Sorry for the delay. We went away on a two-week road trip and spent the following week recovering. Actually, the whole thing was great and a lot easier than we expected. Turns out that our smallies are traveling champions. There were a few notable exceptions, like being stuck in gridlock Boston traffic with Ivy and Creston howling in the backseat, but nothing that couldn't be solved by breaking a few seatbelt, carseat, and public nudity laws. We survived.
First stop was Brockton, MA, City of Champions and birthplace of Christopher W. Simons. There we found Rylee, Ivy and Creston's sweet cousin, three weeks younger and full of charisma.
Cousin Alvin
And Great Great Aunt Mae!
Then we headed to our 15th high school reunion in Concord, NH. Creston and Ivy went bowling, took part in the Alumni Parade, and went to a party where our classmates' band was so loud that we participated from outside the building, looking in. We were in the good company of various other babies and children and their responsible parents. Most people were too polite to ask about the story of our insta-family. Sometimes we just told them anyway. Afterall, it doesn't take long. It was really fun to show off the babies and our happiness and reconnect with people from our teenage years, even the ones we didn't really like back then. And even the ones that didn't really like us; there were probably some of those, too.
Dahni-El takes time out from killing it on the lanes to say to hello to Ivy. Doesn't he look natural?
Chris and Ivy rallying in the heat for the Alumni Parade.
Cousin Alvin
And Great Great Aunt Mae!
Then we headed to our 15th high school reunion in Concord, NH. Creston and Ivy went bowling, took part in the Alumni Parade, and went to a party where our classmates' band was so loud that we participated from outside the building, looking in. We were in the good company of various other babies and children and their responsible parents. Most people were too polite to ask about the story of our insta-family. Sometimes we just told them anyway. Afterall, it doesn't take long. It was really fun to show off the babies and our happiness and reconnect with people from our teenage years, even the ones we didn't really like back then. And even the ones that didn't really like us; there were probably some of those, too.
Dahni-El takes time out from killing it on the lanes to say to hello to Ivy. Doesn't he look natural?
Chris and Ivy rallying in the heat for the Alumni Parade.
The Family
And then we hit the road again, this time bound for Newbury, VT to introduce Creston and Ivy to some important folks and celebrate the high school graduation of Aunt Sydney.
Congratulations, Sydney! We are proud of you! We'll be catching up with Sydney at Skidmore next Fall. If she's anything like her sister, Catherine, there will be plenty of college hijinks to report on.
Creston and Ivy got to meet their excellent cousin, Cora. And Cora's lovely mother, Aunt Kerrie, too.
And then we packed up again and scooted just a tiny bit South to Grandma Carola's house in Lyme, NH. We took a stroll to the neighbor's dairy farm to say hello and buy some organic chocolate milk right from the source.
Back in the car, we had our sights set on Boston to stay with friends and watch some World Cup Soccer. Griffy and Jas grilled for a crowd - thanks!
Ivy and Griffy
Hooker and Ivy
Dibby and Creston
We watched some soccer on the biggest TV known to mankind. And Sammy almost managed to eat an innocent Chihuahua during this portion of the trip. Almost. Phew. Then we stopped at The Sellittos to take in the US vs England match and hang out with Amelie.
And, to wrap up our trip, we surprised Grand Leah by heading back to Brockton for a few nights. We forgot the little ones' swaddles in the laundry the first time through. A must have for these two to sleep. She responded by cooking more delicious food! She definitely spoils us.
Creston and Ivy started really noticing each other during our last stop in Brockton. Here they demonstrate.
And while the Celtics may not quite have finished the way we wanted...
The Red Sox are on a roll!
Next stop: Charlottesville, VA. Stay tuned!
