Keeping with tradition we went to my parents house to watch the parade in town.  They are right along the parade route and have been having breakfast at their house for several years prior to the festivities.

Afterwards we went over to the park for the fair to see a few people and then up to Susan’s mom’s house for the afternoon.

It was a fun day, but I am tired!!!

-Allen

OK.  I get it now. 

I am going to do my best to never be away for another father’s day, unless it is with my dad.  Today was a great day!  My dad and I did a few errands and hung out with Aidan.

Afterwards, we went for dinner with Tommy.

Happy Father’s Day!

-Allen

P.S.  Happy Birthday to my cousin Pete too!

Today was Susan’s first Mother’s Day. 

My friend Brian told me before Aidan was born that I would finally understand why Mother’s and Father’s Day is so important.  I have to say Bri, you were absolutely right!  Of course, I am sure I will find out even more in about a month. 

We went to Susan’s mom’s for brunch and my mom’s for dinner.  It was a fun, but busy day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out their!

-Allen

Several weeks ago, I received an e-mail from an online travel guide Schmap regarding one of my photos on Flickr.  They wanted to use a picture that I took from our honeymoon of Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.  I was notified that I was a finalist for their guide and that I would here back in a few weeks.  Well about a week ago, I heard back and my photo has been published!!

You can see the picture here:
http://www.schmap.com/sydney/introduction_history/#p=73426&i=73426_64.jpg

I don’t get any compensation for this (which is fine by me), but they put my name on their site.

Full details are below.

———————————-

From: Emma J. Williams Emma Williams

Subject:  Schmap Sydney Seventh Edition: Photo Inclusion

Hi Allen,

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released seventh edition of our Schmap Sydney Guide:

Bondi Beach
www.schmap.com/sydney/introduction_history/p=73426/i=73426_64.jpg

If you use an iPhone or iPod touch, then this same link will take you directly to your photo in the iPhone version of our guide. On a desktop computer, you can still see exactly how your photo is displayed and credited in the iPhone version of our guide at:

Bondi Beach
www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=sydney&sid=introduction_history&p=73426&i=73426_64

Finally, if you have a blog, you might also like to check out the customizable widgetized version of our Schmap Sydney Guide, complete with your published photo:
www.schmap.com/guidewidgets/p=10356358N02/c=SK50012035

Thanks so much for letting us include your photo – please enjoy the guide!

Best regards,
Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides
www.schmap.me/emma.williams

———————————-

-Allen

With the weather being incredible, we decided to take a short road trip to the New Jersey Botanical Gardens.  Susan and I hadn’t been there in 3 years.  We packed up Aidan (and all of his gear) and along with Michael, we headed to Ringwood.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit the botanical gardens, I would highly recommend it.  Weekend visits are free before Memorial Day.  Weekdays are free year round.

All of the photos can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanandallen/sets/72157617281062215/

If you wonder why you can’t get to the pictures, check out:
http://blog.susanandallen.com/blog/2009/04/01/how-to-use-flickr-to-view-our-photos/

-Allen