We’re back! It’s nice to be home again, even though I’m just now coming down with the awful cold everyone had while we were in PA. Our trip was a whirlwind, full of love and laughter. I really enjoyed spending Christmas with Dan’s sister and her family. It was neat to experience Christmas with little kids. They were so excited about the whole process, from the advent calendars to Santa’s arrival. Dan’s youngest nephew is 8 months and he is such a good baby, it was almost enough to hurry us along towards kids.
Almost.
We started the trip out in Ohio, celebrating my sister’s graduation and exchanging gifts early with my side of the family. Then Dan and I drove to PA, where his sister and her family live. It was the first time I had visited them, and the first time either of us had met the youngest nephew. We took day trips to Reading where Dan grew up, and to New York. We bundles up against the bitter cold and braved Chocolate World at Hershey. I was thrilled at every drop of rain and every flake of snow. I took pictures of the kids at a rate that only a childless aunt could. I shopped at outlets and department stores I had never heard of. I got hooked on Sheetz chicken fingers. I made Dan drive me to Amish farms to buy scrapbook supplies from them (and scored major deals!) I tried to talk him into buying a farm. I bought things in Intercorse, PA just for the sake of the town name plastered on them. I sampled homemade jellies and jams. I lounged in a hot tub multiple times during the week. I discovered that small towns have a certain charm, but I am a city girl. I discovered that I go stir crazy on car trips through battlefields. I tried typical PA Dutch foods, including a raisin bread that is now made by Mexican bakers. I read up on Gettyburg ghost stories. I spent 24/7 with Dan, minus the day he was in AZ and minus the girls day out I had with his sister and Mom the day after Christmas. He got to ignore my singing Christmas carols 24/7 by playing WOW or on the Wii. He only sighed at my excitement for Christmas three times…that’s progress!
I have a lot of pictures to share but I won’t bore you all with the modern day version of film slides. (Plus, I don’t think Jen would want me posting pics of her kids for any Joe Schmoe to see.) If I can figure out how to add a photo gallery page to this site, you might see some of my New York photos. Otherwise, just assume that the pictures are awesome. Almost as awesome as myself, of course.
