Summer Travels, Part Ia (HCSB 2011)

During our stay in Syracuse, we made an excursion to Glen Rock, New Jersey, where Emily's college friends were gathering for their annual reunion, or Holy Cross Spring Break, even though it most often occurs in the summer time. The group included many of Em's friends from Holy Cross, and altogether there were fourteen kids with ages ranging from seven weeks to three and a half years old. Here is a shot of the HCSB crew (if you're counting kids, there are only 13 in this photo - unfortunately, Kelly, Tim & little Anna Joseph had to head back to Boston before we were able to get the group shot):
I wish I could take credit for this picture and the three that follow, but they are shots taken by Bryan Fisher. (There were about a dozen versions of the above picture on my camera and none of them were half as good as this one! Thanks for sharing your pictures online, Bryan!)

The next shot is actually a zoom-in of the group photo, which shows Michael beside his soul brother and potential twin, Charlie Maxwell. We couldn't get over how much these two looked and sounded alike, right down to their disapproving view of the proceedings. These two are a tough crowd.
This next picture is from earlier in the day, when we were at the pool. I love it because it looks like Kieran, the older son of our friends Meg and Marty, is spooning Michael some bubble fluid. Quite the palate cleanser, I'm sure.
And here's a shot of me and Michael from the afternoon.
Lastly, a big thank-you to Nicole and Jim for hosting us in their home, where Michael got lots of quality time with their adorable daughter Grace:

It was a great weekend trip, and we loved catching up with our friends, playing with their kids and meeting the new babies. Em is already looking forward to HCSB 2012!