Toba Trip 2011

So December 15th came quickly and Nolan and I headed over to MB for our four week family visit.  The last time i had flown with Nolan he was about 10 months old, so i was a little nervous how he would do on the plane this time.  With him being more aware, mobile and not a cuddly child, i thought for sure he would be one of those kids where you have to walk them up and down the aisle to keep them entertained.  Much to my surprise, he wasn't bad at all!  Of course i gave him baby Gravol before we took off just in case he needed some help relaxing or his tummy felt funny.  So aside from it being really awkward to hold a large child on your lap in a small space for a few hours with some flailing limbs and limited toys, it went swimmingly ;)

The trip was crazy busy, really fun, stressful, relaxing and exhausting all at the same time.  Being in early pregnancy contributed to some of those things too.  The longer trip allowed us to see people more than once, which was really nice.  And of course Nolan got to spend more time with his grandparents, aunts and uncles.  We were spoiled by all our loved ones and are truly grateful for everything that was done for us, given to us and offered to us.  Even with the length of the trip there were things on my list that i didn't get to do.  But i think that will always happen unless i stop planning (yeah right!)

All three of us got sick at one point during the trip.  I started it off with a lovely chest cold that didn't want to go away.  Then on Boxing day Grant got hit with a 24 hr stomach bug that was passed on to me a couple of days later.  Then Nolan's runny nose from teething turned into a cold, cough, fever and no appetite that lasted the whole time we were gone in Mexico.  Luckily we didn't know he was really sick while we were gone but i still feel bad for him being left behind that way and bad for his grandparents having to care for a sick child the whole time.  Obviously nothing that we could have planned or changed but we are thankful he was well taken care of and that he is healthy now. 

All in all, the trip was great.  Just too long to be away from home.  By the time i went back to MB to pick Nolan up after our Mexico trip, i regretted my decision to stay an extra 2 days before heading home.  So much so that when we did finally get home?  I didn't leave the house for a week!  Except to shovel the snow off the driveway, lol.

Thanks again everyone for your hospitality, generosity and love!  

Our house is always open to visitors too ;) 

Waiting for our plane in Abbotsford

Bundled upon arrival in Winnipeg

Waiting for breakfast at Grandpa's

A fun place to sit

We still have to have a bath!

Watching my niece at her church Christmas program

Catching up on emails

Helping to decorate Grandpa's tree

A strange item to play with

Having a suitcase ride

Chillin' at the mall with Uncle Aldon

Christmas at Great Grandma Klassen's

Some new books

Learning how to take a picture

Christmas morning with Grandma & Grandpa K

Reading one of his new books

Taking a snack break between opening presents

Cutie cousins!  Nolan loved his cousin Maia and i think she loved him back too ;)

Nolan only has girl cousins so far.  He followed his cousin Chloe everywhere!  She would make a great babysitter :)

Opening presents at Grandpa's house

Playing with his new fire station and check out those fancy new Nike runners!

Getting spoiled with lots of new toys

Making our "Nolan's going to be a big brother" announcement

Showing Grandpa how to take a picture

Fancy new "old man" jammies

Nolan loved to sit with Auntie Melanie and Maia and play with all her girly baby toys, lol

Such cute jammies, just needs a bigger butt to keep them up

Nolan and his obsession with doors, open, close, open, close

Having a chip snack break

A perfect little door just his size

Kiss kiss Grandpa!

Saying good-bye to my cutie pie niece.  Love you Maia!

These guys look innocent right?  Just sharing a seat on the chair with girl friend Elexis...

Whoa!  Nolan, i think your girlfriend back home would be jealous!  Oh my goodness we laughed so hard, just priceless!

Testing out another baby toy.  He was way too tall for it.

Helping load the dishwasher

Looking outside for the beloved bus

Opening some more presents

Thanks Klippenstein friends!  Nolan has been texting ever since, lol

Me and my babe the evening before we left for Mexico

Hanging at Auntie Bobbi & Uncle Aldon's while we were gone

Spending time with Auntie Melissa & Uncle Sheldon while we were gone

Finally seeing my Nolan again after a week apart...i missed him

Enjoying some breakfast

Cuddles with Uncle Sheldon

All packed up and ready to go home!

Taking a cat nap with Grandpa F.  I still can't believe that Nolan actually fell asleep beside him.  It was adorable :)

Snuggles with Auntie Bobbi on the way to the airport.  Home Sweet Home!