The Malesky Family: September 2009

We finally made it back out to New York after almost 2 years. Todd was born in Brooklyn and moved to Santa Barbara when he was about 7 years old. Some of his family moved out to Santa Barbara, but most of them are rooted in New York. Todd is so lucky to have amazing family on both coasts and we try as best as we can to see the ones back East, they have been a dear part of his life and have touched my life and my boys lives dearly.

We had a LONG travel day on Friday, leaving Santa Barbara at 6am, flying into JFK at 5:30pm, getting into Jason's car (Todd's cousin) and driving 3 hours to Upstate New York. Just outside of Downsville is where Todd's Uncle Jack has worked on building a cabin for over 40 years. Todd has been wanting to take me and the kids there for sometime...it has been many many years since Todd has been there, but has fond memories of the cabin upstate.

First thing Saturday, we hopped on the Quads and took a nice ride down to an amazing pond (very big pond)...

Me and the boys getting ready for the ride...

Ben and Uncle Jack were partners...

The land is absolutely breath-taking...acres and acres (44 to be exact) of untouched land...

Ben was catching salamanders...

The Malesky family took the paddle boat out for a spin...

Loving brothers... & the boys can't wait until they can ride their own

Beautiful shot of Nick...

And tough guy Ben...

The Motorcyclin' Maleskys...

Nick got to ride sandwiched between mommy and daddy...that was a treat for me just to hear my sweet little boy say..."weeee weeeee" for the whole ride....

Another picture of the crazy two...

Ben's first time on Uncle Jack's Harley...

Front and back side of the cabin...absolutely amazing...

The boys afternoon, beer and rocking chairs. Jason got a little toasted on Cranberry Wine Coolers (sissy!)...

One afternoon I took the boys out to pick fresh blueberries and blackberries so Aunt Ellen could make her famous blueberry pancakes...delicious!

Big Nick in his rocking chair...

A picture of us on the deck...a deck that wraps around the cabin and you can look out at the amazing land behind us...

Jack taught Ben how to use a bow and arrow...

The 3 cousins...Jason, Todd, and Tommy...

Plus the little munchkins...

While we were up there we also went to the State Fair, went fishing, a skunk was shot by Uncle Jack, Ben's leg was bit by a dog...very adventurous trip. We had a wonderful time there and look forward to our next visit.

The last night we were in town, we had a fabulous dinner w/ our Upstate crew again (Uncle Jack, Aunt Ellen, Jason, Aunt Jane & Tommy & Michelle We got to see Todd's cousin Christine & her hubbie Paul who weren't able to come to Upstate, so it was great to see them. Below is a picture of Todd and Christine...

After Upstate we went to Brooklyn to visit Todd's dad side...The Maleskys. Below is a picture of Nanny and Todd...they truly are an amazing pair. Ever since I have known Todd, he has called his Grandma (Nanny) at least twice a week...she is a huge part of his life and we all love her dearly...

Picture of Lauren, Paulie, Nanny, Todd, Nick and Ben...Paulie is Todd's Uncle, Nanny's 5th son, and Lauren is Paulie's daughter...

Cousin Lauren w/ the boys...she is sooooo great w/ them!

Uncle Paulie and Todd...Paulie is only 11 years older than Todd and they are like brothers. Another huge person in Todd's life...we love our Uncle Paulie!

Todd has to get the boys one of his favorite treats as a young boy in Brooklyn...he loved this picture of the boys sitting on the apt. stoop eating their "ices"...

One night, Paulie, Lauren, Todd and Ben went to a Cyclones baseball game...here is Ben and his Cyclone Dog...

Then the next day, Cousin Tommy took Ben and Todd to a PGA golf tournament while Nick and I cruise Bay Ridge Brooklyn...it was one of my most favorite parts of the trip. First we went to a famous waffle cafe for breakfast...