A Very New York Christmas

If you have yet to spend a Christmas in New York City you must put it on your priority list. Even though it was rainy and cold I was loving it! It could have been the fact that our hotel was in Tribeca, or that our hotel room was huge compared to the usual fare in NYC, or that I was with some of my favorite people. I need to go back not for Times Square, Rockefeller, Lady Liberty but to soak in the amazing architecture. I just want to walk around and gaze upward for days. Does that sound crazy to you? It sounds like heaven to me!

The above photo is out of sequence and is not the most flattering photo of either of us. This was the last day and after a FREEZING and rainy walk to Central Park, we walked a few yards in, posed for the photo and promptly hailed a cab.

As with most of my travel/vacation posts this will be filled with pictures.

We left D.C. super early on Christmas Eve (My watch was still on CA time and when I woke it was 2:30 am talk about painful). The east coast is so beautiful which made the drive bearable. We arrived, checked in and went to lunch at a French Bistro it was perfect.

My family grew up on White Christmas. I used to fantasize that I would grow up to be as beautiful as Rosemary Clooney (Betty), so it was pretty thoughtful when Brooke purchased tickets for us to see the Broadway show. Loved it!

After the show. Melissa cracks me up!

We walked up to Rockefeller Center just to say we did. IT WAS CROWDED!

We then walked down 5th Ave or maybe it was 7th to Central Park. The city was so gorgeous!

We then went back to Tribeca and celebrated Christmas Eve at an Indian Restaurant. It was really great food and a quite night considering by that time most people were at home instead of out wandering the streets.

Loved the lights in the restaurant. I want a set and must find them!

Christmas morning was really quite in the city. The only places open were Jewish Deli's and an Amish market. We had the best bagels for breakfast and wandered over to the site of the former World Trade Center. It is under construction now and you can't see much. Plus there are sooo many peddlers, it made it more of a circus than a memorial.

A pause to put socks on, it was so hot in the hotel room that the thought of putting on socks and a coat was not pleasant. I finally cooled down. Behind me was this guy possible girl dressed in a Panda costume. No one was going near it. It was somewhat pathetic. I guess it thought that if it hung out near the WTC site people would want a photo op with it. I couldn't bring myself to take a picture, it felt cruel to make fun of its loneliness.

We wandered down to the Staten Island ferry. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island but don't have time or want to spend the money. Take the Ferry, it is free, fast and it sails right by both of them.

The Lady

I love this photo and the different architecture era's shown. From the 1770's to the late 20th century. This is why I can spend days walking around this city.

On our way back to the Hotel, Dave just happened to glance down one of the many streets and saw Les Halles. It was a giddy moment! We walked down to see if they were open and made reservations for Christmas dinner.

Les Halles is owned by Anthony Bourdain and my siblings and I LOVE him. The chance to dine at one of his was nothing short of a little fanatical fan worthy.

Of course it decided to rain as we walked from the Hotel so the hair didn't hold up. I didn't care I was eating some amazing food. We were all very content!

David had to take a picture of his dinner.

Saturday we had tickets to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA. We packed up, ate breakfast, the best French toast I have had and took the cab ride to end all cab rides for Melissa. My sister gets motion sick and it didn't help that the driver was insane. We made it in one piece and she managed not to throw up.

What we could see of the exhibit was pretty cool but it was body to body. It would be nice to be able to see it without anyone else.

If you know me well, you know why I like this.

On the way home. It was a parking lot and took a lot longer than planned. It was not a happy time in the car for any of us.

I loved spending Christmas in NYC! It was a really fast trip but I loved every moment.

Snowy Days

This year instead of spending Christmas in SLC/Idaho I went to D.C. and New York to spend it with David, Brooke and Melissa. It was a lot of fun to change up my Holiday habits. Because I am camera happy this post will be about the first few days in D.C.

It was luck that when I booked my flight I picked Sunday instead of Saturday to fly east. Who would have known that they would have been hit with the "Blizzard of the Century". Anyway because I flew on Sunday I managed to get on my flight unlike all of the Saturday fliers. I was greeted with snow upon my arrival and a lot of it. Because D.C. is not accustomed to such a large amount of snow in one day everything was shut down. It was peaceful, quiet and very cold.

Now this is my 6th winter in Northern California, I guess in my blood has gradually thinned out, I also own "light weight coats" and no snow boots/shoes. This posed a problem because the first couple of days I attempted to walk (more like slid) down to Shirlington Village just for something to do and froze there and back. Thanks to Brooke she loaned me her coat to keep warm and I bought a pair of boots that I don't really need now.

On the third day I had to get out of the house. I braved the cold and went into town to visit the National Museum of the American Indian, which surprisingly I had not visited with the exception to eat in the cafeteria (a must do if you are in the area) and to see the Hirshhorn.

I spent hours at the NMAI, it was pretty cool, I highly suggest you go. And what can I say about the Hirshorn, it is a favorite of mine if you like Modern Art it is also a must see.

I love visiting D.C. for the museums they are amazing and best of all FREE!

Great texture at the NMAI

I love the architecture of the NMAI. It is very thoughtful.

This cracked me up. Only at the Hirshhorn would someone make a snowman sitting and waiting.

The Hirshhorn

One of the Smithsonian buildings

Loved that the trees were decorated. I want these stars.

December Happenings... mostly in photos

December was a very busy month but I managed to have time for friends and parties. Below are some of the few things that happened in a two week span....

Jentri & Shane came to Oaktown! Since they moved a year ago they have been missed. We enjoyed Vietnamese Food, putting together a puzzle with Marielle and Sam, they were there to console when I was asked out by an elderly man, and a photo shoot in Jingletown.

A tile wall in Jingletown, let artists take over a part of town and it will be a very colorful place

Jentri kindly letting us practice taking portraits

A Birthday gift from A-gril and Marielle was a ticket to the Nutcracker. I love San Francisco's version. The costumes are gorgeous especially the flowers! It was a fun night out with the girls!

No A-Gril and I did not plan on wearing the same colors but it happens more than you think.

AC was so excited to give me my Christmas gift that she insisted that I opened it in Sacrament meeting. She and her brothers worked really hard to make this for me. I adore it!

Christmas isn't the same without a musical party. The Hayes invited a few of our musically inclined friends (and a few of us who are not) to perform for each other. I read a story as did a couple of others and the rest either played or sang. It was a fun night for everyone!

We always have a fun Church Christmas party. A lot of talent surrounds us. I loved the Christensen's take on "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"

The CUTEST Mary and Joseph ever!

T and the garbage can... He couldn't wait until it was empty to take a ride

All in all it was a fun and fabulous month in Oakland.

A New Sheriff is in Town

My parents purchased a set of boy dress up clothes a few years ago. My Nephew still pulls them out every once in awhile. He had no idea I was watching him as he meticulously created his new persona.

Um... OK not so authoritative, but still cute none the less.

A little better... I think a "bad guy" would take this seriously. Granted his head is to big for the hat.

Please note the dagger, because he would want you to. It adds to the coolness factor so does the soccer ball shirt.

I love this kid and miss him A LOT! At least I have these pics to make me smile.

Thanksgiving Weekend

OK so it was 3 weeks ago but here are a few pics of Thanksgiving weekend.

Oh my goodness it is so much fun to have a baby in the family again. I am happy my sisters and I look similar because she had no problem letting me hold her even though I am never around her.

My Mom must have known that I was missing her cinnamon rolls. I didn't care that dinner was an hour away, I just had to eat one.

I could eat here everyday I am in SL, and have been known to do so. Nothing compares.

My Mom got a rockin deal on a Barbie condo and tons of Barbies/slash clothes. My younger nieces were in heaven! Not that there are plenty of toys in the play room but this is the newest/coolest item.

Obligatory photos of the Nieces and Nephews.. You must look and think they are the cutest ever.

I want this T-shirt

Chaos in the playroom. BARBIES and Train-sets. If Barbies weren't such a pain to dress the adults would be able to do something else.

The day after dying Ali's hair. She has so much hair it took ages to do. It's not that her hair isn't dark as it is, she just wanted it a bit darker.

All in all I am so glad I went. It has been a long time since I have been to my parents for Thanksgiving. I had a fabulous time with my family!

Puzzle Mania...

or is it insanity? Every year my Mother buys a new "Christmas" puzzle and every year we spend ridiculous amounts of time putting it together. I will never forget the Star Wars puzzle, I think we were all swearing by the time it was finished (it was basically black with pin dot stars).

This year she bought a box set with 4 individual puzzles thinking it would be easier. Was it? NO. There were so many critters in each one, ugh, birds, dogs, cats, raccoons and every piece looked like the other.

Then the confession came out.... My Mom doesn't really care for puzzles. Yeah I think she likes to watch us get frustrated, watch us compete to see who is the first to finish and watch us hide pieces from each other. Yeah we don't play nice.

Yet we had to finish them... so we must enjoy doing them. Regardless it is time well spent with each other.

It begins, this was the first. Melissa and I stayed up well past Midnight just to finish, our backs were aching, our eyes were tired, but we finished it.

First of four complete. Seriously I was so done with the birds and the rabbit looking squirrel.

Puzzle 2 under way. Another one that took forever thanks to a 4 year old who considered shooting pieces off of the table "helpful".

Puzzle 3. This had to be moved off of the table to the computer room. I didn't get to see the finished product because of my flight but it to was a killer. How many cats and dogs can be shoved into one puzzle?

Regardless of the complaining and aching backs these puzzles cause I am sure the tradition will live on. Why? We are addicted.