What an amazing 10 days it was!! It was infused with laughter, reunions, sickness, and tears.
We departed for Syracuse, NY on Thursday November 18th at 2:30am, yup....up and at 'em nice and early! It was a fun filled 14 hour car ride. The girls did amazing...no fighting!!! Their DS games kept them busy, busy, busy!! Did I mention we also had Skipper with us as well as Simon!!!! So it was a packed van!!!
After a long ride back home, we were greeted with hugs and kisses from mom and dad and a nice dinner out to Copper Top Tavern!
Friday and Saturday started us out with our good friends from back home Jimmy and Nicole to begin their lives together. I was blessed enough to be asked to witness this wonderful occasion and be a part of the wedding party. It was a beautiful wedding, held at the Shenandoah Golf and Country Club @ The Turning Stone Casino. It was a "New York" theme wedding. All the tables were dressed in white linens, and the chairs wrapped with black bows. No table numbers at this wedding, but to be surprised with NY attractions, and street names. Place cards were labeled with a NY Yankee symbol too!!
The wait staff danced to "Be our guest", as they handed out salads and rolls, and Jim and Nicole toasted to "Bottoms up"!
I must say it was a fun filled evening of dancing, dancing and more dancing...my knees were hurting the next day! I must say...I don't think there was NOT a single person that I did not dance with, whether they were standing and dancing with me or sitting in their chairs...they got shaking with mama!!!!
Nicole was a beautiful bride and Jimmy a very handsome groom...
Sunday brought wonderful reunions with our church from back home, Faith Lutheran! It was so nice to be back here. Everyone was so happy to see us. To sit and hear a sermon from Pastor Doyle was amazing!!!
WEGMANS.....I had to go and shop at my FAVORITE grocery store! For those of you who read my blog, and don't know Wegmans...I am sorry! This is the BEST damn grocery store ever...rumor has it it may be making it's way south, and when it does...I'M GOING!
I walked thru the doors and just took a big deep breathe and smelt the wonderful aroma of breads and cookies baking, the sounds of grocery carts being pushed and the laughter and smiles of all who were shopping! Tis the season as it was decorated for Christmas, tree's, light's and the music...
That night we went over and hung out with Bill's sister Danielle, her boyfriend Kevin and their children! It was so nice to see them!! Their daughter Shelby...so happy to see us she was in tears!
Monday and Tuesday brought Rain, no SUN, and COLD weather!! But...that's good Ol' Syracuse!! Bill worked from corporate and mom, the girls and I pre-pared for Turkey day.
Monday...Emily!!!!! We were so excited to see Emily! Emily is the wonderful young lady that watched our girls for us when we lived in Cicero, NY. We miss her so much, she'll be down soon!!
Tuesday evening was a blast! Mom and dad invited over some of my close friends (more like family to me) from Salt City Riders. They came with appetizers, wine and more! I got lots of hugs and kisses and a big, beautiful basket with lights that Mary made me!
A good friend of mine and Bill's, Natalie Losurdo joined in...it was so nice to see her!
My brother was also part of the celebration.
Well, Wednesday brought the stomach bug!!! YUCK!!!!!!
Gabriella started in the wee morning hours, then Madelyn joined the fun...the Nana wanted to join the party!!! So needless to say I was in charge...changing trash cans filled with you know what, sanitizing bathrooms, sinks, beds and more!!! Finally after I made everyone take a Zofran for some tummy control, we were turning the corner! So I it was chicken broth, Vernor's (which is Ginger ale), Powerade for some Electrolytes and crackers for the rest of the night for the sick ones!
Dad came home and took Bill to dinner, I stayed behind and took care of the sick ones.
Happy Thanksgiving 2010!!!!
Everyone was feeling better, Ribs were cooking, Stuffing was made, and we were headed over to Bernie and Curry's for a wonderful dinner! Bernie deep fried a turkey, Curry had the potatoes and gravy done as well as her homemade Mango pie and pumpkin, and we brought the rest! It was so nice to see them as well as their daughter Nicole.
After dinner, Bill and I promised Danielle's daughter's Shelby and Gianna that we would return! We did and Aunt Andrea surprised them with the ingredients to make Chicken Wing Dip! Kevin was happy too :)
I pre-pared that, and we got to hang out with some good laughter, girls playing just dance on the WII, and some awesome Chicken Wing Dip!!
Happy Black Friday...I swear, this eventually will be deemed as National Holiday...
Well, needless to say...my dad wanted to battle the mall! So away we went! Mom and dad bought the girls some outfits, lotions, and lip gloss...I have 3 very VERY spoiled girls...but honestly I would not have it any other way!!!
Bill had soooo much fun...he hates shopping!!! Oh well, he was a trooper and hung in there for dad. He knew dad was having fun.
We went to Five Guys for some burgers after an exhausting shopping afternoon! YUMMY!!
Later that evening, we met up with Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Tony! Had some wine...well okay...Carolyn and I polished off a bottle of Pinot Grigio from Trader Joe's!
I even got to take a pumpkin pie home!!!
Well, we had to get up early the next morning for our departure :(
Saying good-bye is always so hard to do, but this time we got to say good-bye knowing that mom and dad will be flying into SC in 2 weeks! They are spending the Christmas Holiday with us!! Woohoo, Christmas in the Carolina's! I can't wait!!!
We were on the road at 2:30 am once again! The girls did great!!! Pulled into home about 16 hours later!!! Not too shabby considering the traffic delays along the way.
Well, it was a good trip back home, so nice to see the family that we were able too. For the ones that we weren't able to see, there is always next time. Not enough time in the days we were home to make it around to everyone, especially when you battle your children getting sick.
~Until Next Time,
Andrea
Me, Meghan and Kelly
Us with Nicole
me
Nicole w/her Dad's
Me and Jen
Rick and Savannah!
Uncle Dee w/ his daughter Delilah and Gabby
Mike and Becki!
Linda, Mom, Mary, Becki, Jackie and Kathy
Me, Andy and Delilah
Me and Natalie!
Bill and Natalie
Savannah and Gabby
Mary w/Savannah and Gabby
Jackie, Rick, Me, Linda, Mary, Kathy, Mitch and Steve!
The crew!
Papa and his girls!
Curry and Nicole
Curry, Nicole and me
Me, Bernie, Curry and Gabby
Dinner!
Dinner!
Bernie and Dozzer
Mango pie!
Pumpkin Roll
Nana and Savannah
Simon in Nana Kitchen Cabinet!
Our travels back home...
