The Soladay Family: New York Family Vacation 2009 {Part One}

Since I am home with a sick little boy, I decided it was quite possibly my best opportunity to go through all 450+ pictures from our trip, and post a few while at it...so here it goes...hope you have an hour!

Arriving at the Soladay Family compound!

This is the guest bedroom where Ryan and I slept. Carol had placed a pair of new slippers for Ryan on his pillow and a precious book written by Dr. Phil's wife about celebrating Christmas at home with your family on mine. Notice our monogram she placed at the foot of our bed. So sweet! Carol is such a gracious hostess, never leaving a stone unturned to make us feel comfortable and welcomed!

Of course she didn't forget the boys!

Carol has done amazing things to their temporary abode, the living room being one of my favorites! Our tastes are so similar!

After taking a tour of their new digs and eating lunch, Pop and Grandma had a few gifts for the boys so they could "play" like the locals! Some thick socks so their little Texas tootsies could handle the cold!

Carter, meet Long Johns....best friends to people in the north!

And if you're going to play in the snow, you MUST have some good boots...that is if you would still like to have your toes attached when you're done playing outside!

Austin in his underwear! Ha ha! No...just his long johns!

Carter trying out his boots!

Goofballs!

Now for the tradition of the Soladay Christmas Scavenger Hunt!! You might remember last year's hunt! It always starts with Pop reading the poem leading to the first clue!

Patiently waiting for the first clue...

Everyone had their turn to read...

Trysten's clue led them to the basement!

What could it be...

Surprise!!! Ya, baby!

The boys IMMEDIATELY dressed in the warmest clothes they had access to...notice I said, "had access to"....ya...so the ski clothes, we bought and mailed to Ed and Carol's house over a week before our arrival, were left at the Fed Ex place for 2 days before being picked up...and didn't arrive in New York until Tuesday....This meant dressing the boys in Pop and Grandma's coats, jackets, scarves and gloves!

Look at our boys exploring "real" snow!