A Visit to TV

Well, it only took a month to wrap up all my posts from our trip to PA and FL!  I had already captured our Disney experience in Florida, but that by no means was the only part of our trip to T.V. (The Villages for those of you not "in the know").  Andrew and Addison had a great first visit to Gram and Pop's, and we are already looking forward to our next trip back!

 

We flew Allegiant Air out of Lehigh Valley airport - which is super tiny, but that's kind of nice from the hustle and bustle of PHL and SFO.  A word on Allegiant - I think our flights were supposed to be like $75 one way... but this airline is one of those that you pay for EVERYTHING... so I think our flights for 3 ended up being a little under $450.   Ugh. The flight attendants were awesome (think fun like Southwest) and one of them was wonderful with a very grumpy Andrew.  Addison did great, even with a cold!  (Side note: We weren't big fans of Sanford Airport, so we'll probably only fly into MCO from now on.)

Golf cart rides were one of Andrew and Addison's favorite things to do in TV. By the time we left, Andrew was driving the cart... but he still needs practice.  People gave us dirty looks for riding with a baby not securely fastened, and I know this seems like a very "un-Melissa" thing to allow... but Addison LOVED the front seat so much, I just couldn't say no.  For those of you who don't get the whole golf cart thing - I'm pretty sure it's a requirement to own a golf cart if you live in TV... there are special roads, tunnels and garages just for golf carts.  They have golf cart parades. Going through the tunnels Gram and Andrew would yell, "Helloooooooo" as Pop beeped the horn.  Now, every time we go under a bridge Andrew yells "Helloooooooo".

 

 

  

 

And of course, no trip to TV is complete, without visiting the various Town Squares.  Below Left, we headed to a Farmer's Market and below right, we went dancing! I wish Blogger would allow me to post videos again... I have the best video of Andrew dancing to Blurred Lines.  Luckily, he takes after his mother when it comes to the dance floor!  The bottom two pictures are on our way home from the squares - Andrew fell asleep and Addison was wide awake!

 

 

 

 And last but not least - the pool!  Gram and Pop had completed a brand new pool and lanai addition just in time for our arrival!  The pool and spa (complete with waterfalls!) are beautiful, and it truly is like staying in a warm, homey hotel when we visit!

The Spa by night.

 

 

 My little bathing beauty!

 

 



Not such a fan of the float... but she loved the pool!

 

 

 Andrew was wary of the water at first... but by the end of the week he was swimming from one end to the other (with help of the Puddle Jumpers of course).   I didn't get any pictures because of this triumph because I had taken video instead.

 

 

  

 

Playing with my old toys... yep, they're vintage.

On our way home... yep, Andrew's face sums it up.

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!