Summer vacation: CLT-BOS

One two hour, non-air conditioned, airplane ride and we landed in Boston.

Nana was quick to sweep up Sylvia and show her that life in the big city includes new fangled high chairs,

curvy mirrors (normally used for checking one's golf swing),

and snappy kimonos for puzzle playing.

After a bit of decompression, i.e. bagels and lox, Sylvia, Linda, Ted, Aurelia, and I motored on down to the Boston Childrens' Museum for some fun n the worlds best living room. Sylvia entered the fray and was quick to install herself at the train diorama and car area.

Our arrival in Boston did not go unnoticed. G-pop Jim and g-mom Louise made them selves available mid-week for some fun at the Aquarium. (For more pics of the visit see Louise's blog).

After swimming with the fish we spent some time walking along the port.
Sylvia broke with tradition and actually took a nap in her stroller.

This was followed by tasty food at Wagamama and the first installment in Sylvia's new series:
Great Playgrounds of the Northeast.

Sylvia walking abilities are improving day by day.
She still hesitates but the climbing structure is too great a temptation.

The movie has a happy ending. Baby and play structure are reunited.

The day concluded with dinner at a child friendly restaurant in Cambridge.
While Sylvia waited for her meal to arrive she engaged in a rousing game of peek-a-boo.

Summer vacation: PDX-CLT

Aurelia, Sylvia and I were lucky enough to start our vacation with a visit to our family in Asheville, NC. By a happy coincidence my cousin Grace and her eldest son Phillip were in Charlotte the same day we arrived (taking Phillip's sweetie to the airport) and gave us a ride back to the Asheville homestead. So much better to be greeted by family after a long voyage.

After many hugs were exchanged my cousin Tony and his youngest son Nicky (Nicholas) joined us as we stretched our legs and got some fresh air. Nicky lead the way and was the first to spot this brilliant green moth.

Sylvia spent her time hanging out with her family.

(Hanging with Nicky-who does a very convincing Harry Potter impression).

(Hanging with Angel and Matthew).

Our appetites were well taken care of with traditional Ecuadorian food. We enjoyed tostones and llapingachos. Below, Grace puts the finishing touches on a batch of empanadas.

Travelling on the holiday meant we missed our annual dose of fire works. Nicky and Tony obliged with a backyard show.

Followed by some well deserved lap time with la Michita.

This trip may well be characterized by too little time spent with so many wonderful people. Too quickly our three days in Asheville were up and we headed down from the hills for our flight to Boston.

...and some airport sprinting!