Here and There, Out and About in NJ

When one very rarely sees one's family, it is good practice to make the most of the time one has with them.

Hence, while in NJ over the holidays, there was a bit of here and there-ing, a bit of out and about-ing, with the express purpose of making a few moments meld into memories.

There was lunch at the China Buffet one afternoon

with Aunt Nancy and this lady, 

followed by a little concert for all of her friends.

There was re-claiming of traditions on New Years' Day,

 with lounging about and eating the fanciest of hor d'oeuvres,

watching old family videos of years gone by.

There was precious time with this little one and her parents,

 as she welcomed me on New Years' Night,

 and attempted to figure out what she actually thought of me...

Her Christmas present-- 

 arriving late in the mail--

 made for some fun adventures,

 as we sent those animals down the chute,

and had ourselves a rocking good time.

There was a shopping day with this dear mother,

 including Bobby Flay burgers

and odd oogly fish.

We closed out the day 

  with a snowy adventure,

tucked inside of Dad's truck,

bracing ourselves through the wind and snowily silent beauty,

in order to take in a movie.

But then, after many sweet moments,

[such as turning the corner to see this man, my dissertation on his lap, his appearance as if dead]

moments of here and there, and out and about,

it was time to say good-bye, until next time!