A Sintos Celebration

Bryan, his mom and I spent the weekend in Chicago with the rains of Hurricane Ike and his large and loving Filipino family for his cousin's wedding. For a couple of nights we stayed with friends Ron and Marie and their border collie, Oreo--such a smart dog! (She's hearding Sintos)

We also visited with Shirley who had recently acquired a Cruzin' Cooler-it's literally a huge cooler on wheels. Marie and Shirley are two of the gals who used to work in Caron's grooming shop. Bryan grew up hanging around the shop, so this was the first of many reunions of the weekend. Marie challenged Bryan to a scooter race down the street--his was faster, but hers was safer.

I didn't want to look like I was heading to the next Talladega race, but I broke down and tried out the cooler and had fun cruizin' down the street---I may have even run the stop sign.

Lola, Auntie Vangie and me at the rehearsal dinner. Lola is the name for a Filipino grandmother and she is just as sweet as her name. The entire Sintos family was very welcoming.

Bryan's Lola got her degree in music just like him (although he begrudgingly went through the piano proficiency class and she played professionally)! Since Bryan has been to so many of my family gatherings it was so neat to see his family just hang out together at the rehearsal dinner held in the home of a close family friend. Piano playing, talking, laughing, good food and hugs all around--sounds like our cross-cultural families have some things in common:)

Bryan and his mom

Walking Lola into the wedding reception-lookin' sharp!

Delia and Samir-I didn't realize how important the wedding was and why it was such a family reunion until I learned Delia is the first grandchild of the Sintos family to marry. On the other hand, I'm an experienced wedding attender:)

Bryan Sintos and Guest