Thanksgiving Trip to Illinois

A few weeks ago we made a big trip to where your father and I call "home."  We planned this trip for months.  It was your first time on an airplane.  Your first night away from home.  It was even your first time leaving California and the greater Los Angeles area.  It was HUGE!  You were such a trooper.  We couldn't have asked for a better trip.

Here we are on the shuttle from the parking garage to the airport, about to embark on our journey.  You have no idea what you're in for.  I love this picture.  I think it's mostly the way Daddy is peeking in over the top.  I told him I wanted a picture of all of us and that's just what I got.

Waiting on our flight to board.  This isn't the plane we flew on, but we can pretend, right?  

All settled in to your seat playing quietly as we wait for take off.

You did great on the plane.  You were definitely ready to get off the plane by the time we landed, but you didn't fuss much and no tears were shed.  Once we landed Grandpa Mike and Grandma Norma picked us up at the airport.  They were so thrilled to see you.  We stopped off for a quick bite to eat and then hit the road again for the drive from St. Louis to Olney.  At this point, you were ready to be done with all the traveling but you eventually settled in and fell asleep.

You got to meet your cousins Shelby and Karmann and Aunt Jessica for the first time!

And got to see Grandma Tami again.

You were pretty interested in Greta, but she wasn't up for playing much.

Aunt Jessica was thrilled to finally get to hold you.

You also got to meet your cousins Holly, Edie, and Levi for the first time.  You had so many people excited to see you but you did great meeting everyone and letting different people hold you.  Grandpa couldn't be more proud, having two of his granddaughters on his lap for story time.  :)

We went to Daddy's Aunt Winnie's house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Here Karmann is gently stroking you.

You're not so sure about it.

Nope, definitely don't like it.  Adorable.

Grandma Norma was loving you to pieces every chance she got.

Just a little girl talk with your cousin Holly.

And some silliness too!

Aunt Brandee was so excited to see you again!

And of course Daddy and I found time to play too.

Your first experience with "real" cold weather.  We bundled you up good!

Your cousins wanted to take you outside to show you Christmas lights for the first time.

We got to meet some other babies while we were home.  You met your cousin Allison and our friend Reese.  I wasn't thinking and forgot to get any pictures, but they were adorable of course.

Then we also got to meet Cullen.  He was so excited to see another baby and it was so much fun!

And of course we gathered everyone up for some pictures will all 4 cousins together for the first time.

Proud grandparents.

And finally, we headed home.  You were exhausted.  And so were we.

When we finally landed in LA, picked up the car and made it back to our apartment you were again so ready to be done with travel.  I promised you we wouldn't leave home at all the next day, and we didn't.  When we walked inside and sat you on the floor to play with your toys, you were so happy to just be home.