Trip to PA and Tom's family!

As most of you all know. Mike's extended family lives up north in Pa. Last week the three of us had the joyful opportunity to go visit family members there for Mike's cousin's wedding. Graham had not met most of Mike's family up there so we were delighted to take Mr. Graham on his 2nd flight to New Kensington PA. I must say this trip was such a true blessing to Mike, myself, and Graham. The entire trip was a blessing as we met Tom's family, introduce his clan to Graham, and celebrated with Janet's family as we rejoiced during Hailey and Pete's wedding ceremony. This might be a long blog so hang in there with me! =)
This is Graham about to get on the plane (above) we were trying to play and much as we could with him b/f the actual plane ride so hopefully he would sleep through the flight. He did great and slept the entire way to Pa. Thank you Lord! I love all the looks we get when people on a flight see us walking on the flight with a baby...I am sure they are thinking..." oh goodness here comes a baby on board."

Ok- this is Mikes dad's younger brother David and one of his three daughters Jamie. Friday night our large crew met up with all the other Morrows at a local dinner there called Eat 'N Park. Before leaving for PA I had several friends tell me, "be sure you go to Eat N' Park."I had clue what this was me being from the south...I thought it

was really a Park. I truly must have had "southerner" written all over me as I asked..."Do ya'll have sweet tea?" Number one, I used the word ya'll and #2 they don't serve sweet tea.....they call their tea, "iced tea" and it is never served sweet expect at McDonalds. So maybe there was a little blond moment and southerness mixed together! =) Uncle David and his family were adorable with Graham and we loved sharing our son with them for the night!

This is crazy Uncle Ken (Tom's oldest brother) and his wife Loyla. Uncle Ken was full of jokes and laughter Friday night. He gave Graham his first lemon and was a handful at dinner. This was a dinner I got to eat all to myself b/c I had so many who were willing to hold and play with graham while I ate!

Here is Graham eating his first lemon....He actually liked it. I think the cold lemon felt good to his teething gums!

Tom's only sister in above holding Graham. Diane never had children and though she wouldn't know what to do with a baby. She wanted to hold graham though. Well once I gave him to she didn't want to put him down. She and her niece Becky (the lady next to Diane) both work with animals. They have a love for helping animals and saving animals who are in danger or sick. Diane has 28 animals living in her house. Yes, I typed that right....25 cats and 3 dogs. So- the funny part about this is when she was holding Graham the only thing she kept saying was, "all I know to do with him is pet him!" They were both excited to meet Graham and we were delighted as well! This is Fran playing with Graham....Uncle David's wife who loves kids!

This is Tom's niece Becky and her hubby. Even after a long day of flying with a baby this night was a joy for us to spend some time with Mike's dads family and get to know them. They were all so grateful for their time with us and meeting all the kids!

Becky and her hubby (Alan) playing with Graham.

Saturday morning Mike wanted to drive around downtown and see where his dad lived growing up. Tom took us on a little joy ride around the city as we saw a few of the houses he and his 5 siblings grew up in. This white house was a house he lived in for a short time. Tom was a paper boy before school, and worked after school at the YMCA where he took his photography classes. They road their bikes or walked everywhere. Tom didn't get his divers license until he was 18 due to the fact they had no car to drive.

This brick house in the background is the house Tom remembers the most. Tom's dad was a brick layer and Tom says his dad worked all the time to give them what they had. We got to hear a little bit about his parents as we drove around, since we haven't heard much about them. They lived on the top floor of this house, with 5 children. When I saw this house my heart was speechless. I couldn't relate in the least bit. It was like the Lord spoke to me saying....what more could you ask for? Tom works very hard gives so much for his children. After seeing these homes I see why Mike has such a working spirit instilled in him. His dad taught him to work hard but to not be wasteful but grateful. Getting this little tour and seeing little glimpses of Tom's childhood blessed us in a bitter sweet way.