Albany for lunch

Jim and I have a tradition with our Aunt D., who lives in Buffalo. A couple of times a year, we meet in Albany (D. takes the train and we drive) and we go out to lunch. Albany is not exactly half-way, but it sort of feels like it is, since it's right on the New York - Mass. border. We always go to the Albany Pump Station, a brewery and restaurant. It's a nice, open space with good food and service. We eat lunch, then we go back to the train station and visit. We've been known to play some cards, drink hot chocolate, or just sit and talk. Then D. gets on the next train back to Buffalo and we head back to Boston.  It's the closest we get to dropping in on family for lunch, but still being able to go home at the end of the day.

Today we continued the tradition with Annika. We met D. in Albany around noon, went to lunch, then visited at the train station til she had to go home. Here are Jim, D., and Annie in front of the Pump Station after lunch:

 

It was a lot of fun. Annie really enjoyed seeing D., and D. was very excited to see Annie.  The car ride was a new experience too.  It was her first long car ride in the new car seat (I think we need to make a few adjustments). But more significantly, Annie is more and more aware of her surroundings. She initiated a game of peek-a-boo during the car ride home - the first time she's done that with me! But she was impatient to be in her car seat. She'd rather be bouncing on Mama's lap.  Then she exerted her independence before bed by refusing to take her bottle! 

Tomorrow we may go to the Rhode Island Flower Show, and we're having friends over for dinner in the evening. Why do weekends go so quickly??