Road Trip!

Christmas is all about family, right? In the past, we've had our family time (the four of us) here, then moved on to Midland Park to Shane's parents. Then, when all was said and done, we'd drive up to CT Christmas night and have "Christmas Morning" there on the 26th. Even when they were in IL, Shane and I flew out on Christmas night...or maybe it was the 26th...I can't remember (but then again I can't remember what I had for dinner last night). It's tradition. And, it's a great way to get time with both families! Great plan...I think...

12/25/07...7am...

Only 3 kids awake, but 2 of them are not going to wait for presents! Predictably, the "Big Kids" loved all their presents. Shane LOVED his new drill (Men...give 'em a power tool and they're ecstatic. If I got a power tool for Christmas...I'd NOT be happy!) And the babies...well...they loved their bottles! =) Ava celebrated Christmas by rolling over! Now we're all officially rolling (although they choose not to use this skill very often).

10am...off to Midland Park...
More presents, more happy Big Kids, more oblivious babies!

With presents done at Nana & PopPop's, it's time to start thinking about the next step in the plan: CT. In the past 5 months, the furthest I've gone from my house is 20 minutes down 287 to the new Target. Shane ventured south to LBI with Z & T, but the triplets and I stayed home. But not for Christmas! I was determined to go to see my parents. I mean, it's not a third world country. If I forgot anything, they have a Walmart 5 minutes down the road! And with all their connections, Mom was able to get a bunch of the baby stuff on loan for our visit (i.e. a swing, a bouncy chair, an ultra saucer, an extra pack & play, etc.) The problem was, I hadn't packed anything ELSE yet...and packing for 5 kids and 2 adults for 2 nights in CT is no easy task. So, I sacrificed the post-presents nap and went home by myself and packed for an hour and a half. It's AMAZING how much you can get done when you're by yourself and you're used to having 5 others demanding your attention!

4pm...back to Midland Park...everything in the hallway for Shane to stuff into the car when we come home for the 15 minute "stuff switch" (i.e. dump the stuff from Nana & PopPop's and grab the stuff for Grammy & Granddad's). Made it back in plenty of time for dinner! =)

6:30pm...left MP and headed home...

7pm...on 287 headed north...kids all in PJs...

8:45pm (shhhh...it's supposed to take 2 hours, but Shane's a lead foot)...Made it to Grammy & Granddad's...

Not the most fun car trip I've ever taken up there, but not bad. The babies were great. Not a peep. Zoe & Ty, however, did the "are we there yet?" every 5-10 minutes! Ugh!!!!!!!! Our time in CT was great. The babies visited a bunch of their "supporters" and Zoe & Ty got some great time with Grammy & Granddad: Ice Skating, Kids' Museum, Hide & Seek, etc. We capped it all off with dinner at Uncle Tim's house. Z & T love Uncle Tim's cat...who hides the minute they get there...

Next year should be interesting...huh?