Easter in Pennsylvania and my vent... :)

We've been home for two weeks, so I figured I'd better get this post up before it's a complete blur.  More and more, visits home are becoming harder and harder... and not just because we have a very boisterous toddler and an infant (although that's a HUGE part of it).  Nope, trips home are getting harder because each time we go home, we have to leave again.  As much as I would love to just "embrace" living out here - I'll be blunt - I'm over it.  I'm over the distance from family and friends, I'm over the isolation of working from home full time, I'm over not having a support system and my kids thinking their grandparents live in a phone.  I'm over the travel - the 6 hour flight, the expense, the packing for different climates, the organization of needing infant supplies in multiple locations, the adjusting to a new time zone and sleepless nights that come with it, and the stress of feeling like you can never see everyone you want to see in the short amount of time you are home.  

Make no mistake, I have only myself to blame. I didn't try very hard to meet people here because I kept thinking it would be a temporary move so I didn't need or want to put down any roots.  I also think half of my frustration is with not knowing what the future holds yet... I'm not really a "live in the moment" type of person... as much as it pains me to admit it.  I'm a planner and a goal oriented person who needs an end in sight to work towards.  These aren't things I love about myself.  I know the healthy thing to do would be to bloom where I'm planted, look on the bright side and realize the grass is always greener... but I'm missing my family right now... so this post is me being real and honest (ie - Mom, no need for an emergency pep talk, this is just me venting! LOL). Just admitting all this is already making me feel better. :)

So, anyways... here is a brief recap with pictures from our trip to Pennsylvania.  I hope you enjoy them!

Addison's first flight went great... and my word to describe Andrew on the plane was "acceptable".  It's a very long flight for my active boy to be stuck in a small seat, but he did really well, all things considering.

 

Aunt Amanda picked us up at the airport.

First full day - we got our hair done together!
Within 20 minutes of each other, someone asked me if we were twins
 and one idiot asked me if she was my daughter... I have no words.

Here's the after - aren't Amanda's bangs adorable?!

Dinner at Gram's!

Andrew in the sailor outfit that Uncle Bob, Dave, and Jasper all had pictures taken in when they were little.

Andrew looking just like his daddy... with his daddy's childhood toy box.

Andrew will sing every song he knows if you get him to stand on an ottoman... so Gram bought him a microphone.

Dying Easter Eggs.  Uncle Dave and Andrea joined us for this too, and I didn't get any pictures!!! :(

 

Easter Pictures: 

 

Jasper and his grandfather

Brooke!

The girls had to take turns holding Addison... so cute! 

Ella and Addison

Julie supervising the cousins holding Addison

Gary trying to get a smile from Grumpy Pants.

Other pics from our visit:

 The Monday after Easter, AJ and UP came down from Harrisburg to meet their newest Grand-Niece.

Getting both of our kids to smile in a group picture is next to impossible

In a rare quiet moment... checking out the construction site in Aunt Amanda's backyard.

Left - Playing the drum at Sterling and Lauren's house.  Right - Playing at the park with Elaina and Brooke.

 

Girls' night with our "big sis" - Aunt Lizzy!