Besta and Grampy Visit New York!

Well, I'm getting to be quite the NYC tour guide lately!  Just the day after Bryan left, my parents arrived!  Its lucky I had worked ahead in my sewing for New York Threads because I took lots of days off!  So nice!  I'm not going to organize these photos chronilogically, but instead give a little caption or label the place in case you too want to visit that site!

The highline.  We did this with Bryan and my parents because the views and the scallop bacon soup are both incredible. 

 Did you know Shake Shack is coming to Dumbo??  Our Brooklyn Bridge routine just got shaken up!  Soooo excited about this!

 Oh just relaxing on the high line.  My mom gave Tatum a little chiwhawha beanie baby and she carries it around with her like its her job. 

 My first time to the statue!  It is quite a different experience than the Staten Island Ferry (which is better than nothing!) but going actually to it is really neat and I felt quite patriotic. 

 Our visitors are always so curious about Grand Central Station.  It feels very European there to me.

 Tour of Columbia after church on Sunday.  We all agree, Scott goes to school at Hogwarts!

Again with Tilly.  Their hair matches a little too perfectly.

 While waiting for some Rush tickets to Aladdin, mom and I took the bug to the Disney Store at Times Square, which is arguably a better Disney Store than at Disney World itself.  What will I do when I'm not living within proximity to the BEST of everything here in NYC?!?

 We arrived at Jane's carousel at 10:55 for an 11 opening time.  I'm pretty sure they gave Tatum two rounds since she was the only child there and since she was waving and squealing so wildly.

 The bird bomb. Poor dad.  Just trying to enjoy some Key Lime Cheesecake from Magnolias (my fave eat in the city!) and he gets nailed. 

 Back at the high line.  Again, sorry about the pictures. 

 Here is Grampy teaching Tatum the seafood ways.  

 Tatum was REALLY thrilled that Scott got her an audio guide along with the rest of us for our Statue of Liberty tour.  She was on the phone and pressing buttons the entire day.

 I think I will print this one.  Tatum was enamored with both Besta and Grampy.  Due to their love most likely, but not hindered by the loads of "PRESENTS" Besta packed in her suitcase! 

 Times Square at night.  A must do while in New York.

 We went to a fancy Itallian place in Hell's Kitchen called Ceci's and met a distant Irish relative there.  He was friendly and even offered to go to the beach with us near his house in Long Island.  

 Full attention from BOTH Besta and Grampy?!  That's what I'm talkin' about!  Under Doggies for life!

 Would it be too crazy for me to say that I enjoyed Aladdin even more than Lion King?  It was funny, familiar, amazing costumes, mind boggling special effects, incredible sets... I can't speak highly enough. But don't take my word for it, go yourself!!

 Bow Bridge in Central Park.

 Besta was an insta-friend when she let T girl play with her "glasses" for hours on end.  Im too confident she'll break mine to let them be a toy.

 Scott took us on a food tour on Chinatown!  The BBQ pork bun was the clear winner (Please say we're going again tomorrow!!) and these gelatinous fruit drinks were sure fun to try.  Thanks for your research and directional skills, getting us through Chinatown once again!

 The girl is a camel.  She drinks water all. the. time. 

 Picnicing. 

 We found ducks AND turtles on our paddle around the CP lake.  

Thanks mom and dad for coming, we had a blast!  Now it's your turn Heather and Noelle!!

Uncle Bryan Comes to NYC

He arrived around 9am Sunday, and I spent our first subway ride together blind hemming Tatum's dress.  And I thought other people do crazy things on the Subway...

 Here we are to see "SAURS!"  T really love Bryan's enthusiasm!

 I never really realized how funny our church halls are... stroller parking! 

One of the best aspects of Bryan visiting is that I never worried about taking pictures!  He did it all the time and I am so grateful!  All photos in this post were taken by Bryan!

 This book is a real page turner.  The #1 fave at our house.

 Are you serious?  These dog walkers are really smart businessmen too!  Getting paid by ALL the owners for the same walk!

 Checkin out Absolute Bagels!  T loves the flipped camera so she can see herself while we're taking it.  

 The little cheeser.  And, no matter if I'm with my brother or Scotts, people take us for married and call Tatum his daughter. 

 The entire first day we spent $2 each on food + dinner cooked at home!  Quite amazing if you ask me!

 Always busy.  And, I didn't realize what a better camera the iphone5 has than the 4s.  Its really nice. 

 And Monday night, the Yankees played the Mariners!!!  It was our first time to Yankee Stadium and so fun to root for our home team!  Mariners WON 10-2 and people did get mad at us.  Shocker.  Scott photobombed our first photo and the Aussie taking it for us said "Get out.  Husband come and go, Brothers are Forever!"  So we've had fun saying "Brothers are Forever" this week!

 The Toys R Us in Times Square is far more impressive than FAO Schwartz if you ask me... Tatum still shrieks with glee in hopes of riding the ferris wheel again!

 The reason she is happy in this picture is because she got a pack of fruit snacks.  Let's be honest.

 After a little detour, I finally got us to a highline entrance and boy was it worth it!

 I think this should be Bryan's new Tinder profile, yeah?  You don't know what Tinder is?  Well you should find out because it is amazing and super fun.  

 I will nothing less than thrilled to realize that my favorite dress from last summer doubles as a shirt this summer!  Best $5 I've ever spent!

 And just today before we sent Bryan off on his flight to Tel Aviv, we took him to San Pedros where we all fell in love with their horchata.  Especially Tatum.  It is realllly good.  And you feel a little wild drinking from a beer glass.

This wasn't even 1/4 of the things we did with Bry in just 3 days... so many photos!  We are really grateful he came to visit and hope he comes back again soon!  Which he may, on his return trip from Israel.  We will see!

Brooklyn Botanical

Several weeks back we headed down to Brooklyn to check out the famous cherry blossoms.  And they didn't disappoint!

T girl and I blew bubbles and ate our pack lunch amidst the most colorful trees around!

My friend Sarah and baby June, maybe 4 weeks old in this photo.  They are gems.

And the whole crew! It's sure great to have good mama friends in the city!  I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think in 20 years I'll look back on this spring/summer with a LOT of fond memories.