For Christmas this year, our friends the Awerkamps suggested that we both spend it together in NYC. Lucky for us and thanks to my cousin Laura, a 4 bedroom apartment opened up for us in an ideal location in upper west side while her German neighbors would be in Germany for a few weeks and needed someone to help take care of their cats. We were beyond excited about this possibility and took them up on the offer. Yesterday morning (our first morning here) we ran into my nephew who is serving here as a missionary for our Church. I was so happy to see him, and even happier to see him looking so well. He is loving the work here. On that first day we also saw the Rockettes perform. Amazing! Loved the live nativity at the end too.
We saw Santa at the Plaza Hotel and wandered through Central Park and down 5th Avenue to see the Christmas windows. We also strolled by the Rockefeller center and enjoyed some Swiss chocolate at Teuscher. So far this trip has been two thumbs up. So grateful to be here with my sweet little family and our dear friends. Couldn't ask for a better life right now.
Got lunch at 'The Halal Guys'
still trying to decide whether I regret or not waking Stanley up from his nap to see Santa.
of course we had to stop and say hello to the horsies
after a few times of this, Stanley was brave enough to try this slide on his own. So thankful for Nate for teaching my boys courage!
Central Park's Tavern on the Green was magical our walk home
our last stop with tired boys - Trader Joe's. Poor Mason had just woken up from a nap.
I love Christmas! Obviously one of the best parts to me about Christmas is the anticipation of this special day! It has been wonderful for me this year to get ready for the Holidays. This year was especially good because of the #lighthteworld initiative that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched. It has been sweet, the joy my little family has felt as we have been asked then taken the challenge to look outward this season. We made a paper chain and each day performed an act of service. Everything from playing at a home for the elderly with my cute violin students, to performing at Messiah's, to sharing oranges and cookies with students at the Law School as they prepared for finals, to sharing our food with the homeless to just saying a prayer of thanks. It has been amazing to feel the unity with others as we turn outward and think of the Savior and what He did while He was on the earth, and what He continues to do for us today.
We have also had fun decorating, making cookies, wrapping presents, writing letters to Santa, listening to endless Christmas music, and having a few of our friends over for a holiday breakfast. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ, and how He lights our lives and gives us so much happiness and peace.
Mason stayed up one night after Stanley went to sleep and helped me wrap presents!
this smell of orange peel and cranberries, along with cinnamon and cloves was heavenly this season
this boy - he melts my heart
love these little snowflakes we made together
since we are spending Christmas and New Year in NYC this year, we decided to let our boys open a few of their presents early since we can't take everything with us, and since some of the presents would help us enjoy the holidays and travel :).
this year they got presents for each other
Stanley got Mason a Santa hat
and Mason got Stanley a bear (since Stanley was always taking Masons from his Aunt Jenica :). So sweet to see them feel the joy of giving. Mason earned his money that he used to buy this bear for Stanley ($5) :)
lets just say that Stanley and his bear have become quite good friends
a breakfast brunch with some of our best friends in Charlottesville
haha - love when Nate plays the piano that Stanley climbs on his back. Mason has been taking piano lessons from his Aunt Alissa, so those are his books there. He is learning so well, thanks to his wonderful teacher!!
Mason started writing a letter to Santa (see above), and then asked Nate to help him finish it - here he's asking for a violin for Christmas, and some chocolate, a gingerbread house, and some candy canes.
sucking on a mint, and excited to send his letter :)
can't handle his cuteness right there. He grabbed that stool himself, so he could put his letter in the mail box.
enjoying some electronic Advent Calendar here while sipping green drink, Anything to keep these boys healthy this season :).
I love performing music. It has been the quest of a lifetime - a gift from my parents, siblings, amazing teachers, and ultimately God. Music has always been my voice, when words were not enough. Every performance opportunity to me, is a chance to open heavens view to the audience, and help them see and feel of God's amazing love for them. That is always my prayer before I perform anywhere.
On Saturday I had the opportunity to perform with the Blue Ridge Chamber Orchestra. This is a group I found through my friend at Church, and I have really enjoyed playing with them. It's a low intensity orchestra which works well for my life right now. The conductor also lived in Holland for ten years and played the viola with the Rotterdam Philharmonic which was such a fun connection since I lived in Holland and studied the violin there in Rotterdam. These are players who are Professors at the University in other fields, but just enjoy getting together and playing music. I have loved this semester especially soloing with them. I feel like I have my own little Chamber group to perform with and I love it. It has been fun to have the chance to be a leader as well. These are fantastic individuals, and we have a lot of fun together. Next semester I will get to play the Bach A minor with them.
A huge thanks to my parents, teachers, and husband without whose support and love and faith in me, all of this would be impossible. Thanks for the amazing friends and family who came to listen to the Concert. Mason also came with Nate and he sat and listened so well.
There are days when I wish I could practice five hours a day, and own a Stradavarius violin - I wish I could give my all to music, but I believe in eternity and I have visions of continuing my learning from teachers I love, and playing in heaven. For now I love my life as a full time wife and mother and feel so honored for each role, and that I also get to play music which is such a part of my soul and my life.
The day after Thanksgiving we visited the Frontier Culture Museum. It is unlike any other "museum" I had ever been to. They show examples of farms from the 17th and 18th centuries - from America, Germany, Ireland, England, and West Africa. It was so fun to experience a little of what life might have been like for people in those days. My little men especially enjoyed the animals, and dancing to some Irish jigs. We went on Christmas market day, so Mason and Stanley were able to meet St Nicholas as well. Speaking of which, I believe tomorrow is St Nicholas day. Hopefully he comes to fill our shoes with presents tonight!!!!
So sorry for the sideways shot but this was so much fun to dance with Mason. It is so funny because last summer my Mom did her DNA testing, and found out that she is mostly Irish. She never knew she had any Irish blood in her at all, but it totally makes so much sense to me now! I grew up listening to her sing Irish lullabies to me. I can see how it came through me too, because I have always loved Celtic music. It has to be in my blood! My poor Mason is probably like, my Mom is crazy! Sorry Mason, I just can't help myself sometimes. Also, we loved that musician - poor guy though - he definitely looked overworked and under paid. (typical for most musicians I think ;).
Mason was observing St Nicholas from a distance, when just afterward, he came and gave Mason and Stanley a chocolate coin.
