The Family's Stuff - Boston Visit, July 2002

We decided to head back "home" to Boston for the 4th of July in 2002. I wanted the kids to see a great fireworks display... at the place where fireworks for the 4th were started... and my home town. Amy & the boys went back on June 25th. They stayed at Amy's parent's house, same as last time we went back. I arrived on July 2nd. The week that I was there was jam packed full of fun stuff: the 4th of July, a BBQ at my aunt Jan's place, a BBQ at Eric's & Lisa's house and a beautiful day at the cape at my dad's other home. I left on the 10th and they came back on the 16th.

Overall, it was a great time... the only fiasco was the 4th of July. Jarod came down with something the day I got there. He had a high fever, but it seemed like it was breaking by the afternoon of the 4th. He was doing fine, so Amy brought the kids down around 8:30pm to watch the display. Unfortunately, Jarod wasn't really that well and after the fireworks were done, we walked back to the T, but they closed the closest T station, probably due to a bomb scare or something. We walked to the next stop which was a *hell* of a hike, up-hill, with kids in arms... then we stopped for a drink and he puked on me and the sidewalk. I felt like an absolute heel for letting him come when he wasn't better yet. A bad judgment call on my part. But, Patrick had a great time playing with my college friends (as you'll see in the pictures), so at least he enjoyed it!!!

Thanks to everyone who made it such a wonderful time and gave us so many cool things to do. It was great seeing you again and the kids absolutely loved it. You all made it so special for them. (And Amy enjoyed her break from normal life for a while too!)

July 3 This was the first full day I was there. We mostly just hung out at home, since Jarod was now feeling sick. Patrick & Jarod were both happy to see me and just hung out together. It was extraordinarily hot and uncomfortable, but I managed. :-)
Here's Jarod's picture of lucky money for po po (grandma).	Not really relevant, but this is Amy's new tattoo. Backside of upper left shoulder... oh, and it says "love."	Patrick brought Snow Bear all the way from Portland. He loves that thing!
Patrick's still making funny faces at me. Kinda looks like he doesn't have teeth... he does, don't worry. :-)	The dynamic duo!	This is the lucky money he got from po po that inspired him to give something in return.
July 4 I met my college friends at the Prudential around 4pm or so. We ate dinner together and walked down to the Esplanade to scope out a place to watch the fireworks. We got a great spot... attendance was light. Amy met some of her friends for dinner in Davis Sq. (This is when Jarod seemed fine.) They took the T in and I walked them to our spot. As you can see, Patrick had a lot of fun! The fireworks were amazing. Too bad Jarod was so sick. :-\
Patrick playing with Jeff, Eric, Lisa and Scott... all friends from college. He was bonkers wild.	This is the only shot of Jarod from the night. He just quietly played with his BattleBots. He's a real trooper when he's sick.	That's Eric & Lisa... Patrick keeps running into the circle of them.
	Eric's antagonizing Patrick... Scott seems to have a fatherly twinkle in his eye while Jeff averts his eyes from "the child." ;-)
July 5 On July 5th, we spent the day at a BBQ at Jan's and Larry's house. My mother, her husband, my two aunts and a family friend all came by. Jan & Larry did a really great job with everything... the food was awesome and the boys had a blast because everyone who came dumped gift after gift on them. Amy & I even got to throw a football around for a bit. Strangely relaxing. And as you see below, there was a piñata! The indestructible piñata from hell, but it was full of yummy fun and goodness!
Jarod is sizing up his target. I'm thinking: "Is this safe? For me?"	This is Eddye (my mom's husband) and Diane (a long time family friend.)	Patrick gives it a good few whacks, but it doesn't budge.
Here's my aunt Jan smackin' it around a bit.		Not even my mom could do the deed. It had to be taken out the hard way.
July 6 We had great fun at a BBQ held at Eric's and Lisa's house. This is becoming an annual tradition for them and in their 3rd year (I think), they have it perfected. It was a fantastic good time, with bocce ball, crazy kids, good food and lots of people I haven't seen in a long time.
Patrick was following some ants. I caught him in the act and surprised him a bit.	Here are the boys with some of the other kids at the BBQ.	Jarod desperately wants to play bocce ball, but I spend most of the time yelling to him, "Look out!!!"
Don't they look serious? Well, except for "strike-a-pose" Luis.	Amy's lookin' fine. Spent a good deal of time playing football with another girl's man.	I risked life & limb to get this shot. Yes, that ball is moving at a decent clip.
July 7 The last big event we did was to visit my dad's family in Osterville on the Cape. My grandmother Rita (the kids' only living great grandparent!), my aunt Joan, cousin Andrea and brother Mike were there. As well as, of course, my dad, Elaine and Peter. We ate some great food for a late breakfast, went to a golf driving range and played in a beautifully clean pond. We finished up with some great seafood and made the drive home late at night after traffic had subsided.
Peter always seems to know when a camera is on him. Two Breslin boys, hangin' out.	I think Mike's neck is itchy or something. (See previous pic.)	Cute little Amy curled up in a chair. I think I just embarrassed her about her tattoo for the 2nd time since I've been in Boston.
My dad playing with the boys. Oddly, there are 3 generations there. :-)	Elaine and Amy should be watching the kids... but I think they're watching the cute life guard.	Grandpa doing his grandfatherly duties!
I think he's finally getting tired.		Patrick went off on a little discovery mission on his own. He found some ducks.