Last Sunday night, two angels (in the form of Fred and Susan Taylor) came to my doorstep bearing gifts of bread and cake! Susan knew that I was expecting my company the next day and she thought the bread would be a nice addition to the meal I was making for their arrival.
She also brought with her a delicious chocolate pound cake with frosting recipe written out in her elegant handwriting...
I am not much of a baker and was planning on making Pillsbury frozen breadsticks, so the home baked goods were a delight beyond words!
The RV pulled up in front of our house around 6:30pm Monday evening and dinner was ready and waiting for their arrival...Baked ziti, Junior League salad, and homemade bread!
After dinner, everyone (including the adults) played a game of baseball in the front yard. I took several pictures, but the the lighting was too dark. This was the only one I could come up with.
The lightning bugs were out in full force and since they don't have them out west, everyone was thrilled with the random twinkling lights. I've always loved lightning bugs...it's actually one of my favorite things about July!
Day 2 began with a trip to the Statue of Liberty. We took the ferry in from the New Jersey side to avoid going all the way into Manhattan.
We rented a car for Larry and Jen so that they wouldn't have to drive the RV beast around town.
The kids played musical chairs for most of the trip so we never knew who was ending up in our car until we were pulling out of the driveway. (--this was the first batch...)
The first mishap happened when I had to call poison control while we were driving ...
Ellie was in the back seat sucking on antibacterial lotion...and I wasn't sure how much she had ingested...arrrrrrrhhhhgggg....
No worries...they said she'd just be a bit tipsy if anything...(lucky girl)
Brian, Dave, McKayla and Larry( I never get tired of seeing the New York skyline!)
here we are on the ferry going to Ellis Island...I didn't realize that Jake had brought his 2 pocket knives with him (one of them being the new one he had just gotten the day before in Gettysburg). When we went through security before getting on the ferry, they confiscated the knives and would not let us have them back.
There was much gnashing and wailing of teeth to be had. I felt so sorry for him, but I suppose it was a lesson learned.
I actually went up to one of the security guards and tried to plead with him to let Jake retrieve them after we came back, but he would not back down. I asked him at one point what he thought we were going to do with the knives...stab the statue or something? (that did not go over well)--Ahhh...that New York spunky side comes back from time to time...
I really love Ellis Island. I've been there several times and always find it to be interesting.I always marvel at the many sacrifices that our ancestors made for the price of freedom...
this was an interesting exhibit that I didn't remember seeing before...(when you look at it one way, it's the American flag...
at another angle, it's pictures of people...
One of my favorite things to do at Ellis Island is to see the 30 minute film that they offer--
It's called, "Sea of Tears, Sea of Hope" and it's excellent...(and free!)
It's just a great overview of what people had to go through to get to Ellis Island as well as what took place once they got here...It's very sobering...
Jake and Jaxon...two peas in a pod...
I've been trying to encourage small and inexpensive souvenirs...(such as those pennys that you can flatten with the name of the place your visiting) but that hasn't been too popular...We've settled for keychains...The thing about souvenirs is that they always seem like such a great idea at the time, but when you get back home to reality, they look so dumpy and out of place...(the only souvenir I do are charms for my charm bracelet...)
I'm getting mileage out of these dresses!--Red, white and blue just seemed so appropriate for this day...
The crown is open again for people to walk up but we just stayed on the boat...the kids were getting punchy and anxious to get home to play baseball (what the?!)--
I'm getting mileage out of these dresses!--Red, white and blue just seemed so appropriate for this day...
The crown is open again for people to walk up but we just stayed on the boat...the kids were getting punchy and anxious to get home to play baseball (what the?!)--
(walking up the gazillion steps to get to the statue isn't all it's cracked up to be anyway...
the windows are like airplane windows...I went up once many years ago and that was enough for me...)
Day 3 was our trip into Manhattan...(I got a babysitter for Ellie)
What's a trip to NY without getting a slice of pizza?!--
We went to Rays to satisfy our pizza cravings and it did not disappoint...
Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, thin crust (Yowza!)
I completely acted like a tourist this day! I don't recall ever taking a picture of pizza!
$60 later (and that was without sodas) we were feeling refreshed and ready for taking in the sights...
Next stop was up to Columbus Circle to see the temple...
It takes your breath away to see this right in the middle of the city's hussle and bussle...
When we lived in NY, the temple hadn't been built yet, but this is where our ward was. Now there's a building on the east side...(It was actually neat to have to walk to the west side each Sunday because we got to go through Central Park and that was always so much fun...)
We went on a quick jaunt through the Central Park...
And onto midtown...(about a month ago, the city closed down 3 streets on Broadwayand set it up for pedestrians only...) I asked one of the police officers and he said it was only supposed to be a temporary thing, but he suspects it will remain permanent...
It's really neat to have that kind of access to the street...
I'm really amazed with how cleaned up midtown is...
We (and by we I mean everyone except Brian) went to see Wicked...
Have I mentioned how much I love this show?!
Jake and Reilly were excited to see it since they've heard me talking about it and they know all the music...
Jake and Reilly were excited to see it since they've heard me talking about it and they know all the music...
Here I am being present in my own life....
I couldn't resist taking a picture of these beautiful hydrangeas at Rockefeller Center...
We went onto the American Girl store and Reilly came down with the "greedy grape" syndrome.
It wasn't even that she was interested in the dolls themselves, she just wanted to buy something...she was checking out the clothes for herself...(ridiculously overpriced unless you've got a doll that you're trying to be twins with and even then, it's crazy!)
Day 4 found us in Philadelphia...where once again, the weather was picture perfect....My sister in laws father developed a kidney stone while on the trip and was struggling to keep his composure...(his doctor called in some pain medicine for him, but can you imagine dealing with a kidney stone while on vacation?!) He was a real trooper...
First stop was to see the Liberty Bell--
and then on to something else historically significant!...CHEESESTEAKS!! Holy delectibleness!
This place is famous for their cheesesteaks and they claim to be the best in town...
Silence please--
While Brian and Larry were waiting for our cheesesteaks at Campos, a few of us went a couple of doors down to Sonny's (the competition) for fries as Campos doesn't sell anything fried...(the owner thinks it's too messy)The guys at Sonny's were so funny and nice and wore these snarky "Bite Me" tee-shirts...
After bringing our fries back to our table outside of Campos, we dug into our cheesesteaks with vigor and gusto...
A woman who worked at Campos came out and made a few snide remarks about our fries--(what the?!)...We seriously thought she was kidding but soon found out that she was NOT!
Jen's parents tried explaining to her that they were from Idaho and that they couldn't be without their potatoes, but she wasn't buying it...
Outside of the Betsy Ross house, there were people in period dress telling stories of what took place back in that time...It was quite interesting....
After we got home from Philadelphia, we had dinner and started trying to pack for the weekend...The plan was for everyone to go to Palmyra, NY and see the Hill Comorah pageant and some of the other church history sights along the way...
Everyone kept trying to get me and Ellie to go, but I was exhausted and felt that it would be best if Ellie and I stayed behind...
After much badgering, I finally agreed that Ellie could go, but I was going to stay home...ALONE! Glory, Glory day!
Day 5 brought an end to the festivities as everyone packed up and I said my final goodbyes...
The gang's all here...
Ellie was the most excited of the bunch, I think, because she was getting to ride in the "home truck" as she kept calling it...she was thrilled that she got to "sleep" (and by sleep, I mean, talk and toss around all night) in the "home truck"...
When I went back in the house, I found this cute bag waiting for me on the kitchen counter filled with goodies...
Jen had stictched this up for me...I love the saying--it holds such meaning for me and will definintely remind me of our time spent together...
Along with a stack of travel themed scrapbook paper was this card that she made as well...
When I went back in the house, I found this cute bag waiting for me on the kitchen counter filled with goodies...
Jen had stictched this up for me...I love the saying--it holds such meaning for me and will definintely remind me of our time spent together...
Along with a stack of travel themed scrapbook paper was this card that she made as well...All in all, it was a wonderful visit...
It was great that the kids got to see their cousins and that we were able to show them some east coast sights...
The week was packed full of good food, good sights, lots of laughs...good times...
P.S.--Brian has all three kids and won't be back until Sunday afternoon...(is it wrong to love having time alone so much?)
I am so jealous that you guys are able to drive to all these places! I am flying to NYC on Thursday, and your pictures made me more excited. It's a been a few years since I've been, and I can't wait to go!
ReplyDeleteWow you guys really packed it all in nicely! How exciting to see Wicked in New York! I hope to do that later this Summer as well. I saw it in Colorado and LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteI've seen those darling purses here in Utah. I've been tempted many times to make a purchase myself.
Wow! Looks like a very full week! I would have been tired too. You are so lucky to live near so much history. When we lived in Maryland, we used to make a point to stop at all the historical signs. So much history in that part of the country!
ReplyDeletewow! wish i could have gone on those side trips with all of you. looks like everyone had fun. glad ellie was able to do some of it. the photos are outstanding. ellis island was always my favorite- a place of almost sacred happenings. makes you appreciate our ancestors and their sacrifices. good job. you deserved a few days off after that one!
ReplyDeleteFresh Bread is ALWAYS so wonderful! What a great friend to give you some!
ReplyDeleteI’ve never been to New York. One advantage of living on the East Coast is that you really are so close to so many wonderful historical things. Your trip to Ellis Island looks fantastic! And the red, white, and blue dresses are cute the 2nd time around, too! And the pizza looked so yummy!!!!
You didn’t say, did your gets enjoy Wicked? Was it all that they thought it would be? My 10 year-olds have seen it (well, they are 11 year-olds now) but neither Jeremy nor I have yet.
The cheesesteaks look great too!!! What was that woman’s problem with the fries? Do they not “go” with cheesesteak or something?
And so, you got a wonderful visit with your family and several days alone at the end of it. You know, I would miss my husband for that many days alone. BUT, I think it is a fantastic gift that he took the kids with him. You should not feel guilty. It sounds like a perfect family visit to me!
oh, so much to comment on! i'm sure i'll end up leaving something out. but, really, do you want to be my NY tour guide? :)
ReplyDeletethe pizza and steak sandwich look DIVINE - oh how i love fresh mozorella!
love that your neighbor is so thoughtful to bring you fresh made bread! i need to be this kind of neighbor, but always fall short somehow.
i'm beyond jealous that you saw wicked - it's definitely on my "to do" list.
i love that american flag display with the photos on the other side. that really is what america means to me.
great post!
NO--it is not wrong to like Alone Time so much! I crave it, though it makes me feel sort of like a "bad" mother to admit it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time with your family! I'm chuckling about the cranky anti-potato woman--what's up with being cranky over someone elses' fries anyway?
I've been to Ellis Island before--with my two oldest daughters and the high school orchestra a few ago--in MARCH. AUGH. I've never been so freezing cold in my entire life.
I have a friend who has connections with the touring cast of Wicked (which is coming to Denver again this fall) and she has invited my mom and I to go with her and her daughter to a performance. We get box seats and backstage passes! I can hardly wait.
My feet hurt just reading what you did! How many miles did you walk?
ReplyDeleteGreat husband of yours! Taking ALL the kids so you can have quiet time!
Looks like a lot of fun! I think you deserve some alone time after being such a great hostess. My little sister got married in the Manhattan Temple--it was quite the event! Enjoy your flowers.
ReplyDeleteHoly Moly, girl! What a week!!
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds way too fun and exhausting, all at the same time. And, it sounds like good memories for sure for all. We always love it when the cousins spend time together and really bond.
I totally enjoyed the entire review! And, I'm happy to hear that you had a tiny bit of respite with time for yourself at the end of it all. Now, back to real life. Sorry.
Having time home alone after a busy week like that sounds like the best thing ever! I don't think there's anything wrong with loving that.
ReplyDeleteFred and Susan are so nice to bring you bread and cake to help with your guests! I'd like to be more like that, especially since baking isn't my thing.
That New York Pizza and the cheesesteak look amazing, I want to go on this same trip!
What a delightful surprise to see my parents referred to as angels! That bread is my all-time favorite, and I just made that cake for the first time this week for book club. Yum.
ReplyDeleteWhat a crazy busy week! I'm dying to see Wicked. And I would do anything for one of those cheesesteaks right now... yes, even at 9:00 a.m.!
Staying home alone would be bliss, lucky girl!