Tripp and I just got back from a trip to the U.S.  It was Tripp’s first time in the States and his first long plane rides.  Joe couldn’t come with us this trip because of work and he’ll be accompanying us on another trip to the States in late July.  We went home to see Mimi and Papi (my parents) and celebrate with my best friend at her bridal shower and bachelorette party.  We also had 2 family reunions to introduce Tripp to all of the cousins and relatives.

Saying goodbye to Dad at the Sevilla airport. 

Tripp slept all the way from Sevilla to Barcelona and didn’t fuss at all about the pressure.

He did amazingly well on the flight from Barcelona to Philly as well.  He only took two 30-minute naps but didn’t cry a bit the whole 8 hour flight.  He was too busy looking at all the people and playing with the big bag of toys I brought.

Sporting his SpanAir pilot bib.  The SpanAir flight attendants were amazing.  So sweet and helpful, they were in love with Tripp and his blue eyes.  The USAirways flight attendants, on the other hand, were horrible.  I was irate about my treatment on the flight back to Spain and how rude the flight attendants were.

Can you tell his Mimi is excited to see him?  The last time my parents saw him he was only 2 weeks old.  Tripp was definitely spoiled when we left PA.

Tripp and his Papi.  Tripp is the first grandchild in my family so he is quite the Golden Child.

There is a great park down the street from my parents house so I took Tripp to swing a few times.  He loved the swings and watching the creek.

Our first family reunion was with my mom’s side of the family.  Here are all the cousins except Alex (my brother, who is teaching English in Korea) and Lee (my cousin, who is a DJ on a cruise ship).

His 2nd family reunion was the next day with my Dad’s side.  Here Tripp is with his Mimi, my aunt, my cousin Natalie and my 91-year-old grandmother.

The second weekend we were home was my best friend’s bridal shower.  Michelle is getting married to her great beau on Aug. 8th so I was super excited that I was able to come home for the shower and bachelorette party.

Me (matron-of-honor), Michelle (bride-to-be) and Jess (maid-of-honor).  Jess and I worked on Michelle’s shower long distance for a few months so we were so excited to finally celebrate with her.

Michelle and Jess were my maid-of-honor and bridesmaid 3 years ago and I am so excited to help Michelle celebrate her marriage to David next month.

The tables at the shower.

Michelle and David!

Michelle and I at her bachelorette party!  Tripp was so good, I left him with my parents at 7:30 PM and he didn’t need to eat again until I got home at almost 1 AM.

Dinner at Zola before the shenanigans began!

Joe, Tripp and I will be heading back to PA and DC in late July and early Aug. for another visit and Michelle’s wedding.

The look on his face when he saw Joe after 17 days was priceless.  Tripp had a much rougher time on the flight back to Spain.  The pressure bothered him in that direction and the red-eye was a little more than he could handle.  I don’t know who was happier to see Joe, him or me!