Rochester Days

From DC we headed on to Rochester to see the other side of the family.  Even though we were all together at Thanksgiving we made the trek to NY because our youngest niece was being baptized and her big bother's birthday is New Years Day.

All the rest of the family (cousin, Aunt & Uncle, Grandma & Grandpa) were also in NY, but we got to spend most of our time with Aunt Katie, Uncle Bill, Will and Witney.  The kids got to have a sleep-over -- Will's first.  Picture 3 adorable kids sacked out on a bedroom floor with their pillow pets.  Completely adorable.  Even though the first evening was difficult because Will just wanted to play and Erin was exhausted by the last night there it was pretty close to smooth sailing.  Cousins Rylie and Avery even joined the party for New Years Eve!

Sleepover

Erin and Jeff got to test out their new sled from Santa while we were there.  There's a nice hill at a nearby school.  Of course the first run down, Erin and Rylie crashed into a sapling. But both were brave and got right back up.  We had to cut our outing short when staff from the school system drove up and explained that we weren't allowed to sled at the schools because of insurance issues.  We'd gotten close to an hour of snow time in by then, so it was a good excuse to leave.

Cousins Waiting Their Turn For A Sled

Later that afternoon Erin and Jeff got to meet some of Cousin Will's friends at his birthday party.  Aunt Katie held it at this really cool place called Kango, a big play center with a huge climbing structure, bounce slide, and small roller skating rink.  The kids played nonstop with their cousins for almost 3 hours.  Needless to say we were all exhausted by the end.

Jeff spent most of his time playing in the climbing structure.  There was a small zip line that he could just reach.  He'd jump up at one end, pull his knees and swing around -- just like Indiana Jones.  So funny.  Erin really liked roller skating and took to it rather quickly.  After only a few minutes she was pushing away from the bars and walls and rolling into the middle of the floor.

Look Ma -- No Hands!

We woke up on New Years Eve day to 50 degree weather in NY.  We hung out at the house for the morning and the kids just loved playing with their cousins.  In the afternoon we used Aunt Katie's zoo membership to visit the local zoo.  The kids LOVED it.  We got to see lots of animals out and moving around and got to take in some fresh air.  The elephants were out, we got a glimpse at the polar bear, the seals were squawking and even the tiger was prowling around. 

2 Boys and Their Star Wars Guys -- Heaven

Checking Out The Elephants

After that we headed to the ice rink for some ice skating.  This was something Erin's been asking to do for a while and the rest of the family thought it sounded like fun.  Everyone took a chance to get some skates on and push around the ice.  Jeff is still a little afraid to leave the edge of the rink, but went from terrified to relaxed holding hands by the end of the trip.  Our little daredevil, Erin, was pushing around the middle of the rink at the end of the day.  She just LOVES skating.  It was so much fun to see everyone laugh and smile and enjoy themselves.

Uncle Jon and Uncle Jeff, Aunt Robyn, Rylie & Avery joined us all for New Years Eve. We feasted on Chinese food, enjoyed some drinks, let the kids play wild, set up the Wii and watched the ball drop (with kids fast asleep).  Uncle Bill got a party pack with fun hats, noisemakers etc...what else does a party need?

Missing His Uncle Jon

Wii Battles Are Serious Business

Saturday morning was Will's birthday and everyone got together again to celebrate and open presents.  For a 3-year old, he was amazingly patient with all his other cousins wanting to help.  We spent a quiet afternoon at Grandma's house while Will rested for his birthday dinner at a local hibachi restaurant.  Of course Jeff again ate his weight in shrimp :)

After dinner we all took in a hockey game.  The kids just had the best time.  We were sitting right on the glass and could feel the bodies hit the wall.  There was awesome balloon hats and animals, enough snacks to feed an army, ice skaters, a Moose and Eagle.  Given that there were 5 adorable kids sitting right on the ice, we all made the jumbo-tron several times.  They'd shriek and shout whenever they saw themselves.  I never would have thought to go to a hockey game with a bunch of kids, but it was such a fun time.

Sunday morning we had to get packed up and ready to leave after church.  Witney's baptism was beautiful.  She's a very lucky girl to be so clearly loved.  We went back to Aunt Katie's for lunch and one more "cousins" photo shoot.  I assume as they get older this will be easier, but when the oldest is 7 and the youngest 3 months, you take what you can get.

They're Absolutely Smitten

It was an amazingly fun, and packed, few days.  It was great to get some special time with Aunt Katie, Uncle Bill, Will and Witney.  Toss in Rylie and Avery, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Robyn as well as Grandma and Gradnpa and it was just right.  Can't wait until we get to see them all again.