Tour de East Coast - Part III

Sat. June 27 - We got up and drove from Avon, CT to Killington, VT. I went alone with the girls (and listened to Car Talk), while Uncle Bob, Aunt E, Lexi, Rich, Reed, Lizi, Andrew, and Schuyler came a little later. Meanwhile, the West Coasters - my mom (who decided to come last minute because she was recovering from a bad bike accident), my dad, and Cheryl, Gabe, and Jonathan - were flying across the country and driving from Newark to to VT. We settled into our new house and Bob showed the girls how to eat pasta by putting it on your fingers first -cute!

Sun. June 28 - Time to Hike! The whole gang went for a hike up Killington Mtn. It was sunny and hot and there were lots of mountain bikers to watch.

Mon. June 29 - The girls turn 16months old! We also decided the house we had rented was not going to work, after the freezer had melted most of our food, the shower handle had fallen off and virtually broken my foot, and the stairs were too steep. The rental agency found us a new house, and since it was raining - we didn't mind spending the day moving and chilling out.

Tues. June 30 - Sunny morning (unusual for the week!), so dad and I decided to take Macie and Caroline in the packs for another hike. It was beautiful and foggy and they did great - napping for the first hour and then enjoying watching the chair lifts and alpine slide for the next couple of hours. And, at the end, they got a picnic!

Wed. July 1 - Well, to be honest, the Wednesday and Thursday are kind of a blur. It rained a lot, so we played in the pool, got our nails cut, watched the toddlers play, took baths, etc.

Fri. July 3 - SUNSHINE! We went to a national park and hikes the beautiful trails and ended up at the Pogue, a big lake. It was a great day to be outside!

Sat. July 4 - Happy 4th! Here's all the babies (Lizi included?!) in their flag shirts from Cheryl. It was a long trip home - 5 hours in the car from VT to Newark, 3+ hours in the airport, and a 6 hour flight (Macie threw up twice on dad, so it made it seem even LONGER!). But, we made it! Mike picked us up from the airport and we saw a couple fireworks on the way home - well, the girls didn't, they were finally asleep!

Great Grandma Mildred and Macie talking

Mildred and Macie at dinner on 6/24/09

Tour de East Coast 2009 - Part I

We're back! We made it! What a big, fun adventrure. Here's what we did over the last three weeks:

June 17 - Red-eye flight from Seattle to Atlanta. Mike had Caroline and I had Macie and they only slept about 3 out of 4.5hours, but were pretty happy!

June 18 - Papa (Grandpa Charlie's new name) picked us up and we drove to the house in Marietta (with at stop at Chick-fil-A) and slept from 8am until - GASP - 2pm!!!!! My best friend from Kindergarten, Leah, came to visit with her new baby girl, Mazie Ruth. That night, we went to soon-to-be brother-in-law (that's a title!) Matt's house for a Low Country Boil. Shrimp, potatoes, sausage, and corn - mmmm! We had fun seeing all of Mike's family and meeting Matt's family.

Mazie Ruth! She's a GT fan :)









Leah, Mazie Ruth, Caroline, me and Macie
Anna Kathryn - look at those biceps picking up Macie!

Caroline with Aunt Melissa!















June 19 - The girls got to hang out with dad and Papa and Uncle Brock while the ladies all went to Melissa's bridal luncheon at the Swan House (so cool!). We had a great time eating the traditional frozen fruit salad, chicken salad, and swan-shaped mousse! That night, the girls got to hang out with the church group friends while Mike and I had a date at the Rehearsal Dinner! Wonderful toasts and delicious steak!


June 20 - WEDDING DAY! I got some great pictures of the girls with Auntie Melissa on the morning of her wedding and at the church before the ceremony, too. Mike's BFF from high school, Billy, came by with baby Sophia and wife Amy to visit. We had Chick-Fil-A again :) And, then my roomies from college - Shannon and Kristen - showed up to help me get the girls ready for the wedding and to go to the ceremony as my nannies. Macie and Caroline wore smocked dresses that Grandma Carol (now known as Mimi) sewed for Melissa when she was a baby - soooooo cute! The wedding was at Mt. Bethel in Marietta and was a beautiful ceremony full of love and excitement. After the wedding, I took the girls and we went to pick up their babysitters - Caroline and Caroline! Poor Macie was the only one not named Caroline that night! They played with the girls and put them to bed while Mike and I got to enjoy the reception at the Atlanta Country Club. It was beautiful and Matt and Melissa were beaming all night!!!!
Melissa with Caroline and Macie the morning of her wedding!
M and C checking out baby Sophia!
Shannon and Kristen coming to help out with M and C!



Melissa and Caroline, having a serious talk before the ceremony








Anna Kathryn, showing M and C the ropes!
Macie in her adorable dress!



Caroline, looking cool!
Mimi, with Caroline and Macie after the ceremony.
Papa with squirmy girls!


The church goup - aka, #1 Babysitters!




At the reception! FUN!














June 21 - Father's Day at the Lakehouse! We drove up to Mike's parent's lakehouse on Lake Lanier and just lazed around all day - going swimming in the lake (the lifejackets the girls wore were pretty awesome!) and went for a boat ride. It was fun to just relax....

Like father, like son - two adoring fans of Caroline and Macie!

Papa - Look!

Come on, Dad!

Watch out, Caroline - Uncle Brock's going to get you!

What's a monkey say, Macie? Don't worry, Papa will show you!!!!












On the boat with Brock, Lindsay, Carol, and Clint













Macie in the water with dad













It's hard to move my head with these life jackets on!

Caroline driving the boat with Papa

Macie driving the boat with Papa

Mimi helping Caroline try on her sandals






















Look, I can even walk in them!









June 22 - After spending the night at the lake, Mike and I got the girls loaded in the car and made our way to Chattanooga! Caroline got carsick on the windy roads, but we eventually made it and met up with my high school friends, Jenn and Beth, and their kiddos. We played in the water park and got lunch at a nearby burrito-ish joint. It was so fun to catch up and to see their kids in person (as opposed to on blogs!). We drove back to Atlanta (on the interstate this way, thank goodness) and got home in time for some more Chick-Fil-A (yum!) and to have Mike's other best friend from high school over with his wife and little girl. We had fun with Matt and Julie watching their daughter, Kate, who just turned 3, play with with M and C and try to find pacifiers for them! That night, we did laundry, packed, and got ready for the Tour Part II.



My home state! It's been a long time since I've been here!










Playing at the fountains - Lizzie and Caroline Westin and Ansley showing Macie the ropes













What cuties!


Julia, Jenn, Caroline #1, Lizzie, Westin (hiding behind Lizzie!), Ansley, Beth, Caroline #2, Sarah, Macie - - FUN!!!! I'm so glad we were able to get together!!!!








Back in Marietta after a bath - Macie and Caroline impress Kate with their box-driving!