Nine Down, One to Go

Of the ten of us cousins, the ninth is now officially married leaving one man standing...my brother Ricky.  We returned from our visit late Tuesday night and after taking a break last night, here I am.  Without further adieu..

We had a Thursday afternoon flight (Duncan left work early) and we both agreed that it was the ideal time to fly.  Calleigh watched movies the whole way, any time you go with her is fine because she's a piece of cake, but then Aubree slept most of the time because it was during her normal nap time.  We usually fly at night but she doesn't usually fall asleep for a long time and then, of course, the down side is that you're getting to your destination very late and it's a late night for all.  Anyway, the trip seemed to be going so smoothly but then as we were loading into my mother's van, I realized that we had forgotten to take our DVD case that was on the floor under the seat of the plane.  I ran back up to the JetBlue counter (which was miraculously not busy) and an employee went back to the plane to look for it but to no avail.  We were in the next to last row so I'm sure no passengers exiting the plane would have taken it so either the flight attendants found it and put it somewhere that nobody could find or maybe the incoming passengers took it (they were waiting to board when we got off).  I went down to Lost and Found but there was nothing.  I subsequently sent them an email but never heard back.  So it's definitely gone.  We had about 20 kid DVD's in there and I had all the Il Divo CD's and some of their DVD's too.  I also had "The Adventists" DVD.  I'm hoping that whoever found it/took it will watch that and be inspired so it's not all for naught!  I was pretty bummed about the loss.  Obviously we are now starting a new collection.

The lost DVD's not withstanding, it was a nice evening.  My mother and brother picked us up and then we met up with my dad in the North End to celebrate my mother's birthday which was that very day.  We went to an Italian place, obviously, that we've been to before and although we could have had a nicer waitress (her name was "Auntie" and she's been there many, many years), it was just nice to be with the family.

Friday we were going to go out and do something but time got away from us and Duncan ended up working so he needed some down time.  We did pick up some groceries, eat at Panera, and then hit up the airport where we picked up Tiffany who drove up with us to New Hampshire. We drove directly to the church for the rehearsal which proved to be an interesting affair due to ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen.  I thought to myself that this is why I only had five!  It's definitely a challenge trying to situate every one up on the stage.  But it really wasn't a big deal and the girls were in good spirits so that's all I cared about.  The town that the wedding was in, Wolfeboro, NH, was a beautiful little New England town and I would love to go back there sometime to just take a stroll through the shops.  Anyway, after the rehearsal, we went to the reception site for the rehearsal dinner.  It was only about ten minutes or so of a drive and the location was an old barn and a big field.  The barn was beautiful!  The only thing that killed me about it was that it was located on Pork Hill Road.  Of all the names!  The barn had a swing hanging from the rafters and just listening to Calleigh laugh and laugh as she got pushed on it was enough to make me smile for the rest of the evening.  

After the meal, the Grodack contingent headed for our rental house in North Conway, a 45 minute drive. We were renting it with my parents, Shawn and Camille, Ron and Elaine, and Ricky.  Boy, was it the most amazing house!  We arrived at night so we couldn't see the great view it had but the inside was stunning.  It was kind of an old fashioned house that had been upgraded so it felt modern.  The kitchen was ginormous.  Our bedroom, on the second floor, had tons of windows and then the bathroom had double tubs.  Never seen that before!  Duncan and I couldn't stop gushing about the house and we vow that we will return there someday.

Sabbath was a gorgeous day.  We went to the Conway church which was filled up to capacity thanks to all the family in town for the wedding.  Aubree was clearly tired from the previous day as she plopped on my lap during the sermon and went immediately to sleep.  Can't way that ever happens.  We had a great lunch at Toni and Terry's and then I took Aubree back for a nap while Calleigh forgo'd the nap for an excursion up Cathedral Ledge (where my father proposed to my mother many moon's ago).

It was a coincidence that they were all dress alike...well, mostly.  Camden wasn't going to wear this outfit for Sabbath but Camille did have it with her and put him in it when she saw the girls.

Shawn and Duncan were on babysitting duty on Saturday night while us ladies had our bachelorette party.  The theme was wearing the ugliest bridesmaid dress you could find.  I found mine for $4 at Thriftko and it was indeed, quite ugly complete with giant sleeves.  We also decked Shannon out in an unsightly wedding dress.  Then we all walked the streets of North Conway on our way to dessert and drinks at "The Met."  We did get a lot of beeps from passing cars...probably because we were quite a sight in all our ugliness.  We played a few games there and then went to Leigh's so Shannon could open her lingerie.  Unfortunately I had forgotten my gift back here so it will have to be mailed.  We didn't "party" too late as Shannon is the anti-night owl.

Sunday morning was a bit of a dreary morning but no matter.  I left the house at 9:30 to get my hair done and pictures taken.  Once again, Duncan was on kid duty until we rendezvoused at the church at 1:30.  Leigh got her hair done at the same time as I did so she rode with me to pictures and then she and Mia rode with me to the church.  We stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way for a quick snack.  About half way to the church (an hour drive or so), Mia asks Leigh for her retainer.  Panic!  Leigh can't find the retainer and Mia remembers that it was in a napkin.  We wondered if Leigh threw it in the trash by accident.  I pulled over so we could look around better and Leigh could get out.  She was only half in her dress but it didn't matter.  She hopped out of the car and looked under the seats, in all the bags, and anywhere we could think of but to no avail.   It was definitely casting a pallor over thing especially since it was too late to go back to the Dunkin Donuts.  Finally, Leigh gave up and went to get back into the car.  She looks down as she gets in and there on the grass sitting in plain view on top of a napkin is the retainer.  It must have been stuck in her dress and fallen out of the car when she got out.  We were SO happy!  Thank you Jesus.  Meanwhile, people we knew were passing us and I started getting phone calls to make sure everything was all right.

Duncan and the girls were just ahead of us and I was happy to see them when we got there.  It had only been about four hours but it seems like a long time to not see them.  We fed them a quick lunch, got them dressed, and Camille did Calleigh's French braids...this time without the Lysol to top it off.  Then it was go time.  Of course, the big thing we were anxious for was to see how the kids would perform.  Camden was up first as the Bible boy.  He started down, saw everyone looking at him, and ran back into my mother's arms.  Camille stepped down from where she was at the front and so Camden decided he would run down with his arms held up to her...sans Bible.  But it was too precious.  Then the three girls came down all together.  And it went very well.  It was a slow walk, obviously thanks to Aubree and her stiff legs, but they did make it.  I did end up letting Calleigh sit up on the stage with Mia.  She did have a few moments of concern before going to her spot to sit because the basket wasn't empty and she really thought it was her job to completely empty it.  But once she was sitting, she was great for the whole service which surprised me.  When I had told her before hand that she would have to be very quiet that there would be no talking she had told me "Well, how about I talk VERY quietly?"

After the ceremony, which was very nice, it was off to the barn for the reception.  We had appetizers to start off with and it was by far, the best bruschetta I've ever had.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  The main meal of veggie meatballs, mashed potatoes, veggies, etc was very good too.  The girls were remarkably good during all of this (because it's not like a reception by it's very nature is a quick thing) and I'm very grateful that Elaine was there to help with Aubree especially.  Calleigh was all over the place as she usually is and Tiffany told me that when she was running around, at one point she was with a bunch of the bridesmaids and told them that she had to go poop really bad.  Tiffany apparently drew the short straw on that one.  Thanks Tiff!  By the time the reception drew to a close, it had gotten quite chilly as is apt to happen in New Hampshire in mid-September.  I was very happy to get into warmer clothes and have a cup of tea...which thanks to Elaine was in abundance at our rental.  They don't travel without their tea bags!  We also sat and reflected on the day's events and concluded that it was a lovely wedding and that the bride was stunning.  They were off the next day to Seattle and then a cruise to Alaska.  Lucky ducks.  Toni and Terry had taped the Patriots game and I was going to go over and watch it after the reception but I was just too tired to go.

Calleigh decided to make a strange face for the camera.

My stud muffin carrying me through the prickly grass.

On Monday, Duncan and his parents left fairly early to go out for breakfast and then they took Duncan to Logan for his flight back.  We were staying an extra day but Duncan needed to get back for work on Tuesday...need to conserve those PDO's.  After the rest of us left the rental at 10 am, our checkout time, we went to the Copsey's and decided to go to Peaches for breakfast.  The girls and I had already eaten breakfast but we easily ate again.  I'm always game for French toast!  Afterwards, it was time to depart for my parent's and sadly, we had to depart from Shawn, Camille, and Camden.  I sure do miss those guys and I love the girls being with their cousin.  The girls slept most of the way back.  We stopped at a farm stand a few miles from my parent's house and discovered they had a corn maze there for $5.   I've always wanted to do one so after unloading our stuff, we headed back for a jaunt through the stalks.  It didn't look like that big of a field but once you're in there, it seems a lot bigger.  There are many dead ends.  After about 10 - 15 minutes, Calleigh started complaining she was tired and I think my mother was partially concerned that we weren't going to find our way out.  But I was having a good time!  And of course, we did find our way out probably no more than twenty minutes into the adventure.

Tuesday my mother had to work so my dad hung out with us for the morning.  We went to Lookout Farm where we had visited almost exactly two years ago when we were at my parent's in September, 2008. There is a train ride, animals, playground, and a small maze which Calleigh refused to do.  I guess she didn't find the corn one as exiting as I did.  There is a ton of fruit there and we picked Calleigh and Aubree each an apple which they later had for lunch (two apples came to $2.28 so it's not exactly cheap by any means).  After a nap for them, Ricky drove us to Quincy where we had supper at Boston Market with my mother and then Ricky took us to the airport where Ron and Elaine were waiting for us.  You didn't think I was going back on the plane alone, did you??  In reality, I think it probably wouldn't be too bad at this point but I sure was glad they were there when we were on the plane, Aubree had just fallen asleep and Calleigh said she had to go potty.  I would NOT have wanted to wake Aubree up.  It was a great flight overall as we were surrounded by empty rows and our luggage came very quickly.  And of course, despite our losing our DVD's, we do love JetBlue especially all the free snacks.  In fact, Calleigh asked me today when we were going to go on JetBlue again.  I don't think she wants to actually go anywhere.  She just wants to get snacks and watch the TV.

Calleigh - Two years ago.  This is one of Duncan's favorites of her.

Just about the same spot but I couldn't remember the exact pose.

It was a late flight so by the time we got home and to bed it was after midnight.  Yesterday was a catch up day of unpacking and laundry and now today, we're back on schedule with Walmart.  It really was a nice trip and made me miss New England in the fall.  I can't wait for it to be fall like here but that's probably like weeks, no months, away.

Well, that's a wrap.  I need to go put my yard sale addresses in my GPS for tomorrow.