Thanksgiving morning instead of putting a turkey in the oven, I packed the car and headed to my parents house. Where they added their items to the car, Dad took over driving and we headed to Holiston, MA for to spend some time with Jamie and his family. We did a different route from last summer and this time went past the city where my company office is. In 14 years, this is the closest I have ever been to it.
Since it was Thanksgiving and most people in homes enjoying time with their families, we had very little traffic to deal with. It was awesome.
We arrived at Mom and Dad's hotel and were told to hang tight before coming over. Baylor pretended to nap but he was a bit tired.
We headed over and enjoyed our evening with the kids. Hubbard is 18 months and Presley is just over four years old. We loved being with the littles!! Hubbard had some blueberries with supper and of course they were all over his face!!
Baylor was very sweet, the first day, and read to Presley. He did have fun with the kids even though I know it was hard because they are so much younger than him. But he is a great big cousin to both of them.
Hubs is a furniture leaping daredevil! And such a cutie.
Baylor and I bunked in their living room so I did not have to pay for a hotel. We used an air bed in the living room after everyone else had gone to bed as well.
We had a full moon shining on our face and it was lovely. They have huge in windows in their living room and we were sleeping right in front of them.
In the morning, we folded up the bed and put it in a corner. Presley was sad she did not get to wake us up or even sleep with us. Hubbard came down wearing his Halloween jammies I sent him. Cute little Jack O'Lantern.
The kids had early morning baths and came out to tell us they were done.
Laura received a package and the kids had fun with the box, of course.
Hubs is just adorable! Friday we were just hanging out with Laura and the kids all day and planning on Thanksgiving dinner in the evening after Jamie got home. Mom and Dad went to see where Jamie worked and had lunch there. They toured the dining areas and kitchen and showed us the photos when they came to the house later in the day.
I gave Presley some window clings and she had fun putting them on the windows. Hubs had fun putting them in his mouth!! We put them higher and moved any small ones way high.
She helped me make the rolls for dinner. And by helping she stirred the flour, salt and yeast together. It was very serious work.
A little lunch snack.
In the afternoon, I broke out the crafts I brought to do with Presley and she really enjoyed them. We made a foam tree and a foam mermaid.
When it was time to work on Thanksgiving supper Buddy and Baylor worked together on the sweet potatoes. Laura picked out three different colors and we roasted them, because that is how we like sweet potatoes.
It is always fun to see someone do a diaper check, especially when it is my little brother.
All changed and in the kitchen making his own supper.
He was letting Grandma know what he was working on for supper.
I remember when Baylor loved to clean up, he had his own broom and electric vacuum stick. And now I cannot get him to touch any of those things. The little vest Hubs is wearing was Jamie's when he was little. Mom brought it up to give to his kids.
Mom gave Presley flamingo sheets which she loved!! The pillowcase makes a nice sleeping bag she said.
I tried to get a photo of all three but of course that was a losing battle. It is what it is and that is OK. Mom gave the little kids new stuffed cats they bought when they went to a wildlife sanctuary in AR over the summer. The cats were an instant hit with the kids.
Hanging out with Grandma on the bar. He is so content and mellow. But when he is upset, he has a silent protest, he just goes limp and lays there. He does not cry or yell. It is so funny!!
Saturday morning arrived and again Presley was sad she did not get to wake us up. But I wake up when I hear Hubbard cry and then Baylor wakes up when he hears me get up. We said we would try to sleep in on Sunday, but I could not promise it. She also really wanted to sleep with us but we did not have much room on the bed. I told her if she lived closer, we would have sleep overs whenever she wanted and one day we will do that somehow. The kids showed off their sunglasses, it is very bright in there with the big windows.
For Baylor's birthday they took Baylor to Apex Amusements, which is a large arcade and amusement complex. He was sort of excited I think because there was really only me to play with. But he did play air hockey with Presley for their first game.
He then proceeded to blow through his money card and I did add some more money.
Presley played some games but some she just sat on, like the motorcycle.
Baylor and I played the Space Invaders together. Laura played with Miss P, though she is pretty young to understand what was going on. She did enjoy it a lot though.
Buddy and Baylor played air hockey as well.
He tried a lot of new games
and the aerial walk which really surprised me because he is usually not one to do scary things. But he did it and enjoyed it!
He even did the walk out that had nothing to hold on to with his hands. I was so proud of him!!
Presley enjoyed a game of Space Invaders with her dad. This game is right up our time frame when we started to play video games and is a lot of fun.
After the arcade we went out to lunch at a coal fired pizza place and then Presley and I went to Michael's for more craft kits to do together. She picked out a lovely ball of yarn and I finger-wove her a scarf that she was very pleased with when I gave it to her. It turned out the perfect length and she loved the purple color.
Presley and I did a lot of Snapchatting together and I had her and Grandma taking photos as well.
She really loved the one with the ponies
Sunday morning we had to leave and head home. The sun was out and no bad weather was forecast so we were hoping for a smooth trip south. And we got one. We had no traffic hangups and made it home in six and half hours.
Then Baylor and I had an hour drive home and were greeted by two happy to see us dogs.
I am so glad we went, even for a long weekend trip. I love being an Aunt and I love being able to spend the time with them! But it is always good to be home again.
Presley made us this sign and colored the dog ornament and gave it to me. I sent the photo to Laura and asked her to show Presley I had them on my refrigerator already.
