My first big trip!

I just got back from my first big trip.  Well, I got back a week ago, but I just got finished sorting through pictures and videos.

I took an airplane to Illinois to meet daddy's people.  Daddy has a lot of people.  His people are loud and fun.

I'm used to strangers looking at me with smiles that say, "aww, look!  A cute little baby!" but at the airport their smiles all said, "uh oh, is that baby going to be on my flight?"  It's okay, it just gave me an opportunity to prove to them that baby on the plane does not necessarily equal headache for everyone around.  When we landed, the people in the row in front of me said they didn't even know I was back there.  *Proud.

I was pretty nervous before we got on the plane:

But mama and daddy didn't seem nervous at all, they just seemed really excited, so I said, "peace out North Carolina!"

In Chicago there was a huge crowd of people holding a sign that said "RORY," and "RORY" must have been right behind me, because as soon as I jumped into grandma's arms that entire crowd started cheering and applauding, and it was more than I could handle, so I cried.  Once I calmed down I gave grandma and grandpa a big hello smile.  They looked at me like they love me big, I could feel it!

Here's me with my grandparents waiting for our luggage.  Don't think too much of the pout, I'm still not completely over the RORY thing.

I spent four days meeting grandparents, great grandparents, great uncles, second cousins, co-workers, and neighborhood friends.  (Which reminds me... if you know me, love me, and follow along with my blog, let me know by clicking "join this site" to the right.  Thanks!!)

I'm going to let pictures and videos tell most of the story of the trip.  Enjoy :)

Mornings are my favorite anyway, but mornings with grandpa are the best.  Tummy-time is never better than on a comfy couch watching the big squirrels out the window.  Daddy says the squirrels (and many other things) are better in Illinois.  Mama asked me if I could say "elitist."  I'm not sure what that means, but it doesn't matter, because I can't say it anyway.  

I sure know a grandma when I see one, they make me feel the best!

Strolling down 3rd St with my mind on my paci:

I eventually ditched the stroller for the grandpa, a much cooler ride:

After almost two weeks, I laughed again.  I thought it was sooooo funny to pretend like my new car seat was a motorcycle.  Maybe it wouldn't take me so long to laugh again if I didn't get hiccups every time... grrrrr...

 Meeting great grandma T was love at first sight.  I hope you can see that happy expression on my face:

Chatting with grandma T:

the girls:

 Here's great grandpa John!  He was a cartoonist.  Isn't that really cool?  I was so excited to meet him:

He made me laugh and was pretty darn proud of himself:

The boys!  The extra boy is uncle Frank.  He has pretty hair like mommy:

I have lots of second cousins, here's two of them, Ali and Tim.  Also please notice my new headband and flower that grandma Debbie got me.  La la la love it!

Then I met great grandma Lydia, also known as "the gramma"

She sang to me in spanish.  Her song made about as much sense as everything else I hear:

(I don't know why this video is sideways)

Her yard is like a magical garden with flowers (and teddy bears??) all over.  I sure did love the flowers...

But I did not care so much for the bears...

Four generations of Meitls:

 One more with grandma Lydia and a picture daddy found of grandpa Bud.  How sweet!!

 On the last night we had a party at Aunt Carol and Uncle Bob's house.  Lots of food, a few presents, and a cake just for me.  I don't know what happened, but we did not take very many pictures :(  Maybe because it was my cranky time and I napped a lot?  I'll make sure my parents do a better job at Christmas.  We did get this one of my great-uncle Johnny and my way-cute cousin Laura:

Here's me telling uncle Johnny a sad story.  Probably that I'm cranky and my parents aren't taking enough pictures of everyone. 

 As a bonus on the trip, daddy's friend Darla visited all the way from Minneapolis:

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Debbie dropped us all off at the airport.  I didn't want to say goodbye so I just said, "see you real soon!"

The flight home went just as smoothly as the flight there.  I slept almost the whole time.  It was past my bedtime when we finally got to the airport.  Here is me snoozing away while daddy waited for our luggage:

Well, I don't think I've ever seen a better "the end" picture so at that I'll say, "THE END!"  

Thanks for the best visit, can't wait to see you all again at Christmas!!