Christmas Part II: Paoli, PA

Part II of Christmas took us from Chantilly, VA to Paoli, PA and the Homan's house.  We had a great time visiting with the Homans and Hammonds. As always, good food, good drink, and lots of lounging and relaxing.  

Mary Larkin and Maeve H. had too much fun playing in Payton's bed.  Payton is Molly and Brandon's boxer puppy.  

She is always this happy--always!

We had a *great* visit with friends Bobby T. and Elan.  I think they have made their debut on this blog before but as a refresher, Elan is a great friend from San Diego and Bobby T. or "Fun Bobby" is a friend from Ithaca/Cornell and also Eleanor's godfather.  We also got to meet Elan's mom for the first time!  Just like with Elan, she felt like family.

The fam.

Mary Larkin and Eleanor LOVE to be naked.  Mary Larkin, in particular. Payton liked Mary Larkin to be naked, too.  

Have I ever mentioned that Gar loves his little ladies?

Mimi and Mary Larkin.  Mary Larkin loves to sit with Mimi.  She also likes to point Mimi out in pictures and say "Mimi."

Eleanor is happiest when she is with her cousins.  She and Bridget are two peas in a pod.  This time, unfortunately, they were both sick and not themselves.  We'll have to arrange another visit soon!

Cousins playing!  They made a fort behind the couch.

Dancing with Pops.

Christmas 2008. First Stop: Chantilly, VA

We had a great, yet tiring, Christmas trip this year.   We were delayed by the snowstorm but only by a day.  We made it down to Chantilly (commonly referred to as the 'tilly-o).  We were able to visit with a lot of old friends and family including Pops (93 years old), Gram (91!) and Pop (92!).  Below are some highlights from the Virginia portion of  our trip.  Forgive the reverse chronological order; I am too lazy this snowy New Years Eve morning to put them in the correct order.  

Santa comes to Mimi's house!

Eleanor is very into butterflies this year and the butterfly wings and Mariposa Barbie were a huge hit.

These two love to give each other hugs.  Mary Larkin is at that stage where you can tell her to say or do anything and she will without complaining.  Mary Larkin, go give Eleanor a hug.  Ok, mom!

The girls loved to have Gram tickle them. 

Eleanor's fabulous latex "glove balloons." Cheap entertainment at 1AM in the ER.  

While out to dinner with Julie "Jules" Merkin, we received a phone call from Pops that Eleanor had a fever and was complaining that her ears hurt.  NOT AGAIN!!???  Oh yes.  So, here we are en route and then waiting at the Fair Oaks Hospital ER.  I won't tell you how long that took.  At least they already had me in the system from my multiple soccer injuries growing up so the registration process was a snap.

JULES!!!!!!!!!!!

We took a long awaited visit to the Air & Space Museum in Chantilly.  It was great for the girls.  There was a lot of space to run and they loved seeing the big planes.  If you haven't been, you should.  Seeing the Enola Gay is pretty impressive.  

This is Eleanor in the museum's air control tower looking out at Dulles Airport.

When I was a little baby...

Setting: Hallway with lots and lots of family pictures, particularly baby pictures. Eleanor is tired and fighting sleep. Garland is straightening picture frames.

Eleanor: Dad! Don't break the picture!
Garland: Eleanor, do you know who is in this picture?
Eleanor: Yes, Dad, that was me when I was a baby.
Flannery: Oh, Elle, you were the cutest little baby.
Eleanor: Yes, when I used to drink your boobs, Mom.