Drinks with Ruby

I went out after work today with some colleagues for drinks (or in my case, Shirley Temples).  Just before walking inside the restaurant I chatted with Avery and Jeff on the phone.  Avery asked what I was doing and I said, "going out for drinks and chatting with friends from work.  I'll be home in just a little bit, okay?"  Avery replied with a cute and satisfied "okay," and that was that...until Jeff sent me these text messages a little later...

[Avery said, "why is mom going out with friends?"  And I said, "she's going out with her friends she works with."  Avery said "Oh.  Jessica."]

Avery has met Jessica a handful of times...in the morning before work or quick run-ins to the office...and, apparently Jessica has made a lasting impression, because Avery brings her up often!

[And then Avery said "I'm going out with Ruby for drinks on Friday."]

Ha!  Like mommy, like daughter.

Ruby is one of Avery's favorite friends at school and is often part of her "plans" and stories.

FPT

So bada$$.

Summer Vacation 2014

From upscale Naples, Florida to the fun hustle and bustle of Rhode Island and the beautiful Cape Code,  we traveled like no one’s business for 15 days at the end of June.  It was a trip filled with more relatives than you can imagine including every family member in my extended family and every member of Jeff’s dad’s extended family…and then some.  We enjoyed our wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime trip and are thankful we were able to spend quality time with so many important people in our lives.

Naples, Florida was the first stop on our getaway.  Grandpa Wayne’s cousin, Allan, was turning 80 and when you turn 80 you pretty much party until your heart’s content – which he did with all of his family in tow.  What an awesome four days we had!  We were treated to some amazing adventures and are so thankful for the time we spent with everyone. 

Avery hit it off on day one with cousin Liam,and they played together perfectly!  It was an adorable relationship that everyone loved to watch…and needless to say, Avery still talks about Liam and Liam still talks about Avery.  It’s one of the cutest things I have ever seen and we look forward to their wedding in 25 years!  Hm. Wait, never mind.  They’re related.  Maybe they’ll just be best buds!

Avery taking a picture of Liam...

Liam taking a picture of Avery...

After Naples, it was up to Rhode Island where we met up with Uncle Brennan, Auntie Michel and Cousin Helen to visit all of my Dad’s family.  As we all like to tease, we ate our way through this portion of the trip and savored every bite!  Italians who love to eat…what do you expect?!  Thank goodness Michel and I were eating for two!

OMG - dough boys!

I don't remember who or what they were yelling at, but look at their enthusiasm!

Learning "Miss Mary Mack."  A highlight of our trip!

Our vacation ended with a weeklong stay on Cape Cod with my Mom’s side of the family.  If you haven’t been to the Cape, go.  Really.  You need to go.  It is the epitome of a quintessential New England town and charming as heck.  We stayed in a huge house that easily fit all 17 of us…think “Kennedy compound.”  We spent our days playing in the yard, biking, going to the beach, playing on the dock and eating delicious food.  It was an awesome week and we are looking forward to another reunion in 2016!

Our house for the week..."Kennedy Compound!"

We were on the south end of Bass River, just a mile from the Atlantic.

Our own dock and all...

Auntie Jen did their hair!

 

The sisters, the matriarchs.

Searching for fiddler crabs.  There were LOTS.

Playing "robot doctor" with Uncle Brennan.

Lobster bake!

We even went to Nantucket for a day - an adults only get away!

Super cool Nantucket brewery.

The girls of the Nantucket crew.

Oh, and Avery did great on the FIVE plane flights.  Videos, people watching, snacking and books kept her quite entertained.  Although, it was pretty funny when, after the excitement of the first airport, boarding our first flight and experiencing our first take off, Avery said (once we nearly done with our ascent) “okay, what happens now?”  Well, nothing, Avery.  We sit here for the next two hours!  (Oh, and check out the video down below.  Avery loved the luggage carousel.  If it wasn't for her, no one on our flights were have gotten their bags.  She did a great job!  Ha!)

A little plane entertainment for Avery and me!

FPT

Papa!!