Well I remember it.
Barely, anyway- through the fun excitement of packing as much family fun into a short amount of time as possible,
bookended by jetlag and some SERIOUSLY bad flights,
where I was certain the turbulence was going to bring us down!
(thankfully, as I am writing this- we all survived:)
I'm going to try to recall the awesome whirlwind of fun family moments that we squeezed into the middle though for this post.
We were so thrilled to be able to come to the wedding of these two lovebirds!
However, a whirlwind of a trip it was.
I was originally hoping to stay in the States for a bit longer, but Noah could only get a certain number of days off, because the Embassy was quite busy at the time. I opted for a shorter trip, and help from Daddy on the flights! Always a smart choice, but I was sad we didn't get to see tons of people I wanted to, or eat at most of my favorite restaurants. Boo. Next time for sure! We only had basically not quite a week and a half. I don't think we will ever do this short of a trip again. This momma needs a longer break in between those airplane rides! ha! Oh well. Cest la vie!
What we did get though, was to celebrate Halloween in America with "real" Trick or Treating (squeezed in just under the wire, arriving the night before!), and tons and tons of fun family time, with days full of wedding events and parties! It was so wonderful to get to be with our entire family at one time, which rarely happens; along with getting to see tons of my extended family! I think there should be a big event like this every time we come to America!
This year was a Minion, Robot, and Mr. Incredible
We trick-or-treated hard that day, all over town!
This is as good as we could get for a group pic. Love them anyway!
We first hit up the town center with Trick-or-Treating at all the local businesses.
Then off for genuine neighborhood Trick-or Treating!!
This is one good looking crew too!
Miles had issues with his Robot helmet all night. Sorry buddy! Sometimes a good costume is not the most comfortable. Lesson learned! It was darn cute though!!
Porter took off with the "big boys" early on in the evening, but we at least got to follow these two cuties around. Everyone had a great time!
We have been blessed with some wonderful communities at both places we have lived overseas, that always try their best to do Halloween for the kids. Nothing beats the real thing though! So grateful we were able to make it home to the US of A for this year.
The other big fun was finally getting to check out the Museum of Curiosity that we had heard so much about! It was fantastic, as expected!!
Miles loved this rope bridge hanging from the ceiling, which was actually pretty steep. I was very impressed! He did it over and over again!
We were also thrilled to meet our newest members of the family for the first time-
my newest little nephew and our handsome new Brother-in-Law!
Verdict: they both made excellent first impressions.
I think we will keep them!
I just about melted, and just about wanted another baby!
Just about.
Love my family
Grandma and Grandpa, don't you want to take
all of these guys home with you?
And what would we do without these crazies?!
We had a sister's tea party lunch which was so fun!
and I don't know what they put in these cookies....
but man. oh. man.
I thought they were incredible! so addicting.
Just the girls!
The days were also filled up with more family dinners, Temple days and cousin chaos, which we loved! My boys also fully experienced really for the first time the magic that is a Trampoline. We've been peppered with requests ever since! I swear someone had a camera- but I guess it wasn't me, for all of this. I will have to ask my sister's one day if they have any other good pics.
Then came the big day!
It was gorgeous weather, everything turned out stunning, including the Bride and Groom, and it was a wonderful day. My entire family for the first time got to be inside the Temple together. It was such a wonderful and special day for us all. It will be a treasured memory forever.
After the ceremony, the fun began. The boys were actually much better than I could have hoped, and were all really good while waiting around for all the group pictures and things. It always helps when you have cousins for company though!
The main thing I learned about my boys outfits. Learn how to tie the "real" bowtie before the day of the wedding. It is not as easy as it looks. It turned out ok, thanks to Noah- not me, but next time maybe we will go for the clip on! ha!
In the interest of full disclosure. Miles also had a matching bowtie. ya. that wasn't happening after the effort it took for Porter's. So he has a basic black one instead. So happy we had a backup that would work at least! Sorry Katie! His beautiful red hair makes it ok, right?
My loves.
Roni and Aunt Katie
Sisters.
Love them so much.
Porter and Grandma
Congratulations K and A!
We love you both so much, and are so happy for you!!!
You are perfect for each other.
Thank goodness they ordered some "kid's plates". My kids were thrilled!
To finish it all off, we had an awesome PJ party in our hotel room with the whole crew, minus the newlyweds! It was so fun to be with my family and get a much needed dose of America!
What a fun trip full of memories. Until next time.....
