A Labor of Love

A few words spoken rewards the thankless without expectation. The diaper changes, the sibling rivalry and the constant attention to every wanton need wanes with a simple baby babble of "Hi, DaDa!". In this family, Labor Day celebrates achievement in milestones.



The hours of preparation by my beloved wife honors the memory of marinated Pinchos of Puerto Rico. Sliced pork seasoned and skewered like Filipino kabobs over flame pleasures the palate and numbs parental headaches of child upbringing. Sounds like good medicine to me!



Growing up is hard to do these days. Academic expectations are higher and more demanding from school and parents. Homework, tests, projects and more homework can seem overwhelming to little minds with big hearts. Madeline and Jude, keep up the good school work and it will all make sense when you are adults.



Parental patience burns faster than marshmallows roasted over an open flame without adult supervision. Add a little Hershey's chocolate sandwiched between two crispy graham crackers, you have yourself a potentially sweet s'mores meltdown. Can somebody please pass "some more" virtue?



Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer but not in this household. Family trips to the beach for sunset strolls and sandy swim sessions last until the cooler weather arrives for two more months. Two very very long months of more Florida heat and humidity...



Almost 18 months old and counting for my baby daughter Serena this Labor Day Weekend. Your spoken words are growing and adorable to parental ears. The bursting charm and cuteness are as big as your never ending appetite for cheeseburgers in paradise.



You can view more corn cobs and pics in my Labor Day Weekend 2012 Gallery shot with the Canon EOS Rebel T4i/650D paired with the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens.



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The Island of Enchantment

A flight distance of 1237 miles and just over 4 digits on the rental car odometer filled my family's Caribbean travel log to the Common Wealth of Puerto Rico this summer. The tropical lure of this enchanted island fancied the Conquistadors of Spain of year's past and ultimately the imperial forces of the United States. Strategic importance and global conflict gave way to sun, sand and lechonara on this family vacation.



Imagine a small Puerto Rican inland town dedicated to the art of roasted swine. The crowded streets are lined with crispy lechonara, quite literally! Guavate is ground zero for succulent pig charred over coal and gas flame until the layers of crackling skin just melt in your mouth. The 2.5 hour mountainous drive from Fajardo to Guavate satisfied our family motto, "Live to Eat".



Swim, eat, see some sights and swim again played like a broken record this trip. The kids grew flippers and gills. The parents increased waist size and lost patience with Puerto Rican driving habits.



In between the eating, swimming and defensive driving, I actually shot some video of the natural wonders of Puerto Rico. Finally, on our second consecutive 2.5 hour drive to Arecibo, we made the afternoon tour of the Rio Camuy Caverns. With tripod in hand, I managed to capture the dark caves at ISO 12800 despite the slippery terrain and pitch black conditions. I was using my Apple iPhone 4S video light to guide me through the dark abyss.



Over 100 steps up the Yokahu Tower in El Yunque Rain Forest, we could see endless amounts of green all the way to the coastline. I really mean endless fast food franchises and strip malls as far as the eye can see.



Beware foreign invaders of a precious smile and cute kankles behind the walls of Fort San Felipe del Morro. My almost 18 month baby daughter has the power of spoken mimicry and a demanding bottomless appetite to wear down the patience of any worthy opponent. She is an adorable weapon of mass destruction.



For hours of fun for restless kids, go fly a kite in endless rolling hills of San Juan. Tropical breezes give life to $2 plastic and string aircraft that soar to new heights. Take note, parking cost more than the kite itself but the moments are priceless.



I think only Facebook and Pinterest come before my wife's favorite juice sipped out of a fresh coconut. Of course, the fruity libation was photographed, posted and liked on Facebook via her Apple iPhone 4S in a Puerto Rican minute.



You can view more of the Puerto Rican experience in my Puerto Rico 2012 Gallery shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III paired with Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS and EF 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses.



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