Laraway Family

WOW. Well, Anthony turned 5- WHAT THE?- on Dec. 30th!!! Daddy went in to work late, we took lunch up to eat with him at Google, brought him home early, and then went to the park to fly Anthony's new kite from Pamela! The next day started our vacation to NJ. The flight out was smooth with the boys (prepare for the worst and you're surprised when ANYTHING goes well- though it ALL did!), and by the time we arrived at MomMom and Pop's, it was 10:15. We placed Starks on their doorstep, knocked on the door and ran away. MomMom missed Starks on the first look but saw him on the second! She swiped him up, and that was our cue to pull into the driveway and unload! Pop was all tears, and it was so nice to see them. The boys hung out until the ball dropped at midnight (to our bodies, it was only after 9). New Year's Day was spent at church and MomMom's for dinner with the Italians! Very nice to have everyone around us again, and the boys loved playing with their cousins. Monday was spent traveling to Annapolis area to see GG with Tracy and the kids. Very fun! GG had even made cookies for the kids before they arrived. Were they for the kids or Russ? As soon as the boys walked into Uncle Jim's, Anthony asked, "Does GG have Yoohoo?" She always has it for the kids at her house! It was a nice afternoon of seeing family, eating pizza, a Su Doku introduction for V, and more fun for the kids playing together. V GREATLY enjoyed the ride down with Tracy and the girls, and the ride back with just our family was quiet... all kids alseep and V jamming to the 80's on the Sirius radio in the rental van! Nice... life is so fun with the 80's. Tuesday we snuck down to MD to spend the afternoon with Uncle Randy as a gift to Anthony for reading a book all by himself. We ate at a restaurant Russ frequented often with the boys and Randy in Chesapeake City. It was a nice visit as always. Wednesday Tracy and V shopped while Russ took all big boys (Kevin, Anthony and Chas) to the airport to sit and play inside an airplane Randy's Dad was working on at the time. Nice photos... such little men.Can't you picture them as grownups in these?
Anyway, after playing, it was lunch at Tracy's and a tour of her newly remodeled home. Sweet! This was the only night Aunt Stacy and Uncle Eric could get together between their own traveling. SO, we drove to Ardmoore, PA for dinner at Chili's... no ribs, but fun with the Meyers as usual. Thursday we played at a park in the afternoon,and cousin, Kevin, joined us. V fell in love with Cinnamon Dulce lattes from Starbucks, too. Friday Russ made a trip into the city for GINO'S cheesesteaks, and during naptime, Russ and V went down to DE. Russ shopped tax free in the mall while V visited work. It was surreal to be back in L&D with my nurse and doctor friends. It was like I was just stopping in on a day off and would be back to work in a couple of days. Weird. I loved the hour I spent. Then, it was off to pick up Russ at the mall- he surprised me with a video Ipod. He loves me. We never made it backfor dinner on time, and ReRe was very patient with us! Saturday morning we woke early and got ready for pictures of the grandkids in the mall for MomMom and Pop. From there we went straight to Chuck E. Cheese for Anthony's 5th birthday party. WOW!
It was great to see everyone, and even more than usual, it felt like we just didn't get to see and talk to everyone as much as we'd like. Jackie (V's best friend since 6th grade) drove from West Virginia- 3 hours or more- to see me and party with Anthony. She loves me. It was great to see everyone, and Anthony had so much fun. Thanks to all who joined us, and thanks for the gifts. After that, Chas napped while Anthony opened gifts at MomMom's. On the ride home, however, he asked some pretty interesting questions. One was "What's our biggest problem, Mommy?" Then he followed with "What's the biggest mystery?" I thought the last was very complex a question and talked about death and heaven. He went on further to explain, "No. Like to solve... like Scooby Doo." Too cute! Anyway, Tracy had a party for Big Russ that night, and we stayed until almost 10pm. It was an early wakeup at 6am for the boys. We kind of planned the lack of sleep to help them rest on the plane- 8 hours of being on the same plane returning... and that doesn't take the time change into account. Well, Russ had planned our returning the rental van, checking in, etc. on an 8:45 departure. It departed at 8:15. We made it to the gate- even after Chas peeing/pooping in the airport bathroom- JUST in time for preboard. They were opening lines for general boarding. Needless to say, no breakfast. Southwest feeds you snacks- crackers, fig newton, and more crackers.... ON AN 8 HOUR FLIGHT! The boys were hooked up by Mommy prior, so they were fine. Russ and V were OK, too, but when you have your mind set on a breakfast sandwich, a Fig Newton isn't cutting it! :) It was all good, though. The kids didn't sleep, except for Chas falling asleep 45" prior to landing at home, and they STILL did a great job. I will never forget this picture of Russ near the end of the flight opening a package of chex mix crackers and them spraying EVERYWHERE! I'm cracking up writing about it. It was SO funny. He was at his wit's end trying to keep the boys occupied, happy, not irritating the people in front of them by kicking the seats, etc. And, then he had crackers flying everywhere. You have to laugh at that point. As a matter of fact, we both couldn't STOP laughing for a good 10" straight- not being able to look at each other without losing it- then off and on for another 20". It was great. This is when Russ likes to sing his song, "Oh, I love it... I love it."

NOW WE'RE HOME! Unpacking luggage, food, gifts and things went well. Then, the Christmas tree came down that week, too. It's nice to have the house open and ready for Spring! Life is good. The boys are great. Of course, they didn't arrive unscathed as they are battling the second cold of the season. What do you expect from the petri dish that is Chuck E. Cheese and an airline trip lasting 8 hours! Since our return, we have had lots of fun with neighbors, friends, and ourselves. This weekend we'll be going through toys and clothes to make a collection for donation. Russ has done his part, but it's a little more involved getting the boys to decide on toys, especially. We are abundantly blessed in this household! Speaking of blessings, my friend, Pamela, lent me a bike trailer- which we took out this morning. It's AWESOME! Wow! Chas and Starks rode in the trailer on my bike, and Anthony rode on his own bike. What a great morning for us all. I love Anthony to realize that he just gets better and better each time he rides. By the end of the trip, he was riding down hills without slowing. I'm so proud of him.

Anyway, Russ has spent all week in San Fran. for Google's convention, and we're expecting him home tonight. He'll leave again for a ski trip in Feb., and we just booked our night for a ski trip the end of Feb! I'm so excited to get the kids on skis and in a class. I think they'll love it. If they don't, they'll love the snow. They keep telling me they want to go to see snow and throw a snowball at Daddy. Until then they'll be in basketball at the YMCA on Saturdays starting tomorrow! We'll see how it goes. Anthony has NEVER had any competitive bone in his body until recently. Plus, I think they'll be in the same class/team. Hmmm... It just makes me snuggle with Starks more and more when I see them being big boys. How pitiful am I that I brought Starks into my bed last night (he's been sleeping in his own crib since vacation) because he was stirring. I just kept thinking as I was lying there how snuggly he'd be... and warm... and happier? Anyway, I didn't sleep well, but I got to have his warm body sleeping on my chest again. It's been harder to let go of him than it was with the other boys. Probably because he's still so tiny. He has an appt. on Wed, and I can't wait to see how big he is. He was 7 months on the 14th. Starks is rocking on his hands and knees, moving his knees a couple of times to crawl, talking a lot more, loving food, and is just such a joy. Anthony is loving this being 5 thing, and Chas is just Chas. He'll want me to hold him like a baby yet want to be 5 like his brother.

For those contemplating a third- GO FOR IT! I was surrounded by them the other day and thinking to myself how wonderful a feeling to have them all over me. Life is much too quiet with one missing.

Enjoy the pictures. We can't wait to see Grandmom Anderson in February!!!