Happy Birthday and Father's Day

Sunday September 2nd was somewhat of a phenom for Paul, it was his 50th birthday as well as his first father's day. On the Saturday we celebrated Paul's birthday which started with some gift opening that Erin was more than willing to lend a hand. Erin was then off to Aunt Brenda’s for the day while Paul and I enjoyed his birthday present -a sea plane flight to lunch. The APEC summit was on so there were air space restrictions around the city but it didn’t effect our flight and we enjoyed the day. The next morning we had a sleep in (7am) – which felt very strange without Erin bouncing around. Paul's choice of cake was carrot and once again Erin is front and center to blow out the candle

Got to, Got To, Got To, Got To Have Friends

Having good friends means you have an extended family. I'm very lucky to have such good friends.
One of the highlights was heading over to the Hertings for a BBQ. As usual they cooked up a feast but everyone was there including Mrs. Hertings parents. Grandma Myer always makes all the Herting kids and their kids hand knited Irish sweaters. As they grow a new sweater would be made. Erin was given her very own Myer sweater -it was so sweet and very thoughtful, I felt like part of the family. Having Erin be a part of it all was great. There's Erin is hanging out with her new "mate" Jake.

We also spent some time with Drew and Kristine. They have the cutest boys - Aidan and Declan. Aidan is such a sweet boy and was really kind and gentle with Erin. I love the pic of them on the couch together riding the rollercoaster.

Before Paul arrived I caught up with some of the AIG gang (Peter, Lisa and Brendan in pic above). Once again I was overwhelmed with everyone who came out for a cocktail. Perhaps it was really just for the cocktail - either way it was still a good time. Louise made the trip out from Brooklyn for lunch with Erin and I.

Ofcourse there are the Binghamton girls. What can I say about my girls, such great friends and the trip would not have been complete without seeing them. Always a good time. There a shot of me with a few of them out to dinner in NYC. (Not the greatest pic of me but you get the idea). Have to thank Big Erin for hosting a BBQ and the girls that travelled in. It was great to catch up and share lots of laughs. You always need to have a a good laugh now and again it's much better than a good cry. Lanny - we are coming to Denver- it just isn't the same without seeing you.

Also caught up with my best friend from High School - Janine. So much has changed in my life since we last saw eachother but again it was like time stood still. She looks and is doing great. Met up with her parent's as well and they are fantastic people- been travelling for the past six years. What a life.

I was not able to catch up with everyone that I would have loved to -never enough time. Also, this spot is too small to fill with all the good times with the people that I had.

We Are Family

This was such a fantastic trip back to New York. Not only did Erin get to see New York and her second home but she also met the rest of her family and it was just an amazing time. She is awesome and to have her meet and revisit with her grandparents, aunts/uncles and cousins was wonderful for not only her but for me as well. Sydney is a far way from New York so these times are very special. It was also the first time in probably 10+years that the entire family was together. During this trip Erin spent a lot of time at her Aunt Karen's house which was fondly referred to as "Camp". She had the best time there. It was there that she started to crawl and had lots of firsts in the food and drink category - such as chocolate shake. She also had her first sleep over and poor Connor - such a good guy to let a 10month old sleep in his room with him. My sister never heard Erin "stir" in the night but I bet if you ask Connor he'll have a different story to tell.

Cross country flight and the Australian Rugby Team

OK I bet that caption got your attention. It's been SOO long since my last post and I feel like Erin is a completely different person since I was last here. We've been to New York and back and she's just starting to walk around the furniture and say a few "words".

Our flight to New York was pretty much uneventful- Thank goodness ! But my biggest complaint was going through imigration in Sydney airport. There we were, Erin in the baby bjorn strapped to the front of me and an equal if not more weighing backpack strapped to the back of me, surrounded by the Australian rugby team. George Gregan was standing right in line behind us, the rest of the team was scattered in the line on their way to New Zealand. Would you believe that NOT one of them offered to carry my back pack ! I'm a big fan of the team so this was dissapointing and not a good way to start our holiday. None the less we made the flight on our way to one of the greatest cities on earth. The flight was packed with middle and high school kids so they kept Erin very busy that she didn't sleep. By the end of the flight it was all that I could do to keep her in the bassinet- have a look at some of the pics of Erin - "sleeping". Erin was great but we were both extremely tired by the time we touched down at JFK.

"9/11 - six years and still fresh in my mind- we still remember"