we earned our wings!

well, we made it back home all in one piece! the boys had a great time visiting the whole family in chicago and did a fantastic job on the plane. it was a bit hectic getting through security in both airports but once i explained to the security workers that i was traveling with a baby who has a heart condition and had open heart surgery we were treated a little nicer. it never hurts to exploit your children, right? i'm just kidding. but we did get questioned about his medicine which is larger than the 3oz limit they allow you and has to stay cold. as soon as i explained what it was for we were shooed right along. both times brooks was so tired by the time the plane took off he passed out in my lap and slept the entire way. i know that all the passengers around us were extremely thankful for that because the few minutes before he fell asleep were not fun for anyone. carson was a complete angel both times. he was super excited to be on "big jet" ( from little einsteins) and wanted to know if he could drive the plane. not sure he's ready for that just yet! he sucked on a sucker for take off and landing, and after tasting every color/flavor in the bag decided he liked red. just like his mama! as soon as we were up in the air i turned on the ipad for him and he watched videos. he sometimes amazes me at how laid back and calm he can be. let's hope that continues for when he goes to preschool in september.

once we made it to chicago we were on the go the whole time. i have such a big family with so many little kids so the boys (and us) had such a great time visiting with everyone. of course, we were there to celebrate amy and gunnars getting married. it was such a busy week filled with all kinds of wedding celebrations. the boys didn't make it to the wedding, they stayed at my cousin allison's house with her wonderful friends, and amazing babysittera, brenda and dave. i was a bit nervous, more for them, about leaving the boys. i wasn't sure how either would take it, but both of them were good as gold. thank you so much to brenda and dave for watching them so andrew and i could go to the wedding!

unfortunately, i did not get too many pictures of all of our activities. we were just so busy there was no time. i did act as a "sous" photographer for my cousin lins. she's the real talent in the family but i kind of hung around her and took some shots. i called myself the stalker photographer! i'm working on some of those and will post them when i can, but if you want to see some real talent just click on her link to the left, linsey's pictures.

it was such a great trip and the boys did so good with all the traveling, but we were so glad to be home. nothing beats your own bed with your 80 lb dog snuggling up to you :) here are the few shots that i did take from the trip.

our roomies for the week, carter and tyler. we stayed most of the week with my cousin allison and her family. they were so generous and welcoming. tyler even gave up his room for carson and myself to sleep in. by then end of the trip carson was calling it his room. all four boys had a great time hanging out and waiting for the trash man to come, one of tyler's favorite things to do!

carson, brooks, carter, and tyler. part of the the next generation of cousins. i hope they are all as close as their parents ;)

meg and me at the wedding

courtney and me, the funny thing is lins was trying to get a different picture and we thought she was taking a picture of us! it turned out pretty good though!