Back from PA

Isaac and I arrived home on Sunday afternoon. We had the best time while we were gone. The last time I had been to Pennsylvania was in 2000. I was able to see most of my family and some of my friends while I was in town. I knew I missed everyone, but I just didn't realize how much until I saw them all again. It was great to catch up with old friends and family.

Isaac did very well on his first plane ride. After he ate lunch, he enjoyed looking out the window, reading books, and playing with the suitcase full of toys that I brought for him.

On Tuesday, my former karate instructor, Sensei Joe, picked us up from the airport. We stayed with him, his wife Cindy, and their daughter Beth that night.

Beth really enjoyed having a new playmate.

My parents decided to drive up to PA, so I met up with them on Wednesday afternoon at Uncle Steve and Aunt Christine's house. Then on Thursday, we went into the city (NYC) for the day. First we drove to Princeton, NJ, and then took the train the rest of the way. I tried my best to occupy him, but Isaac didn't enjoy the train ride so much.

After we arrived in NY, we met up with my friend Bruce, and he showed us how to get to the Museum of Natural History.

We spent about four hours in the museum looking at many of the exhibits.





From there, we walked to Central Park, where we decided to go on a horse carriage ride.




It was raining when we first got to NY, but the rain subsided by the time we left the museum. Unfortunately, by the end of the ride, it came back. So we made our way back to Penn Station, where we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then the next train home.

Friday was a much welcomed day of relaxation. We spent most of our time sitting around catching up with one another. My cousin Eddie drove in from NY with his two kids, Courtney and Christopher, on Wednesday. Aunt Marlene flew in from Kansas on Thursday, and Jean Ann (Eddie's wife) took the train to PA on Friday. Isaac had fun getting acquainted with everyone.

Courtney took a real liking to Isaac, and vice versa.

Amber, a friend of mine, also stopped by with her two girls that afternoon.

Saturday, the 4th, was the big family reunion. My cousin Allison came in from Philly, and the rest of my dad's sisters and their husbands came in from NY. Here's a picture of the whole family, or at least everyone who was there.

The next one is a shot of all of the (living) brothers and sisters, from oldest to youngest. (L-R: Aunt Barbara, Aunt Marlene, Aunt Joanie, Aunt Titi, Uncle Steve, and my dad)

My dad is the youngest of seven, so it was like Isaac had four more grandmas that day. Below, he's with Aunt Barbara, the eldest of the siblings. Doesn't she look great for 70?

Aunt Marlene, the second oldest, enjoyed taking Isaac off my hands on more than one occasion.

This next photo is of me and my sister with our cousins that we grew up with, Allison and Steven.

And my friend Jacque also stopped by for a visit that night.


Although I had a great time while I was gone, it is nice to be home. For a little while, anyway. Next week, Wes and I are taking Isaac to Disney World. At the grand age of 16 months, Isaac has become quite the world traveller!