It's NH Time, Part 1

We've been looking forward to making the NH August trip a tradition since we left my parents' place last August.  Here we go, year 2!  It's so great to get the boys with their grandparents, out in the woods, to the beach and up to the lake.  Doug and I enjoy relaxing around the house and the extra help of my parents with the kids.  It's such a retreat for our whole family.  Unfortunately, year 2 has gotten off to a somewhat rocky start...Tavin (big surprise) has a nasty cold.  Doug and Koen packed up the car and the little guys and I loaded in for our 2:15pm departure (Doug is all about sticking to the schedule).  Doug and Koen were dropping us off at the airport and then they would drive on to Eastern PA to spend a night at Doug's parents and then complete the trip to NH on Tuesday.  Originally we had high hopes of all of us doing the roadtrip in the "awesome minivan," but alas, Southwest had a sale and we thought it best to fly myself and the little guys up like last time (phew!).

Tavin and Penn both had to miss their afternoon naps because of our flight departure time of 4:40pm, but they did great.  Here they are playing in Pittsburgh International Airport's "Kidsport."  

Our first flight took us to Baltimore.  This flight is super short, so the flight attendants handed out the peanuts early.  Tavin was thrilled (Penn just enjoyed making noise with the bag).  While they were hanging with their Southwest snacks preparing for takeoff, I tried to snap a good pic.  Here's the best of the best (not too bad).

Poor Tavin has a really awful cold.  Despite his sneezes, snot and cough though, he enjoyed the flights and never complained (not even about his ears).  Our second flight took off at 7:35pm (past bedtime).  They still did so well though.  Penn was a little sad at first, but then he got settled and snuggly and I just loved the precious time to hold him tight as he rested on my lap.  Tavin got to watch Thomas the Tank Engine, so he was fine. =)  We arrived on time in NH and got a fantastic welcome from my parents.  Tavin was beaming as he ran to Grampa for a big hug and then was carried to baggage claim.  So sweet!  Well, we were destinated, now for the nighttime that ensued...Tav went straight to sleep and coughed intermittently all night long.  Thankfully he slept through it all (not that I did).  Penn, on the other hand, came down with the cold as if a light switch turned on.  So bizarre.  Only an hour and a half after I laid him down he was congested and having trouble sleeping.  He was awake trying to deal with it all until about 1:30am (and I was awake listening to him and one time had to go comfort the poor thing).  Penn slept until 6am, but thankfully went back to sleep after some sadness due to his congestion and slept in until 8am.  I ended up with about 4 and 1/2 hours of sleep, but oh well, at least I'm on vacation.

So, Day 2.  Tavin and Penn were miserable snotty messes, so we just hung around the house getting acclimated and letting them rest.  I took 3 walks today. =)  The big event was the arrival of Koen and Doug this afternoon.  They made it here in only 7 hours, which was a new record over last year.  They had a great evening with Doug's parents the night before and we were so thankful for the stop-over for them to refuel and rest and then head out onto the road refreshed.  Thanks Mom and Dad!  They arrived a little before 4pm.  Koen was so excited to finally be here, he was beaming.  I'm so thankful that my boys love being here as I do!  After Tav got up from his nap it was time to get this vacation started right...with a Jeep ride of course!  Here's Koen warming up the driver's seat.

Pretty excited to be with Grampa!

Tav and I waited on the front lawn for Koen to get back and then it was our turn.  My little sick bug flashed some smiles due to the anticipation of the Jeep ride.

Now here's a way to cheer up a sad, sick kid.  A Jeep ride with Grampa!  This is perhaps the best self-taken action shot ever.

The rest of the night was low key and all the kiddos got to sleep on time.  I'm praying for healing for the little guys as they are quite miserable and then of course for protection for the rest of us so that we can all set about fully enjoying this time away as a family.