Waterloo 2011

We recently drove to Waterloo NY to visit Alex's mom's side of the family. He has cousins and aunts who live up there so we try to make it up at least once a year, sometimes more. We have our annual "Christmas" at some point when everyone can get together. And that's what we did this time.
Alex holding his cousin's baby Evie. She's the newest addition to the family and is so cute!

Aaron decided it would be fun to climb up on Uncle Peter's lap. It's funny how he picks random people to attach himself to!

Ethan and Charlie playing the piano...

Such handsome boys!

Aunt Louisa and Evie

Aaron in the rocker

Aaron and cousin Edie

The trip up and back was super easy and we did it during the times the kids were sleeping which proved faster and easier. We left to head up there Saturday morning at 3:30am and left to come home at 6:30pm on Sunday. I prefer to drive at night and it really was so much faster that way! No potty stops, no food stops, just straight driving for 300 miles!

We had a great time up there and Alex was able to see an old friend of his who recently lost his father. The kids were mostly behaved and we had lots of family time. I even got to visit the outlets which made me super happy! Charlie got to play in the snow, they got some fun gifts for Christmas, and we only had one night to deal with sleeping in the hotel!

Everytime we are up there we visit Alex's mom's grave side. It is in a cemetery across the street from his Aunt's house. This time, he took Charlie for the first time. We had to first explain what a cemetery is...after which he concluded that there should be picture frames with the people's faced in it so you know who you are visiting. Too funny. Alex explained about his mom (something we've never really talked about with Charlie), what happened to her, and that we come here to visit. We told him that she would have been his Grandma. He was appropriately sad but not overly so. We assured him that nothing would happen to me and that we hoped to live for a long time! He told me vehemently that he was going to take good care of himself and be very healthy so his heart doesn't get sick. I continue to be amazed by his maturity and understanding of things like this! My amazing big boy!