This past weekend we headed down to Maryland to visit my grandparents and see my mom, Kerri, and Eric, who were also visiting. It was wonderful to spend time with family- and as always too short! And Dad, we really missed you!
On the way down to Maryland we stopped in Philly to meet 12 day old Beck. His parents, Jeff and Tae, are friends from our old small group in Princeton. It was so fun to see them as parents, see the beautiful apartment they have in Philly, and most of all to meet their little guy!
Even though he was more than two pounds heavier than Samantha was when she was born, it's hard to remember her being that small! Look at the giant Samantha baby next to little Beck! Can't wait for Samantha and Beck to become little friends!
We also stopped on our way down to have dinner with the Hettingers- friends from our days at Crossroads Community Church. Before Andrew and I were married Laura and Sam used to host me for dinner frequently, and they definitely helped me prepare for married life during our engagement. Hannah was born just before we got married so she attended our wedding as a tiny baby, but it's been quite some time since we've seen the whole family. Even though Sam was away for the weekend, it was wonderful to catch up with Laura, see how Hannah has grown (she just started kindergarten last week!) and meet two year old Cole. And we also loved getting to introduce Samantha to the whole Hettinger crew. Hannah loved playing with Samantha!
Unfortunately this is the best photo we got of all three kids. Turns out two year old boys don't love to sit on couches to take pictures!
Laura and I! Doesn't feel like much time has passed at all since I used to hang out around their dining room table. So wonderful to catch up with you all :)
Late on Saturday night, we finally arrived at my grandparents house and the next morning Kerri and Eric found their way back from the wedding they went to in Virginia to my grandparents' house. They have not seen Samantha since she was 10 weeks old- what a different baby she is now from then!
Samantha loved getting to play with Nana, and she finally realized that she too can interact with Lanie. There were a bunch of moments where we had to direct her away from poking Lanie's eyes. Good thing Lanie is such a tolerant old dog.
Samantha LOVED playing with Uncle Eric.
That's Samantha's "cell phone," a new toy from her great-grandmother.
Probably wishful thinking that it will keep her from trying to get our cell-phones...
But Eric distracted her with some shoulder riding! She loved that!
When she got down there was a Lanie to greet her. Love that Kerri captured this face!
Then we played with the mirror :) Someone sees her Aunt Kerri!
My girl :)
While we were there, we celebrated Kerri and Eric's one year wedding anniversary. It's actually still a week or so away, but they weren't about to fly the top part of their cake all the way back to Indiana. We all had a piece- the spice cake was still delicious!
Xiao Xiao wanted to see the cake. (Note Eric in the background- no he is not about to attack us with a sword- Kerri and Eric brought out my grandfather's Navy sword for a pretend cut- to commemorate the actual cutting they did with the sword for the wedding!)
Yum pancakes made my Granddad and muffins the next morning!
Hanging out on the waterfront with Nana. The view of the Magothy river from my grandparents' home (especially in the early morning stillness) is still one of my favorite views of all time!
On Monday morning we decided to head out on a little shopping trip- Aunt Kerri and Nana wanted to help me pick out some clothes for Samantha for the fall because right now all this baby has are summer rompers. Eric decided he would try out the ergo with her, and while we were doing much of our shopping, he introduced S to the animals living next door at Petsmart. Good thing Samantha has an aunt and uncle that will teach her about living things, because we all know that all she's going to get from me are maps, presidents, and math puzzles :)
When we got back from the store, Kerri and Eric took my grandfather's 1968 mustang for a spin. Granddad has had this car since the mid 70s, and since his surgery hasn't been able to drive it, so Kerri and Eric took it around the neighborhood to get the car's juices flowing.
Here's four generations of women in my family!
Hanging with her Great-Granddad!
Just reading a book with Aunt Kerri.
And snuggling with her, too!
Yay! Jumping!
And upside down :)
Love these two girls! While we were all together, Kerri discovered a bump on Samantha's gum, and in the last five days, we have seen two tiny teeth pop through. These might be the last gummy smiles we see for a while from little S- although her teeth are still too small to get them on camera.
More playing with Nana and Lanie.
The whole crew. Samantha says she misses her Granddad!!
And I included this photo just to show the speed at much Samantha moves these days- hard to really keep her still!
And Samantha got in one last cuddle with Lanie on Tuesday morning before we headed back to NJ. Glad they have finally become friends!
Kerri, Eric, Grandmom, and Granddad- we miss you all already! Mom and Dad- glad we get to see you soon!
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