Big Kids in the Big Apple

Before my sister and her family moved back to Utah a few weeks ago, we took them up on an offer to watch the littlest ones so we could take Luke and Abby to the Big City.  We thought it would be interesting for them to see what New York City is all about.  It was a fun trip filled with plenty of sidewalks, subways, ferries and the like.  Once again, I wasn't the best at photo documentation, but do have some pictures of the highlights:

Top of the Rockefeller Building (since silly Trump has made the Empire State Building so cost-prohibitive.  Shame on him.):

 

 

 Abby at The Plaza... 

Luke in Lego wonderland (Rockefeller Center)






No trip to New York City would be complete without a boat ride out to the Statue of LIberty and Ellis Island. It never fails to bring me to tears thinking of the millions who passed through for freedom's sake. 

 Ellis Island

We made it down to Ground Zero on the hottest, muggiest afternoon of the week.  Even in the sweltering heat, it was a humbling visit.  There is a small museum across the street where we escaped to cool off.  It housed fascinating 3-D images and models of the future structures and memorial. It will be beautiful when it's all completed.



The new tower underway:

Afterwards, we took the train to Chinatown and escaped the heat in a chilled and fabulous Chinese restaurant.  Nothin' like the real thing.

I have to mention the dreamy cannoli I scarfed down in Little Italy just before dinner.  Oh my...heavenly.


In my several visits to New York over the years, one thing I've never done is take a carriage ride around Central Park.  We opted out of a Broadway Play and traded it for the horse and buggy instead.  This topped the charts for me- from our Irish driver,



to the people on the greens,





to the lakes and bridges and towers,






 it was peaceful and beautiful.  An oasis of green in a desert of concrete and steel.





 Our driver was a fabulous guide and pointed out so many sights and attractions we had never known about before.  For the grand finale of our excursion, he let Luke and Abby feed the horse.





We capped off our Big Apple tour with a visit to the LDS temple Uptown.  We were able to bring Luke and Abby into the lobby and visited with the missionary at the recommend desk, who gave us a fascinating history of the temple property and construction.  Afterwards, one of the security guards offered to give us a tour of the chapel.  It's huge!  I'm still completely amazed at what they have done with one street corner in the city.  What a blessing for the LDS members in New York City.   

Once upon a time, many moons ago, Craig and I mused about spending a couple of adventurous years in Manhatten.  Now, these many moons later, we both agreed that the Big Big City was no longer for us.....until we entered this temple.  Somehow, that peaceful haven would make living there "a bit of alright."  As my dear old dad would say. =)

A Monumental 4th

 Since having our twins, we generally stay as far away from crowds as possible.  Laying low has been one of our preferred methods of sanity preservation. However, lately I've been struck by a recurring impulse to 'test the waters'- to see if we're ready to venture out into the wild and crazy world. On Monday, we flung ourselves into the mobs of Washington, D.C. for the 4th of July festivities.

The only way to attempt this with five young children is to have a solid plan. Which I did. Had it all worked out in my noggin- thanks to my stint living and working in the city years ago. Creighton wasn't too sure about it all and had originally planned to stay home with the twins, but my confidence won him over in the end. We packed our bags for a little over-nighter and forged ahead into the madness...

We rode the Metro in with 5 billion other parade-goers...well, okay, maybe just one billion since we were a little late (part of my plan, wink wink)...



 
 and weaved our way through the masses

 to the most perfect little parade spot in the world--

the steps of the National Archives. 

How on earth there were still seats there when we arrived (late), I do not know.  I attribute it all to my brilliance (had my fingers crossed)  Fabulous plan, if I do say so (would've been really bad if I'd been wrong.)  It was a little hairy figuring out the path designated by security guards- and getting up there with a double stroller and throng of sweaty kids in tow, but we did it!  Hurrah!

 

After the parade, we spent the afternoon at Arlington Cemetery

and tried to help Luke and Abby gain a sense of freedom and sacrifice.

It's a peaceful, sacred place. 

Thank heavens the skies were overcast most of the day. It was very warm, but would have been unbearable with a blazing sun.



 Still, we had our arsenal of relievers- plenty of water, wetwipes, spray bottles..






and of course that all-american 4th of July treat- salt water taffy. I think that alone would have pulled our kids through the day. They were deliriously happy with a perpetual chunk of goo in their mouths.





 
 

We headed back to our hotel in the late afternoon for a little snooze (har har) and later rode the train back to Arlington Cemetery.  We had the most perfect spot in all the world to view the fireworks over the Lincoln Monument. They were impressive and magical, and for me- awe inspiring.  Even a few moments in such a setting is priceless. 
 
We caught the first train out of town, ahead of the crowds on The Mall.  The ride was fun for everyone- packed to the gills with a throng of happy patriots bedecked in red white and blue.  
 
I do believe our 4th of July adventure in the Nation's Capital was a success- and at the very least, memorable. 
 
Which was entirely my motive.

My Very Own B&B

I've decided that just about every American woman, at a given moment in her life, has entertained the notion of restoring some beautiful old country home and running a little Bed and Breakfast out of it-- just for fun. I once toyed with this idea myself-- for about five seconds-- before I relegated it to the "silly romantic wish" file- knowing that the practical logistics would quickly send the romanticsm up in a puff of smoke. What do you know, though- I've been running a regular B&B out of my very own home for the past 3 months! Who says silly wishes don't come true?

We've had family and friends passing through back to back, week after week since early spring. It's been a happy blur of fresh towels and sheets, welcome signs, blueberry muffins and smoothies, field trips around town and hearty chats around the table. To Grandma Joyce, the Baros family, Joel and Colleen, Tim and Libby, the Tolmans, Joan and John, Uncle Nick and Megan and Brian- we've so enjoyed every visit with each one of you.

I'm quite the lazy photographer, especially when I'm playing "hostess." The only pictures I have are of two of our favorite people in the world, the Clarks- and that's only because Colleen didn't have her camera and wanted pictures. Let's embarass them, shall we?

Here's the extraordinarily happy couple:

Beautiful Colleen, my kindred friend:




Playing at the lake:




A terrible shot of the two of us.  :



And so on.
We've had a lovely time. With everyone!

Just a little FYI, though- If you want to book time at the Petrey B&B, you'd better hurry!