Our east coast jaunt

Gid, Joaquin, my mom, and me just got back from a trip to the east coast--mostly New York--which was great fun. The event was Dylan and PJ's wedding, which was lovely and touching. PJ asked Joaquin if he knew what he just saw and Joaquin's answer was simply, "a wedding." How beautiful it would be if Joaquin grows up in a world where it would just be a just that, that simple!

Anyway, the ceremony and party were touching and personal and I feel very lucky to have kept in touch with such wonderful friends for so long. We also felt very lucky that the wedding was in CT. What a beautiful place! The topography reminded us quite a bit of Birmingham...but on steroids. Everything was just 'more.' The leaves were turning (Joaquin: "We're in the jungle!") and the food was beyond good. Best ice cream we've ever had served right out of a building next to the farm housing the cows that produce it! And can you really beat wine tasting while picking organic raspberries?



After an idyllic time in CT, we headed to NYC where we had an action filled week to see the sites, some shows, and make our way in the gloomy weather. Joaquin loved the 'Big' piano at FAO Schwartz (some tears and convincing to get him away from that) and walked across the entire Brooklyn Bridge by himself.



He also did some flirting with the waitresses at the Russian Tea Room--"how you doing?"...seriously. They also had opera playing and Joaquin turned to ask the hostess what she was singing. This opened us to the wonders of traveling with a cute child as the hostess than invited us up to the private--and extremely opulent--rooms. Have you ever seen an 8 foot tall glass bear with fish in it juggling golden balls? Because we have. How about a 12 foot tall golden tree with 1.5 foot long Faberge eggs? Check!



One of my favorite experiences was seeing Rock of Ages with mom. Great show, lots of fun--and at the end this guy comes out, announces he's the lead singer of REO Speedwagon and gives an impromptu concert! They stay after and the band gives special props to the lead we saw that night, who apparently got the call that he was going to make his Broadway debut at 6:08 that evening...for an 8 pm show. One of Gid's favorite moments was the church near the WTC site, which is quite the testament to humanity.



And my favorite shot of the trip is this one, which is just so poignant to me given Gid's status as a naturalized citizen and the opportunities or potential for opportunities our son will have. I don't know that it has as much poignancy to Gid and maybe I am just being dramatic, but I like it :)

Patriotism and gay rights in one posting? You betcha!