From Cahgo to New New

Oh my gosh I don't even know where to begin. It's taken me a while to write about our trip because I just don't know if I can write a post deserving of the wonderful time we had visiting our family in New York. Also, there are a lot of photos. A lot. A lot a lot. I think I would break blogger if I tried to upload them all. SO, you're getting the quasi-abbreviated photo version of the trip but the whole trip in words.

We left Friday morning and had a wonderful trip - I am being shameless here, but Southwest Airlines gave us such a wonderful and easy flight both ways to and from New York. They looked at us like nice people instead of a huge headache and treated James so kindly. Southwest, you have three new customers. Here's little man on the plane keeping busy.

He was so excited to have his "own yeyo cracka" on the plane :) They were the little bags of goldfish - the individual servings. It's the simple things.

We landed, got our car and before we could figure out where we were going, James fell asleep in the car. So Doug checked us in, I texted Aunt Col and we were off to see Aunt Col! Before we got there we stopped at a farmer's market and picked up some cookies and other must haves, while I was inside, Doug spotted a roadside hotdog stand and suggested we have lunch there. It was delicious. We made friends with the owner/cook/cashier and asked him what the red was on the dogs - apparently it's onions in sauce and apparently again, Aunt Col makes delicious onions in sauce. Recipe has been shared - thanks Aunt Col! Anyway, we got to Aunt Col's and she had prepared a whole lunch spread for us so - we ate again and it was delicious. Going above and beyond for us, Col got us milk for James, yogurts, swimmies - AMAZING! Thank you!!!!! Then, Michael and Aunt Col brought out the trains that Michael and Christopher played with when they were younger and James was in Heaven. James had so much fun.

Cheers Aunt Col!

Having so much fun

Playing with Aunt Col, Christopher, Michael, Aunt Patti and Big James

Then we went outside on their gorgeous lawn and stood in amazement before Uncle Sal's vegetable garden - just beautiful. James played with a bat, a football, on the swingset - I mean just so much fun. And Mom's cousins Michael, Christopher and Big James were just so so so so kind to James and so patient with him - thank you guys so much!

Swinging a bat for the first time and swinging lefty

Christpher and Michael

Throwing around the football with Dad

We left just as Uncle Sal got home and headed to the hotel for dinner - we enjoyed a nice little floor picnic.

And yes, our child dips everything in ketchup :)

The next day was BREEZY POINT! Woo-Hoo!!! I cannot even begin to describe what Breezy means to me and all of the wonderful memories I have from here as a child with Nana and Grandpa and all the Reilly cousins. It's just beyond any words I can find right now. It was a gift to be able to have James create some memories too.

 

We went to the beach with Eileen and her daughter Brooke - who is at the very least, the most adorable and beautiful little girl ever. Ever. James was enamored with both Eileen and Brooke. We had so much fun. James didn't go all the way into the ocean - it was a little too cold for him.

He preferred to stay here.

However, Doug and I got in and it was cold. But wonderful.

 

 I found shells in the breaking waves that brought me immediately back to my youth and being the wonderful husband that he is, Doug saved them for me. Here's our family shot at Breezy - thanks Big James! - and no, contrary to popular belief, that is not a white t-shirt under my bathing suit - it is my sweet farmer's tan.

 

We had a great time at the beach - here are some photos and then the last of this sequence is photographic evidence of James telling me he's ready to leave the beach without saying a word. Hilarious.

Getting water from the ocean for the sand buidling on higher ground

Best Pals

Ready to Go

Anyway, me, Doug, James, Eileen, Brooke, and Thomas all got back from the beach to the house and pizza - real, delicious, New York PIZZA, came shortly after thanks to Uncle Bobby and Aunt Mary Jane. James had his first slice of New York Pizza and LOVED it. And I quote, "Oh Mom .. Num Num." That's right my son, num num indeed.

And ... these are some of my favorite shots of the day - Uncle Kevin gave James a taxi - a New York YELLOW Taxi and James loves it - it was driven around our house today all day long. It's awesome - thanks Kevin!!!!

James beaming while being held by his BF Eileen and getting his own yellow taxi from Uncle Kev!

James and Great Uncle Kevin

 

Also, James and Brooke. And James and Brooke and Thomas. Here's a montage - I just can't think of any other words besides precious and cute and adorable and well, you get the idea. . . completely lovable.

James telling everyone he's two

 

James kissing Brooke

The Reilly cousins playing cards (they are the cards from our wedding!)

Miss Beautiful Brooke

 

And then we left. Mom may have asked Aunt Patti for some cookies so she wouldn't cry on the way back out on the island. I may have had the cookies and also cried. It was so hard leaving. I didn't want to let go to anyone I was hugging. It's so hard typing about it now. Like I told my Dad, if we could just have had a few more hours, just one more day you know? It just goes by too quickly.

We got back to the hotel and played on the playground waiting for dinner and then we all slept soundly.

Nothing like a day at the beach to grace your sleep with beautiful dreams.

Sunday morning we woke up and enjoyed breakfast and hung out around the hotel in the morning and then made our way to Aunt Annie and Uncle Billy's to see the Hayes Family. When we walked in, it was around lunch and Aunt Annie had bought James spaghettios and goldfish! James was so excited :) He ate lunch and everyone else arrived. We went down to the water where there's a little beach and James was just surrounded by admirers. James was doted on and loved on and complimented, huged and kissed and squeezed. Our child was the happiest little boy in the world. The evidence is presented below:

Cara, Meg, Moira, and James

James having a ball with Cara and Courtney

The center of attention :)

James and Uncle Johnny

Dede, James and Margi

We then went swimming! With Elmo! Thanks Annie! James and Doug hung out around the steps and then got in for a little. Courtney was so kind to James and swam with Elmo to investigate the pool! We had a marvelous time.

Then the amazing dinner spread - thank you Annie and Billy for cooking! James was extatic to see they had baked beans - he loves himself some baked beans. We also had delicious burgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, potato sald, and so much more throughout the day that I can't even list it all here. All delicious, all wonderful. It was unbelievable.

Can't talk ... eating

And then, we had Italian Ice. Oh my goodness. Flash of childhood memories once more. Delicious memories. We may have to find a distributor that will ship to Chicago. Thank you Courtney for the family photo!

 

And a shot of the girl cousins - Courtney and I were actually talking about when we were little and we'd all hold hands in the ocean going over and under the waves together at the beach. Such happy memories. Love you girls.

Meg, Court, Cara and Dev

And then there was the ATM machine toy. Perfect. Gift. Ever. James had so much fun playing with Devon (God mother!) and Courtney and then playing around with Rich and Margi too.

Godson and God-Mother

 

Court and James

Rich, Margi and James

 

Before we knew it, it was time to leave. Just like the day before, it was over way too soon. We were on our way home before we make a fuss about having to leave. James was such a great child on the plane and he was just thrilled when the flight attendant asked him if he would like to have plane crackers. Um yes. Look at his face!

And then this is how he rode through Midway ...

Since we've been home, James has talked non-stop about "New New" - this is New York. The whole time we were in New New, James was saying he was from Cahgo. He's the best :) James misses everyone and everything about our trip. James keeps asking if we can do "(plane sound) new new (new york) anen (again)." We've looked at our photos from the trip 3 times just today. He is recognizing people from the photos and saying their names. It's making me so proud and so homesick at the same time. Please know how very much we miss and love all of you. And also please know - anytime, at all, you are most welcome here in Cahgo. Preferably when the Mets are playing the Cubs so we can watch the home team win one :)

We love you all and can't wait to go back to New York and see our family.