Thankful For Novembers.

Can't believe this is the last day of November. Where did the past 11 months go! So much has happened this month. So many memories were made. It's amazing how fast time flies when you love the life you're in. Spending it with loved ones. Even when the season changes time goes by even faster. November was filled with so much goodness. From Noah's 13th birthday, to sticking with tradition by going to the Macy's thanksgiving day parade. 

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!

It's Thanksgiving Week!

Thanksgiving week has arrived here in NYC and we couldn't be more excited. Just looking at Tom Turkey atop the Macy's building in Herald Square definitely gets you in the holiday spirit and we are ready for it. But first, the Thanksgiving parade. We look forward to going and seeing it live. I'm sure the crowds will be crazy this year as opposed to years past but we've been going since 2012 so we are used to the crowds! I am so thankful for the blessing we have to be able to attend such an event and take in all the New York city moments while we are here. We absolutely love the city and cherish every nostalgic minute. Hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving week whether your prepping for Turkey day, traveling or spending it with loved ones. Hope y'all keep it a simple and sweet-chillaxin' thanksgiving day!

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.

He's 13!!

Somehow our youngest and only boy is officially a teenager! I literally cried as I helped comb his hair this morning. There are days when he doesn't mind it but he had an alfalfa thing going on and couldn't help but to tear up a bit as he said, "Mom, I got this!" Ahhh! He has seriously grown up and I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. Independent. Brave. Fierce. He truly is our magical being. My solace. Our last teenager to raise. And I want him to know that he can do anything in this world. I'm in awe as I watch him grow and figure things out while navigating in this world. It's remarkable!

Grateful for this journey together. May we continue to raise you better each day. May you share your love in this world for the greater good. And just be yourself every day of your life.

Had so much fun taking pictures with our Jersey boy! Happy 13th birthday kiddo!  

Forever Grateful For Falls!

Now that Halloween is over and the month of October has passed I can now focus on November that includes my son's upcoming birthday! Can't believe how quickly time flies and that he will be an official teenager next week! So thankful for a new month that helps us to refresh and regroup. In spite of living in a time where there is STILL so much turmoil and despair in the world there is also beauty and light and so much to be thankful for. Family, fall foliage, the simple joys of life that include going on a walk. Happy November everyone! Let's hope the weather stays in the 60's for awhile so that the colors of fall linger a little longer!

Feliz Dia De Los Muertos!

Thankful for my ancestors who have lived and passed on and for this day in which we remember them. 

This past week there was a beautiful display of art done by Mexican artists celebrating Mexico week: the Dia De Los Muertos at Rockefeller Center. I went last year and it was so beautiful that I couldn't miss out on this years exhibit.

Such a fun and wonderful celebration of my heritage. To remember those who have lived and passed on and to know that they will always be a part of our memory even after they're gone. So glad I have passed this tradition on down to my children so that they can understand this day and reflect back on their loved ones.

Love all the sculptures here including this large jaguar sculpture (above photo) done by Cesar Menchaca. There's also an ofrenda, and a tianguis. This was the second year artists displayed their sculptures and if you happen to be in NYC next year please come and check them out. Each year there are different sculptures and they are indeed beautiful! So lucky to live near a sea of culture! And at the end of this post you can see a video of my daughter Lexie singing "Cielito Lindo" and this heartwarming video done by my oldest daughter Sierra.

Happy Halloween Witches!

Halloween week this week has been a little off but nonetheless the kids and I made the best of October. Despite our downfalls we've had whether it's with school or something personal we never let anything or anyone ruin our moment of family fun. This whole month has been fun venturing out to see all the wonderful halloween decorations in the city. Jon and Noah both decided to be Jason from Mortal Kombat (the game, not the movie) and we had so much fun walking around picking out different decorated stoops and town homes to take pictures. Sorry New Jersey but New Yorkers really know how to decorate! Plus-it's New York! I even did a little video in which you can see here on my tiktok.

Chelsea and Noah went out trick or treating and they brought home loads and loads of candy! One great thing about Jersey hoods is that they know how to distribute the good stuff! Candy that is! Although it began to drizzle around 7pm and then full on rain close to 7:30 the kids scored and we were home by 8pm. Not a bad Halloween evening for a tween and 17 year old. Now for some Halloween photos!! 

Halloween In Manhattan!

 

The Upper East side in Manhattan is all decked out for halloween and in the classiest way. These black pumpkins are to die for! So cool and Noah had fun checking them out. We absolutely love this time of year where we can walk the streets of New York and check out all the halloween decorations. From the upper west side all the way to the upper east side there are tons of homes and stoops decorated for all New York to see. Them trick or treaters are going to have so much fun trick or treating on this side of Manhattan! 

Spooky Season On The UWS!

One more week until Halloween and there are so many photos I want to share of decorated stoops and homes in New York city. We love coming here every year to take a look at what's new and how different certain homes decorate each year. It's always interesting to come back and see all the creative ways New Yorkers decorate. They surely do go all out for autumn and Halloween and each year we just keep coming back for more. Last week we stopped by this Instagram legend on Columbus on the upper west side. They always go all out! They sure do hoard gourds and we love it! 

Chelsea's Senior Night-Tennis.

 

This past Monday was senior night for chelsea and she was recognized for her accomplishments and hard work in being the best tennis player she can be. Three coaches, four tennis partners, 25 teammates, and four years of 324 tennis matches! Can’t believe this is the end of Chelsea’s high school tennis career and she ended up winning her last match! 

I have also witnessed how soooo many of the younger girls loved and looked up to her. These young women were (are) like the little sisters Chelsea never had. For Chelsea, it wasn’t always about winning, but making it a team effort and paying attention to the younger girls who needed a boost as they themselves are learning to have a love for the game. Bittersweet for sure as she’ll miss them when she graduates and as she hangs up her tennis racket for the time being.