Dogs, Friends and Tomatoes

Our second trip to Staten Island we headed over to Grandma Gertch’s house and got to see Artie and Rico. Adam and Malcolm have been face-timing with Artie and Rico since they were babies and are both super into dogs! Adam actually asked us every day in New York if we could have a dog. We told him he has to be older, so every time anyone said he looked big, he would turn to us and say “I’m older- now I can get a dog”.

I was so impressed that Adam and Malcolm both went right up to Artie (who is no small dog but very sweet) and of course Rico and wanted to spend the whole morning petting them.

Malcolm pet Artie tons but if he made any move to come closer he would run for shelter on someone’s lap.  Little Rico on the other hand, Malcolm felt totally comfortable following around and insisting on petting the entire time we were there.

After some time with the dogs we headed out to Grandma’s garden to help pick some tomatoes.

Malcolm, that’s a rock not a tomato!

After lots of dog time and some yummy Staten Island bagels we headed to Fran and John’s house for some play time and a yummy dinner.

It was the first time we met their adorable twins. They are just a couple months younger than Malcolm and so sweet. It’s hard to believe we have 5 kids between us!

These two were of course super excited to be reunited.

We all traipsed to the park and the boys played ball for a long while.

Fran, the twins and I chatted while Malcolm played in the dirt.

Vincent is such a sweet older brother. He was so sweet with Malcolm who loved the attention!

Then it was back home for some action heroes. This was the start of Adam’s teenage mutant ‘engine’ turtle obsession.

And here is my attempt to get all 5 kids in one frame.

And these three peanuts.

I wish we lived closer and these 5 could spend more time together. We had so much fun and I loved seeing all the kids together. Not to mention Fran and John (and Fran’s mom who made the yummiest eggplant parm) can cook!! That dinner was fantastic! We’ll be back for dinner the second we land back in NY guys!