Makenna Meets New England: The Final Chapter!

Yes, folks.  It's that time.  Time for me to catch up on my Makenna blogging, since I am officially about two months behind, and SO much has happened.  Without further ado...we have finally reached the exciting (Yes?) conclusion to Makenna's first visit to New England.


Saturday morning was beautiful, and we got up and at 'em pretty quickly.  Great Grampy was taking us apple picking!  We knew that it was a little late in the season for that, but it was still exciting, and the orchard wasn't far from the house at all.  When we arrived at Currier Orchards, those little red Radio Flyer wagons were calling Makenna's name!

 
We got our apple bags, then plopped her in the wagon and were off to the trees.  Unfortunately, it wasn't long before she lost her balance and toppled out onto the ground.  After some quick hugs and kisses from Mommy and Daddy, all was well again!


The trees looked gorgeous, even though my favorites, the honey crisp, were stripped pretty bare.  We were still able to make quite a haul, and Makenna enjoyed herself immensely!  
        
We even found a giant pumpkin - the size of Makenna! - so we couldn't resist a photo.

After our apple-picking, we ran by the grocery store quickly before going back to Great Grammy and Great Grampy's to get ready for the family cookout.  Makenna had some lunch, and we all sampled some of our apples.  Then, it was theoretically time for Toots to take a nap.  Right.  THIS was the point where Makenna hit her wall.  Just before the whole family was to arrive to meet her, she started to get very fussy.  And I mean VERY fussy - as in screaming at the top of her lungs and crying her little eyes out.  It was so sad!  She was so exhausted but just didn't want to sleep.  We finally got her to go down.  And of course, shortly after, the family began to arrive.


Makenna slept for about an hour while we greeted and hugged and visited.  We were all just standing around in the backyard when Chad's cousin, Ben, came out to let me know that Makenna was crying inside.  Sure enough, we went in, and she was bawling her little eyes out again.  We gave her part of another bottle and rocked and rocked her until she calmed down and fell asleep again.  It was beginning to look like she didn't want to make her grand appearance at all!


We all ate and hung out while Makenna finished her nap, and she woke up our usual cheerful, happy little girl again.  Once she was up, the passing of the baby started!  Everyone got their turn holding her, and she smiled and enjoyed every second of it.  You'll notice that this part is pictureless.  Yes, her brilliant Mommy and Daddy neglected to take pictures of her visiting with most of the family!  I just want to smack myself every time I think about it, but we were just so wrapped up in seeing everyone that we apparently just...forgot!!  SUCH a bummer, but we did get a couple of shots that are pretty darned adorable.

Smiling with Aunt Annie

Mugging for Aunt Peggy and Great Grampy

Sadly, the visit had to come to an end, and we packed ourselves into Aunt Annie's car so she could drive us to Uncle Paul and Aunt Katherine's for the night.  Katherine was driving us to the airport the next morning, so we were spending our last night there.  We arrived fairly late, but Makenna was a trooper and stayed up for a good amount of time to visit with her Great Aunt.  Once she was down for the count, Chad, Katherine and I chatted late into the night, snacking on some delicious fruit, cheese, and, of course, WINE.  But we knew we couldn't stay up ALL night and finally had to turn in.


Makenna had a somewhat restless night, but she was bright eyed and bushy tailed once she did wake up.

Cuddles for Aunt Katherine!

We said our final goodbyes to our family and New England at the airport, then hopped our plane home.  Again, Makenna slept most of both flights and was an absolute dream.  Such a happy, sweet little girl!

We came home exhausted, but feeling so wonderfully loved and blessed.  Can't wait until next time!