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

Sunday, October 26, 2008 --- Sunday fun in the park

What a beautiful day to get out on this gorgeous Sunday! After some super scrumptious chicken and waffles, the three of us hit the 110th Street Central Park playground. My tummy was full, but my camera was out, and I captured some really cute pics of mother and son at play. What a pair of cuties!

Labels: chicken, family, fun, Nicholas, Sunday, waffles

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

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 --- 4th of July Fun

The 4th of July holiday was a big one here in NYC for the Bridenstines, mostly because there was lots of family in town. Nana, Uncle Tom and his three awesome kids, Johnny, Maggie and Sarah joined us for the American festivities, and what a festive time it was. Things done include - walking through Central Park, riding the Beast in the Hudson, grabbing lunch in Chinatown, going to see the Yankees play, having high tea, perusing through Grand Central Station, hitting the Museum of Natural History, eating at Carmines, seeing "Wall-E" - the list goes on. Here are just a few pics of our great adventure.

Labels: Brooklyn, Brooklyn bridge, family, July 4th, Nana, Nicholas

Thursday, November 15, 2007 --- Blog Update News...from the blog administrator.

From the desk of The Butterfly a.k.a. Vanessa

Dear Faithful Bridenstine Fans,

Just wanted to let everyone know about a cool new update to The Bridenstines -- Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff -- the sidebar music player now includes LORI'S LABOR: A collection of 6 unique playlists with varying intensity and mood for your listening pleasure! [NOTE: Clicking the left-right arrows on either side of the current playlist at the top of the player will switch between playlists. You can drag the scroll up-down arrows to see the songs on the current playlist. And of course, clicking on the play button or the song name itself will start the music!]

Lori and Michael asked me if I would prepare some music mixes for use during the birthing of Nicholas...a request which I was very honored to fulfill! Since Michael called yesterday to announce that the special CD package had arrived, it is now safe to share the music mixes on the blog without ruining any surprise for them. I hope you will all give a listen and enjoy!

Also, if you would like any information about any of the songs, playlists, etc. -- please feel free to contact me via my blog.

Labels: baby, blogging, butterfly, email, family, friends, lori, michael, music, Nicholas, readers, sidebar, updates

Tuesday, November 6, 2007 --- A letter from the blog administrator, introducing...The Bridenstines' Family Blog!

From the desk of The Butterfly a.k.a. Vanessa

Dear Readers,

Allow me to introduce my good friends, Michael and Lori Bridenstine. They have made the leap into the Blogosphere -- and as a representative of said Blogosphere -- I welcome them with loving open arms. So much so, that I have created a custom blog template just for their new adventure! ;-D

I hope you all, as their family and friends, enjoy The Bridenstines: Random Rants, Daily Dish and Seriously Silly Stuff. Please, encourage and support Michael and Lori in their blogging adventures by visiting as often as you can and by leaving comments once in a small while...You will see a link for the comments' section under each post called "Comments from the Peanut Gallery." That's all of you! Click on it and you can write as little or as much as you want in response to their posts. This blog is meant to be interactive -- so please, feel free to share your thoughts, links, whatever! The more you do, the better it will be.

As a sidenote: I will be permanently available as the blog's administrator -- it's my ongoing Baby Shower gift to Lori. ;-) If you have any problems or questions (Perhaps a link does not work? A photo is missing?) -- do not hesitate to let me know. I can be reached via my website or my blog. You can find links for both in the sidebar to the left. Please just mention in the subject line that you are contacting me in reference to this blog so that I won't get confused!

Okay, I guess that is all for now. Good Luck, Lori and Michael -- and to everyone else -- ENJOY!

Cheers!
The Butterfly

Labels: baby, blogging, butterfly, comments, email, family, friends, fun, gifts, lori, michael, readers, shower

www.towheadproductions.com

________

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.