The Bright Side: MA, RI, NH, and NYC!!!!

I've been terrible at keeping up on my blogging but I'm turning over a new leaf and trying to be better documenting our happenings! Starting now. So, this past weekend Callaway, my friend Laurel from graduate school, and I took a trip to Rhode Island to celebrate with Cassidy as she graduated with her masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Rhode Island. We made an AMAZING trip out of the endeavor. This was a momentous occasion also because it was Callaway's first time on a plane (out of mommy's belly!!). And I have to brag but she did FREAKING AMAZING!! She didn't even cry or get fussy....even with a mean little ear infection. Proving, I truly do have a one of a kind baby girl! She rocks!

P.s. we sorely underestimated our "time management" with getting to the airport WITH a baby...yep, we ALMOST missed our flight! It was terrible. We were running--through the Vegas airport with our ensemble of bags and baby essentials (we must have looked awesome!). We BARELY made our flight to Milwaukee. But we did! *Phew*

We took a break in the airport and let Callaway crawl around a little bit! She was more than happy to stretch her little legs!

We took a break too!

We got to Boston and rented a car and were Rhode Island bound!

The next day Laurel and I were trying to decide what we wanted to do. Cassidy had a lot of family that came into town as well as us and we wanted to let them have some quality family time so we thought we would head to the beach or walk around Kingston but...we quickly changed our mind. We decided to head to New Hampshire to see my friend Sam. I met Sam at a Mortor Board (Honor Society) Conference in Ohio back in 2007...it feels like we've been friends forever! She lives back east so I wanted to FOR SURE see her so we headed her direction. Laurel also has a friend Jane that lives in Maine so we had her meet us later that evening for dinner! It was a BLAST catching up with our dear friends.

My friend Sam! Her first time meeting Callaway as well. She was immediately smitten!

And...OF COURSE WE HAD TO GO TO DUNKIN' DONUTS!!!!!!

Callaway liked her donut holes!! Yummy!

This was dinner later that night at the Rusty Hammer in Portsmouth New Hampshire. Jane, Laurel's friend, came and met us! She was awesome! An instant friend! She has such a happy personality and just an infectious smile and love of life!!

Me and Sam eating!

Laurel and Jane!!!

Always a happy baby!

Yay for besties!!!!

The next day we stayed around Kingston. It was wonderful to also spend time with Cassidy's family! They are wonderful wonderful people and we also had fun going to the town's little festival. We had fun walking around looking at the darling little antique shops and book shops! And GO URI!!!!

Callaway always being the good girl that she is--taking in the scenery!!!

AT THE GRADUATION! Cassidy Shea Bull... we love you and are so proud of the incredible accomplishments that you've made! You are truly a one of a kind woman. WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Cassidy with her beautiful sisters and stunning Mom. From L to R. Jillian, Tana, Mamma Shelley, Cassidy, Cadie (Cassidy's twin sister), and Jordan! Beautiful Bull girls!

We decided to head to Point Judith Lighthouse! We can't go to Rhode Island and NOT go to a light house! It was an overcast day but it was beautiful 'cause the light house was actually shining! Beautiful.

On Sunday we decided to head toward NYC! I have never been to the Big Apple and we were only 2 and half hours from the city and by golly, I wanted to go! So we did! It was AWESOME. We saw the Statue of Liberty off the Staten Island ferry and went to Canal street....again, we were sad we couldn't have done more but we only a few hours and time management, again, was not on our side! Us Westerners are NOT used to this crazy metro/subway/crowds of people EVERYWHERE thing! It was a blast!

NEW YORK...here we COME!

Waiting for the train to NYC baby!!!

Callaway and I at Grand Central Station!

On the subway. We had an amazing little adventure on the subway...they have subway performers! They were fun! (I couldn't upload the video...bummer)

My first New York hot dog!....yep, it's just a hot dog.

On the Staten Island Ferry.

Lady Liberty!

Shopping on Canal St. in Chinatown and Little Italy! SO fun!

Could NOT leave NYC without eating New York Pizza baby (thank you Friends!).

But we have to be honest......NYC it not what it looks like in the movies....it's kinda....Okay, really dirty.

HUGE success!!!!

After a very successful day in NYC, we headed to Boston and stayed the night in a hotel so we could get up bright and early for our flight in the morning. What an amazing trip, for an amazing purpose, with my amazing friend, and with my amazing baby!!! Perfect.