Monday, February 25, 2008

home again, home again, jiggity jig!

I had the wonderful opportunity to escape reality this weekend and go back home, the town I grew up in, to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday. I had one of the most relaxing days I've had in a long time, and I owe that to my husband. While I was celebrating with my family, enjoying great food and better company, he was at home watching my oldest daughters, Ella & Britten. My little companion, Chloe, was an absolute angel and handled the traveling, the activity and of course, all of the handling like a trooper. I know Chloe looks a little concerned in this picture, grabbing onto my shirt for dear life, but for the most part, she was all smiles.
I also enjoyed some quality time with my sister, Jen, and her family. Even though we live 1/2 hour apart, we're both so busy that we rarely get to see each other. We've recently vowed that we're going to have play dates every other week and make a "sister date" once a month, so I really hope we can make that happen!
This is my little brother, Adam. He's the baby of the family. Although he looks a little creepy in this picture, he's really one of the coolest guys I know (btw, he tried to look creepy for the picture, so I'm at liberty to say whatever I please)! He was my traveling buddy this weekend and we had a riot, reminiscing about old times. See the "mini-me" version of Adam in the background? That's my Dad. :)
Here is the birthday girl herself. Or should I say, birthday girls? This is my beautiful mom, on the right, and her equally beautiful identical twin sister, Joyce, on the left. Can you believe they're 50 (or to be more accurate, turning 50 on Wednesday)? I can't. In fact, nobody can. My mom is constantly mistaken as one of my sisters. How can she be a Grandma, everyone asks. A Grandma of 9 (almost 10) grandkids, mind you!

So, my trip back home was a success all around. I had a wonderful time with my family, some quality time with Chloe and even a chance to SLEEP IN until 8:30am! Amazing, I know.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hee! You must have had some subliminal reaction to my post about returning home from Atlanta last week...my opening line was "home again, home again, jiggity jig!"

How WONDERFUL that you got to get away with Chloe to celebrate your GORGEOUS (Wow, she DOES look young...not a day over 39...but 50 is not old at all anyway) mom's birthday! And see your sibling, too!

For one fleeting second as I started reading your post, I thought that Andy stayed home for the weekend with ALL THREE girls and I was about to be very, VERY impressed. As it is, I am still VERY impressed, don't get me wrong. But, I'm glad for everyone's sake that she got to go with you!

Super pictures...you are as gorgeous as ever my friend:)

Angela said...

Hey!! SOOO glad you had a fun time! Your Mom DOES look gorgeous. You have a beautiful family, Amanda! And KUDOS to Andy for giving you some well deserved and needed time away :)

Kristi said...

Sounds GREAT!!! :-) What a VERY beautiful family you have, Amanda!

It is so nice to go "back home," isn't it??? And, it is always fun to give those "baby brothers" a hard time as well!! I love to tease MY little brother (who is really not that little anymore!)! :-)

Glad you had a refreshing time away! Family is great!

4under3 said...

First of all, what delightful pictures of you! You are adorable. I can see where Queen Chloe gets it from.

It sounds like you had a fabulous time with your family. It reminds me of how I get when I'm with mine. I adore my 2 younger brothers and their fabulous wives. In fact, their all coming to stay for the weekend. They live in the cities and I miss them dearly.

And, yes, I would have been way off in guessing your mom's age. What a CUUUUTE family!

Jen Zick said...

It was a fun weekend - and we WILL make our playdates and Mommy dates happen! Shoot me some times that work for you in March, and we'll get it set up!
Jen :)