pizzas and visited for a few hours, chatting with my brother in law James and his mother Janet and playing with all the kiddos. I wish we could have visited longer. 2 hours just isn't enough time to make up for not seeing them for 3 years. The kids and I have been writing back and forth with them for some time though, and we plan on making bi-weekly phone calls, so at least the cousins are able to stay in touch, even if they can't see each other. I love it. It's important.
That night, after returning to my Aunt's house, the kids all ran around crazy. My Cousin's daughter came over to play and spend the night, and the kids just had a rip-roaring time. That is, until Timothy fell down the stairs. UGH. We watched him for a bit, then headed to bed once we were confident he appeared ok.
Friday early afternoon we left my Aunt's house and made our way to the rental house my family and some others were staying in for my brother Matt's wedding, which was in Massachusetts. We unpacked, ate some lunch, then just relaxed with the kids.
After my brother's wedding rehearsal, we all gathered for a pizza, pasta, and salad dinner put on by my dad for Matt, everyone in the wedding party, and for my immediate family. It was so nice seeing some old friends and playing catch up! Unfortunately, the night ended far too soon for me. Timothy was not acting like himself, and not long after that began, he blessed me with a nice puke right on my lap. :(
My Mom and Aunt Amy accompanied me home with Timothy, where I got him all set up in bed and helped the poor thing get sick a few more times before he fell asleep. That was a long night.
Saturday morning! Wedding day! I was hoping Timothy would be feeling better come morning time, but he wasn't. Sam and Grandpa made breakfast, yet Timothy hardly ate a bite. We had a really mellow morning and afternoon. Timothy slept most of the day while Anth and Mols played.
At 1:30 we started getting ready. Thankfully Timothy perked up enough to get dressed. The kids all looked so adorable! We took a few photos before leaving, and I'm so thankful I got at least one Hauck family photo because I hardly touched my camera during the wedding and my mom's focus was on getting a few good shots and then enjoying the evening. So neither of us took another Hauck family photo, unfortunately. Guess I'll have to wait and see the ones from the professional photographer that shot the wedding! At least I have some photos with my Mom, Sister, and Dad!
We arrived at 3:30 and I was so excited to see some family I hadn't seen in a long while. I was also excited to see my brother in his tux! He looked handsome...and a bit nervous. ;)
Matt and Erica's ceremony was just wonderful! At one point they planted a tree with dirt from Erica's childhood home and dirt from Matt's childhood home. It was a sweet moment. And I admit I teared up when they said their vows.
Their reception was just as wonderful! The food was delicious, the company was great, I really enjoyed seeing some old friends and everyone having a great time. But Timothy....sweet Timothy....was just not enjoying himself at all. Eventually my Mom and Aunt took all the kiddos home so Sam and I could enjoy an hour alone at the wedding. We danced and chatted a bit, but the anxiety over Timothy still being ill was enough to see our night end early.
What a wonderfully beautiful wedding!! We even got little saplings to plant as wedding favors. How awesome is that!?
Sunday morning we packed up, cleaned the rental house up, and got on the road back to NY. Timothy was still weird and ill, so we decided it was time to see a dr. We were told he probably had a mild concussion from falling down the stairs (which is why he was acting lethargic and unlike himself) with a bug on top of that. Not long after getting back from the dr, Molly got ill. And then Sam. And then Anthony.
*sigh*
Monday we were suppose to see Matt and his new bride later in the day, but we told them not to come. I was so bummed, but no use spreading the sickness around. I'd feel awful. We were also suppose to go see my cousin and his family for a fun pizza dinner, but we had to cancel that as well. It's really heart breaking and frustrating when you make all these plans to see people you haven't seen in a long time and those plans get messed up. At least Timothy was FINALLY perking up.
Monday wasn't a total loss though. I was the only one who wasn't ill, so I was able to continue on with plans to go with my friend Jill to David's Bridal to try on and order my bridesmaid's dress for her upcoming wedding next November. After that, we met up with our friend Brittany for lunch. It was so fun catching up with each other!
Tuesday we had enough time in the morning before we had to leave for our flight to relax a bit. By this time Sam and the kids were mostly better and Anthony had a good time going around with the little camera taking fun photos.
Our flight home was mostly uneventful. This time Sam sat with the kids on one side and I sat on the other side. Timothy slept most of the way, while the other two kept themselves busy. We made it into PDX at 7pm and made it home by 10pm. Our bed never felt so nice!
Goodbye, NY! We could have done without the sicknesses, but we wouldn't have missed my brother's wedding for the world!!
With love,
Mama Hauck
