Weekend in Michigan to Visit the Littles

This past weekend we headed north to visit Joe, Polly, Joey (2 years), and Jackson (4 months). We had a very nice visit and really enjoyed the area in which they live--lots of pine forest around their house and a beautiful river running through town. I realize now that we didn't get any pictures with Jackson--I was either holding him or watching Lew, so I'll blame Kevin. :)

We headed to my parents' house Thursday after Kevin got home from work to knock 2 1/2-3 hours off of the drive (then we drove the rest Friday morning). We tested out Lewis' new LeapPad on the way up--he doesn't necessarily 'get' it yet, but he does like to turn the book's pages and press the pen to the pictures (just not intentionally yet).

Dad was out of town, but Mom and Lewis hung out for a few minutes Thursday evening before bedtime and then a few hours on Friday morning over breakfast. Then it was onward to Michigan!

 Watching Cars or Thomas the Train

He watched for just a few minutes and then started messing with the buttons, so he skipped through the whole movie pretty quickly. It kept his attention for a little while, at least.

 Napping, finally! We stopped for lunch and tried to get him to nap at his normal time, but he didn't. Literally five minutes from Joe and Polly's house, he finally crashed. We tried to get him to nap once we got there, but he wasn't having it. Polly said she heard the pitter patter of feet up in the bedroom where he was supposed to be sleeping, so we just went up and got him. (And installed the crib tent, which we thankfully brought along, for bedtime.)

 Lewis and Joey

Joey, showing Lew how his kitchen works

We hung out at their house that evening and had a great meal, followed by the Louisville football game after the kiddos went to bed. (Same deal Saturday, but it was the Nebraska game.) Boys and their football. :)

 Here, kitty kitty.

Their cat Lance is so very sweet and has this nicely gated area in which to watch the action.

Saturday morning (which turned into noon) we headed out for Halloween festivities at the Y.

 Joey, the Monkey

 Lew, the Lion

(raking hay and leaves)

 Playing at the corn table

Joey's kind of giving Lewis a look like, 'What on earth are you doing?'

 It was really the most age appropriate thing they had (the other activities were more for the older kids), but they both had a really good time and were fine spending all of their time there.

Afterwards we headed out to lunch in downtown Rockford, followed by a decent nap by Lewis. Then it was time to play again! I think Joey and Lewis ran around with each other for at least two hours that afternoon. They both seemed to get along really well!

 Hugs!

 Buddies, sorting shapes together

 Light switch fun

It was up and down the stairs over and over again. Lewis seemed to love the carpeted stairs (like at my parents' and Kevin's parents' house) and was really zipping down them. I think the sweatpants helped him gain some speed.

 Hi, Joey! :)

 Lew loved sitting in (as well as standing on and trying to tip over) Joey's little chair. I'm not sure what J is doing--holding his belly, I guess. 

 Snacktime :)

(Mom, they also had honeycrisps, so we got to eat some 2 days in a row!)

 Saying hi to Lance (again)

 And petting him.

Sunday morning, Lewis woke up earlier than usual (though I'm not sure what time it was). He laid with us for a little while and then Kevin said it was 6:22am after that point. Soooo, we were awake but a little bleary-eyed. After breakfast, the boys played a bit longer while we packed up our things and loaded the car.

One last turn at the kitchen

Then it was back to Kentucky! The drive home was really good--Lewis was happy in the morning, had lunch, and then took a 1 1/2 hour nap in the car (which is great for him, not a big car napper). Kevin rode with him the 2nd half of the day and kept him happy with his DVDs and LeapPad and snacks. We made it home way earlier than we anticipated, which was great--it meant we had time to go out and pick up the dogs to spare them from an additional night of boarding. (jk...we love our boarding place, but it was nice to have them home to snuggle with)

 Napping like a champ

So, great weekend! We're both still not feeling 100% from the late nights and drinking and early mornings, but we'll survive. :) 'We're not as young as we used to be' has been on my mind. It was so great to catch up with friends, have Lewis and Joey play together, and meet Jackson--another family of friends was supposed to also meet us up there but had to cancel due to sickness, so hopefully we can all get together again soon.

Oh, and I think Peter and Lewis both missed each other:

:)