Let's Hear it for NEW YORK

On Mother's Day, Jake surprised me by telling me that we were going to NYC for our anniversary, just the two of us. Friday we were to fly out at 7:30 & arrive in NYC by 9:30. We ended up delayed 2 hours, then boarded & took off. We had been in the air 20+ minutes & the pilot said we were turning around & landing in Wilmington due to "a/c issues." The flight was cancelled. They couldn't get us to NYC until after 3pm on Saturday afternoon. So we basically lost a whole day of our 3 day vacation. . . huge bummer.

Finally in NYC (4pm on Saturday), waiting for the subway.

It was HOT.

We went to TKTS on Broadway as soon as we hit NYC & got tickets to "Catch Me If You Can."

My bosses nephew is the lead role - Frank Abagnale JR. We got to meet Aaron after the show & get a backstage tour. Thanks Becky, for the hook-up.

Sunday morning we met some friends, James & Candace, in Brooklyn for donuts at Peter Pan Donuts. I totally forgot to take a picture.

Yankees vs A's game Sunday afternoon.

Jake had a foul ball in his hands but then dropped it.

We went to STOMP on Sunday night.

Found this yummy gelato place after the show. Then walked to Trader Joe's.

Monday morning we got up & headed to the Today Show. Unbeknownst to us, they were doing a segment on HOPE week with 3 Yankees players - Jeter, Sebathia & Cano. We snapped some photos. Jake waited outside the door for Cano to come by so he could "meet" him. I was ready with the camera. . . but i missed it when Jake gave him a fist bump.

Jake's reaction after the fist bump. (I do also have a picture of his reaction when I told him I missed it & did not get a photo. Oops!)

Magnolia Bakery
Top Of The Rock

The Original Famous Ray's Pizza

We had such a nice time in NYC. So fun to get away, just the two of us. We did miss our little Lily bug. . .A LOT! She had fun with her cousins while we were gone. Thank You Chrissy & family!

new renters

Just last week we had some new renters move in.

We witnessed the birds scope it out & then start building their nest over just a few days.

I couldn't help but think of & start meditating on this favorite passage of scripture:

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious (worried) about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

27 And which of you by being anxious (worried) can add a single hour to his span of life?

28 And why are you anxious (worried) about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,

29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not be anxious (worried), saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

MATTHEW 6:25-33 ESV, verse 34 NASB

("worried" is the NASB translation)

TWINS shower

My cousin Adam's wife, Chrissy, is expecting TWINS in September.

We had a little TWINS shower for her on Saturday.

I can't wait to meet these two (1 boy & 1 girl).

Chrissy's mom ordered the below cake for the shower.

It was fun that she could be there for the shower.

My little helper. These cute aprons were a birthday gift for Lily.

***Jake took these photos quick before the shower started. I was so busy that I didn't touch the camera during the shower. So bummed that I didn't take a picture with Chrissy & her girls.***

Vacation - part five

So the REAL reason we took vacation these dates was for the GRANDIA FAMILY REUNION. We drove down to my grandparents house, in Iowa, on Friday. The reunion was Friday night to Monday morning. My grandparents even paid for everyone's transportation to get there - HUGE blessing. Our 2 tickets were close to $1000. So thankful for the time to get reacquainted with our family. Thanks Grandpa & Grandma for your generosity.

Vacation - part four

More highlights - Wednesday we went to the TWINS game - Thanks Dad & Mom!

Vacation - part three

More Highlights - Tuesday we went downtown to meet Bekah, Eric & Luke for lunch. We also went to the ice cream social that Bekah's work was hosting.

The kids got their face and/or hand painted

Lily got to meet TC (MN Twins mascot)

Vacation - part two

MORE highlights -Monday night we had a picnic at the park with BOTH families. That was fun!

Vacation - part one

We flew to MINNESOTA on Saturday, July 25 for our summer vacation.

Here are some highlights (more pictures on facebook).

Family birthday party for Lily

Hanging out with the family (YES, MN is still cool enough for a fire pit.)

LOTS of playing with cousins