Chelsea's 18th Birthday Photo Shoot In The Seaport District!

Photo shoot with my baby girl who turned 18 a couple of weeks ago turned out pretty great! I don't consider myself a professional photographer or an amateur photographer but oh how I love to capture important moments on film and this one was a milestone for my youngest daughter. All she wanted in part of the shoot was a black balloon! LOL! 

She turned 18 a couple of weeks ago and it's moments like this in which I want to lock in my brain forever. Even though it was windy and a bit nippy, taking pictures in the Seaport District was so much fun! I am proud of this little photo shoot and I think some of her pictures came out great! So yeah- I'll consider myself a photographer! This sure does save me money on taking my own photos as opposed to hiring a photographer. It was a fun day with many bloopers, laughs, and remarks from my girl such as "mom, take the picture already, it's cold!" Ha ha! Good times!!

96th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Not sure how many more parades we will attend in person but I'm hoping that we will continue to go even after the kids are grown up! Seeing the parade live in NYC is definitely a once in a lifetime thing to do especially if you are a New Yorker or live in the tristate area. People from all over the world travel to see this iconic event so anyone who lives close to the state of New York you have no excuse! GO! You will have so much fun and feel energized. Going to the parade despite our sleep depravation truly brings us joy and we always have a grand time cheering on those in the parade as well as making new friends along the way. It definitely is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

New York (Not London) Calling!

Oh - how I wish this was London but I'll take a red phone booth on display in New York city any day! This was such a fun pop up while walking the streets of New York. Jon and I both stood inside individually waiting for the phone to ring to say, "I want to see things differently" and if we'd win anything but we didn't! Every thing that we randomly run into or hear about what's happening in the city is fun and energetic and this small moment of us pretending to be in London was worth capturing the moment! 

Autumn in Central Park NYC!

Last week on Veterans Day we went to the city to check out the fall foliage in Central Park and one thing for sure when we got there is that New York city is not DEAD!! There were so many people out riding the carriages, artists painting pictures of the bow bridge and San Remo apartments, and I saw about five brides having their picture taken. It was great. The city felt great. The energy was amazing and it felt so good to see everyone out and about having so much fun doing their own thing. It felt like summer in the fall when everyone goes out and ventures to central park to get away and go for long walks. Central Park is the perfect place for it too! Lexie and I had so much fun getting our cardio fix and seeing various parts of central park. Oh how I love this city and all the action that takes place with it. 

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! 

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....

Black Lives Matter - Protest In New York City.

About a week ago a woman walking her dog in Central Park called the cops on a man who kindly asked her to put her dog on a leash. Apparently this particular area of Central Park states leash your dog at all times but people don't listen these days. She resisted and for no reason used a microaggression in the most insidious form. She called the police and said an African-american man was threatening her and her dog. She had no reason to do this. She kept repeating this to the police and because this man was savvy and smart quelled her attitude and began to record her. Her racist actions made headlines. When I read about the young man who she called the cops on seemed very educated. An avid bird watcher. Someone who was just minding his own business and in a polite manner asked this woman to put her dog on a leash.

A Heart Attack In Manhattan!

One of the greatest things about New York city are the people that live in it. The way they treat their beloved city is profound and admirable. I love the way they take care of her and find ways to nurture her. To make her alive again. To remind everyone living with her to be strong. To be kind. To let everyone know that they are not alone. To know that things will be ok. That this "new normal" won't last. That the city won't be "closed" forever. And that this too shall pass. 

Walking the streets of New York last week and discovering these hearts struck a cord to my soul, and I appreciate the ones that put them up there, because this is what New Yorkers do. This is what they think about instead of feeling sorry for themselves. They find joy during trying times. And besides 9/11 this is one of the hardest times their city has ever been hit with something so catastrophic. So here's to Lizzy for making the time to make all these hearts and to put them around all Manhattan for the world to see. Her heart is just like mine. We love New York and know that this city will re-emerge someday. But not yet. Not yet. 

So while she's curing our lovely city here are some words of inspiration and positivity to help those who may need it at this time!

This Is Spring In 2020.

It's times like these where I know that the Lord is our guide and His word is true and all we need to do is have no fear and just be kind to everyone and love each other and not let the stresses of this particular virus take over our lives. I have found myself stressed out on some days which is very rare but it's human nature to be stressed out from time to time. Not a good thing, but The Lord is in charge for us who believe in Him and know that we can get through this together. Families are bonding even more like never before (let's hope), virtual activities are becoming more popular. Virtual reading with teachers are a daily thing, and on the days that are sunny with blue skies with trees that have branches blossoming into pink beautiful flowers is a reminder to me from the Divine above saying that things will be ok. That the new norm of dancing indoors won't last too long. That being cooped up in the house won't last long. That the shelves in the store won't always be empty. That my kids will soon be able to play outside with their friends. That we will be able to attend church again and fellowship with our church family. That we can gather inside a restaurant without the fear of getting sick. And that all will be well. All will be well. 

Happy First Day of Spring everyone! More pics below...

January Highlights...

For some reason I felt as if January didn't fly by fast enough as I thought it would. Maybe it's because I am longing to have more family time with all my kids particularly Lexie before she leaves for her mission. I think time knows that I don't want it to fly as much because of that. So much has happened during this month and because I haven't blogged on the daily, I would like to combine all the special events and mundane moments that happened this month....

Welcome To The 2020s!

Happy New Year everyone! So much has happened within the past ten years, and as much as I love and cherish those memories I am ready for a new decade with my grown children so that I can create more moments! 2019 brought both challenges and joy but without the guide of our loving Savior Jesus Christ wouldn't be able to make it to the end of the year alive! I know there will be more hurdles to jump, but I know that with hope and faith we can overcome anything! So happy for a new year, a new decade! Cheers to the 20's and all that it will bring!  

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. 

Never Forget 9/11.

Since we moved closer to New York and as the kids and I continue to grow older I can't help but to praise  and appreciate this city so much. I can't get enough of it. How grateful I am to live so close where there is so much to grow, and learn from. This city has so much to offer which is why we constantly come here. There is a unique energy that comes from the city that automatically is instilled in your heart.

A Day At The American Museum Of Natural History.

It's new year's eve, and I'm catching up with some blogging. To be honest I haven't missed being on the computer. I love to write, and am on my last page in my one line a day journal, but even that has been a bit time consuming because let's be honest, you can't write just one line of what's happened in your day in a small journal. I'd rather just stick to one big handwritten journal where I can write, and write until my thoughts are done for what happened that day, and continue writing on a daily basis.

Go Yankees!

A couple of weeks ago we did something that we've been wanting to do since we moved to the east, and well we finally did it! We went to a Yankees game, and boy did we have the time of our life for those four and a half short hours! 

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!

A Visit to President Grant's Tomb On Memorial Day.

Along the banks of the Hudson river there is a hidden gem called The General Grant National Memorial. It is known as Grant's tomb, and it is the largest mausoleum in the United States. President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia are both buried inside. The story behind President Grant is impressive, and noble. I didn't know very much about his background, and all that he designated, and stood for, but he was definitely a man of integrity, and hard work. 

A Throwback Post - Lost Photos From Last December.

When we first moved to New Jersey I couldn't believe how close we were to New York city. Philly is great and all but there is something about new York that gives you that extra energy to endure, live, and just be free all around. I blame it on the hustle and bustle of it all, but even so I am not that type of mom who just wants to go, go, go.

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!