Christmastime in NYC

We just got home from NYC last night. When we heard that Ashley (my sister-in-law) was performing in off-broadways 'A Christmas Carol', we knew we couldn't miss it. We had the most wonderful time. My biggest concern with driving to NYC was finding a parking spot, and so I prayed. Miraculously I found a spot right in front of Laura and Wilfried's apartment - the only spot from blocks around. It was a Christmas miracle to me. That night we threw on our hats and gloves and went ice-skating in Central Park. It was magical. We also met up with Jason (Nate's brother) at Patsy's pizza (YUM) which was also so much fun. After that we went to a candy shop where Jason bought Mason and Stanley a little bit of candy - so sweet. Then Nate and I took our boys to Serendipity where we got frozen hot chocolate. It worked out perfectly - while we waited with our name on the list at Serendipity (1 1/2 hours), we went to Patsy's and to the candy store. The next morning Nate went on a jog and picked up some bagels for us (so sweet, right?). After breakfast we went on a little trek to the Natural History Museum. Nate met us there after he made reservations to eat at 'Jacob's Pickles'. Mason loved the animals and dinosaurs in the Museum. After an amazing lunch (which we ended up doing take-out because there was such a wait), we went to see Ashley perform. Jason came to watch our boys while we went (we love you Jason!). Nate and I both enjoyed it - tears and laughs. It was so good.

That night after watching a little of the BYU game with Jason and Ashley, we drove to Pennsylvania and stayed in the apartment of our friend Suzi (Nate's friend from high school). She was so kind to let us stay there while she was in Utah also. We went to Church on Sunday morning in Bethlehem (where my cousin Esther and her husband Steve went to Church when they lived there and people love them), and discovered that Nate had some friends from college there as well. They invited us for lunch and we had the best time talking with them. We realized from this trip again just what a blessing it is to have good family and friends. We are so blessed. We visited the town of Bethlehem, also known as Christmas town USA, and enjoyed running into Santa and Mrs Clause, seeing the beautiful wreaths and candles in the windows, and catching a few minutes of Church at the beautiful Moravian Church. Nate loves the Moravians because he served his mission in the Czech Republic where they came from. These amazing people who translated the Bible into Czech even before Luther translated it into English, fled from the Czech Republic to Germany where they found refuge, and then to America in the 1700's. 

We love this time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Having Mason and Stanley begin to understand the significance of this time of year is also so beautiful to me. I am so grateful to have these fun little boys. Nate, too! :). It was nice to come back to warm Virginia again...getting out of the car and not freezing was refreshing. We love it here. Sorry in advance that these pictures are not in order. 

Enjoy!

Ice Skating in Central Park

Our little belly dancer Stan

Serendipity

Patsy's pizza with Uncle Jason

The traditional 'Putz' they do every year

Hershey's Chocolate Factory

Shhh...Washington is crossing the Delaware!! We did this on our way to NYC as a brief stop to stretch our legs.

Santa and Mrs Clause seem like they would make some really cute grandparents

Prague Castle painting in the Moravian Church in Bethlehem

dogs seem to be drawn to this little guy right here.

amazing restaurant

waiting with two of the handsomest boys around

you can't see it but 'A Savior is Born' from the LDS Church is on that Taxi

Christmas decor in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

CANDY!!! NYC

wow!

lobby of Laura's apartment. Love how everywhere you look there is Christmas

The Moravian Church

The oldest Book Store in the USA - Bethlehem Pennsylvania

bagels for breakfast - thank you Nate!

Jacob's Pickles again.

There you have it! Merry Christmas Everyone!!!