Main > Photo Gallery > Trips > Labor Day Weekend 2005

Another Labor Day weekend has arrived. As always, the schedule is packed to the wazoo. Showing off Joshua to the relatives for the first time, Num's cousin Benoy was getting married, and, uh, that's it. Still, it was very busy. This was our first roadtrip with the tyke, so we wanted to minimize the time he was complaining about being in the carseat. We left at 5:30am Saturday morning.

As always, everything needed to be done Friday night. I got maybe 2 hours of sleep (1am to 3am), but my wife stayed up all night getting things ready. Always a good idea to sleep very little before setting off on a 5 hour roadtrip.

Saturday

Joshua slept for only 2 hours or so, and woke up somewhere around southern NJ on the Turnpike. He didn't complain much then, but pretty much cried/complained about boredom through Delaware and Maryland. Somewhere in Maryland, we stopped three times-- once for him, for a Waffle House breakfast break, and finally for a baby break / diaper change. We got into Reston and Leesburg Virginia by noon or 1pm or something. I actually don't remember. You actually don't care that much. Glad that all worked out.

We were staying in Leesburg Virginia at Num's cousin Beeni's welcoming home for the entire weekend.

In the evening, we got all cleaned up, and drove over to Reston for the rehearsal dinner at the groom's family's home. His mother cooked for 125 people, both Indian (biryani, chicken curry, etc) and Western (you know, carved turkey, stuffing, etc.) Amazing. There was also cake and drinks and decorations all over.

The Delaware Memorial Bridge	Separates New Jersey & Delaware	2nd stop -- breakfast!	Yea! Num loves Waffle House	Hashbrowns. Grits. Who am I to judge?
Back on the road, little boy!
At the rehearsal dinner: with cousin Munni and her mom	With Munni's son Naveen and his grandma	A veritable feast for the masses	A beforementioned masses	Eh, us. I'm getting good with that one-handed self-portrait, eh?

Sunday

Sunday was basically all about the wedding at 4:30pm. You know, the whole point of the trip. However, I got some quality cycling time in that morning. Oh, that's right, I brought my bike! I've seen those wide great roads in Virginia, and always wondered great it would be to ride there. I figured, I'm free Sunday morning, right? I spoke to Beeni's husband Craig, and he told me about the nearby trail -- the Washington & Old Dominion trail. Virginia basically retired an obsolete railroad line, paved it, and turned it into a state park. Perfect for cycling, rollerblading, and jogging. I rode 18.5 miles from Leesburg to Reston, and then back again. I could have kept going, but I was worried about being late getting back, showering, dressing, etc., before the wedding.

In the evening, the wedding was at the Westfield Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia. I didn't get too many pictures. You know, the whole baby thing. :) The bride and her family is from Iowa, as were most of the bride's guests. I must say that I've never seen so many Iowans.

Look who's learning to sit upright	We call it "Still Life with Joshy"
The bike trail	Awesome	That's me	Dude, signage
Look at all the sitting!			Joshy getting dressed by his smokin' hot Mom
How did my wife make such a cute kid?			Marina & Katrina performed a dance	Cutting that cake
Who really enjoys this?	Remember all of the Iowans? Did you forget the "Electric Slide"?	Rami, Munni, Naveen	Now, with feeling	Kunjumol Aunty and Boboi
Ajit,Manju, and Tarina	It's not a wedding without a conga line	Cha-cha-cha

Monday

Monday was for relaxing, and then driving home. While Num got some sleep, Craig and I took Joshy for a walk around their neighborhood, walked a trail in the woods, went to an overlook over the Potomac River, and took Joshy to a playground for tots. Joshua liked the toddler swing.

Craig, Beeni, us, and all the kids, went to the local Bob Evans for lunch, and then we said good-bye to them. A brief visit to Kunjummol auntie's home, gassed up the car for $49.50, and off we went at 3:45pm.

On the way home, we stopped at my sister Julie's apartment for dinner, and got home around 10pm.

Marina, you are disgusting	Katrina, who couldn't finish her lunch	If you don't know by now, go visit another blog. Idiot.	Beeni and my son	Hmmm, I'm okay thanks, you can continue holding him
In tonight's performance, Mr. Cool will be played by Craig	Joshua surrounded by all the girls. It's the old Ipe charm at work. Don't be a hater!