I had two cousins growing up- one on my mother's side and one on my father's side. I didn't think that it was odd or feel slighted in the cousin department. Marrying Justin has brought my cousin tally close to 50 (?) While Justin has trouble keeping track of all of his cousins names, my two cousins were like siblings to me; although sometimes they were long distance siblings.
Last weekend, the cousin on my dad's side was married! So, naturally we flew to Baltimore to see my cousin-sibling, Scott's, wedding. Justin and I boarded a plane with the kids at 8:50 on Friday morning and arrived at BWI by 9pm. We drove straight to my Aunt Kay's house for some great food (wedding rehearsal dinner leftovers) and then went to bed.
The wedding was held Saturday in Scott's childhood church, a small chapel adorned with beautiful stained glass and carved wood. I think Scott married his soul-mate. I have never seen him so happy! I don't know which brought me more joy: the happy couple, or my little family reunion with people who are very dear to me. I saw people there that I hadn't hugged for over 10 years! It was so fun to share Justin and the kids with them, although I'm afraid that the highlight of the day for the kids was gathering acorns and sparkley white rocks. I overheard Josh and Caleb plotting to sell the pretty gravel and "get soooo rich!"
After the ceremony, we all met at a local restaurant for a nice dinner in lieu of a wedding reception. The party wasn't very kid-friendly, so my kids were easily entertained by simple things like taking photos, taking multiple trips to the restroom, giving hugs, and a new phenomenon they discovered: tapping glasses with forks in chorus. My kids were pleased to find that banging on one's glass was okay at this gathering. Whenever the sound would start somewhere in the room, they were quick to join in. They thought it was just for fun (makes sense to a kid)! When I told them that the glass-tapping was the signal for the bride and groom to kiss, they all made faces and put their glasses down. I sure know how to ruin their fun!
We spent that evening at the pool with Grandma and Grandpa. My dad has been nicknamed the "silly Grandpa", and he was in his glory with a pool full of children laughing and vying for his attention. They played Marco Polo, swam races, and made up games with Ryan and April, who they met at the wedding, and Grandpa Don. The newly met distant cousins were instant friends! I'm so glad we met them.
We spent Sunday playing at Aunt Kay and Uncle Bob's comfortable home. It was a kind of homecoming for me. I miss the woodsy and ample yards of that area-- especially my Uncle's yard. He has tended and literally pieced it together over the years. My kids explored, kicked a ball, and gathered treasures from the grass and bushes. Audrey found a dark berry that she made paint/pulp out of then painted with. There was endless fun to be had.
After our farewells, we went to DC for our 2-day tour. The hotel was less than par (the carpet was sticky-- from what, I ask??) but we were there for the city! We were all so excited!
Day two: I have to mention the metro. Justin and I felt nostalgic for Manhattan, where we spent a summer pre-kids. The little ones saw it as another adventure! We began day two with a bus tour that helped us see the monuments and Arlington.
The cemetery was moving, as where all of the other monuments seen that day. The children were so very good about being reverent and respectful at all of these sites, only needing a couple of reminders. By lunchtime, they needed a little more freedom : ) so we walked the length of the reflection pool to the Washington monument, then caught a bus to the Air and Space Museum. What a spectacular collection of aircraft! Audrey, Josh, and Caleb liked the hands-on "how things fly" exhibit. I love to watch the wheels turn in their little minds, and share their excitement as they figure something out. We finished off the day with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery. We could have spent a day there, but they chased us out so the museum could close (that kept happening to us!) After dinner in Chinatown, complete with a "poo-poo platter" appetizer that brought peals of giggles, we were ready to crash!
We got up at 3AM Eastern time (that's midnight in CA!) to catch a red-eye at 6, so we ended our wonderful, trip in a sleepy haze. Airplanes are great for that, though. We each had a good nap and were home by 11AM! I call that time travel : )
Last weekend, the cousin on my dad's side was married! So, naturally we flew to Baltimore to see my cousin-sibling, Scott's, wedding. Justin and I boarded a plane with the kids at 8:50 on Friday morning and arrived at BWI by 9pm. We drove straight to my Aunt Kay's house for some great food (wedding rehearsal dinner leftovers) and then went to bed.
The wedding was held Saturday in Scott's childhood church, a small chapel adorned with beautiful stained glass and carved wood. I think Scott married his soul-mate. I have never seen him so happy! I don't know which brought me more joy: the happy couple, or my little family reunion with people who are very dear to me. I saw people there that I hadn't hugged for over 10 years! It was so fun to share Justin and the kids with them, although I'm afraid that the highlight of the day for the kids was gathering acorns and sparkley white rocks. I overheard Josh and Caleb plotting to sell the pretty gravel and "get soooo rich!"
After the ceremony, we all met at a local restaurant for a nice dinner in lieu of a wedding reception. The party wasn't very kid-friendly, so my kids were easily entertained by simple things like taking photos, taking multiple trips to the restroom, giving hugs, and a new phenomenon they discovered: tapping glasses with forks in chorus. My kids were pleased to find that banging on one's glass was okay at this gathering. Whenever the sound would start somewhere in the room, they were quick to join in. They thought it was just for fun (makes sense to a kid)! When I told them that the glass-tapping was the signal for the bride and groom to kiss, they all made faces and put their glasses down. I sure know how to ruin their fun!
After our farewells, we went to DC for our 2-day tour. The hotel was less than par (the carpet was sticky-- from what, I ask??) but we were there for the city! We were all so excited!
Day one: We toured the capitol building. Gorgeous! Highlights were a statue of Brigham Young, the mural on the inside of the dome (wow.), and feeling connected to history! The tour was great. We filled the afternoon with a visit to my favorite Smithsonian: The Natural History Museum. We spent an hour in the gift shop (my kids inherited my indecisiveness), learned about bones, visited the ocean hall, then lingered in the crystals and gems exhibit. So many beautiful rock formations, so little time! The variety was amazing.
Day two: I have to mention the metro. Justin and I felt nostalgic for Manhattan, where we spent a summer pre-kids. The little ones saw it as another adventure! We began day two with a bus tour that helped us see the monuments and Arlington.The cemetery was moving, as where all of the other monuments seen that day. The children were so very good about being reverent and respectful at all of these sites, only needing a couple of reminders. By lunchtime, they needed a little more freedom : ) so we walked the length of the reflection pool to the Washington monument, then caught a bus to the Air and Space Museum. What a spectacular collection of aircraft! Audrey, Josh, and Caleb liked the hands-on "how things fly" exhibit. I love to watch the wheels turn in their little minds, and share their excitement as they figure something out. We finished off the day with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery. We could have spent a day there, but they chased us out so the museum could close (that kept happening to us!) After dinner in Chinatown, complete with a "poo-poo platter" appetizer that brought peals of giggles, we were ready to crash!
We got up at 3AM Eastern time (that's midnight in CA!) to catch a red-eye at 6, so we ended our wonderful, trip in a sleepy haze. Airplanes are great for that, though. We each had a good nap and were home by 11AM! I call that time travel : )
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