One unforgettable memory from this past Memorial Day weekend is two pesky mosquito bites that I keep scratching at. One is on the bottom of my foot and the other is on the side of my second toe. Couldn’t they have picked less uncomfortable spots??
Anyway, we totally avoided any holiday traffic that I was sure we would be stuck in for hours – both ways! We left at 8pm on Friday night and arrived at 12am. That was including the time it took to stop for Jersey gas which was only $2.98.
Everyone was up when we got there, so we visited for a while. Then Dad and I were up early the same morning to go food shopping (and he snuck a trip to Lowe’s in there, too) for the picnic that would be taking place in a few hours at our house. 
Some of the food and some of the guests...does that flag in the background look familiar?
Ryan and Yana, always ready with a smile
And so are Nick and Kristina
Crammed on the couch to view the Wii-ing
Go Peter! He has great technique!
There was soooooooooo much food, too much really. Chicken, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, chips, and so on. It was a very splendid meal. The company was splendid, too. Between family and friends, there were about thirty people…but, and no offense to anyone, this little girl was the most entertaining:
The first picture is shows me ever-so-politely snatching Ari from Yana. The second picture shows Ari finally with her Auntie!
Dad had fun taking pictures of Ari. It looks like Ari didn't mind the whole experience, either...
Aww, they're all cute, too!
I finally got to kiss Ari-cheeks!!! She was quite the hit and was such a good sport about being passed around when all she wanted to do was to get down and walk. After the picnic, we went over D’s house where Ari was being watched by his parents. So we got more Ari-time, which is always, always fun!
The rest of the weekend went by at a good pace. We went to church on Sunday, went to D’s house for lunch and to watch Night at the Museum (A-, cool concept!!), built another campfire at my house later that night (for which we got marshmallows), and watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (A). Monday, Mom, Dad, and I went shopping in the morning. All of us ate the picnic leftovers before D and I had to hit the road. It was so nice not having a hectic schedule, it actually felt like a vacation!
Campfire #1
Someone, who shall remain nameless, had the bright idea of flinging flaming chucks of starter logs into the air to watch them create a mushroom cloud when they hit the ground. I think D's mom is very relieved that D didn't know our family when he was younger, more impressionable...
A much calmer Campfire #2
My Favoritest Parents
The only thing he asked for the entire trip: toasted marshmallows. Isn't he adorable??
The trip home was uneventful, which is what we like. We stopped for dinner in PA, courtesy of Mom, around 8:30pm. We dropped into bed soon after we arrived home, ready to begin the week at Tuesday. And just so you all can be impressed: everything is already unpacked!! This quick action has brought down my average-time-it-takes-me-to-unpack of about 3 to 4 weeks quite nicely.
by Sara , on May 31, 2007 10:27 PM
Great pics... of course you know which ones are my favorites. ;) My kid is awfully photogenic. :)
Pete looks so serious playing the Wii... and then Dave looks so serious with his marshmallow. Gee, can you tell they're brothers? ;)
We are looking forward to seeing you guys again in June, and then again in July! Man, we're going to get sick of you! ;)
by Anonymous , on June 01, 2007 12:42 AM
Everything was so fun. Good company, good fun, good fammily time, including time spent with our extended family of the Karimeddinis and Swangers. I agree with Sara, her kid IS awfully photogenic! I was so pleased it was such an easy road trip, it will make you both want to keep coming back! Love, Mom F
by Anonymous , on June 01, 2007 9:27 AM
Looks like it was a fun-filled weekend for you guys. Ari looks sooo cute! She looks good in yellow--I think I gave her that outfit, but I'm not positive (shrug).
Anyway, my favorite pics are of Sara and your hubby, my mom and dad, and you with your parents. Family time is ultra fun! :)
by Anonymous , on June 01, 2007 10:38 AM
Great pics! Thanks for sharing! My favorites are of Ari, too! We had a wonderful time being included in your family picnic! Any party @ the Fusaris home is always a blast! We so enjoyed your visit & sitting together @ church! Come back soon!