We had panned our Italy trip with a mini worked in trip to New Jersey so Lola would finally have a chance to meet everyone!
I made a last minute chop which may or may not hve been what we call in counseing “a permanent solution to a temporary problem” but hey, what it’s summer and to tell the truth i have wanted the short mid length for a while now! With Italy in our future it was time to make the chop!
The next morning was chaotic as expected- I lost my passport and Alex lost his international phone…. go figure!
We found both and eventually made it to the airport, it was also our trial run for Lola on a plane before the big trip! 
It was only a 2 hour flight and to our surprise, she did amazing!! 
She didn’t even notice the take off or landing, I was so proud of her! 
Stickers were our life saver!! 
Oh you better believe this mama demanded a first timers visit up to the cockpit for Little Miss Lola!
Our treat after it was all said and done? Gigi waiting at the baggage caim!!! Hooray! 
We were so excited to have arrived and for everyone to meet our girl!
Aunt Gloria and uncle John had gone to the grocery to make sure Lola had all of her favorites, got her a bed and spent days in the yard getting a fish pond ready for her to see the fish all in anticipation of her visit!
What a lucky little girl! 
That night John, chelsea and Jake arrived since John had taken Friday off of work just for us! It was truly the sweetest thing seeing Lola and Jake play together!
Shocker- it didn’t take Lola anytime at all to warm up to Aunt Gloria!
Daddy was in charge of breakfast, our hope was that with Jake being such a good eater that she would mock him and at everything he eats…… 
That didn’t exactly go as planned but she did eat more than she normally does- i swear New Jersey does something to ya! Alex’s favorite part of every trip- the food!
Truth be told- our meals their were better than any meal in Italy!
The next morning Lola had met John less than an hour before I peeked out the window to find them inseparable!
Oh yes, he was smitten and Lola already had him wrapped around her itty bitty finger!
Daddy knows the feeling!
Fishies!
Lola and i were so excited for her to meet her second cousins that day, Jake (almost 2), Jason and Nicole! 
Jake taught Lola all about “tractors” and trash trucks…. 
…and Lola taught him how to listen to a woman, share everything (aka give her everything) and how to have a good old fashion tea party while wearing the finest of jewelry of course! 
(she literally yelled at hi about everything- it reminded me of mommom and poppop!) 
Aren’t they the cutest!!
It was the most beautiful day outside, we even squeezed in a baby free lunch (while they napped) inclusive of Sangria and some games of bocce for the adults!
It was magnificent!
They’re up!!
Their schedules were literally synchronized that day and Lola was right back to demanding things! 
That evening we were having a Meet and greet honoring your’ truly- Little Miss Lola at a Pizza Place in Jersey so all the relatives could meet the girl!
It didn’t take long for them to fall in love….
Lola is no stranger to the dance floor her daddy on the other hand was shooing the boys away! 
Aunt Gloria and B could not be more similar or different-love their love! 
Who new Jersey could make a killer Mojito!?!
We were so excited Lola had an appetite! 
I always think Lola is still just a baby until we meet other babies, this distant cousin was only 3 months old!
The next morning was go time! Poppy and Gigi went above and beyond to have a big ride for us to get to the airport instead of training it and we were so happy for that! 
So Lola gave hugs and kisses goodbye and we were off!
Lola was on nap strike because it was just too exciting to think about getting on another plane! Little did she know it would be many, many hours! She is such a trooper she didn’t mind a bit!
She has now been deemed a traveling queen!
More of that to come in the Italy edition!
Chow!
