Peak Foliage in Central Park!

Two weekends ago we went to Central Park cause it was peak foliage and it was stunning! I was really impressed with the fall foliage. We have had summer all month of October and with no rain I feel that the leaves are already drying out. They are falling off now but I am so glad we were able to see autumn in New York. It never gets old and we just love coming here when peak hits. I captured a few photos on the lapse app as well as my own. So remind yourself that these scenes from fall in Central Park are a reminder to you to put it on your bucket list and come experience it for yourself. It is gorgeous! And let's not get into the halloween decorations that new Yorker put out! Absolutely perfect!

When Fall Meets Winter...

 

Last weekend we explored Central Park and checked out the last of the fall foliage just in time before the leaves completely fell off. Fall is such a wonderful and beautiful season of vibrant colors yet it's very scarce. Just when you think you have enough time to get outside and check out the autumn leaves they are already pretty much greeting winter by slowly falling on the ground. Nonetheless we ventured out and walked and captured some fall moments. Even with the leaves on the ground Central Park in NYC is absolutely magical.

Nostalgic Moments & An End To Summer...

The past couple of weeks have somewhat felt like fall and can't believe today is the last day of summer! It looks like today will be the last temp in the 80's but with New Jersey/New York weather you just never know! There are days when we will have 70 degree weather in December when it should be cold in the 40's! Nowadays we just go with the flow and whatever temperature is that day we'll just go with it! Rain or shine, snow or sun- we'll take it even in the winter months that will soon follow! 

Blossoms At Central Park!

Well, we made it! We finally made it to Central Park to see the blossoms before they looked bare. In the past years we've always managed to come when they are somewhat bare but this time they were in bloom in all their glory. We spent about an hour walking around the park. Also excited that the row boats are back! We will do that next time Jon is with us! We watched some salsa dancing near the Bethesda fountain, saw dancers dancing around tourists, and as usual...saw a lot of troubadours singing and playing their instrument all around the park. It was lively. It was great. It was energetic. It was thriving. I've said this before and I'll say it again...New York is not dead. I took so many photos and these pictures don't do it justice. You literally have to plan a trip here in the spring to witness spring in all her glory. And she was blooming with happiness on this day! 

Wintery Scenes At Central Park!

There's something magical about the first snowfall in NYC. I LOVE the city so much that we try to venture out there a couple times a week. I try to make time for my city to nurture it by showing her off to the world in pictures. I went early one morning to capture the beauty of central park covered in snow and it was 'snow beautiful.' I'm not a professional photographer but these pictures don't do it justice. You have to be here in person to take in all the wonder and beauty of it. I literally walked around park for about two and a half hours and in between taking photos sat down and relaxed and watched people as they walked by. You're never bored while walking among 843 acres of land! Strawberry fields, the Bow Bridge, The Gapstow Bridge, Bethesda Fountain, Cherry Hill Fountain, ice skating rink, a horse carriage. Seeing all the these iconic spots that make up Central Park covered in snow was breathtaking and it just made me want to put my camera away and sit down and just stay here all day. Even when the temps are in the 20's!

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...

The Bow Bridge In Central Park At Golden Hour.

One thing I have never witnessed during golden hour is the Bow Bridge at Central Park. A couple of weeks ago we decided to spend the day in the city and take in all of nature's gold before the rain hit and took all the leaves away. Central Park is definitely beautiful time of year and one bright thing that 2020 has brought this year is a beautiful autumn. Another bonus besides taking in all of nature's glory at the park is meeting Beth Beckman. She is a pretty big deal in New York and because of her IG page I get to find out about all the events that are happening in the city. It was a pleasure to meet her and her son and hope to get together with her soon in the near future! 

Here are a few photos from that day and you can see more on this post of me and Noah when we went on another day. We took quite a few. I'm also glad that Jon took a day off to spend time with us and that he was able to see Central Park in all her beautiful glory!

A Day On The Upper West Side.

There's something about this city that even in a pandemic gives you the urge to go. Even before the numbers of Covid decreased we'd venture out to the city to sneak a peek at what it was like to be in an empty, quiet city. In spite of everything that this wonderful city has gone through she always manages to pick herself up and thrive. I don't think she'll ever run out of energy. Ever. NYC is a lot like me and I can relate to her. We have both been beaten up and talked about but yet never willing to give up. She's tough and strong and fearless. And this is why I keep coming back. The example I set for my kids is to be strong. No matter our weaknesses and the things that can bring us down I remind them to find ways to survive and thrive. Lift yourself up and never give up. I love this city and the more we come here the more my kids love it. They even wish we lived here. Even though its a lot less to rent an apartment in the city we love the fact that we are her neighbor. Maybe someday. But for now we'll continue to take the ferry into the city or drive and explore our New York. We love her and we will never stop! As long as we live close to her it's either New York or nowhere! 

Here are a few photos from another day in the city....

Wedding Anniversary Weekend.

This weekend is our 25th wedding anniversary and sometimes I can't believe we've made it this far! It truly seems like we met yesterday and in between all the ups and downs, and makeups after arguments we treat life good, and each other the best way we know how. Not much to do on our weekend because it's been a rainy one, and because Jon has been working the past couple of Saturdays due to the holidays prevents us to venture out to the city which has always been somewhat a tradition since we moved here. Nonetheless we will make our 25th a special and simple one. Even if it's eating a simple dinner and watching a movie. I'm just eternally grateful to have Jon by my side to vent to, laugh with. Raise my kids with, and do this whole parenting, and living life together. Marriage can be hard at times especially when we are faced with trials, but without those challenges and choosing to find the joy in each situation, this 25th year together would have never come. 

Cheers to 25. 

10: A Simple & Sweet Celebration At Central Park.

You'd think that turning 10 years old would require a huge celebration but our idea of a huge celebration when it comes to birthday parties are simple, and sweet...literally. If it were up to Noah he would play with his legos and transformers all day and rebuild the millennial falcon with his dad but because it was a beautiful day we decided to go to the city to celebrate Noah's 10th birthday. 

Victorian Gardens Amusement Park!

Ever since we introduced Chelsea to the Victorian gardens amusement park inside Central park when she was almost 10 we have vowed it to be a tradition for the kids so as long as they don't get too big! And since Chelsea is leaving for girls camp tomorrow for a week we decided to go today!

An Egg Hunt & Confetti Cascarones In Central Park.

One thing I miss about living in Texas, and having my kids attend school were the traditions that the school district had for them. During the easter season they always set a time for the kids to go outside, and have a little fiesta whilst cracking confetti cascarones on their heads. I remember a year or two when my elementary school did it as well. This is a Mexican tradition that makes me proud to be a Latina, and grateful for teachers, including my mom who took the time to make a few when I was little.

Favorite New York Moments.

The urge for walking the streets of New York comes quite frequently. This city has views that get me every time. The sunsets in our neck of the woods isn't like a sunset anywhere else (that's only if you're paying close attention to it!) The New York city traffic, the sirens, never ending horn honking brings out the energy in me. I may not live here, but if I did it wouldn't be hard to get used to. Living near a highway has helped me adjust to traffic, and honking cars including construction noises in the middle of the night so yeah...if I ever lived in New York life wouldn't be too bad. Especially with all that this magical, dirty, but beautiful city has to offer! 

Springtime in New York!

Spring has pretty much sprung on this side of my world, and my dear friend Ceyda, and her little girl couldn't have come to visit us at a better time. It has been almost four years since I'd seen her, and even though we talk on the phone, chat via text, and social media nothing beats the presence of having one of your most dearest friends visit you! Noah and Celeste immediately became best buds again. They were almost three when they last saw each other, and when they arrived Noah greeted her as if he had seen her yesterday! It has been an amazing two days with my friend, and I'm so grateful she is here! 

Martin Creed Exhibit At The Park Avenue Armory.

Over the weekend we ventured out to the city to check out Martin Creed's exhibit called "the back door" (and it literally was the back door) and it was epic. It featured sculptural interventions, and unique installations, and a few rooms in which they viewed films with basic human art, exposing the rawness of our humanity. Showing emotions, feelings, and actions and how they make us who we really are. That's the thing I love about museums is that you never know what these artists are going to come up with. The exhibits here at the armory were so simple, and precise. There were different rooms where you entered in including one where the lights are going on and off.

One of the kids favorite rooms in which we ended going back twice per Noah's request was the balloon room. The usher told us that there were at least 900 balloons. For those of you who follow my snapchat (and in case you don't it's r_jorgensen) I snap-chatted the heck out of this room.

This particular exhibit is titled “Half the air in a given space" and I can see why. There was so much excitement walking through such a grandiose room trying to follow the ushers voice on the other side to find our way out. The kids were having too much fun that they didn't want to leave. It was like having a huge birthday party without the people. Just pure balloons! We tried to be careful walking through, but Chelsea popped a balloon in the process. Good thing we had cool ushers who didn't mind. It was so hard to take decent photos while being surrounded by huge balloons, and even though the lighting wasn't so great I still managed to capture a few sweet moments of the kids having fun. 

This museum is absolutely beautiful and felt as if I was walking into the 19th century. There is an installation of Creed's abstract, and military paintings that adorned the walls.

When we walked into the room full of silver all Noah noticed was the stack of legos. Unique way of catching someone's attention. Particularly a six-year old.

 See what I mean by simple and precise. A stack of empty cardboard boxes.

 And a stack of chairs.

Random photo with bad lighting that Lexie took of us in the hallway. Tried to edit it to the best of my editing skills!

And a selfie that Noah wanted to take with me, and the cactuses. He says, "you're from texas so let me take a selfie with you."

When we walked into this room full of closets lexie was like, "Narnia!"

This room was another favorite because it had a grand white piano. Unique thing about this piano is that it is transformed into a percussive instrument, and every hour the lid will slam six times. Freaked me out a bit, but hey...that's a form of art right?

Music has always played a significant role in Creed's work. As we were walking on the ground floor we saw a group of musicians roaming through the hall playing various instruments. I read that it was composed, and choreographed by Creed. It was so cool to hear them from a distance, and Noah would quickly run to where they were at to hear them play again. They did this all day throughout the Armory's rooms and corridors.

We had such an amazing time here, and New york never disappoints. We love that we are closer to the city, and hope to venture out to this favorite city of ours more often. We ended our day by walking to central park, and ate a few hot dogs. Gotta have that new york hot dog upon leaving. It truly was a great summer day!

**By the way...this exhibit runs through August 7th if you'd like to come see it. It truly is something else. 

THE VICTORIAN GARDENS IN CENTRAL PARK.

We couldn't let the summer go by without venturing out to a carnival for the kids to ride. It's like a rite of passage for children to go to a carnival.  So over labor day weekend we decided to go to the amusement park in Central Park. This was our first time going inside and actually riding the rides. Normally when we go to the park we always walk right past it, and hang out at the sheep meadow to relax while the kids run around. I find that as the kids hit four or five years of age that they tend to find the rides more enjoyable. I was really hoping that Fete Paradiso would come to Governors Island again this  year, but they didn't. The Victorian Gardens in central park passed the test, and it's truly a fun little park. The kids absolutely loved it including  Lexie!! She said she would help me with the kids, but ended up getting on a few rides herself. She has a deep love for roller coasters, and anything that goes sky high at any kind of amusement park. Our times spent at Coney Island were some of her most memorable moments, and so when we go to any kind of carnival, or amusement park her eyes light up like a little child!   

I only captured a few moments of the kids on the rides. I was too busy watching the kids especially Noah giggling and having a grand time on the rides. He did get on an airplane ride with papa, and even though Jon's legs were a tad bit too long he still managed to enjoy the ride! 

They even had the same pose when they got off the plane..

Lexie and I got on a couple of rides with the kids, but it was mostly Noah and Chelsea having the grand adventure of riding all the rides. 

^^^ excuse the blurriness of this photo. They kept turning that thing round and round! It was so hard to capture a clear shot! ^^^

^^^ Noah was so excited when he got more tickets to play a few games. ^^^

^^^ He even won this little duck for scoring 20 points. Then again...every one is a winner! ^^^

^^^ Noah and I even got to play this game where you get to hit a few animals heads! It was so fun playing against my little man! ^^^ 

 ^^^ The rockin tug was one of Noah's favorite. It rocked back and forth, and also turned around and around! It was so much fun! I also love my crew!! ^^^

We could have been here all day, and we actually were until night fell. It was such a beautiful day, and everyone was so nice to our kids. We then off went our merry way to enjoy the rest of our holiday. One thing for sure is that we will definitely come back and bring the kids again!