East Coast Bound

We are here! We are here!

I am finally back in the Philadelphia area. This is the first time in three years. It is interesting how much can change in three years. Last time I was visiting I had just met Doug and was navigating the uncertainties of a new relationship. Does he like me? Where will this thing go? Etc. Well, I guess I shouldn't have been worried because here we are three years later (almost to the day), and I can say I think he likes me and we are on a pretty good path on where things are going!

After 11 days in Houston, my mom, Zach and I took off for Philadelphia. This was Zach's second flight and once again he slept the whole time. Yea Zach! We got off the flight, rented a car, then headed off to Mom-mom's house (my mom's mom) for Zach to meet his great grandmother (or mi-mom) for the first time. Zach received a very warm welcome because not only was Mi-Mom waiting, but Mom-mom's friends Mrs. Masayko and Mrs. McKnight were there, and on their way was Aunt Michelle and Mark Anthony, Aunt Joanie, Evan, Ethan and Aunt Patty Hamilton. It is nice that they were as excited as we were. It was so nice to see everyone and even nicer to be in my Mom-mom's (Zach's Mi-Mom) house. A place with so many memories and a place I have very much missed over the years. Doug then flew in from California and joined us there for a bit, before heading over to my cousin Patience and John's house.

Zach and Mi-mom (and I promise, he was happier than he looks).

Mom and Mark Anthony

This trip is Doug's first time visiting my East Coast family. It is a trip we have both been looking forward to for a number of months now and one we can't actually believe is already here. Doug handled his first introduction pretty well. One man and 6 females all catching up at once! It would have been a lot for someone who is around these Hamilton women on a regular basis let alone someone who has only met everyone once at his wedding! So after a bit we headed to my cousin's house, where we not only got to see their new house but also their daughter Leighton who was only 6 weeks old last time we saw her (at our wedding!).

Here is a pic of Patience and John (taken on their previous beach trip).

Patience and John were nice enough to not only have us stay with them during our time here but also have set up everything we needed for Zach so we didn't have to travel with any of his bedding or bathing contraptions. I recommend trying to work this out for anyone who is traveling with little one's. Such a blessing to not have to carry the extra equipment.

I miss my family often but sometimes it gets easier when you forget what you are missing. This trip made me realize once again how much I wish we were all closer together. It was so nice to just hang out and catch up in person with them. And to see how big (plus ADORABLE and HILARIOUS) Leighton has gotten. It was one of the best nights I have had in a while.

I told you Leighton was hilarious.

The next day (Thursday), Doug, my mom, Zach and I went to visit Pop (my dad's dad), Aunt Patti and Connie. Another overdue trip. and I can't believe I forgot to take pictures (AUGH!). It was another house filled with childhood memories and I wish we could have had more time with them but I am so glad were able to have the morning we had.

Later that day we went out on the grand Delaware and Landenberg, Pennsylvania tour. We started with a stop at Sanford. Sanford is where Erin and I went to school from 1992-1998 (Erin through 2000?). Doug finally got to meet Joanie and Stacey Samonisky. The Samonisky's were our second family during our time at Sanford. Mrs. Sam was our field hockey and lacrosse coach plus another mom, friend and role model (still is). This trip was one of the highlights for Doug. He was finally able to put together a lot of my stories with faces and locations, not only with the Samonisky's but with a tour of Sanford (we even got to see Mr. Humpries (Eph) and Mr. Shields). Of course we didn't have nearly all the time we wanted but the time we had was well worth it. We then did the drive through Landenberg which was still beautiful and incredibly surreal to be back there for the first time in 8 years. I had grown up there then left and hadn't really gone back until now, it was trip down memory lane that keeps on going.

Joanie, me, Zach and Stacey (I miss you!) Unfortunately Jenn (aka Juniper Samonisky) wasn't able to make it.

We then went back to the Duke House (aka aunt Chi-chi's house) after a stop at Wawa. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of ever going to a Wawa, it is a convenience store and gas station. Not like the one's you have been to anywhere else, this is a place where you aren't afraid to actually eat or drink something from the store. So we go into the Wawa, walk over to the deli machines to order some sandwiches (or hoagies if you will), mind you I have not used these machines before and neither has Doug, so when trying to erase something I ordered i chose not to listen to Doug and accidentally erased more than the last thing I added, I erased my whole order. Well, this started Doug on a field day, all he kept saying to me was, "I'm from Pennsylvania, I know what I'm doing" ha ha! I think he is just jealous he isn't from Pennsylvania. (I still managed to mess up my whole order).

So we headed over to the Duke's house, then unfortunately found out John had strep throat and was highly contagious. We only were able to stay one night instead of two with Patience, John and Leighton. This second night we moved over to the Duke house where Ryan set us up in his room, he even vacuumed (any single ladies, grab this guy while you can!). So we got resettled at Chi-Chi's (we high jacked Patience's baby supplies with us, thanks again!). Then headed into Philadelphia to visit with Jenn and Travis Windholz, friends of ours who are living in Philadelphia while Travis is getting his MBA at Warton (UPENN). We took Zach (so we could show him off some more) and had a great night catching up at a really good Italian restaurant. We also shared a great bottle of wine Travis and Jenn had picked up on their recent trip to France. As I was never of drinking age living in PA, I finally got to see what my parents had always talked about in regard to the BYOB's in Philly. Liquor licences are tough to come by there, but thanks to the Windholz's travels it worked in our favor. Zach was great (as usual, I am such a bragger!) and put on a show of smiles for Jen. Sadly we finally had to leave and after an unplanned tour of Philadelphia, due to some road closures, we finally made it back and crashed in what can only be described as the most comfortable bed ever! Thank you again Ryan!

Jenn and Zach at their great Philly Loft.

Friday morning came too soon, as Doug and I could have slept forever. But we were still excited because we would be heading to the beach (or should I say the Jersey Shore) to see the rest of the Hamilton Family and hopefully relax a little. We packed up the mini-van, then mom, Doug, Zach, mom-mom and I drove down to Sea Isle City, NJ, (after another trip to Wawa) where it couldn't have been more perfect weather. We stayed at my Aunt Frannie and Uncle Rich's house overlooking the bay, Doug and i went on a bike ride, my dad and Erin finally arrived, then we headed over to my cousin's rehearsal dinner and a VERY late night at the Borgata (or the Borgats as Doug liked to say imitating a good friend).

All the Hamilton Cousins. The older picture pros decided we would let the 2nd generation cousins join in.

It was a whirlwind couple of days as it always is when trying to fit everything and everyone in on our visits, but it was the best 5 day trip I have been on in a VERY long time. We love and miss you all.