Trip to LA: a photojournal

Vince literally fell asleep as we were landing into LAX.... otherwise he was awake the whole 5 1/2hrs.... seriously little guy?! Here's a tired momma with some tired babies.

A happy Grandma, finally with both her grandchildren (post 4 day hospitalization of Zoë)

We were excited to show Vince Point Vicente when we went to visit friends in Palos Verdes. He was very proud to share the name of the lighthouse point.

Exploring Santa Monica and the Pier

Marshall got to hear Zoë's babbling while we were out to lunch one day, boy did she have a lot to say!

enjoying the sunny warm weather at the playground, which we went to almost daily

Uncle Eric and Uncle Michael get cuddles too!

I'm sorry, but I had to get a pic of this... it reminded me of MA... and my patients haha!!

Vince and Zoë LOVED this giant teddy bear!

Vince and Kathryn have fun feeding the lorakeets at the Long Beach Aquarium (a random part of what was mostly marine creatures.... I promise!)

Brino Reunion/Cape Cod 2009

Last week was full of road travel and hanging out with family, as we started out at Mike's mother's family reunion on Lake Sacandaga in New York; and ended with a few days on Cape Cod (wrapping it all up with our first family camping trip as well.... but that's another blog post)! It was super fun to see everyone, and Vince had fun hanging out and playing with his cousins, and his Nonna and Pop-Pop!

Vince, Noelle, and Andrew..... patiently waiting for the Merry-Go-Round

Our trip started out pretty much like National Lampoon's Vacation, as we headed on the road out from Cambridge, we had to stop twice within the first 15 minutes because the beach chairs on top of our car were about to take flight! After a few odd looks from people driving by us on the freeway, we stopped a second time to find the string holding the chairs down was literally about 3 car lengths behind us, trailing along like a streamer! Then of course Vince got car sick and vomited right before we got to the hotel, poor little guy. We put the fear into the whole family (including ourselves), that Vince was sick with another stomach bug.... thinking back on the baptism weekend where he brought down most of the entire family and then some after spreading his little germs (don't forget who let him dig his grubby little hands into the cake!)

Second stop, fixing the chairs again

First, I'll attempt to describe the Brino Family Reunions. Mike's mother is the youngest of eleven children, and once a year all the siblings and their families reunite at their brother's house (Uncle Al's) in New York, bringing together family that is scattered throughout the US. The day is filled with loads of great food, various bottles of home made wine brought by different family members, and there's usually boccie ball being played somewhere on the grounds. My favorite feature at Uncle Al's place is the golf cart painted like the Italian flag, complete with 'Wop Mobile' labeled on the front. No Brino Reunion is complete without a ride in it.

Noelle and Zak decide to drive so Mike could drink..... that lush!

Vince fell in love with Aunt Perina's dog Cocoa, he pretty much falls in love with any dog he sees! The kid laughs hysterically, it's the cutest thing to hear... total music to my ears

Nonna had her work cut out for her during our trip trying to help take care of both Andrew and Vince, here she is trying to get Vince to sleep (thanks Nonna!)

Here she is with both Andrew and Vince, trying to get a picture but both boys were fussing

After the reunion we headed back towards Boston to spend a few nights on Cape Cod. Lot's of time in the car, lots of trying to keep Vince entertained, happy, and car sick free.... we finally made it to our hotel.... and immediately went to the pool.

Noelle, Vince and Andrew cruising around in their floaties

Vince was able to finally use his awesome Baptism gift!! He was the Big Time Operator of the Bulldozer floatie.... it was a hit

Snack Time at the Beach! The boys stuff their faces with pineapple.... definitely a scene worth remembering. Andrew has a *super* appetite, that boy can put it away. Mike really wanted to get him a t-shirt saying "I AM the Brut squad" but Neal and Lisa beat him to it, too cute!!


Vince loved waiting for the waves to tickle his toes!! He didn't mind that the water was totally and completely frigid!



Mike thought it was brilliant for him to bury Vince from the waste up!! That way he couldn't crawl around and get into trouble!


Ok, how do I get outta here!!?


We ended our time on Cape Cod with some fun bike riding along the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Vince loves his bike seat, here's a pic I was able to get while riding along next to my boys.... shouldn't have attempted to do it, almost crashed.

Family Shot along the Trail, we ended up doing about 10 miles.. boy I'm out of shape!!

Click here to see all the photos of our fun trip!!

Our First Family Vacation

Last weekend was the first vacation we have taken with Vince where it was basically just the 3 of us. It centered around a co-worker of mine that competes in roller derby tournaments (I was excited to introduce Vince to some ass kicking women!)..... a few of us had planned on going to Providence to see her get crazy in the roller rink, but then it was canceled due to the rain. Mike and I, as well as a few coworkers, had already booked our hotel for the weekend; so off to Providence we drove on Friday. It was only an hour away, but felt like millions of miles away (from work and house chores) as we had a great weekend filled with relaxing at the pool, visiting with friends, and taking Vince to his first zoo trip!

Friday night was Waterfire night, which centers on a series of 100 bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence. Here's an attempt at some photos of the occasion:

I really loved the oil lanterns that they hang up all over the bridge underpasses:

We spent some time walking up and down the waterway, enjoying the music that is played along the waterway to enhance the whole experience.

The next day was gorgeous warm and sunny; the perfect combination for sitting out by the pool all day and relaxing with the rays (baby sunblock included). I was very excited to put Vince in his little swim trunks and matching swim top for the first time, and couldn't wait to get him in the pool for a swim!

Chillin' on the recliner

Not really sure what to think about this large bathtub yet!!

Getting the feel of trying to swim around!

After a while, he was a little pro at being in the water

Vince becomes a little daredevil and jumps into the pool!!
He's the fearless little in-Vinceable!

Time to get warm and dry

Exploring downtown Providence: The State Capitol Building

The next day we went to the zoo, which began with another gorgeous sun filled morning. Vince was asleep for about the first hour we were at the zoo, but when he woke up, boy! did he get a surprise! Say hello to Mr. Elephant

Wait a minute, who is supposed to be the more excited one here... I think Daddy was more excited about the Elephant! Vince looks on, as if mildly disgusted at the site of the giant mammal.

Vince usually starts this really high pitched scream when he is very excited about something. For example, if he sees a dog, he'll start squealing and inevitably freak out the dog and won't get to pet it because it backs off from him. I think that's what happened when this Nigerian Goat was within squealing distance of Vince.... who walked away without letting Vince get a good pet at the petting zoo

The last part of the trip before heading home on Sunday consisted of driving to some random park so Mike could get a hot dog from this semi-famous hot dog cart he read about on Boston.com. Supposedly this guy who owns a pretty highly rated restaurant sells hot dogs across the street at the park on weekends and has a special sauerkraut recipe and vidalia onion relish to put on top of your dog. I opted to NOT try the sauerkraut as it somehow included the ingredient of "duck fat" but the vidalia onion relish was REALLY good. No pictures of the hot dog run this time, but we'll definitely go back to that cart the next time we go to Providence!

On Tuscon and SkyMall Magazine

Last Thursday we all headed out to Tucson, Arizona for my annual nursing conference. Mike and Vince came along for support (and to have their own fun), as this year I was giving my first presentation at the conference. I daydreamed about the trip as soon as the weather became cool in Boston, especially when finding out that the prediction for Tucson was sunshine, blue skies, and 75 degrees. So we checked in to the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, and had ourselves a nice weekend in the sun. This was the first time Mike had come with me to a conference, and I do have to say it was quite a distraction knowing he and Vince were around when I was going to my talks. Nevertheless, I was able to attend the lectures I was interested in, and we were still able to visit some nice parts of Tucson and have ourselves some descent Mexican food.



Vince is quite the seasoned little traveler now, with yesterday's final leg back to Boston marking his 10th flight. He is pretty laid back when it comes to traveling by plane. The kid sleeps pretty much the whole time. I on the other hand cannot seem to pick up the art of sleeping while sitting up. Luckily, however, I am easily entertained:

One of my favorite pastimes while flying the friendly skies is perusing through SkyMall Magazine. That magazine has the potential to make me laugh out loud every time I look at it. Let's face it, where else can you buy a miniature Yeti sculpture for your outdoor garden... where else can you buy a marshmallow bazooka, or a cat litter box that is disguised as a potted plant! And don't forget there's the mini staircase for those of you that have little dogs that can't jump onto your bed! Perhaps the highlight of SkyMall oddities was found in yesterday's edition: the NeckPro Traction Device. Yes, you too can have your own portable neck traction device for the low cost of 55 dollars. The magazine really never ceases to amuse me for at least an hour of whatever flight I am taking, and I have actually coveted a few items that I've discovered in their pages.

Here's some pics of our time in Tucson

Mike cruising down the waterslide

Vince takes his first dip in a pool

Tail end of the Rockies

Vince sitting up (almost) in his own bed