Tons of Boston

This is really more baby book style as there are lots of pictures. I wanted to get them all in because this was a special occasion. The cousin-cousin reunion! Ryan's brother Kevin and his wife Carrie have a daughter, Nina, who is 2 weeks older than Minnie and live near Boston. We went for a 10 day visit and boy did those girls have fun together!

Ever seen Disney's Little Einsteins? Pat, pat, pat, Blast off! Minnie's by far fave show.

Opening up presents on the plane - best way to keep kids occupied on cross country flights

Oh look! Bracelets!


Minnie babbling. She doesn't do this all at all anymore. sniff.

Spent the first two days in Maine with Ryan's Dad. Went to the beach and had the best time, despite the rain.

So New England-y in the background

Minne loved Grand Daddy Boy's house - he had tons of stuffed animals and let her pile them on top of him

"Oh come on, you can handle one more!"

Minnie's blankie. Sleeps with it every night. Kevin and Carrie in the background.

This is how she used to smile for the camera. She doesn't do this anymore.



"Did I just hear you say Nigh Nights? If so, I'm out of here."

After a couple of days in Maine, including meeting the llamas next door to Grand Daddy Boy's house and shopping at Mom's favorite store in Maine, Marden's, it was on to Massachusetts!



Cousin Nina and Minnie's first meeting, at least that they might remember, at Nannie's house



It was so hard to share (we are 2 after all) but we tried

Minnie was too excited to eat so Nina helped her by shoveling food in her mouth. Nina helped her eat all week long!

This took all the sharing effort we had

Dancing in our pajamas

After a day in Massachusetts we headed down to Connecticut to visit friends JT and Jessica and their three boys. Yep, that's five states in 24 hours!

Little 1-year old Bowen showing Minnie the ropes



"I fight you"



Checking out caterpillars. Minnie loves hangin' out with the boys.

This property is a kid's dream

JT and Jessica live right next to the beach, so we went for a walk

So many good pictures, Evan, their oldest asked if I was a fashion photog because I was taking so many pics. ha!

Sweet face

Jessica helping Minnie dig for bugs. She's had lots of experience with three boys.

Two new Dads

LJ (to the right) says I'm not so sure about this Mom.

Ah, come on, do I hafta?

Man, those boys were so much fun, but this back seat is super boring. I'm out.

Commuter Rail to Boston!

Uncle Kevin, Nina, Mom and Dad, and Nannie and I are going to the Childrens Museum and lunch with Aunt Katie



I just saw a duck



Nina joined us

It was neat to have Minnie in the same city in which Ryan and I met

A baby obstacle course...

...that didn't go so well for Minnie

We had to take the emergency exit.

Beautiful brown eye

Racing around Nina's house with her cousins

Parades make me sweaty. It's the rock star in me.

Telling secrets or giving kisses?

Nina's awesome neighborhood playground

Look how patient Nina is

Ryan and Minnie practice this all the time. How long she can hang. It's one of the many events in Baby Olympics.

I told you this was such a cool playground

They are beautiful

They really were this sweet to each other.

And this sweet too.

They love each other. You can tell.

They love their Nannie too.

They both think Ryan is crazy.

Popcorn! My favorite.

Remember these old-fashioned swings?

And this long, thin slide with barely any sides? They don't make them like this anymore.

I think Ryan secretly wished that we had had twins.

Last minutes with Nina and Nannie

Some additional pics I found later on that I just have to add

Ryan's brother Kevin and Nina. Those Collins genes run strong.

Minnie on the red line in Boston. I can't even begin to tell you how weird it was to push a stroller around the same subway stations where I was a single 20-something for 5 years. We all commented on how lost we were having to look for the elevators because of the strollers, something we never had to do before obviously. We looked just like tourists! 

just like an old pro

Meeting Aunt Katie at Childrens Hospital Boston for lunch

Collins Crew

The ride back where the girls were saying that they were seeing the most ridiculous things out the window - elephants, tigers, hippos, monkeys.

This is still Minnie's version of a thumbs up

It must be Nina's turn to ride, Minnie's turn to push, so of course torture for Minnie.

It was a great trip and made us miss New England and all friends and family so much. Minnie had a great time meeting everybody and we loved watching her interact with people who mean the world to us. We can't wait to see you all again, hopefully very soon.