Mixed up days

I know, a post last Wednesday and now one on a Monday??? But the rest of this week is going to be quite busy with 2 exams and a big paper coming up, not to mention a little vacation treat for H and I (sorry, Steve) so I plan to be away from the Internet.
So what's been happening here: We skyped with Steve's family in NY on Friday night and he got very homesick (we hadn't been there since February) so first thing Sat morning we hopped in the car and drove the 6 hours to see them all. We only told David we were coming so it was fun to see their reaction. We picked up dinner fixings on the way and told them we'd come to use their grill :) It was great to see them. Ella has gotten huge (compared to when we saw her at 1 week old) and is crawling; she spent a lot of time smiling and talking to me which was extremely flattering. Poor Ava was once again faced with having younger kids around who wouldn't play with her (H was very resistant to the directions she was providing) but overall they got along fine. I think in a year they're going to be great playmates. Right now H is still too interested in puttering around at her own pace and doesn't suffer the loving and mommy-ing very patiently.
Henri tolerated the trip really well. She slept a lot of it on the way there (she's been a crummy sleeper at night lately) and other than an epic meltdown at the ice cream parlor on Sat night she was pleasant. In her defense, it was an hour past bedtime, I wouldn't let her run into traffic, and it was HOT. We cuddled in the car with the AC blaring and watched the same Sesame Street clip on Youtube on my phone over and over and over. She started in with these true gasping sobs if it went off....what secret to the toddlers mind did the producer discover? It's only the second time in her life she's seen a kids show and she was crazy addicted. Anyway, we went to Paul and Melanie's church on Sunday and they had a traveling men's singing group with a potluck meal afterwards. I felt bad intruding, but the food was delicious. We went home for some Chinese checkers; I haven't played them since Gram died and it brought back the feeling of being at her home and probably inspired today's laundry/baking/cleaning spree. The ride home was crummy. It's always longer going home, and almost 2 hours of going 10mph on I90 just drives me nuts. Listened to lots of  NPR podcasts (Wait, Wait and CarTalk are my favorite). Home at 10 and H slept really well (or I was too exhausted to hear her....)
This morning we cleaned the house, deep cleaned the bathroom (H likes to watch the baking soda fizz when I add the vinegar), hung out 2 loads of laundry, mowed our and the neighbors yard, transferred a lot of readings to my computer for this week and made a quiche and sun tea for our supper. Being away, however short, makes me happy to be home and organizing.
Anyway, that was way more detail about our mundane life than you probably wanted or needed, so here is some photo evidence of a time well-spent :)

We stopped by Steve's dad's grave

It's a nice cemetery that allows you to plant and leave mementos

But the best part to H was the bucket provided to water the plants with. Especially when Dad added some water to it....



She saw her reflection a few rows away and was quite delighted by it

What Steve did upon arrival

Grill master

The handsome hubby

Going from AC to 90 degrees really messes with me (hence the jacket). Some nights I long for the cool, but overall I'm really really really happy we don't have it at our house. Judicious use of fans and closing windows keeps it very comfortable

Cutest trouble you ever saw

Sisters! Ava is so good with her.

Paul and Melanie

The star of the visit. You can't see the chunky thighs but they're pretty epic (and kissable)

It was a quick trip but hopefully made some nice memories. We certainly miss them and wish they didn't live so far away. Well, the Terror is up and now covered in strawberries from her treat, so off for more cleaning :)