The Scoop on ‘Move over Barney Stinson’

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Well, I did it. I entered my very first cooking contest.
In entering the recipe that I did I also took a big risk. Even though the rules of the contest didn’t stipulate that the recipe had to be something simple or easy to prepare, I felt no matter what it was necessary for [...]

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A week ago yesterday we packed up our things and headed to the airport for our long anticipated trip to Boston. We had a lot to accomplish in the four and half days we’d be up in the northeast and while it was stressful traveling with a toddler who didn’t care to nap because he was too busy investigating his non-childproof environs, we managed to have a good time.

The main reason for our trip was to attend a wedding for my wife’s cousin’s son. We flew into Boston and spent Thursday visiting with some of my family who lives north of the city. On Friday morning we made the drive out to Northampton, a cozy little hamlet in western Massachusetts.

Despite the generally drizzly weather we had a nice time catching up with family we hadn’t seen since we were all together for a graduation party last July. Little man did his best to keep us all entertained as we caught up on what had been happening in everyone’s lives over that time.

When the big day finally came around, we were excited to get him all dressed up for his first formal family event. Originally, I was concerned that his outfit would make him too warm, but with the cool weather of early fall in New England that matter was quickly put to rest.

Between running around in the church and at the reception little man had a grand old time making all kinds of new friends. We received many compliments on how well behaved he was during the ceremony, which was mostly thanks to cookies we had for him and his fascination with Oma’s necklace.

The next day our whirlwind visit took us to southern New Hampshire, where I finally got to meet my newest godson and attend his baptism. All in all it was a really nice time and I’m glad we got to see as many friends and family as we did.

During the drive back to Boston to catch our flight home it hit me how difficult it is living so far away from everyone, but it just makes the time you do get to spend together more special.

Tagged as: Baptism, Barney Stinson, Boston, Family, How I Met Your Mother, Massachusetts, New England, New Hampshire, Northampton, Travel, Wedding

SurprisedMom

Oh, look. You translated for me. Wasn't that nice of you!

It sounds like your trip was a lot of fun. It's great to catch up with family and meet the newest members. So your son had a lot of fun at the wedding? Good! He's learning early how to enjoy himself! I hope you had as much fun!

PJ Mullen

Yes, we had a nice time. He has figured out to have fun just about anywhere he is, especially when there are lots of things to get into :)

Jason @ The Devoted Dad

Little man's eyes are looking quite heavy in that first picture. It's always hard to fit in catching up with family on a short time schedule, however, sometimes that shorter time allows for just enough time to allow you to miss each other when you leave, which is better than the opposite. Also, I have never been out east, but is where I have told my wife that I would like to vacation on one of our next trips. -Jason

PJ Mullen

Oh yeah, that was towards the end of the day's festivities and he was nearly spent. He wouldn't even eat dinner he was so tired. And I totally agree with you, but I could have used a day or so with no big function. If you haven't been to Boston, you should definitely check it out. Lot of history there, and I'm looking forward to going back home when little man is a little older.

Jason @ The Devoted Dad

That's funny you said that about Boston. I was going to say that I
wanted to travel there because of the history but I didn't want to
sound cliche-ish, but I really do want to go there for the history! -
Jason

BellaDaddy

Love Boston, Love flying with our daughter( yup, u read that right) and love the pics...wish I had been there too ;-)

Kudos!

PJ Mullen

I'm with you, I miss living there. I don't miss the frozen precipitation, but I miss city life. Our son was awesome on the plane. This was his third different trip on a plane and each time we've been commended on his behavior. All the animal crackers we kept stuffed in his mouth probably helped :)

R_Mattocks

Dapper Dad and son. That living away from family has it's drawbacks. But I'm with you. My sisters and I live all over the country, but when we get together it becomes some of our most cherished memories.

PJ Mullen

Absolutely, it was primarily my wife's family - mother, father, uncles, cousins and their kids. But they are such a great group and are spread out all over the place. It was tough for us to make the trip, but we knew we couldn't miss it.

simplefather

Sounds like you had a great whirlwind trip. We lived by family when our oldest was born, and I think I took it for granted.

PJ Mullen

My mother and father live nearby to us, so that has been a big help. Especially since it is so easy to rope Grammie into babysitting :)

Angela

Sounds like you had a great time in my neck of the woods. Early fall? I refuse to call it that until September 22 comes around!

PJ Mullen

Ha! True, but if you ask my wife it felt like the middle of winter to her at times. The blood has thinned out after nearly a decade living down south. I do really miss that area though, the snow not so much, but everything else.

theteachertom

You know, I had to look up Barney Stinson . . . My first thought when I saw the argyle vest and yellow shirt was Leonardo Dicaprio in "Catch Me If You Can."

PJ Mullen

Ha! I realized after I posted that I failed to use Barney's 'suit up' line as planned. I'm slipping. I haven't seen that movie yet, been meaning to see it (among a few dozen others).

DadUnmasked

Sounds like you guys had a good time even though is was short. It sure helps when the kids are well behaved when traveling. Always good to see family.

PJ Mullen

Yes, it it. I miss living up that way, but I don't miss the northeast winters. Little man was awesome on the plane thanks to animal crackers and the DirecTV on JetBlue.