While in Boston...

My grandmother passed away on Sunday, May 3rd at 6am. There was little time to mourn, as plans were made for a wake and funeral in Boston later that week. I had been in Tampa with my family the whole week before, so once she passed and we had made sure everything was set on our end (my Aunt had to return to Boston, my grandmother's body had to be flown to Boston, etc.), we left for home. A day to unpack, do laundry, try get a grasp on all the housework, then pack up again. Luckily, my brother-in-laws parents in Tampa agreed to watch Katelyn and Brady from Tues-Sunday, so I packed them up on Tues. afternoon and off we went. Brady was STARVING once we arrived and was a real bear, then he refused the bottle from Mom Salo, only taking it from me and Katelyn was running scared from their new kitten. I knew I had to leave them (and knew they were in EXCELLENT hands), but I felt bad with them both crying. Bryan and I flew to Boston the next morning and met my sisters in the avis parking lot, ready to rent our 12 person van!! It was HUGE! But accomplished the goal of fitting all of us and our luggage inside. We all used hotel points to stay at local hotels (thank goodness!! Big $$$ saved!). Our family held the wake/viewing from 7-9pm on Wed, then again 4-8pm on Thurs., then the very sad funeral (worst day by far) on Friday with a catholic mass and then the burial at the National Cemetary in Bourne (Cape Cod). She is right next to my grandpa. One thing to note: Bourne is a good hour's drive from Boston. While we were at the cemetery, we wanted to pay our respects to Grandpa and see where he was laid to rest. They asked us not to go there, as the hole for grandma's grave had already been dug next to his grave. We drove around looking for his grave site and found it, just as they were lowering my grandmother's casket into that hole: NOT meant for our eyes and it was v. disturbing.

While we were in Boston for 4 nights, we did have some time to enjoy our hometown. Here are some memories:

Our favorite ice cream place...located on a working dairy farm, can't get fresher ice cream!! Good stuff!! Personal fave is the m&m ice cream.


After doing a drive-by of our old houses, we stopped at my dad's favorite place, Cristo's in Brockton. Excellent greek salads and pizza!! And hasn't changed at all...stuck in the 70s! This was also a favorite place of my grandparents.

After day 2 of the wake, we went to my uncle's restaurant in Savin Hill, C.F. Donovan's. I'm not just saying this because my uncle owns it, but the food here is AWESOME!! Highly recommend it! Our old neighbor, Timmy McGann stopped by for a few drinks.

The back of our 12 passenger van on our way home from the burial.

Ali, me, Michelle, our cousin Kimmy, and Jenny after the funeral.

My dad and his best childhood friend Jimmy. Funny guy with tons of outrageous stories...what a life he's lead!

Making a toast to my grandma...we all had her favorite drink, a manhattan (yuck!).

The family gathers round for the toast. Manhattan's in hand.

My grandmother started really losing her memory around the time of our engagement party, in June 2000. At that party, my grandmother kept calling Bryan "Keith" because she kept thinking Bryan was my second cousin Keith (why would she think I'm marrying my 2nd cousin???). So, here's Keith and Bryan...think they look alike???

Touring the Sam Adams brewery just outside of Boston. free tour. free beer. good times.

Jenny and Michelle at Fanuel Hall in Boston.

Last night with the cousins on a mini-bar crawl near fanuel hall.