Emma and I just got back from spending a week with the Landry's in Boston. This was our first visit to their new house- it is beautiful and slightly more spacious (a lot more than slightly) than their rental on Grove Street! Our plane arrived early on the 4th of July. After a little nap, we had a cookout over at the Landry's neighbors. They have a big pool, so the kids went swimming- the water was FRiGiD and it was not very hot outside- but the kids loved it anyway. James & Laurie celebrated their anniversary while we were there, so I watched the kids while they went to Tanglewood and a B&B for a night. While they were gone, we ventured to a nearby lake where the kids like to swim. The water was much warmer than the pool! Isaac dug a huge hole in the sand, and Josh succeeded in getting sand in everyone's hair. For a special treat (and because you can't visit Boston without a Boston Cream Doughnut), I stopped at Dunkin Doughnuts on our way back from the lake and let the kids each pick one out. The couple behind us asked me if all of the kids were mine- hehehe. We had ice cream cones(not with the doughnuts) and watched movies- it was great fun. It was nice seeing Colin & Tonia and their kids- and always encouraging to see the work that the Lord has led them to at Evangelical Baptist Church in Newton. While we were there I saw a few college friends - Reggie Lamb, Melita & Austin Matzko (and their adorable boy, Sam), Steve McKisic and his wife (Melita's sister). Our time went by so quickly, and we had full days loaded with fun. Katie, Emma Claire and I had a slumber party on Sunday night- complete with chocolate milk from china saucers and popcorn, painting nails, dressing up and watching a movie! Emma told me it was "the best swumber pawty ever". (I later found out it was her first slumber party ever!). "Baby" Emma loved having all the entertainment from the kids, and Auntie Laurie fed her well- her belly definitely looks bigger than it did before our trip! Laurie and I got to have a girl's night out on the town- we went shopping, of course. We went to the Christmas Tree Shoppes- absolutely nothing to do with Christmas- and found lots of great things for prices you can't beat!
We did so much more, but I can't remember everything right now. Emma and I spent almost 9 hours at Logan Airport on Tuesday(that's after the hour train ride to the airport)- waiting for fog to clear, then for a maintainance problem with the landing gear to be repaired, then storms to clear up...well, I didn't wait around for the storms to clear. I got a ticket for the next day's flight and went back to the Landry's for a night- without my suitcase. I've never had to reboard a plane twice, and I've never sat on an airplane for 4 hours without going anywhere- and of course- never with a 11 month old!!! Oh, it was interesting to say the least, but I had plenty of food for Emma and she was soo good throughout the entire ordeal. We finally made it back home last night around midnight. Michael missed his girls and was glad to have us back!
Thanks for such a memorable time James, Laurie, Isaac, Katie, Emma & Josh-- We can't wait to see you again soon! The slide show is for you :)