Where do I start? In the 4 days we spent visiting with my family in Massachusetts, we saw and did more things than we do in a month at home. (When Buddy heard the words "family" and "vacation", as evidenced by the photo, he tried desperately to join. I had to sadly explain that his 7.4lbs would tip us over the baggage weight limit but there's always next time.)4/23/08 - Arriving
We departed for the airport at a very early hour of 4am to make a 6:40am flight. The kids were surprisingly well behaved, perhaps because they were half scared/half asleep.
They loved taking the shuttle bus from long-term parking to the terminal and insisted, much to the dismay of our drowsy and under-caffeinated business traveling companions, on singing "The Wheels of the Bus". The plane ride went well, and both children were surprised when, upon boarding the plane, I whipped out child-sized backpacks stuffed full of Dollar Store finds and Wal-Mart treasures I had hidden from them. Our saving grace during the long boarding and taxi was a packet of truck/boat stickers that Ashton happily used to decorate a special green sippy cup. (I just didn't think he'd use all 100 and make layers on layers!) Kate enjoyed playing with her bumble ball for most of the way and loved the vibrations that happened with the pull of a string! (Thanks Auntie Neeker for introducing us to the Bumble Ball!)
We departed for the airport at a very early hour of 4am to make a 6:40am flight. The kids were surprisingly well behaved, perhaps because they were half scared/half asleep.
They loved taking the shuttle bus from long-term parking to the terminal and insisted, much to the dismay of our drowsy and under-caffeinated business traveling companions, on singing "The Wheels of the Bus". The plane ride went well, and both children were surprised when, upon boarding the plane, I whipped out child-sized backpacks stuffed full of Dollar Store finds and Wal-Mart treasures I had hidden from them. Our saving grace during the long boarding and taxi was a packet of truck/boat stickers that Ashton happily used to decorate a special green sippy cup. (I just didn't think he'd use all 100 and make layers on layers!) Kate enjoyed playing with her bumble ball for most of the way and loved the vibrations that happened with the pull of a string! (Thanks Auntie Neeker for introducing us to the Bumble Ball!)Upon arrival for our connection in Philadelphia, we accidentally waited at THE WRONG GATE (it was a flight departing for Montego Bay, Jamaica) before realizing our mistake and rushing towards the correct gate. Now, if you've never been to the PHL, all I can say is the caterpillar layout, with it's endless gate "legs" is just insane. I don't care how many moving sidewalks that have, it was nuts. We finally arrived at our gate, red-faced and out of breath to then sheepishly discover we had an hour to kill. Thank goodness for the kid's area with all the great play structures! There was a huge kid-sized plane, baggage-car (the type you see on the runways zipping around delivering bags to cargo-holds) and all sorts of rocking chairs and benches for parents! This made the layover awesome and were actually sad to leave!
The 2nd leg of our journey was uneventful and our arrival in Hartford was great! The stars aligned in our favor when our luggage was the 2nd on the carousel and Dad was waiting right out side the door for us! Ashton gave him a great big hug with a "Hey Grandpa-pa!". I admit I was concerned Ashton would not remember him due to all the time that's passed between visits, but should have known better with that steel trap of a memory he's got! They were old pals in no time!
Kate was shy at first, hiding behind her Daddy's long legs, quietly emerging and obliging Grandpa-pa with a hug when he asked. She perked up quickly when she realized that in her vacation car seat, she could see clearly out the window that rolled all the way down! 
(In our van, the window rolls 2/3s of the way down only and she sits low in her seat.) Kate cracked us all up as we drove the back way to West Springfield, passing many CT farms, when she suddenly let out a VERY LOUD "Neigh!" when she saw a group of horses grazing in a field. I didn't even know she knew what sounds horses made! Quickly though, she began to tire and become inconsolable and so we requested to be dropped off at our hotel.
(In our van, the window rolls 2/3s of the way down only and she sits low in her seat.) Kate cracked us all up as we drove the back way to West Springfield, passing many CT farms, when she suddenly let out a VERY LOUD "Neigh!" when she saw a group of horses grazing in a field. I didn't even know she knew what sounds horses made! Quickly though, she began to tire and become inconsolable and so we requested to be dropped off at our hotel. Kate fell asleep as we drove up to check-in and Grandpa-pa volunteered to lay down and keep an eye on her. After a VERY long morning, with stomachs growling, Paul, Ashton & I made a dash for Friendly's! For those of you who don't know it, Friendly's is always the 1st place any of the Southern branch of my family hits up when in New England. Man, I love the Cone Head!!
After Kate's quick nap in the room it was off to visit with Great-Grandma R! Kate had never met the 94 year old GGR and I was very excited she would get to. (See video of it here! http://uncutvideo.aol.com/users/dawnelizabeth8i/ec1d4ecb35b1576fbba3fce86977bab0?index=2 ) 
I think it was love at first sight for Kate, as she lay in my arms staring at GG and quietly pondering what we discussed, enjoying "girl time" that spanned almost a century of experience! I am looking forward to sharing these memories with Katherine as she grows up, providing her with family roots that go deep to keep her firmly grounded as she grows towards the sky.
I think it was love at first sight for Kate, as she lay in my arms staring at GG and quietly pondering what we discussed, enjoying "girl time" that spanned almost a century of experience! I am looking forward to sharing these memories with Katherine as she grows up, providing her with family roots that go deep to keep her firmly grounded as she grows towards the sky.Ashton greeted GGR like an old friend, saying he loves her and giving her a hug and a kiss. 
My hope is that he remembered his previous visits and he and Kate will keep GGR close in his heart. You see, both of my children are Rossmeisls, true and true - proud, intelligent, stubborn and leaders. They are not afraid of speaking their minds, having an opinion or being independent. I cannot speak for the Reid side to them, as I am still figuring out what qualities Ashton & Kate carry from their father's side, but I can say that while they may look like spittin' images of their father, they act more and more like their mother every day.
My hope is that he remembered his previous visits and he and Kate will keep GGR close in his heart. You see, both of my children are Rossmeisls, true and true - proud, intelligent, stubborn and leaders. They are not afraid of speaking their minds, having an opinion or being independent. I cannot speak for the Reid side to them, as I am still figuring out what qualities Ashton & Kate carry from their father's side, but I can say that while they may look like spittin' images of their father, they act more and more like their mother every day.
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