Sweet 16 & 21 in 2021!

Well, here we are nearing the end of January and I am now just blogging about two of my girls milestone birthdays. I wish I had the desire to blog more but as I've written in previous blog posts Instagram has taken over that part of my writing. Not only does my back start hurting after sitting down for a long period of time but I'm also beginning to value my time even more now. Sure the fact that my kids are still doing remote school has something to do with it and because of Noah being in my room all day for school my personal space is very limited. I also don't want to constantly be in front of the computer too much either. It hurts my eyes and I don't want my eyesight to get any worse than it already is. So there are my excuses as to why I only have a couple blog posts this month!

A Farewell To The Summer Of 2020.

Although the summer of 2020 was not what we were expecting and just downright bizarre, I'm still a bit sad to see it go. But we made it work. We made it to the woods in Maine, and to the beaches of New England. We made it to the Jersey shore and spent simple moments outdoors as a family. We made it to the drive in theater and made numerous trips in the city that was once the epic center of the virus. Spent time in Dumbo and ate ice cream, shake shack, and Juliana's pizza. And the times we went the lines weren't long! Such meaningful and wonderful moments that will be etched in my mind for always. I do look forward to fall and hope for the best this season, but in some weird way summer of 2020 will always be remembered. Always. 

Here are a few photos from a bit of summer spent in one of my favorite spots in Brooklyn. They had a really cool installation in Brooklyn bridge park which is a reverberation bell which indicates that by pulling it summer is ending. 

Simple Summer Moments In Brooklyn.

Our love for the city continues to grow especially in Dumbo and after being away from her for three weeks we couldn't stay away. Especially during the summer. Oh summer in the city. No matter how sticky our clothes get on our backs while wearing masks in 98 degree weather doesn't seem to bother us anymore. And we don't mind. We don't mind because we know this is how New York is healing. We don't mind because we know it's what saved thousands of people including us. We know it's what's going to continue to keep us safe. She is thriving under the sun trying hard to breath with us. She may never be the same again. Ever. But I know that she is slowly surging just like the New Yorkers that surround her. 

Spending the day in Brooklyn with the kids yesterday was the best. Everything about that day was meant to be. Ice cream cones and root beer floats. Facetiming with Lexie whilst sitting on a bench at Brooklyn Bridge park where she can see the views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. And although it brought a little bit of homesickness to her face she was happy. Happy that we continue to thrive as humans just as New York does. Happy that nothing stops us from coming to the city and doing the things we love. Happy because she sees us filled with joy and seeing Noah being the typical little bro that he is always brings a smile to her face. And she laughs. We are so happy for these simple moments that we had all while keeping our distance and being safe. Summers in Dumbo is all we need to keep these kids smiling. 

Even while wearing a mask....

Snippets From September!

There are days when I'd rather put pen to paper and write about my day or post little captions underneath a tiny square photo on my Instagram page rather than sit in front of a computer editing my photos, and write until my eyes or my wrists ache which is why I haven't been blogging as much. However, I did want to document some of our fun adventures during my birthday month. So much happened in September that I neglected this small space on the net but I did capture a lot of moments and posted them on my Instagram because that honestly just seems simpler and easier to do these days. 

A Walk Along The Brooklyn Bridge.

I love spending time with my kids, and that's probably why I enjoy motherhood more than a day job, and why I decided to be a stay at home mom instead of a working girl. I love that I am able to do many things with my kids especially when one comes home for winter break from college. If I was still working long hours in the day you can bet that my boss wouldn't let me have two weeks off to spend with my kid! 

A Day in Dumbo, & A Lot Of Art.

If you want to have fun, eat good food, go to a flea market, and see some art installations in Brooklyn Dumbo is the place to go. We love this place because it exposes our kids to culture, and art. Not only do we have fun at the park, riding the carousel, and Noah scooting all over Brooklyn bridge park on his scooter, but everywhere you go there is bound to be a work of art in your midst. 

Sunday in Dumbo & The Brooklyn Flea Market!

Having the Ross's visit New York all the way from Utah was a perfect excuse to skip church and meet up with them this past Sunday. We hadn't seen them since 2004 back when we were neighbors living in our tiny basement apartments in Sugarhouse. The only kids we had back then were Sierra, Lexie, and Trace, and now we have four kids each! I can't believe how fast time flew for our kids and to see both Lexie and Trace as teenagers together was surreal because the last time they saw each other Lexie was four, and Trace was two! It was so nice getting current pictures of this gem of a family! 

ICE CREAM, & A STAINED GLASS HOUSE IN BROOKLYN.

After visiting cemeteries, and memorials of our fallen soldiers this past memorial holiday we decided to venture out to Brooklyn afterwards for some much needed ice cream. We figured since we were only 20 minutes away to take advantage and we did just that! We had a craving, and after having lunch at a Chili's restaurant (which was not the best!) I seriously needed to wash that food down with some delicious ice cream. 

Although it was Memorial day and our thoughts were on those who lost their lives we also wanted to have a little bit of fun. One thing I've always taught my kids is whenever there is a holiday that brings significant meaning to our lives to put that first, and then we can have some fun. Last year on Memorial Day we went to Valley Forge to remember, and then ventured out to the beach. This year we went to Brooklyn, and had the kids run around Brooklyn Bridge park to let their wiggles out with all the driving we did.  

It was then when I noticed this stained glass house. 

 Sorry for some of the grainy pictures. Some of these were taken at night, and I haven't quite mastered the editing on my iPhone yet! But the glass house looks awesome when it's lit up at night! 

One thing about new york is that it never disappoints, and every where you go you are going to see some kind of art installation. It was a pretty cool looking glass house, and the stain glass was beautiful. It's a shame that there are a few cracks on some of the glass already. Nonetheless it was nice taking pictures of it with other people photo bombing my photos, but that's what happens when you come to the park in the evening on Memorial Day! 

Like I said...there is always some kind of art installation displayed all over the city, and there was this orange bench play looking thing in which kids were walking on, and climbing underneath. Noah had a blast walking all over it! Hey...anything to make a kid happy right?

The kids continued to play in the park, and my craving was accomplished when I snagged a peaches and cream ice cream cone. The Brooklyn Ice cream factory is delicious and one must never leave Dumbo without having one. 

It was a beautiful day, and in spite of coming home around midnight on a school night the kids made it to school the following morning, and they had a blast. Chelsea, and Noah keep saying, "we should just move here."

Yeah...that would be nice.