Sunday morning we were up bright and early to pack up and head to North East Pennsylvania to Kevin's family's vacation spot. The Homan's have a house on the Allegheny River in a little town 1.5 hours north of Pittsburgh called Henry's Bend (known to the locals as "The Bend"). I have been once before and this would be Chase's first visit and also first time meeting about 60 of his relatives. Like I said, this is where ALL the Homans gather.... and word was out that they all couldn't wait to meet the newest addition!
The only problem was, it is a REALLY long drive. According to GPS it would take 6.5 hours.
5 stops and 8.5 hours later... We finally arrived. Let's just say Chase was better behaved than mommy. I do not to long drives well.
But we arrived in one piece and just in time for dinner. Family was everywhere and we felt one huge warm hug as we introduced our little burger to all his loving family. We quickly lost track of him as we gobbled up delicious food (that was ok with me after the traumatically long car ride). Chase was ecstatic to be out of his car seat and bounce from lap to lap. And boy was he spoiled. He tried watermelon and cantaloupe and made a sloppy mess all over the table. Aunts and Uncles had melon juice dripping off their eyelashes laughing, smiling and loving our guy.
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Once we got settled in, Kevin and I grabbed some beers with Megan and Andy while Grandma and Grandpa did some baby sitting. They hadn't seen speed demon since he started crawling and boy did he show off his moves! Once little man was asleep for the night we sat outside and enjoyed the sunset and views of the gorgeous river! That night the whole neighborhood set off fireworks! They were going off everywhere! They took this celebration seriously with huge displays and VERY loud boomers and salutes! Chase slept through it all! Love that boy!
Monday morning it was FREEZING! I didn't know it got that could in the morning and I neglected to pack socks for little man. His toes were icicles. (Parenting FAIL). So I bundled him up in long pants and a sweatshirt and the girls headed into town. 3 hours later it was 80 degrees and we had socks. At least I we were prepared for the next morning. Great Grandpa and Grandma arrived looking quite fashionable for the 4th of July celebration. And they quickly shoved dryer sheets in our pockets. Apparently they keep mosquito away... love their old home remedies.
While little dude was being smothered with love and attention, Kev and I joined some of the family for a lazy float down the river... with a cooler of beer. It was delightful.
By the time we reached the cottage's dock, G&G had Chase smothered in sunscreen happily splashing in the water! What a fun little scene to find. He was having a blast and
.... where they crowned the Carp Queen..... yes, that's right, she got a fish crown and sash. I can't make this stuff up!
The rest of the trip was spent much the same way... lounging, loving on Chase, S'mores, bonfires, tubing, family, long walks, splashing babies and lots of memory making.
We said goodbye to all the Homans and headed home. But vacation was not over.... we still had more beach time and another wedding before this vacation would come to a close!
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