Back Home Again in Indiana

We made our [what used to be] annual pilgrimage to Indiana over Memorial Day weekend. It had been 18 months since we'd visited my family, and more importantly, we had yet to introduce Matthew to his uncles, aunt, cousins, great-grandparents, and other extended family! Our trip was busy, as expected, but we saw lots of friends and family.

Matty and Taylor with Great-Grandpa Jim (91) and Great-Grandma Helen (88). My grandparents just moved out of their home, where they had lived for over 60 years (!) and moved into an assisted living facility. We are so happy they are finally getting the care they deserve. No more cooking or cleaning for them. ;)

Matty looks like he's laughing, but he was very irritable while we were there. It was hot in the apartment and my Seattle-born children are not used to the heat/humidity.

A sweet picture of Taylor with GG

Indianapolis 500 - It wouldn't be race day without my BF Sara there.

Taylor with her cousins. She was in heaven! It breaks my heart to hear her talk of Alexa and Casey, knowing that her time with them will always be limited. But, we make the most of the time we have together. Above, Casey and Alexa obliged Taylor by watching "Sleeping Beauty" with her (thanks to Uncle Scott for making homemade popcorn).

Memorial Day Family Reunion
Pictured above are my Grandparents, their three children, their six grandchildren, their seven great-grandchildren, and all the spouses. It had been a long time since we'd all been together!

Playing in the sprinkler. When the sprinkler came out, Taylor looked at me like, "What in the heck is that, mom?" I realized we'd never had a reason to play in a sprinkler in Seattle. :(

Indianapolis Indians game. Cute cousins.

Picnicing at the baseball game.

I love these little (and not so little) people. Alexa and Casey are growing up. In fact, I cried when I saw them for the first time on this trip (I blame the pregnancy hormones).

Casey bought Taylor an ice cream cone. Sweetness.

Sara, her twins, me, and Matty - we met at the Children's Museum for a "playdate."

Tatum and Taylor on the carousel at the Children's Museum

BFFs?

Matty-boy enjoying lunch on my parents' deck.

A sweet moment with Baba and Taylor

Taylor also went swimming several times (another rarity in Seattle), went to the 500 Festival Parade, visited my alma mater and met Butler Blue II and Trip (Butler's Bulldogs), took walks with Baba, jumped on a trampoline with her cousins, and ate lots of pizza, ice cream, popcorn, and other junk foods that are restricted when she's home with momma. :)

Our flights back to Seattle about did Tommy and me in. Matty was extremely difficult on the first leg - he had no interest in anything other than climbing all over mom and dad. He was overtired and fought sleep until the second leg, when he finally passed out (after making a scene) about 10:30 PM Eastern time. Taylor was great on the first leg. On the second leg, she finally threw in the towel and fell asleep about midnight Eastern time. When our flight landed in Seattle at 10:30 PM Pacific time (1:30 AM Eastern), Taylor awoke having a night terror. It was awful! Had she been acting that way when we boarded the flight, we surely would have been asked to step off. Tommy and I were a hot mess as we tried to hold Matty, console Taylor, unbuckle the car seat, collect our bags, and get the heck off the plane. I think we can chalk the flights home as our worst travel experience yet.

All in all, it was a great trip! Thanks, family and friends, for spending time with us! We'll see you next year once we regain the energy to travel!