Trip to Maryland

We went to visit Chris's family in Maryland in October, right after P turned 11 months old.  It was actually my first trip to Maryland as well. Chris's cousin, Tony, was getting married and there was no way we were going to miss it! We absolutely adore his Maryland family and definitely don't get to see them enough. They do a week long family vacation every summer in the Outerbanks, NC, but we have only been once since we have been married. It is SO far away and there aren't any airports close. We will go, though, as often as we can. It is always a big house full of family love, fun and togetherness. So neat they still do it every summer.

Can't say I didn't have a little anxiety about this flight. Porter had just gotten to where he would NOT sit still for long. We were prepared for the worst, but he actually did pretty good. 

Just boarded

The entertaining begins

We played, a lot.

We ate, a lot.

Played some more.

Tried to take nap.

Not happening.

We took selfies.

One tired babe

 

Of course, right before we land….

He's out

 He hasn't fallen asleep on anyone's shoulder in months. The sweetest and I just stared.

Once we got there, we walked, what seemed like miles, across the airport to baggage claim.  We picked up our luggage and I about stroked after seeing our car seat all beat up. I am pretty OCD about taking care of my belongings. We thought the airline would have a bag for the car seat when we checked our luggage. My friends, who are frequent flyers, told us this. Well people, United airlines does not supply these. Way to start the trip off.  I was not a happy camper. So after grabbing our luggage, we boarded a shuttle to transport to the rental car station. We set the rental up before hand, thank goodness, because the lines were crazy long. We ended up with a spacious dodge SUV. I had to talk Chris out of the Escalade. Men. We were just so excited at that point to be in charge of our own transportation with a baby. It made me feel a little bit vulnerable to be completely out of charge, in case something went wrong. It's crazy what being a mother can do to you. Having a baby in tow definitely made flying a totally different experience than in the past. We then headed to Chris's cousin Bobby's, who was gracious enough to let us take over her condo for 3 days!

Just doing a little fishing 

Friday, Chris left to go spend some time with the groom. We strolled to this little lake right by the condo, where P had his first run in with ducks and geese 

 We fed them some crackers

 Then he wanted a taste of the crackers

 and then the big ones came..

 photo bomber

 I tried

I didn't get to take any pictures at the rehearsal dinner : ( I had my hands full with this child. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, filled with both tears of happiness and sadness. A VERY emotional day for the Banchero Family. Tony and Megan were married in the same church as his beautiful sister Stephanie Banchero was laid to rest in last year. She had such a sweet spirit about her. I was only able to meet her once on the beach trip to NC, but I  got to spend a few days with her. She instantly made me feel like family.  I wish so bad Porter could have had the chance to meet her.

She will forever be missed.

Waiting for the introduction of beautiful bride and groom and Daddy in the wedding party

Selfies while waiting to keep P entertained 

 Introducing Mr. and Mrs Anthony Banchero. 

 It was really neat to see how the trend for weddings is different from the North to South. When we walked into the reception there was a sign telling us to find our key with our table number. We then had cocktail hour in a separate room. Then the doors were opened to the reception room where we each had a special seat and a sit down dinner. Fancy. Loved it.

Aunt Julie and Uncle Bob

He was a little wired

 Sweet cousins

Uncle Bill, Aunt Lil and cousin Bobby

Uncle Richard Porter and cousin Sophia

 Aunt Sharon

 Shout!

Dancing with Daddy

Finally a picture with Aunt Jane! She was running around the entire night!

 Tony and Megan, the happy couple! By this point we there was no getting P to look at the camera. Good enough.

The Ulrich Cousins. Mike, Julie and Stephen

 The famalia. We tried.

And all the hats…on Bob

It was a great wedding and an awesome time with family that we adore. We can't wait to go back in October 2014 for Bobby's wedding. Wooohooo!

At the airport again too soon. 

 And the entertaining begins. The flight home was not as easy as the flight there, but he didn't cry so I'll take it. Days in a row of no naps is for the birds.

 Home sweet rental home. This was one overtired child.