connecticut christmas

On Christmas Eve we got up early, finished packing and got ready for our full day of flying to Connecticut. Unfortunately, our flights ended up being delayed a couple hours due to the weather but nothing could damper our spirits! We got to the airport early, got some breakfast and settled in for a long day of waiting and flying, waiting and flying. We'll see you soon Grampa and Gramma!

We ended up landing in Connecticut several hours after we were supposed to but it's never too late to cuddle with your baby nephew! Such a sweet boy!

We always have so much fun at Grampa and Gramma's house. In addition to all the homemade meals and desserts, opening even more gifts and learning to throw machetes with Grampa on the back deck we also got to spend a day at Cabela's with Grampa Mike, Aunt Kiki and Uncle Kevin. Before we went in to stroll the store we purchased some homemade HOT donuts and kettle corn from the vender out front! Oh my goodness! Heaven! It was a bit intimidating (but clearly not intimidating enough to keep us away...) that the name of the vendor was "Faddy's". Believe me, though, one bite of those donuts and you wouldn't care either!

We have a lot of family that lives in Connecticut. One evening we got to have a pizza party with nearly all of my dad's side of the family! It was fun to catch up and to see all the kids connect with each other. Our family is so big and I love it so much! I will treasure this picture forever! The cherry on top of the evening sundae! My kids, both my sisters' kids AND both my cousin's kids! Wowza!

Uncle B connected with Paul on this trip!

Twinsies! That look!

One of our favorite attractions at Grampa and Gramma's house is the Yankee Candle Company! This place is amazing! They have an all kids area, sell more candles than you could even begin to imagine, have a Christmas tree room where it ACTUALLY SNOWS from the ceiling, sell flavored popcorn and homemade fudge. They have a gift shop, a restaurant, an animated musical show and SO. MUCH. MORE. The only thing that made this trip to Yankee Candle even better was our stop at Five Guys on the way! This was our first time to eat at Five Guys and if it was possible to be in love with a hamburger we would all be guilty of loving the burgers at Five Guys!

While busy days are fun some of my most favorite moments are the ones spent with my family sitting around the house in our sweat pants, watching TV, playing with the kids and drinking tons and tons of coffee! Oh and eating pie for breakfast!

I learned during this visit that my diaper changing skills aren't what they used to be. Poor Paul hates to be wet but he also hates to be out of his pajamas! Clearly I'm not a fast enough diaper changer for him and he let me know it!

Knowing we were coming for a visit, my parents put up some special Christmas decorations this year. Maddox's favorite was the light up Christmas Yoda and Darth Vader that were standing in my parents' living room. He asked if we could take them home! I kept forgetting to get his picture with Yoda and Vader but the morning we had to leave for the airport to fly home Maddox didn't let me forget any longer to snap a few pictures before we left.

Our flights home were again delayed by weather but we made it safe and sound. We already miss Grampa and Gramma and the boys are in no way ready to go back to school. We have had a wonderful Christmas holiday and we only wish we could spend time with family like this all year long!