Monday, December 26, 2016

Natural History Museum and Soho

Mason has been really into the Solar System lately, so I have been excited to bring him back to the Natural History Museum which is just up the street from where we are staying. We took him last winter, but this year I think he grasps just a little more of it. He has such a curious mind so it was fun to have him ask so many questions and then to learn with him about our amazing Universe. Stanley enjoyed it as well, but especially seeing the animals of North America. We will definitely be back to see more!






We hopped on a "twain" as Stanley loves to call it (and gets so excited about) - to Soho. Nate reserved cronuts (like a couple weeks ago), and they were (not even exaggerating here) probably the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. We also tried out Lambardi's and Champion pizza. Champion was the champion - two times as yummy, and 1/10th the wait, but Lambardi's is the first pizza establishment in NYC, so I'm glad we went. 



i know there are a gazillion pictures here, but I just had to document this moment





Mason kept snapping picture of me, so I decided to pose for him :) 

Lambardi's

After the amazing food (I will keep running around central park to burn off the calories I think), we checked out the NYC Fire Station Museum. So bummed that Mason was asleep for this (but my rule now is never wake up a sleeping boy!). Stanley loved it! He would make a good fireman I think - strong and brave boy :). Sobering and inspiring to see a Memorial there dedicated to the firemen who lost their lives during 9/11. Thanks for another amazing day NYC. I could never get bored of you.


our best cheesy smiles

i love him so much

these two!

Stanley shot this picture of Mason asleep. Kinda cute with his new stuffed doll from his friend Olivia.

man to man

Stanley just stood there smiling, so I took a picture of him :).

For Family Home Evening that night we talked about our goals. For Mason's activity we made things out of play dough in 30 seconds and had to guess what they were. I loved Nate's tennis racket and ball. A tennis player through and through.

Christmas 2016

Sunny and 50 degrees - beautiful day in NYC. Loved seeing their faces light up as they opened their presents. We decided to open our gifts in my cousin's neighboring apartment, since she has a tree and her apartment is so light and charming. They were just delighted by every small gift. The best thing though was seeing them get excited about their violins. That was a happy moment for me. They always beg to play my violin, so Nate and I thought that maybe they could ask Santa this year for a violin of their own, and Santa was very kind to give them both a violin. They have been pretty glued to them since, especially Stanley. So happy to see their passion for music unfold. Mason has been playing the piano here just about every day. I am starting to see visions of some music making together in the future.

After a delicious breakfast of green drink ;), sausage, and cinnamon rolls, we got ready for Church. Loved being there, and remembering again the true meaning of Christmas. I felt so much love there, and enjoyed singing Christmas carols with such amazing strong voices. There is so much talent in that ward, it was fun to be there. Another tender blessing was seeing my nephew Elder Krzymowski again just as we were walking onto the elevator! I love him! Something special about family.

I took the boys on a stroll that day through Central Park since it was so beautiful. I love walking by and hearing so many different languages. I love the international feel here, especially at Christmas time. That night we had a fun dinner, then played the bean boozled game. Stan was stoic and ate them all with a smile. Mason on the other hand has very good taste buds and nearly threw up when he had to eat the yucky flavors (Stan is me, Mason is his Daddy). It was a funny night. Glad to get to bed that night. 















Christmas Eve in NYC

So much fun on Christmas Eve to walk around the city a bit. We walked by Macy's on 34th, Bryant Park Christmas Market, Central Station, and finally to the Merchant's House (oldest preserved house here in NYC). Mason and I went on a date to see 'A Christmas Carol' there. It was by far one of the most impressive theatrical performances I have ever seen and I seriously laughed and cried throughout the performance. It was all performed by one man in a very small intimate setting where he could see us, and we could see him. It was amazing. It was rated one of the best performances to see at Christmas time in NYC so Nate got tickets for us miraculously, and then like the sweetheart that he is gave them to Mason and I. I'm so happy he did. I will never forget that performance. I was a little worried Mason wouldn't like it, but he was SO good and listened so well. So proud of that sweet boy of mine and love our dates together.

Caroling at Washington Square was also a huge highlight. Amazing to sing Christmas songs with hundreds of other people here in NYC with a band around this beautiful Christmas tree there. We got to meet up with some of our friends from Law School last year, who just had the sweetest little baby you can imagine. We miss them in Charlottesville, but love seeing them so happy here!
That night we watched 'the Nativity' from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, put on our Christmas jammies, and went to sleep..well, some of us ;). Mason was pretty excited that the long awaited day had finally almost come.


i watched Miracle on 34th Street who knows how many times growing up, so being here was so much fun for me

42nd Street - love this view of the city

Bryant Park

Central Station decked out for the Holidays

The Merchant's House - built in 1836 and preserved perfectly until today

unforgettable

Caroling at Washington Square


too much beauty in one place


we love you Bells!

Friday, December 23, 2016

Central Park at the Met & a date to the Opera

Beautiful day in NYC. We jogged around Central Park - this time with the whole gang. We then got ready for the day then booked it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (my favorite museum in the world), to see the Christmas Tree. Beautiful! For lunch we headed to Molly's. Nate and I went on an amazing date to see the Opera tonight - The Magic Flute, the Opera he proposed to me after at BYU. It was so amazing to see it again tonight. It's all about marriage of course, and going through hard things together but that the rewards at the end are so great. We will always love this Opera. We got some ramen noodles afterward at Ippudo. Fun night! Thanks to our good friends here for sticking around after our kids went to bed. 


a run in Central Park - 6 mi loop

chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Tree

this architecture and the decor. gorgeous.
these two have my heart




Shepherd's Pie at Molly's

the flat iron

we couldn't go by without stopping here first!

I love to see the Temple right across from the Lincoln Center where we went to the Opera.

The Magic Flute



white rolls and ramen


Thursday, December 22, 2016

Christmas Market and Times Square etc

My friend Jeni and I woke up this morning and ran in central park. Before I knew it, I was running around it. I didn't know how to get home through the middle, so I just kept running. It was a beautiful run, and fun to see Central Park from that view. After that Nate and I fed our boys breakfast, and had a pretty chill morning. We took our boys to the park, and to the Plaza Hotel to see a friend I hadn't seen since BYU. It was fun in the evening to see the Christmas market and see the Church's #lighttheworld advertisement video on repeat in Times Square. It gave me chills. We also strolled down 5th Ave again to see the Sachs 5th light show. Rockefeller center at night also did not disappoint. It was a magical, NYC Christmas evening. Let's do it again sometime, NYC.

this park on a beautiful day? you can't go wrong

Christmas markets and nutella filled churros = a little piece of heaven

love these sweet friends of ours


see what I mean??? Chills

Mason got the pretzel he was so excited about :). Classic.

Sachs 5th Light Show

The Roch

Ice and the biggest Christmas tree I've ever seen