Tuesday, June 17, 2008

HOLIDAY in the USA: Vaca June '08

It all started with a nice 8+ hour flight into lovely Newark NJ my favorite state in the US ;-) Upon arrival the smell of city and sewer filled the warm summers day air..but likely we were on to Princeton to see the Kirby family. That night we saw little Z(achery) and had a little food at the Kirby homestead. The next day K, Ry, and I headed to Sesame Land in MD so the little one could rock out:
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KK and I had fun too (Ryan a little less on this one)
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..but fun on this one:
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After a day nice day in the sun we retired to a little Mexican food and then to catching up from jetlag.

The next day I gave the K family kissses and it was off to NYC to meet up with mommy...the BIG APPLE!
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It was great to see mom after 6 months! Mom arranged a great hotel right next to MSG..perfect!
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The day was a mix of rain showers and sun but we still were able to fill my bags with US-cheap-booty!
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That night we had a very nice mother-son dinner at Mesa Grill (food is good...still don't like Bobby Flay)
The next AM turned out to be a nice summer day..perfect for a little brunch with Barbara, KK, and Mom:
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After a nice brunch (thanks Mom) it was off for the girls to get a little treasure. (KK got the most) After a great day in NYC with the girls it was off to NG to see Pops!
Upon arrival he had the most missed meal here in CH...Buffalo Chicken Wings! Thanks Dad! M-pants had her fill ;-)
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The next day Dad and I played some golf (89 for me) and he rest of the day chilled. NG was still the same except the DD, Starbucks, etc....okay it changed a little.
Tuesday we headed out again to play golf but with Mom.
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All of us played OK, but I had two straight birdies and should have scored better but ended up with an 85. That night we picked up lobsters and clams and had a clambake at home. It was really good to be home and I loved seeing my family.
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The next day we just relaxed and shopped, took a jacuzzi at the Y, and enjoyed the easy life in NG. KK arrived that evening and as always Mom pulled out the works with steaks and some leftover lobsters for KK:
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Thursday was Mom's B-Day so after a little early AM golf (girls went shopping) I shot 82 we headed to Saratoga for nice dinner at the WineBar. Happy 40th B-day Mom!!
The next AM it was off to FL to see the family. So after a nice b-fast and some goodbye kisses to Dad it was off to FL. Upon arrival there it was HOT..90+! We arrived in Canaveral to find the family waiting to meet KK...and of course me :-) Maureen, John, Marge, and Gramps! Of course within the first 30 minutes of see us he loved Karen and played the piano.
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That night we had some good NE clams...Gramps approved!
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...and of course watched the Sox!
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After a night of A/C sleep it was off for a fish with Uncle John...and unbelievable as it might seem we caught something!
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Proof!
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After a nice fishing extravenganza we chilled with the family and caught up on life. That night Mom arranged a very nice dinner on the water where Blair and Joey came. Joey menetioned that he loves to go kayaking so we made a plan for the AM to see some FL wildlife.
Saturday it was off to the Mangroves of FL and some Manatees!KK getting up close!
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We had a great time..thanks Joey!
After a nice boat we hooked up with some food in Cocoa on the beach and headed back to see gramps. That PM Marge, Mom, John, KK and I headed to fish once more...the score that night was KK 4 fish GG 1!
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After some great days in FL it was time to return to CH. An AM swim and we were off!
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Mom and Dad thanks for the great week. I hope that I have convinced you to come to CH more often. XOXOXO

Overall, thank you everyone for making our vacation so relaxing and wonderful. We miss you all already....so come to CH!!! Much love, GG

Quick Pre-Vaca-US Mission Weekend in CH..Wine and DH

Friday rolled around and it was off for a pre-weekend ride with PK on the Saleve. This was the first time down so it was a learning experience but very cool...great to do after work in the summer:
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PK:
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Saturday was return of the open caves in Geneva and P, K, and I headed to Satigny to get some free glasses of Switerland's finest. After a rainy AM the day turned out to be great and we had a nice time in the vineyards.
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...some of us had a few :-)
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...a side note KK was a trooper and fell asleep at 9.
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Sunday PK and I hooked up with Tom at Metabief for a little more DH. Luckily this time I did not take side out....the boys having fun!
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Another great day of DH...all this before our vacation too!