Adventures in Penn's Woods

Editor's Warning: PHOTO OVERLOAD!! We took a bamillion pictures during our visit to PA, and many of them are displayed below. If you're a casual reader, I apologize; if you're an avid reader, then enjoy. :-)

Anyway, first things first: I met up with my amaaaaaaazing photographer friend Lauri (founder of Lalee Photography) on the last day of our PA visit. (She was slightly busy before that, what with her wedding and honeymoon and all.) But she did a photo session with Weston!! Hooray!! You can view some of her extraordinarily adorable photos of him HERE - just scroll down to "Weston." Isn't she so talented?? Lauri, thanks again!! You are the best. I miss you terribly. :-)

So, we were in PA for two weeks, and it started with a very early flight from LAX, featuring long, slow lines and lots of sweaty hustling and bustling through the airport with our baby. (Argh.) Weston did REALLY well on the flights, though. He got lots of playtime with Mommy and Daddy, and he also got to stare at lots of other people (one of his new favorite activities). We brought scores of toys to keep him occupied:
He even had his own seat on the first leg of the flight (which also functioned as a makeshift bed, thank goodness):
So, we determined that flying with a baby is not as daunting as we feared:
We set up a layover in Cincinnati so that we could have lunch with my fabulous uncle and cousins at the airport. Even though they lived in Ohio and we lived in Pennsylvania, I still feel like we almost grew up together. So, I adore them. Here's Sarah, meeting her... um... first cousin once removed? for the first time:
And here's Tricia, with whom Weston liked to cuddle:
Thanks for treating us, Uncle Joe!! It was so great to see you guys. Weston won't stop talking about it.
Weston and his cousin Bat-Killian (who is about seven months older) met for the first time that evening:

I think they'll become fast friends, and I'm sure they'll enjoy playing together every time we return to PA. That became evident to me when Killian kept trying to lovingly pat Weston's arm or head (which was intertwined with his attempts to bat at him, but whatever):
By the way, thank goodness for Gangy's activity center. Weston LOVED it. Oh, and how freaking cute is Killian's Batman outfit here. Tim wants one:
Weston also finally got to meet his future likeness, my older brother Jim. Seriously, the two of them are nearly clones in their baby pictures (except that Weston appears to have my eyes instead of my brother's). Hey, at least we have a pretty good idea of what he'll look like when he's all grown up! (And I couldn't be more pleased - I think my brother is a looker). Sorry, Tim, but it appears that the only manifestation of your paternity so far is Weston's double cowlicks. Yay for something, right? :-P Anyway, here are Weston and Jim:
All in all, Weston enjoyed an abundance of personal attention from our family members during the trip, which was so fun for him. Here he is with his fabulous Gangy (Tim's mom):
And soon it was wedding time!! Remember my absolutely amazing photographer friend Lauri who I mentioned above? Well, she got married!! Yaaaaay! And I was a bridesmaid! Double yaaaaay!! It was all so beautiful and so perfect. Here we are at the rehearsal dinner:

And here's the bride at the salon the next morning:
I also got my hair and makeup done. Seriously, though, this is the best I've ever looked in my entire life. Hahaha!
And the hairdo (it was inspired by a Cate Blanchett style, so I tried to channel Cate's fabulousness throughout the day):
Here's Lauri all gorgeous and ready for the big to-do:
See the earring? Yep, it's absolutely beautiful. Lauri's sister, Andrea (of Anca Pe'elma) designed all our jewelry, along with Lauri's headpiece. (Have ya noticed that talent and artistry run in their family??)

Anyway, here I am in my sexy bridesmaid get-up (this was taken in the evening, so most of my makeup is gone, haha):
Everything at the wedding was soft-tangerine-colored, including the cake. (Okay, I know I'm gushing about how awesome Lauri is here, but let me gush about one more thing -- she has incredible taste and an uncanny eye for color -- probably why she's such a great photographer):
We had a wonderful time that night!!!
Lauri and Jean:
The North Penn crew in attendance: Doug, Shomp, Lauri, Jean, & Tim:

The cutting of the cake (seriously, how cute are they!). If, perchance, you're interested in seeing some much much much much MUCH better photographs of the wedding, then visit the slideshow on Jasmine Star's blog HERE. This is classic Lauri right here. And isn't her mom gorgeous? Would you believe me if I told you she's a grandma? Yeppers.
What a beautiful reception and a fun time!!! We loved it!!!
Auntie Dana scored these Motherboy outfits for Weston and Killian, so they matched at church the next day:
We visited Lancaster with Dana and Killian too. So fun!! We shopped at the outlets, drove around Amish country, and enjoyed a divine meal at our favorite smorgasbord, Shady Maple. Here, Tim's enjoying some quality time with his nephew:

Both grandmas also enjoyed some quality time with their California grandson. Here he is with Gangy:
The cousins got to know each other more each day:
And thanks to Gangy, Weston had some of his most delightful baths yet!! Note to self #1: attempt Gangy's method of leaning him back during his shampoos, instead of just dripping water all down his face and into his eyes.
Apparently he loves bubbles. Note to self #2: purchase bubble bath. (With six kids and a grandson who lives locally, this Gangy knows what she's doing.) :-)
We went to the Adventure Aquarium across the stateline in Camden one day, and Weston saw lots and lots of aquatic life. Or, at least he saw lots of odd moving thingies behind glass:

Three of our most favorite people ever: Jay, Dana (Tim's sister), and Killian. We love hanging out with these guys:
The glorious Philly skyline from across the river:
I was standing beneath a tree in an indoor exhibit at the aquarium. I'd been standing there for awhile, but managed to avoid any... regrettable incidents.
There were two hippos at the aquarium!!
Killian was fearless:

Later he played with Uncle Brett at the fountain, and got quite soaked:
We visited Merrymead Farm with my brother and dad, which is one of my favorite places in the area. We got ice cream and then walked around and looked at all the farm animals:
I love farms. Especially Merrymead.
Maybe we'll take another picture like this in the future. Until then, this one is kind of irrelevant:
If you look closely, you'll see the faces of my dad, me, Weston, and Jim in those flowers:

Grandpa just ADORES his little grandson:
At the family party at Tim's house, Weston was passed from person to person, and he loved all the attention (so much so that he refused to go to sleep that night, haha). Here he is with Aunt Peg; that's his great-grandmom (Gigi) on the left-hand side:
Weston and Uncle Jerry:
And four generations of Andersons!!!
On the last day of our visit, we waited for a couple more hoagies at Hearth Baker, the best boulangerie in Lansdale:

Soooooo good. Why can't you find bread like that out west??
Auntie Dana and Weston shared some last-minute cuddle time:
Our flight home was butt-early in the morning (6:00 am). I do not understand it, but somehow Tim managed to fall asleep like this. (Seriously, how is that possible? His head wasn't even resting on the headrest! It was just sitting there!) Haha:
Look at how tired we all were!!! But even so, it was a super great trip. Thanks to all for the hospitality and meals and babysitting and everything. We miss all you guys, and can't wait for December. :-)