Trip to Ohio

Last weekend we went to Ohio so Lyla could meet her Great Grandma Ann, and many great aunts and uncles and great-great aunts and uncles. Needless to say, the weekend was great ;) (sorry, I couldn't resist). It was Lyla's first time on a plane so I was a little worried about how she would react. She is crawling all over the place now so I wasn't sure she was going to be thrilled to sit on my lap for two hours. I was also worried I would forget something (because there are no stores in Ohio, right?). I typically pack at least a week in advance, but I've been working like crazy so I only had one day to pack and no time to make a pre-packing "to do" list. Eeek! That, and the whole newness of the situation had me a little stressed. Well, Lyla did great and, yes, we had a lot of stuff. It was a well-coordinated dance to get me, Mark, Lyla, her stroller, and her liquids through security without accidentally sending Lyla through the x-ray machine. Don't laugh, but there is a specific instruction on the TSA website that says you should NOT put your child on the x-ray belt. Thanks, TSA! Anyway, the plane ride went off without a hitch, Lyla slept the whole way and we landed safely in Cleveland. Once we got off the plane, each of us had to make a pit stop. While me and Lyla were waiting for Mark, I took a mental inventory of all our stuff and gave myself a proverbial pat on the back for managing to stay organized. At that very moment, I hear an announcement "Passenger Murphy please return to gate 8C." How coincidental, I think, as I return to praising myself as the best packer of the year (and with only one day notice!). A split second later, I realize, "holy $&!#, I forgot my purse." I ran back to the gate and there was my pretty purple Louis Vuitton bag waiting for me. The only hitch? The gate agent asked for photo id! Hello, my photo id is in the bag. I guess I looked frazzled enough that he just gave it to me and sent me on my way. So, we finally got to Youngstown with little time to spare to get ready for lunch with the Pannunzio side of the family. Lyla loved the big hotel bed. Bammie and Pa met us when we got to the hotel and had some new toys for Lyla. She loves her toy cell phone, but still prefers my blackberry. At lunch, Lyla got to meet her great-great Aunt Angie, great-great Aunt Dee and Uncle Cal, great-great Aunt Rose and Uncle Bill and great-great Uncle John and Rachel. It was so much fun to watch her get passed along the table. All the excitement tired her out eventually, so Pa whisked her away for some shut eye. After lunch, we headed over to Grandma Ann's house so she and all the Murphys could meet Lyla. We got to see Tom and Pat, Mel and Rene, and Eileen. Lyla loved her great-grandma so much. She also loved her Great Aunt Rene's eyeglasses, but she wasn't too sure what to make of her Great Uncle Mel's beard :) Grandma and Mark Mark was a good sport. See him trying to watch the Notre Dame game amidst all the excitement. Lyla and her Great Grandma Lyla and her Great Aunt Rene (thanks Rene for letting her destroy your glasses...she's a little rough, as you may have guessed) It was a fun weekend. Mark has such great memories of growing up surrounded by family. We are so happy Lyla finally got to meet everyone.