After London, we took a 'short' flight over the pond back to NY (well, we flew in to Newark) where my best friend, Melody met us to take us back upstate. Once we'd confirmed our flights and everything was a "go" we tried working out a number of scenarios as to how we'd get both of our families together so we could surprise them all at once. Well, after much deliberation, we'd decided on an option..however, my mom had other plans...she had been wanting to go to Italy so see her cousin, Giuliana for many years (they'd last seen each other in 2002 when I was studying abroad in Firenze) so when she told me she was heading to Italy, I was excited for her....until, that is, she told me the dates of her proposed trip. Long story longer, we tried to convince my mom not to go making up every excuse in the book. I even called my cousin in Italy asking her to tell my mom not to come....she refused, and my mom could not be convinced. So, we arrived home in NY two days earlier than my mom...at least she didn't miss the entire visit :)
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| Eric arriving home with a NY pizza in hand. |
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| Jon-Carlo, answering the door for the "pizza"...happy to see the pizza, even happier to see us :) |
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| Meeting Mr. Aldo for the first time |
Of course, more complications arose while trying to surprise everyone on the day we arrived. We went to Eric's parent's house..only to find no one home...or so we thought! Eric's dad was asleep on the couch and didn't hear the door bell....but Eric's mom was in NJ visiting her brother. We finally got Dad Pickett to hear the doorbell but Mom Pickett decided to stay over in NJ...and make a few detours on the way home..needless to say, we didn't get to surprise her until 2pm the day after we arrived.
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| SURPRISE! |
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| So happy to see her first born! |
After the surprise, we decided to go for a walk on the longest walk bridge in American. It was a bit nippy, but otherwise a nice day. Eric had never been so it was nice to show him the beautiful bridge.
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| The Mid-Hudson Bridge |
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| Another shot in the sun |
That night, Lexy arrived home by Amtrak...we greeted her asking if she needed help with her bags.
We had the opportunity to go to CT while home and drove by Kent Falls, a beautiful, characteristic Northeast road.
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| Kent Falls |
That night my mom was due to arrive back from Italy. She drove herself to the airport so we were all inside for her entrance. My God Parents were in town from California, so they greeted her with a glass of wine...Lex had the camera, and Eric and I stood in the far end of the kitchen.
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| Eric checking to see if she'd arrived |
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| Pre-Arrival drinks |
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| Look at that face...truly surprised! She later told us the entire ride home she was arguing with herself over if we were home or not...by the end of the ride, she's convinced herself we were not home. Totally a Mom Marras move! |
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| Yummy pesto dinner made by yours truly |
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| Mom Pickett brought a Turkey cake |
Thanksgiving day was upon us. JC decided he had to make a deep fried turkey.
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| Not my cup of tea, but everyone said it was delicious..and only took 45 minutes to cook! |
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| Jon-Carlo and his masterpiece |
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| Jedd and friends did a wonderful job with the table....20 people sitting at one table, pretty impressive |
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| Dessert! |
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| Not sure if Combo likes this or not?! |
The next day, Mom and Dad Pickett hosted a lovely afternoon get together with the Pickett/Silverman families. It was wonderful to see everyone again.
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| Michael, Chris, Mike, & Eric |
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| Group shot...thanks for coming through with the tri-pod Dad P! |
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| Dad P, Jennifer and Michael |
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| Sisters-Aunt Patti & Mom P |
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| Aunt Patti and her lovely sons |
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| Cousins, Mom P & Aunt Janet |
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| Mom & Dad M |
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| Part of the Marras/Pickett clans including Mania |
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| Picketts |
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| Another group shot |
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| Uncle Joel and Mom P |
The next day, Eric played in a basketball tournament and I went to see a friend and her adorable grand-daughter, Lilly Belle!
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| So, so cute! |
Now, onto the basketball....
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| Eric and Bouges |
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| The village at one of my mom's tutoring student's houses...pretty impressive! |
After the Thanksgiving feast, my mom realized how great the living room looked as the dining room..and also much more spacious. So, she enlisted her fave son-in-law and daughter to help with the move....it was a lot of work but the old dining room is much more cozy as a sitting room and the dining room is much more roomy. Good eye, mom!
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| Another family meal the night before we left. |
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| Mom P's birthday was the next day |
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| Make a wish! |
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| I love this dog! and of course Combo too!! Just love those boxers! |
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| Jon-Carlo and his son |
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Another group shot
It was a wonderful trip home...last one back that way for a while. We're happy we were able to see those we could and we're looking forward to seeing the rest of you when we're home again. Happy Thanksgiving to all ! |
