Travel Back East Con't...

After spending a night at my mom's, we headed to Bill's parents for a night in Palmer. The girls built Ginerbread houses with their favorite "Auntie Arugala". Ruth's been staying with her parents since she left O'ahu, applying for jobs and such.... We have all missed Ruthie a bunch since she's left our house, so it was fantastic seeing her. The girls thoroughly enjoyed playing games and hanging out with her again. We also had fun visiting with Bill's parents and they were great to cook us lots of yummy food while we were there.

River, Gabbi and Jacui sledding on "Hospital Hill" in Northampton

Jac, Sage, Gab and River getting warm.

Jacqui cooling down from the hot tub...nice tan lines!!
(yes, someday she might kill me for this photo, but I think I caught a pretty harmless angle)

We spent a few days with our awesome buddies from England...enjoying some hot-tubbing, sledding and just hanging around and playing/chatting. Our friends the Iacobucci's came over for a visit with their 3 girls and their newest edition, little Luca (who had several girls handling him). Dana (Grana) went out and supplied all the kids with goodies to decorate Gingerbread houses (yet again for my girls). She was such a patient and gracious hostess with all those kids in her house!!!

River and Gab with little Luca

David helping all the kids with their houses.

After we left the Pasquale's, we went to Petra, Kieron, Tove and Hjordis' house. It was great spending time with them. The kids loved seeing their old cats Olivia and Lilly again. Petra swears that the cats remember us. It might be true since Olivia (who's not know to befriend someone easily) slept at Gabbi's feet that night.

We also spent a night at Kissy, Dennis, Tess and Cole's house. We were also greeted with a visit from our friends Amy, Cole, Wendy, Collin, Sophie, Laura, Evan and Eliza. The kids all look way too big for me to handle, especially Collin (Wendy, weren't he and Gabbi just playing kitchen in their diapers?)

Evan, Collin, Cole and Cole

Jac, Tess, Gabbi and Sophie

Gab and Jac really have missed Tess and Cole. They were friends who we saw several times a week back in MA and their absence in our lives has been big! I always loved that Gabbi and Jacqui had a good "boy" friend in Cole. He was always so fun and flexible for them to play with, no matter what they came up with. As usual, I'm continuously impressed with Tess and how she plays so well with my girls who are 3 and 5 years younger than her. It says a lot about a 11 and 1/2 year old to be such a good friend to girls who are so much younger. Thanks Tess for being a great role model for them!!

The B'Town Mommies: Wendy, Kissy, Laura, Me and Amy
The gang of B'Town kids

While we went back to my mom's for a couple of days, Missy and Arona, my great friends from Greenwich, visited us there. We went out for a ladies brunch and had a wonderful time catching up.

Robyn, Me and Kerrie

Jolene and Catherine

I was able to squeeze in couple of nights out with my women's circle friends who I miss on a daily basis!!

Thanks Laura for hosting a circle while Molly and I were back....it was great!

One of our last visits was to Robyn, Rjae, Caleb, Ava, Quinn and Dite's house. As usual, we had a blast with them. I'm so happy to see our kids get along almost as well as Robyn and I do. They all really love each other in such sweet ways. I never did manage to get a picture of Caleb...

Jac, Gab, and Ava

Rjae, Quinn and Dite

Robyn and Me

So Robyn, we might have a few more wrinkles and maybe a "couple" more gray hairs than our college days, but our friendship has only gotten better! I love you!!

Thanks to all of our wonderful hosts and hostesses...you'll all were amazing! We would love to return the favor, come and visit Hawaii while we're still here. We'll be back before you know it.