Well, it's been quite an adventure and we have definitely put some miles on the Honda! But our little trio had a great time visiting all of our family over the past two weeks. We started out on Sunday, December 19th by driving up to Richmond, IN to visit with John's mom and stepdad Tom. It took two days (spending the night outside of Atlanta), some snowy conditions, some road detours....and our should've been 16 hour trip ended up taking 19 hours! But, we are thankful that Jordan did pretty well in the car...he actually was doing better than Mom and Dad by the end of the trip; we had had it with being in the car!
Once we got to Richmond, it was a whirlwind of activity....some of Grandma Marcia's family came over for dinner to see us and to meet Jordan. He didn't last too long, as it was just about bedtime, but he did smile for everyone before he started fading. Mommy tucked him in and we enjoying talking and eating with John's Aunt Mary Alice and Uncle Dale and cousins. Jordan's Uncle Josh flew in the next day and spent lots of time playing with him.
While in Indiana, we drove over to Indianapolis for a night to stay at John's Aunt Cathy's home. John's dad and stepmom Carolyn were there, along with John's cousin Allison and her husband Joe. Also, Jordan got to meet his Great-Grandma Ki for the first time! It was a very special time, one that was well documented by video and tons of pictures! Great-Grandma Ki also gave Jordan a very special present: a book that she recorded herself reading. It turned out to be so very dear to all of us, as Grandma Ki passed away on New Year's Day. She had a stroke five days after we all saw her. It was very sad to lose her but we are sooooo grateful that she got to meet Jordan (and got to see John and Jill again!). She was a wonderful lady and grandmother to John and will be dearly missed. We like to think she was waiting to meet Jordan before she passed.
Jordan with Daddy and Great-Grandma Ki
This Florida boy is ready for the snow!
Snowy Indianapolis, Christmas Eve
With Great-Grandma and her special book
We went back to Richmond for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Jordan helped open his own gifts (with a little help from Mommy) and seemed to realize that it was a special day. He was full of energy and even started squealing while at dinner that night! It was so funny to hear him squeal as loud and as high-pitched as possible. He could tell that he was entertaining, so he continued while we ate our entire meal!
Opening presents, Christmas morning
With Grandma Marcia
With Uncle Josh
Laughing with Grandpa Tom
The next day Dad, Mom, and Jordan loaded back up and drove down to South Carolina. Once again, we faced terrible road conditions: ice, snow, and even traveling 5 mph for 2 1/2 hours through the mountains of North Carolina. Talk about scary! We have never had a scarier drive and we hope to never have to do that again! Thank goodness we got out of that safely, although 3 hours behind schedule.....we did end up making it to Camden to stay at Jill's dad and stepmom Roseanna's home. Jordan went right to bed that night, but woke up energized and excited to be in a new place.
We spent two nights with Papa and Mimi. Jordan had his second Christmas and showed off his new squealing for a whole new audience. He also got to meet Jill's Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Penny for the first time.
Part of our drive from Indiana to South Carolina!
Jordan hanging out while at a rest stop
Just call him Schroeder: Jordan can play the piano!
Mommy also got together with her best friends and their children. We had a get-together at my friend Erin's house. It was crazy to have all those kids and babies there at one time! We attempted some pictures but as you can see, they turned out pretty funny....Jordan slept through the pictures and Ashley's son Brady couldn't get out of there fast enough! It was so much fun to get together; it's a shame we live so far away right now because Jordan could have some fun playmates with this group.
Clemson girls and all the kids!
The last few nights of our trip was spent at Jill's mom's home. Jordan hung out with his Uncle Jeff and met his Aunt Tricia for the first time. Jordan had his third Christmas and once again helped open many wonderful presents (at this point, we were wondering how we would get most of these gifts back to Florida!). Most of Ceci's family came over for a family Christmas one day and Jordan learned how you have to get attention while with this loud bunch: just be the loudest! He worked his vocal cords out by squealing and laughing most of the time the family was there....Daddy is worried that Jordan might take after Mommy's side of the family!
With Uncle Jeff and Aunt Tricia in Columbia
With my second cousins, Jackson and Riley
We got home to Florida on New Year's Eve and after tucking Jordan into bed, Mommy and Daddy didn't even make it up to watch the ball drop. We enjoyed our (busy!) vacation but we were sure glad to be home for a few days before both of us start back to work! Happy New Year!
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