We're back from visiting the Hirst side of the family in a very cold, but very Christmas-y Leeds. We were there for two weeks. The visit was great, but the actual traveling was an absolute nightmare. The flight over was the biggest beating of a transatlantic flight ever (Ellie slept for maybe 2.5 hours total) and the drive from London wasn't much better (instead of taking 3.5 hours, it took SEVEN, which felt like 20 since both Charlie and Ellie cried most of the time). The transatlantic flight on the way back was much better than we expected -- we ended up with lots of extra seats and Ellie even took a little nap -- but it all went downhill when we got to Chicago. Our flight ended up leaving about four hours late, which meant we didn't get home until about 10:30 p.m....nearly 24 hours after leaving Leeds! Given what they had been through, the kids did very well, but Damian and I were ready to drop!
Luckily, the visit was much better than the traveling. We stayed at Nana's house, so we were very well cared for...and we ate like kings! Since her house isn't Ellie-proofed, I was really nervous about being there alone with the kids (Damian had to work everyday), but I only ended up being on my own a couple days. Granddad and Sarah both came over and helped me out -- I don't know what I would have done without them!
This should really be divided into about 5 posts, but since I didn't post anything during the trip, I'm taking the easy way out and just doing one post with a ton of pictures.
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Ellie loved Nana's phone -- it's the first one that she's ever seen with a cord and dial tone! Her face in this picture cracks me up -- clearly Daddy interrupted an important conversation when he took the picture. I bet we'll see a lot of this expression in about 10 years!
Both kiddos got pink eye while we were there. It was pretty scary to wake up and see that Charlie's eye was swollen shut. He looked like he had been in a fist fight.
Ellie being extra charming in an attempt to avoid going to bed:
One morning, Damian put our breakfast on the table and then went back in the kitchen to work on Ellie's breakfast. When he went back into the dining room, this is what he saw:
Ellie and Joseph are about 6 months apart, but they acted like twins -- they played well together and they fought well too. At one point, they were watching a DVD and they kept pushing each other out of the way to get closer to the TV. It's pretty funny to watch. Here's a picture of the two...and Ellie's yucky pink eye:
Cousins Thomas and Joseph, Uncle Brian, Granddad, Grandma Sue, and me at Sunday lunch. Now can you see why I wasn't worried about missing Thanksgiving dinner? Lesley makes the equivalent almost every Sunday!
More sibling love:
I tried convincing Ellie that wearing a cozy vest did not mean that she could skip the pants, but she didn't agree:
Nana knitted an adorable sweater and hat (I don't have a picture of it, but it's in one of the videos that I'll post later) for Charlie:
Charlie took dozens of naps on Nana's couch. He was so good -- for the most part, he went right to sleep once he was swaddled, had his pacifier, and his little lovie blanket:
Grandad and Charlie:
Luckily, the visit was much better than the traveling. We stayed at Nana's house, so we were very well cared for...and we ate like kings! Since her house isn't Ellie-proofed, I was really nervous about being there alone with the kids (Damian had to work everyday), but I only ended up being on my own a couple days. Granddad and Sarah both came over and helped me out -- I don't know what I would have done without them!
This should really be divided into about 5 posts, but since I didn't post anything during the trip, I'm taking the easy way out and just doing one post with a ton of pictures.
Look at those cute siblings:
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Ellie loved Nana's phone -- it's the first one that she's ever seen with a cord and dial tone! Her face in this picture cracks me up -- clearly Daddy interrupted an important conversation when he took the picture. I bet we'll see a lot of this expression in about 10 years!
Both kiddos got pink eye while we were there. It was pretty scary to wake up and see that Charlie's eye was swollen shut. He looked like he had been in a fist fight.
Ellie being extra charming in an attempt to avoid going to bed:
One morning, Damian put our breakfast on the table and then went back in the kitchen to work on Ellie's breakfast. When he went back into the dining room, this is what he saw:
Cousin Joseph LOVES his Superman costume and insisted on wearing it for Sunday lunch:
Ellie and Joseph are about 6 months apart, but they acted like twins -- they played well together and they fought well too. At one point, they were watching a DVD and they kept pushing each other out of the way to get closer to the TV. It's pretty funny to watch. Here's a picture of the two...and Ellie's yucky pink eye:
Cousins Thomas and Joseph, Uncle Brian, Granddad, Grandma Sue, and me at Sunday lunch. Now can you see why I wasn't worried about missing Thanksgiving dinner? Lesley makes the equivalent almost every Sunday!
More sibling love:
I tried convincing Ellie that wearing a cozy vest did not mean that she could skip the pants, but she didn't agree:
Nana knitted an adorable sweater and hat (I don't have a picture of it, but it's in one of the videos that I'll post later) for Charlie:
Charlie took dozens of naps on Nana's couch. He was so good -- for the most part, he went right to sleep once he was swaddled, had his pacifier, and his little lovie blanket:
Grandad and Charlie:
Ellie modeling the gorgeous hat and scarf that Nana knitted for her (and Charlie's pacifier):
Nana couldn't stand the hair in Ellie's eyes so she gave her a mid-dinner haircut:
4 comments:
Oh, Ellie sitting on the table happily indulging is a classic. She reminds me of her mother in high school surrounding herself with groceries when we'd come home from the store. She looks so grown up in the plaid skirt. And, Charlie must have charmed everyone with his smiles and coos. We're sure that you are all missed by your British family
Looks like a wonderful visit. I'm glad the part inbetween the traveling was good! :)
Wonderful pictures! I'm so glad the kids had so much fun:) And that your horrible flight over there is done! I'm praying for better flights next time!
Glad your visit was fun. We've had rough travels to and from Grandparents' homes, and they're at least on this continent! I really feel for you, but what a wonderful experience for your kids to be close to their father's family.
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