Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021!

13 days into the new year and I'm now saying goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021. Unfortunately this will be another pandemic year. Not too much has happened since the new year began except for zoom school resuming again. I still get my days mixed up but somehow still find a way to balance on how to deal with life and kids each day. One day at a time right? On thing that gets me through it all is my faith in God and not taking the little things for granted. I know I have learned a lot this past year. For example, not being afraid of the unknown. Not sheltering myself from the outside world. Having a husband who is a city driver for UPS helped me become fearless and somewhat jaded in ways where I was not thinking too much about Covid. I know it's still here and every time we'd go out we are careful and extremely cautious of our surroundings as to who we associate with within six feet. But to be honest, 2020 wasn't so bad to our family. We learned to face the pandemic and found ways to serve one another. Even when the kids started zoom school. 

May All Our Confetti Wishes Come True!

 

It's hard to believe that the year has pretty much come to an end. This year has certainly been an emotional one filled with highs and a zillion lows but I know this. We can be optimistic on what the new year brings and remember all the wishes that were made while writing them down on confetti paper. So thankful for this moment knowing that NYC went through so much at the beginning of the pandemic. Here's to better times in the new year and for all our wishes to come true! Thank you Times Square for making it possible for everyone all over the country to make a wish. We may not be present when the ball drops but we know that all our dreams, desires, and wish will be floating in the air in hopes that miracles and dreams will come true! Happy New Year's Eve everyone! 

Enjoying The Festive Season While It Lasts!

Living in an area where there is so much to see and do especially during the holidays is so much fun but time to see it all is not going to be on our side. Time we won't have which is fine because this year was definitely the year to simplify and to not pack so much into our holiday schedule. Luckily we live 40 minutes aways from the shore where there are tons of beaches to go to and we happened to find ourselves at Normandy beach the other day (not the one in France by the way.) There's something about going to the beach in the winter time that is so relaxing. Wearing warm clothes, and hearing the sounds of the waves with no people in sight is a wonderful thing. We came at the right time where we were completely alone and second avenue was secluded. This Christmas tree filled with seashells that people wrote wishes on was a beautiful sight and we managed to hang one up in remembrance of 2020. 

Dyker Heights Lights 2020!

This year the lights at Dyker Lights were minimum. Minimum enough where the streets weren't too crowded and instead of spending close to two hours looking at four streets filled with lights it only took us 45 minutes. The weather was perfect and it was so nice seeing some of the same homes decorated. This year we took our time waling down every street to find the most epic homes lit up and there quite a few. Here are a few favorites from this year that have always been decorated from years past and you can see our past visits at Dyker heights here and here. 

Hudson Yards At Christmas.

So here I go going a bit backwards again on this blog of mine to catch up on some of our adventures since the holiday season began. Maybe it's because of COVID and the fact that I've been getting my days mixed up or the fact that typing is becoming a bit too much for my back and wrists. Or maybe it's because I need to buy a better chair instead of sitting on this five dollar wooden one that I've had for five years. Or perhaps it's the fact that I'm just getting up there in age. As much as I love to journal and type my life on this little space on the net and take pictures my hands and wrists have become sore after a long period of typing which explains less posts a month. Nonetheless I am going to try to document the important milestones in life and the rest you can view on my Instagram page which is where I've been hanging out a lot lately. It's easier and painless because I have less typing to do! So for the time being for those that continue to take a peek in on my blog what you see is what you get!

This post will consist of the second time going to see the lights at Hudson Yards. This place is a must during the holidays and it was so "lit" that we had to go again. You can see our photos from our first visit here. 

Snow Day In Central Park!

It's been about a week and a half since we had our snow day and I can't even begin to tell you how relieving it was for all of us to let out some stress by having a snowball fight and just simply being outside. Although we live on the other side of the river, we don't have a backyard so coming to central park on a snow day sounded like the perfect solution of what has been a long and icky year! We love it here and feel like as if New York is a already a part of us. We frequent here pretty much every weekend and can't get enough of the city. There  were so many families and tons of kids sledding and building a snowman and just having a grand time. We were all social distanced which made it safe. Sure cases of the virus are increasing here, and there and everywhere in the country but at least this city has major guidelines and the majority of New Yorkers pretty much follow regulations. It's the tourists that don't! Anyway, it was nice to get out of our little apartment and come to this wonderful park that is a substitute for the backyard we don't have! Now for a few photos...

Noah's Final Year Of Primary.

I can't believe how quickly the past 11 years have flown. It seems as if he was in nursery yesterday singing and doing the hand motions to the primary songs "popcorn popping on an apricot tree, and "The wise man and the foolish man." As much as I don't want him to tower me it's so exciting to watch him spiritually grow and make decisions on his own and to choose things to do on his own motive. As he got older he didn't like singing too much at church but just informed Chelsea and I that he will join the choir once he begins middle school. He has such a nice voice and has many talents. He is excited to be in Sunday school with the "older kids" next year and to be able to pass sacrament to the congregation. My baby boy is no longer a big kid but a young man. I look forward to what the future brings for him, but for now I am enjoying all the moments I have with him on the daily. One thing for sure is that no matter how old he gets, he will always be my one and only baby boy! 

More NYC Scenes At Christmas!

As promised here are more scenes and holiday decor from my favorite city. I absolutely love this time of year and as much as we are tempted to live here it would be amazing especially since rent costs are constantly getting lower, but it's all up to Jon's job and I don't think they want to lose one of their best drivers in Jersey! Anyway here are a few more photos. There is still so much to see and do around the holidays, and after Christmas. I wrote this blog post last year and listed some of the fun places to go during Christmas. It truly is a magical city this time of year!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

It's hard to get a family photo these days with our two adult children away at school on on a church mission but luckily we were all together earlier this year to take this photo before the pandemic hit. It's the most wonderful time of a crazy year that's for sure. However, I'm so grateful that 2020 ends on a high note by spreading joy, giving, kindness and love. And the highest note of all-The Christ child. We pray for peace, and major optimism that next year all or troubles will be miles away! Merriest Christmas from the Jorgensens! 

Radio City, The Rockefeller Tree, & All Things Christ-masy!

I'm telling you...New York at Christmas does not disappoint. I take way too many photos when I come here, and it has been nice coming to the city without it being so crowded. I am grateful to those who have stayed in their own state and not traveling here which makes the risk of the virus less contagious but unfortunately there will be tourists coming here which makes it unsafe for them if they don't quarantine or wear  a mask (which I've seen quite a few not wearing any already) but nonetheless we are careful when we are out and about and major social distance while taking photos. We only slide our mask down under our chin while snapping a quick pic! And here's our favorite venue Radio City. We will miss seeing the Rockettes this year but hope they will return next year to continue this tradition. 

Fifth Avenue At Christmas!

As promised here are more scenes and holiday decor from my favorite city. I absolutely love this time of year and as much as we are tempted to live here it would be amazing especially since rent costs are constantly getting lower, but it's all up to Jon's job and I don't think they want to lose one of their best drivers in Jersey! Anyway here are a few more photos. There is still so much to see and do around the holidays. I wrote this blog post last year and listed some of the fun places to go during Christmas. It truly is a magical city at Christmas!

These are scenes from fifh avenue. This year fifth avenue put up these huge toy decorations and they light up at night. Even though Noah is 11 he still found them entertaining and didn't mind getting in the pictures. After all...they are New York!