Weekend in Maryland

Well, considering we hadn't been since February, there was a lot of catching up to do with most of my extended family. That being said, it was an eventful weekend!

We flew in Friday night, hung out with Dad and Sue late into the evening, woke up for breakfast on the deck the next day and welcomed the arrival of my stepbrother and sister-in-law Rich and Jenn, and their two little ones. I haven't seen Bryan and Julia (my twin niece and nephew born on different days) since our wedding and it's just astonishing how quickly little ones grow up - they're three now! So we spent most of the early afternoon playing with them (and taking pictures) until the rest of the family (grandparents, and a variety of my aunts, uncles, and cousins) arrived for a late afternoon BBQ. Talking, laughing, and catching up well into the evening, it was just so nice to be in the company of everyone. You realize how much you miss out on by living so far away when you're at family functions, but it's also so reassuring to always be welcomed back in as though distance doesnt' really matter.

Sunday, we enjoyed market street bagels out on the back deck and then got ready for an afternoon visit to Grandma and Grandpa's. On our way, Dad and Sue took us out to the Monocacy Aqueduct where they like to go to get outside, whether it's biking or running. After that, it was on to Grandma and Grandma's we went! It was fun to see the transformation that's taken place from the remodeling they've done on their bathrooms after hearing about it these last few months. Everytime we go there, it seems like something else is different! My cousin Andrew and his fiancee Kathlyn (whom he's marrying in May!) joined us for our visit and lunch, and then later for coffee. Finally, Sunday night we hung out with Aunt Margy, Uncle Dave, and Jack at their temporary digs for dinner, dessert, and playtime. Jack is such a great kid and is growing up so fast, too - in January he'll be five!

Monday, we were up by 4AM (Eastern Time) to make it to the airport for our early flight home. Saving money can be such a pain sometimes, but Cliff's a trooper when it comes to going to work and not complaining (too much) about how tired he is by the time he makes it home. At which point, he had been awake for fifteen hours. So you can imagine that last night we were pooped and went to bed super early, but it was worth it!