Category Archives: USA

Home sweet home. :)

Weekend in NYC: February 2020

Posted on February 15, 2020 | Leave a comment

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again. One of our favorite parts of living in Philadelphia is its close proximity to other world class cities. We love that New York City is less than 100 miles away and that we can hop a bus there for the weekend.

We stayed near Koreatown, so we opted for Korean BBQ for our first lunch!

View from our hotel room. Probably one of the most iconic views from a Springhill Suites, ever!

Our visit to the Empire State Building was cool. It was like a mini-museum before we took the elevator to the top for the views. I think Conrad enjoyed it as much as we did!

Enjoying the view from the observation deck.

And for dinner, a delicious meal from one of our London favorites: Burger & Lobster.

And what is a visit to NYC (with a pregnant lady) without a stop at Juniors for some cheesecake?

Checking out where we were just hours before!

This little guy was super excited for our main event of the day: a visit to the National Museum of Mathematics!

He didn’t slow down the entire time we were there!

Lots of cool exhibits–will be even better when he’s older.

After the largest tantrum of Conrad’s life (due to the fact we had to leave the Math Museum, we hopped over to nearby Eataly for some yummy pizza.

Back on the train home (this stranger would rather have a window seat and sit with the toddler he doesn’t know than switch for an aisle seat). Fine by me 🙂

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Posted in USA

2019 Year-in-Review

Posted on December 31, 2019 | Leave a comment

A lot happened in 2019! We traveled a TON but we also had lots of fun at home in Philly and on shorter weekend trips. All of that fun is documented here. See you in 2020–we’ll be adding another Candeto along for the ride 🙂

2019 was off to a cold start!
Conrad still loved Music Monkey Jungle and practicing his dance moves 🙂
Checking out the gorgeous collection of artwork at the Barnes Museum
And so it begins…Dad getting Conrad into video games!
Gong Xi Fa Cai! The lo hei was very scary this year…
Kisses for Mama 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Snow Day Tradition–IHOP in our PJs!
Mumsie and Grandaddy came to visit! Eating Italian Cream Cake to celebrate Mumsie’s birthday!
Party for the Market at Reading Terminal Market
Gelato…YUM!
A brewery with a playground inside…yes please!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Obsessed with all things Mickey. Especially Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!
WSET Level 2 Wine Course–passed with distinction!
This is the way we brush our teeth…
We’ve created a monster…ready for another adventure. Notice the hotel key collection on the floor.
Speak softly and carry a big stick
Playground time with Mama
All dressed up for Emily and John’s wedding in Virginia!
With the beautiful bride and her handsome groom
Candeto boys…
Spring has sprung!
It’s never too early to learn good shoe maintenance
Happy 2nd birthday, Conrad!
Wallace side of the family at the celebration!
Party hard, Conrad!
Celebrating his actual birthday with ice cream!
Contemplating his strategy at Soccer Shots
This boy loves to fly!
Blind Wine Tasting with some friends from the Wine Course
Uncle Steve and Aunt Lindsey came to live with us for the summer!!!! We had so much fun with them in town. They even got to cheer Conrad on at Soccer Shots!
Date Night! Thank you, Uncle Steve and Aunt Lindsey! 🙂
Parks on Tap with the Trosts!
After my birthday dinner!
The Wells Fargo Wagon is a comin’ down the street! A mini-museum less than a block from home 🙂
Celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary!
Lindsey and CB took a tour of City Hall. So. Cool.
We LOVE Uncle Steve!
Last Day of School!!!
Celebrating with Ice Cream at Franklin Fountain
Dani was in NJ at The Shore–so we got to see her and the kids!!!!
Bok Bar to celebrate Steve’s birthday!
Aunt Lindsey is SUPER fun. And up for anything 🙂
Exploring Philly!
Conrad for President!
Love these two!
Quick weekend in NYC!
Central Park Zoo!
One more pizza stop before we head home 🙂
Wants to be just like Dad!
Chloe and Conrad checking each other out…
Lucy and Jeremiah got married!!!! The lovely bride and handsome groom!
Wedding dress problems…and solutions 😉
Some of the Candeto fam!
The night before the first day of school–autumn of 2019.
This will be their album cover.
Apple Picking!
Navy Game with the family. So great to see our favorite Midshipman!
Fun on the playground with Tanner!
A downside of city living–fire alarms that get you our of bed at night.
More soccer!
Official Union League Induction
After our first family dinner at the Union League!
Playing in the fountain before the weather gets cold again…
Philly Boy
Happiness = Numbers
Guess what…we are having another BABY!!! 🙂
John had just returned from London. I may have kept my pregnancy a secret for almost a week, so I could tell him in person.
Playing in the puddles
Happy Halloween! Air Conrad ready for takeoff!
Thanksgiving! The family came to us this year 🙂
Road trip to see Patrick and Megan–Baby Boy Wallace will be with us soon!
Christmas tradition: A Christmas Carol at Macy’s. Conrad finds the animatronics creepy…
Candeto Christmas get-together in Richmond!
S’mores!
The whole family (minus Lucy and Jeremiah)
Holding my precious new nephew, William Boone, for the first time!
Christmas Eve Service at Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia. “Whoa, that was a big one”. “Another Music”. Conrad enjoyed the service!
Christmas Morning!
Love having Mumsie and Grandaddy with us for Christmas!
Uncle Projjal came to visit!
Building Tall Towers with Great!
He’s getting very good at spelling!
NYE Balloon Drop for Kids (at 7pm) 😉
That’s a wrap 2019! Here comes 2020!

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Posted in USA

Weekend in Boston, MA

Posted on November 15, 2019 | Leave a comment

One of our goals while living in Philadelphia is to explore the Northeastern USA while we have such easy access. So, we took a weekend and headed to Boston, MA! John hadn’t been since middle school and this was my (and Conrad’s) first time!

We enjoyed our time in Bean Town and learned that actually, Philadelphia and Boston have a lot in common. Both have strong histories dating back to the American Revolution, lots of green spaces, markets, and museums and a strong Italian immigrant history. It was so much fun to compare and contrast the two cities. And, of course, try all the food!

Making himself at home in our beautiful room at the Fairmont Copley Plaza!

First morning: a fireside breakfast. Yes, we did this EVERY morning 🙂

Beautiful pond in Boston Public Garden

Checking out the duck statues in honor of Make Way for Ducklings

First stop on the Freedom Trail: Massachusetts State House

Granary Burying Ground

Our fearless leader…

Quincy Market–the famous Boston Food Market. I have to say, Reading Terminal has this place beat hands down!

Fish and Chips at The Green Dragon Tavern, once frequented by Paul Revere! Conrad also threw up at this pub, meaning he got sick at one of the most historic pubs in America. Awesome 😉

Family photo!

In the square in front of the Old North Church: the launch point of Paul Revere’s famous ride

Checking out the church.

Inside of the church

At our final stop on the Freedom Trail: Copp’s Hill Burying Ground

Exterior of the Boston Public Library

What a beautiful place to read and study!

An morning round of Scrabble to start the day!

Riding the T on the way to a food tour of Boston’s North End!

First up: PIZZA!

Happy Mama!

Bobby (our AWESOME tour guide) passing our samples of balsamic vinegar. Bobby grew up in Boston’s North End and gave us an authentic feel for the history of the area. We even ran into his Mom while touring the area!

Polcari’s Coffee

The tour ended with a Boston treat: cannolis!

We all loved this cannoli (made with ricotta cheese)

Especially this little guy…

We got to meet the hotel puppy!

See ya, Boston!

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Wallace Family Holiday 2019: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware!

Posted on September 14, 2019 | Leave a comment

A couple of days after returning from our month-long stint in Asia, we headed to the beach for the Wallace Family Holiday! This year, we went to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware–an easy drive from both Philadelphia and Arlington, VA (where my brother and his wife live).

Prepping for our next journey. Jet lag is no joke… 😉

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware!

Taking a walk down the Boardwalk with Uncle Patty and Aunt Megan

Conrad LOVES his Mumsie!

Dinner at the Brewery! Almost everyone smiled…

Toddler in a Prosecco Box. We know how to party!

Back on the Boardwalk! Look out for the seagulls…

Mama and her boy!

Learning the art of Skee-ball…

…from a Skee-ball master!

Sweet boy at the beach!

Mumsie and her babydoll

He is getting so big…

#dadwin

Exploring the beach with Uncle Patty!

Toes in the sand, buckets in hand

So happy in the ocean!

Jumping “so high”!

Playing ball with Great. She is very good at it!

Octopuses everywhere!

On a ride at the carnival!

Despite the look on his face, he actually enjoyed the carousel.

More ball with Great on our last morning at the beach!

Conrad is DONE. He couldn’t even keep his head up at Shake Shack…

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Posted in USA

California Wine Country

Posted on June 1, 2019 | Leave a comment

John was in San Francisco the workweek before Memorial Day weekend. He called me early in the week and asked “How about wine country with the Delks this weekend?” YES PLEASE!!! So, thankfully, I found some flights that worked for Conrad and me to fly out on Friday afternoon. I picked the little guy up from preschool and off we went to California!

6 hour flight–just the two of us 🙂

It may be after midnight on the East Coast, but this guy is ready to party!

Early morning exploring San Francisco before heading north to Sonoma!

Wet met our friends, the Delks, in Sonoma at the gorgeous Scribe Winery. They are members so we had access to the most beautiful scenic hill overlooking their vineyards.

Yummy lunch. Food from local artisans and farms.

The first of many excellent vinos that weekend.

The boys really enjoyed the picnic!

The Delks!

Loving Wine Country so far!

Conrad decided to explore the vineyards

Matching boys at a coffee shop!

Another vineyard (Medlock Ames)–more exploration!

A good Sauvignon Blanc!

Conrad and Wes inventing their own rules to bocce ball.

Then it rained! And we found shelter under a tent with holes. But we survived 🙂

The Delks and the Candetos!

At the beautiful Stonestreet Winery

This city boy is SO HAPPY!

And so is his Mama 🙂

Final stop of the day: Russian River Brewing Company. Home of Pliny the Elder

Our last morning, we went to what turned out to be my favorite winery of the trip: Two Shepherds Winery. Two Shepherds focuses on uncommon Rhône varieties and produces wine with minimal intervention–really allowing the grapes to shine. I LOVED it. So much, that we became members of their Wine Club. And we had a box of 12 wines to check on the airplane for our flight home. Plus they were really sweet to the boys, allowing them to draw with chalk all over their warehouse floor.

Drawing amongst the barrels

Wine bottle connoisseur

Learning from William. His passion is contagious!

Giving the boys some well-earned playtime in downtown Sonoma

They became fast friends.

Before catching the redeye home to Philly, we hit up the AMEX Lounge in the San Francisco Airport. My favorite part: the wine tasting section. AMAZING.

I haven’t seen this girl in over 10 years! Such a wonderful surprise to get to see Courtney in California! Hope we can spend more time together soon!

Redeye home to Philly. Someone was asleep before take off. #parentingwin

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Mission Wedding Dress: Candeto Sisters’ Weekend in NYC!

Posted on February 10, 2019 | Leave a comment

Jeremiah (Lucy’s boyfriend) proposed to Lucy (John’s sister) on New Year’s Eve 2018. With a wedding date set for July, we wanted to find a dress ASAP. What better place to find a beautiful dress than NYC? So…the Candeto sisters decided to hit the town!

First night: Rockefeller Center

Our trip was during a delightful polar vortex: 14 F (-10 C)

Times Square with the beautiful bride-to-be!

Caroline (John’s other sister) lives in Japan and traveled across the world to surprise Lucy! We had to keep Lucy out of the hotel (in single digit temps) to avoid spoiling the surprise. Such a difficult secret to keep, but so worth it!

Surprise! I LOVE their expressions in this one…

The primary focus of our next day…wedding dress shopping!

The bride-to-be before trying on the first dress!

Post wedding dress bagels and lox at Sadelles. So. Good.

Next stop: DO for edible cookie dough!

This became our mantra for the weekend: Let’s Dough This!

We made it to the main event: Kleinfeld!

Randy was even there!

Selfie time! He’s done this before…

Post Wedding Dress Shopping Refreshment

Sisters!

Sisters-in law!

Getting our nails done in a bar! $10 for a manicure and a drink–you can’t beat that!

Topping off an awesome day with dinner at Juniors in Times Square!

The next morning, Lucy made her final decision so we headed back to Kleinfeld to “Say Yes to the Dress”!!!

*Since the wedding happened, I can share these pics* Sisters with the Bride and her dress!

Yes she did!

The actual moment…

Next stop: Milk Bar for Cereal Milk Soft Serve

After a quick change and some shopping, we had Tea at the Plaza!

Happy girls!

Celebrating our bride-to-be in NYC!

It was COOOOOLLLLDDDD!

Seeing Pretty Woman on Broadway!

We topped our evening with a trip to Ellen’s Stardust Diner

After two jam-packed days, we did a little shopping the next morning before heading our separate ways. What a special weekend celebrating our bride-to-be. AND we found the dress!!! Can’t wait to until the wedding! 🙂

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Posted in USA

2018 Year-in-Review

Posted on December 31, 2018 | Leave a comment

LONG POST ALERT: As much as we love to travel (and you know we LOVE to travel) life is pretty amazing right here in Philadelphia. The blog for 2018 wouldn’t be complete without recording some memorable moments from everyday life at home where we spend most of our time. 2018 was our first full year here and we are thankful for it!

Here are some photos from life in Philly that didn’t fit into the other blog entries:

Ringing in 2018 with Projjal and Hilary. Conrad went straight to bed after this was taken.

New Year’s Day 2018! Ready for the Mummers’ Parade at the Union League.

Standing outside for 30 seconds in single digit temps. Conrad was not pleased.

Right after Dada got home from a business trip. So sweet!

Conrad’s Baptism at Tenth Presbyterian Church

Family at Conrad’s Baptism

Party for the Market (Reading Terminal Market) 2018

Conrad’s first time eating spaghetti. It was a hit!

Checking out the Terracotta Warriors at the Franklin Institute

Just before Conrad’s (minor) surgery. Everything went great!

Snow on the first day of spring!

Philadelphia Zoo!

Conrad does not like the Easter Bunny. Honestly, I don’t blame him. This one is kind of creepy.

Lucy came for Easter! This was at the sunrise service in Rittenhouse Square.

Conrad loves his bunny! Thank you, Great and Papaw!

We taught Conrad how to toast. This is our favorite baby trick to date…

Story time at the Philadelphia City Institute (Free Library)

The whole gang in Kentucky for Kaitlyn and Matt’s wedding!

Megan’s bachelorette weekend in Virginia Wine Country

We went out to eat. A lot. 🙂

Family Photos! Photo credit: Berridge Photography

Outdoor Story Time!

Dada hung the moon!

We also spent a lot of time playing in fountains…

Finley (and her family) came to visit!

Music Monkey Jungle with Katie and Finn!

Our 10th Wedding Anniversary: Vetri Cucina. AMAZING.

Megan’s Bridal Shower in Washington, DC!

Mumsie came back to Philly on the train after the bridal shower and got into a fight with a Philadelphia sidewalk. The sidewalk won.

Conrad’s first (American) baseball game! Go Phillies!

We also spent a lot of time at the playground. The swing is the current favorite!

Celebrating the 4th of July where it all began!

Simple pleasure: watermelon 🙂

Roof wine after the baby goes to bed. Loving city life!

Swimming!

And more fountains…

No fear of water…

More swinging!

Conrad got into preschool! Spanish immersion preschool!

Post work fountain hopping!

Conrad learned to walk!

We picnicked at the Rodin Museum

Swam in the Logan Square Fountain

Shopped at Reading Terminal Market (frequently)

And played in the fountains some more.

Conrad got many haircuts (his hair grows freakishly fast)

What a beautiful hotel key mosaic!

One of our favorite movies live on stage at the Walnut Street Theater (the oldest theater in America)

My boys!

Being millennial parents…

More Music Monkey Jungle!

Boo at the Zoo 2018

I made Conrad’s costume! Not bad for a glass of wine and a glue gun 😉

So many cuddles…

First Day of School!

Trick or Treating in Society Hill

Doing our civic duty

We LOVE Miss Corliss!

Toddler attitude beginning to emerge…

Always learning what a big deal Wawa is in Philly. This was a street parade to celebrate a store opening

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Sending a letter to Santa…

…even though he is terrified by him.

Feliz Navidad!

2018 is in the books. Thankful for a great year with family and friends and getting to watch our little boy grow. Thanks so much for reading and keeping up with our family 🙂

Look out 2019, we are coming for you! Carpe Diem!

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Posted in USA

Christmas in Kentucky 2018

Posted on December 27, 2018 | Leave a comment

For Christmas this year, we headed to Kentucky!

Here we go!

We are having some bad travel luck lately…upon arriving in Louisville, two of our suitcases (the ones belonging to John and me) were missing. After A LOT of calling the airline, airport police, etc. it turns out our bags were stolen. They didn’t even make it to the baggage carousel–they were placed in front of the baggage office then swiftly picked up by someone who took them to their car and drove off…

John and I were flying to India on New Year’s Eve to celebrate a dear friend’s (Rev’s) wedding! Everything we needed for the wedding and our trip was in those suitcases! Thanks to family, friends, and Rent the Runway, we were able to shop, borrow, and rent ourselves a wardrobe for the trip. Thank you to EVERYONE who helped us out!

In the mean time, it was Christmas…

A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre in Louisville…

We have been taking this photo for 20 years…love these ladies!

The whole crew at Rumors. Love this tradition!

Christmas Eve lunch with my sweet boy!

Patty and Megan at the Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church Shelbyville…

This kid was so well behaved during the service!

Christmas Eve flowers from John…a tradition from 2005.. He sent me a dozen roses on Christmas Eve before our first date in January 🙂

Merry Christmas from our little family!

The Night Before Christmas–a family tradition!

This is probably one of my favorite videos. Ever.

Christmas morning! Conrad with his snowballs…

Merry Christmas, sweet boy!

SUCH a fun age!

All the ladies at Christmas!

Dinner with the Kuhns–all six of them! Baby Kuhn will soon be with us! 🙂

This picture is amazing for so many reasons…

Thankful for a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!!! Next, onward to India! 🙂

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Posted in USA

Pittsburgh, Kentucky, and West Virginia: Thanksgiving Road Trip 2018

Posted on December 4, 2018 | Leave a comment

For Thanksgiving this year, we decided to road trip from Philadelphia to Kentucky and back. We stopped in Pittsburgh on the way to see Lucy and her boyfriend Jeremiah. And on the way home, we stopped in Charleston, WV.

Some trips go flawlessly. Other trips, everything seems to go wrong. This was the latter…

Pittsburgh bound!

The drive from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh (Beaver, PA specifically) is about 5.5 hours down the Pennsylvania Turnpike. About halfway there, I got sick into a Ziploc bag on multiple occasions while driving down the highway. I was so ill, my 18-month-old was actually rubbing my back as we drove. Needless to say I spent the next 24 hours in the hotel room. Fortunately, I felt better the next evening and was able to go to Jeremiah’s parents’ home to meet them and spend some time with their family.

Pizza with Jeremiah and Lucy!

Jeremiah is an extremely talented pianist. He graciously let Conrad in on the action…

Conrad loved it!

John and Conrad took a swim before we hit the road again…

The diner for breakfast!

Upon reaching Kentucky, John actually ended up getting sick. He felt better within a couple of days. And, we took Conrad to the doctor, and he was diagnosed with an ear infection. Seriously?!?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Unfortunately, all of the sickness in the house meant my grandparents could not join us as my grandfather had just undergone radiation treatment for cancer and had a compromised immune system. Good thing they didn’t make the journey as the illness seemed to be spreading…Mumsie came down with something on Thanksgiving morning…

The boys playing on Thanksgiving while I cooked…

Carving the turkey…we are going to have a lot of leftovers…

Taking Thanksgiving as a personal challenge…

Our Thanksgiving dinner crew…

After Thanksgiving, we hit the road. First stop: Charleston, WV!

Tired boy at dinner!

Exploring Capitol Market on our way out of town…

Conrad had a GREAT time 🙂

O Christmas Tree!

The last leg of our road trip was absolutely miserable. It snowed in the mountains of Maryland and then we basically followed a system that was producing torrential rain all the way into Philly. John had to avoid flooded roads on multiple occasions. Thankfully we made it back safe and sound.

Like a postcard…but not the whole story.

Even though it was basically the road trip from hell, we are thankful we got to spend the holiday week with family! And, that we survived! 🙂

Thanks for reading!

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Posted in USA

NYC: November 2018

Posted on December 1, 2018 | Leave a comment

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: one of my favorite things about living in Philly is its close proximity to other iconic American cities like NYC. It’s so easy to take a weekend trip!

On the Amtrak reading up on our destination

Beautiful NYC!

My boys in sunny Times Square!

Conrad walking down the streets of NYC

Room with a view (and a little Put Me In The Zoo)

Love Kate Spade. And love the window installation.

John and I were fortunate to go on a date night to dinner at Union Square Cafe and to see My Fair Lady on Broadway. A massive THANK YOU to Emily and John for watching our little guy while we had a night on the town.

Dinner at Union Square Cafe

Dessert

My Fair Lady is one of our favorite musicals and is even more special having lived in London. We used to sing the music to Conrad to calm him. This revival did not disappoint!