The Bridenstines -- Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 --- Easter Trip 2009

The whole Bridenstine clan set out to the Midwest for Easter 2009, starting with a trip to Grandpa and Grandma B. We were lucky enough to stay at Uncle Tom's, as he was out of town, and we got a chance to see how Grandpa B is doing. The report? A+ and straight on till mornin, if we can mix our metaphors. Then we hit the train to Chicago and got a chance to spend one fun night with cousins David and Lisa. Right in the heart of the Big Second City. Nice! We also got a visit from good friends Aaron and Diana, and their lovely daughter Sienna. A full day at Navy Pier and the Children's Museum made for a ton of fun. From there, we hit the suburbs and stayed at Aunt Stacey and Uncle Larry's, and got to hook up with the whole family; Grandpa and Grandma M, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Julie, the three girls, and cousins Seth and Ava. Six kids reeking havoc all around the house - and we wouldn't have it any other way. Take a look at some our our pics.

Below we see Dad and Nicholas playing Wii. Dad has that clueless look on his face of someone who doesn't understand advanced gaming, or maybe even multi-syllabic words, while Nicholas is doing the best thing you can with a microphone; eat it.

Below Nicholas is practicing his licks for "Rock Band 2." Jam man!

Here's Grandpa B, smiling for the camera.

Below you see Uncle Steve and his very large paddle for rowing with his French Nature club, whose name escapes me. [Actually, I don't speak French, so I'm off the hook.] Nicholas looks up in amazement, hoping his stern looking Uncle has no plans for the paddle and NJ's behind. Below that is a pic from Uncle Tom's porch of deer, looking for a handout. Tell Ted Nugent that only thing we shot them with is a digital camera.

Here's a really cute picture of Nicholas and Siena, sitting on the Chicago grass in a park.

Below you'll see Nicholas was NOT happy about riding Thomas the train at Navy Pier.

The two kids play in the background at the Chicago Children's Museum while Aaron talks to a really hot Mom. Or not. I forget. But it sounds funnier when I write "hot Mom."

On Easter Sunday, all six of the kids looked for eggs in Uncle Larry's backyard. Here Seth frantically looks to add up on his total haul, while NJ works the yard with Mom as Isabella uses her bunny ears to sense exactly where the hidden eggs may be.

Later at Grandpa and Grandma's, NJ works the kazoo.

Isn't NJ styling in his cute new hat? You go girl!

Another egg hunt? Yes, that's right people. Grandpa's backyard had almost 200 eggs hidden in it's many nooks and crannies, and the kids had a very fun time searching and gathering.

With a little help from Mom, NJ finds one under a branch.

When you need help finding hidden eggs, call for Dudley, the super sniffing dog! [Master Uncle Corey, out of frame, is gladly keeping Dudley from eating all the egg's contents.]

What a cute couple! Mom and son, happy on Easter day!

Labels: Chicago, Detroit, Easter, family, Nicholas, vacation

Saturday, January 3, 2009 --- Christmas Trip 2008

What a spectacular Christmas trip the whole family had! Chicago, South Bend and Detroit. We saw lots of family, exchanged and received wonderful gifts and even had a blowout tire. What more could one ask for during the holiday season? It was great to see everyone, and you can see it all here, with a few select pictures of the family trip. Now let's start 2009!

Labels: Bridenstines, Chicago, Christmas, Detroit, Dincolo, holiday, Matthews, South Bend, train, trip

Thursday, July 31, 2008 --- Chi-town goes Big Apple

It's taken us a while to get photos up, but we wanted to document the big trip to NYC from Larry Matthews and family that came just a few weeks ago. Larry, Stacey, Seth and baby Ava came to NYC for the first time and boy, did we keep busy! Times Square, Circle Line Cruise, Broadway shows, American Museum of Natural History, Wall Street, playing in the water at the local playground - you name it! It was great to see everyone. Take a look at some photos!

Labels: Chicago, family, Matthews, NYC, trip

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The Bridenstines consist of five sentient beings of various intellect, value and potential, specifically:

Lori -- Wife and mother, taking a government-sanctioned maternity break from her personal training gig to birth, rear and guide her son as he begins his life and ends hers, a.k.a. “eating the metaphorical bon bon.”

Nicholas -- Newest addition to the family, born happy, healthy and eager to start blaming his parents for ruining his life. Predicted first word – Why?

Brummie -- Elder female feline, happy with warm belly rubs and cold bowls of milk. Tabby in coat, Tiger in heart.

Maya -- Deadly-but-delicious younger putty tat, with a soft face to melt the hardest heart and a proclivity toward urinating on Mom and Dad while they sleep.

Michael -- Husband and father, busy writing, producing and directing the next great American sitcom, if at least in his head. Loves to multi-task while on the phone, often by dusting while yapping.