We are back! We solved the dilemma of the Colts game by staying a day later then originally planned. We didn't stay JUST to watch the Colts, but it was a nice bonus. A classic case of "I thought you wanted to leave on Saturday to have a day to recover before going back to work"/"I never thought that, I thought YOU wanted to leave Saturday" made us realize we had no problem staying and driving home Sunday. I enjoyed the time that allowed to visit James' brother and his family in Philly. But we got back LATE last night and it was hard to try to get back in the swing of things alone (with James at work). Today was a typical post-vacation "I need a vacation to recover from my vacation" day.  Too many things had to be done at once (I needed to go to the store since we had very little fresh basics in the house, yet needed to make a list of menu ideas for the week and needed to do a load of laundry so I'd have something to wear and Alex didn't sleep the last hour or so of the trip so he needed to catch up on his naps…and that was just the beginning).

BUT…enough of that.

Other highlights of the trip I didn't mention before, or some I did, but now With! Photos!:

  • Uncle Teri was on a swing. The (large) tree branch broke and fell on his head. He was ok and the swing was hung on another (younger) tree.
  • I mentioned the skating…here's a picture of James helping Will.
  • We actually got a picture of all the grandkids in one place.
  • Everyone loved a chance to wrestle with an uncle (all were willing to at one time or another).
  • We had a bonfire and got to make smores on Wednesday. This was the perfect time to use the fingerless gloves Aunt Betty made everyone. It was still chilly at night then so the gloves allowed for warm hands without the fear of getting them sticky. Though someone did find another use for them.
  • By Saturday the temps were up in the 70s in Philly. We were able to enjoy spending the day outside.
  • Alex is starting to eat more and more solid foods. Here's a picture I call "Hill-billy Baby" as he eats covered in food and barefoot (Did I mention it was warm?) 
  • The Colts WON!!! I am sad to say I had very low expectations.  And I still do, but that was a fun game to watch. Imagine if the offence and the defense could have a good game on the same day. (James & Will happy over the win.)
  • On the way home, we stopped in Columbus and James got to see a friend from High School for the first time in 4 years. He took us to a McDonalds so the kids could play and they could talk. (His apartment was NOT kid-friendly so that was nice for me as well!) I was glad they got to catch up, but I was ready to be home by the time we left. I found myself leaning forward in the car–as if that would help us get home any faster! Laughing

And now we settle back into the routine.  That includes starting to get up to work out–which means I am up WAY to late! Not that the kids let us sleep in any during the vacation, but I did get into the habit of staying up later & eating too much! Those are two habits that must be broken now!