Philadelphia. I had been there once when I was a kid. It has so much history (that I didn't really care about at the time). This time I was going to see my Jonathan get married. He and I have some kind of special relationship. He is almost 26, and has never forgotten to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. What college frat boy thinks about his cousin (who lives on the other side of the country) and wishes her a happy mother's day? This is an awesome kid. He graduated top of his class from Univ of Penn law school in May and just took the bar. He and his adorable wife have been together for 5 years. This was a wedding I couldn't wait to see.....but even more than that.....my whole family was going!!! So we took a red eye all the way to see them. It was awesome. The kids curled up in their (first class) seats and slept the entire way there.
When we got there, we checked in at our hotel in Philly and rested a bit. Then we drove to my aunt's house, about a 45 minute drive away and saw all of my wonderful family members (minus my cousin Jenn who missed the wedding! We missed her.)
On another note, look how much Landon has warmed up to Maisy. He loves to sit and entertain her. Here he is sharing the iPad with her. Because 4 month olds need an iPad......
Landon didn't want to go to sleep after I told him that Chi Chi had set up a treasure hunt for him. The other 2 passed out immediately. Those 2 are peas in a pod. I am so glad I have 4. Such balance.
Eeeeeek! My Gramma met Maisy for the first time, and Aunt Donna met her for the second. Look how much love is in this picture!
Looking for a kitty cat. Landon's obsession.
Me and my cousin Becca we bouncing our babies. Dante gets overwhelmed by so many people in the house.
My cute aunt and uncle finished their basement so that the kids could sleep over with them when they were in town. They got a ping pong table, futon, golf putter, and a variety of other fun activities. I wish we lived closer!
Treasure hunt! Following the clues.
Becca and her adorable boyfriend, the German. Some people call him David.
Teaching Hunter to play chess
Aspen to a liking to my Uncle Mike G, who I haven't seen in 10 yrs. It was fun to spend time with him after 10 yrs.
Bugs!
Me and my papa. My Papa has always been incredibly loving and sweet to me. When we said goodbye after the wedding he said to me "I love you Trishie. How could I not?" I thought it was the sweetest thing anyone has said to me.
And Papa LOVES baby girls.
Gramma and Baby Maisy! She was pretty good for Gramma. Her GREAT Gramma!
Gramma, Uncle Mike and Ms. Maisy
Aunt Donna and Chi Chi made a big, amazing, German meal for us! There were a ton of us over for dinner and it was so nice to be together as a big family.
Hunter and Papa
Chi Chi and Aspen. Aspen wanted this bear that Uncle Mike had bought her years ago. So sweet of them to gift it to her.
Oh my little Miss.
The girls. Yes, I had way too much fun planning their outfits for the past year :-D
Aspen LOVES to hold Maisy's hand. Maisy, not so much.
But look at that love.
And because I took photos of the girls, Landon wanted pictures with Maisy.
So Hunter wanted a picture too.....
And then Landon showed her the iPad again. Such a giving brother.
We had a huge credit in our room, so we ordered room service. I think room service is the ultimate form of being spoiled. If, one day, I went to a hotel by myself, ordered room service and then went to the gym and the spa, I think it would be one of the best days of my life. So, room service = amazing.
And the kids fooling around. They are so funny.
Logan Square.
Jonny and Julie walked up to meet us. So sweet of them to make time for us 2 days before the wedding when they had 5000 things to do!
We walked around Logan square a bit.
Then went back to Chi Chi's!
Yee-haw!
Bubbles and cookies - Chi Chi knows how it goes.
Saying "goodbye" because the kids slept over with Chi Chi and Uncle Mike. Brian, Maisy and I went for dinner at a nice restaurant and then watched some tv before bed. The next morning we walked around Independence Hall before going back to get the little people. They had SO much fun and Aspen keeps saying "Wememba I swept in Chi Chi's basement?"
They stuffed cookies in bags with Aunt Donna and Gramma for the rehearsal dinner
While Uncle Mike G entertained Aspen. Ha.
Just chillin'
Helping Hunter tie.
I wasn't there, but I have a feeling that this one was just stealing cookies.
Aspen "helping" my gramma.
Dinner time!
Cousins Kevin and Kenny
Aspen harassing Officer Miller - I'm glad she did when I wasn't there.
Settling for bed
Hugs goodbye to Uncle Mike
Tiiiiiiiired kids
Look at this crossword puzzle. Landon is sleeping on Hunter. Aspen is sleeping on Landon.
Not a lot of sleeping happened - we had some tired (but happy) kids.
Uncle Mike K and Hunter playing ping pong. What a cool kid.
Papa and Aspen. I think they were both in heaven.
And she's out.
After we picked them up we decided we had to go to Geno's and Pat's to compare Philly cheesesteaks. Geno's was better, but my opinion is that they are just not worth the calories.
Then we went to the Radnor Hotel in Wayne, PA.
Rehearsal dinner! Maisy was a mess and I spent an hour and a half outside with her. I felt so super blessed when my aunt, 2 uncles and Brian all brought their cakes outside to sit with me so I wouldn't be alone. Only family would love you that much, right?
This is my gorgeous cousin Becca and my silver fox, Papa.
Papa and his girls
Kevin and Vissy
Jon and Julie looking very serious
Me and my amazing, gorgeous, loving and sweet Aunt. I have so much respect for this woman. I hope I'm just like her one day.
Kevin, Vissy, Kenny, Becca, the German (David) and Me.
Aunt Donna and the grump
The mother of the groom and the mother of the bride.
Judge Kaplan (aka Uncle Mike) making a toast
Jonny! Such a cutie.
I thought it was somewhat hilarious that she sat here next to me.
Gramma, Papa and Chi Chi
The rehearsal dinner cake/ Groom's cake
"Look mom - I have Maisy!"
We walked around the Mall of Prussia. It took forever and was really fun. The only thing we bought was lunch :-)
My gorgeous Aunt and cousin. GORGEOUS.
With the groom's family
Me being silly
Sillies
Boys. I LOVE these boys.
Uncle Mike and Aunt Chi Chi
Chi Chi and her kiddos.
Uncle Mike and Landon
Aspen and Hunter - note the crossed legs. That was all her.
Gotta wear shades.....
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Maisy started crying as soon as they all got down the aisle. I was so mad. I handed her off to some people who worked there and got 10 minutes - I had to get her when they were saying their vows! I was so bummed!
Judge Kaplan married them! So cool to marry your own son!
Chi Chi and Jonny
Beautiful Becca
First glimpse of his bride
She was trying not to cry. so sweet.
He's SO cute! I just love my cousin.
Unity candle - lit by the moms.
First kiss!!
I got the baby and snuck back to the back of the ceremony so I didn't miss the whole thing. Phew! Brian had the camera (obviously) and took pictures of me. Funny boy.
So happy for them!
Aspen was so tired. We should have taken them home right after the ceremony.
Purdy dress
I love the use of nectarines in the flowers
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First dance
Me and my boys
Gramma and Papa - married 56 yrs!
Aunt Donna and Uncle Ken
Aspen and Hunter dancing
Me, B, and Maisy.
Kevin and Vissy
Papa and Aspen dancing. How many little girls have danced with their great grandpa?
Family dance
Mother/groom dance. We left at this point to take the kids to the hotel. That included Maisy. I put her down and she (luckily) slept until after we got home! yay!
Bride/father of the Bride dance
My cousins used my camera. Here is the outcome:
Me eating sorbet.
Us with the bride and groom
The OG cousins. We missed Jen and Jeff. These are the kids who did obstacle courses every summer and celebrated our birthdays as 1 big party in August. I love these people SO very much.
And then, because Maisy was at the hotel, I danced my heart out. Danced. it. out. The lights came on, and the German turned music on his cell phone and we tried to dance anyways.
It's official. My family shouldn't be invited to formal events. We took over the dance floor. We regulated. We had way more fun than most families have. And yes, people joined us, and yes, we had way too much fun introducing them to the Greves way.
Then I came home to this. Because, as much fun as I had, nothing is more fun than this (especially when they're sleeping.)
After almost 12 hours of traveling, several tantrums from a variety of different children, we made it to Vail. While Brian set up the cars, the kids ran laps up and down the car alleys (on the sidewalk). Like caged animals.
So here we are in Vail. We spent the day in the pool and relaxing. We will do something fun tomorrow. I LOVED seeing my family and I am So happy for my cousin.
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