Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New York Shenanigans!

Shenanigans
Definition: silly or high-spirited behavior
That's what New York was.
Total blast.
As was expected.
Humor me, and hang on for the ride.
Prepare yourself.
This is long.

Real quick!
Ryan's parents made a 2 day trip to Texas to celebrate
Christmas with the boys before Ryan and I left for NY.
Here are a few pics of the fun.
Then on to NY.
I promise!

Preston, Pop and T
Silly boys.
Please, Preston, whatever you do, do NOT smile.
Thanks.
The annual Boys' Christmas Scavenger Hunt!!
Pop always starts it off.
Each of the boys take their turn reading a clue.
While the adults standby for help.
This year was especially special because
Carter could read his clue without any help!
We're so proud of this smart little guy.
Once the clues are read,
the boys take off to their destination!
The surprise!
Pop and Grandma gave the family a projector for our media room!
It is awesome, friends.
Fo real.
It sounds just like we're in a theater.
 Lot's of fun will be had in here.
The best part, we can take it with us when we move.
More on that later.
Big plans on that note.
What was in the box?
Movie supplies of course!
I think they like it.
 Thanks, Pop and Grandma!
Please excuse Preston's bed head.

Okay, on to NEW YORK!
Lunch at Chicago O'Hara airport.
Let the vacay begin!
The view from Ryan's parents' house just outside of Syracuse.
Beautiful.
The back of their property is a snowy haven for little boys.
Ours loved it last year.

 Leaving for the Adirondacks.
Brrrrrrrr.
The ride was incredible.
I love that we were able to see parts of NY in addition to the city.
New York has some of the most breathtaking countryside.
I don't know why I didn't take any pics while in the Adirondacks.
Not smart.
I was, however, so intrigued with its history.
Do you know the story of the famous murder that took place there?
Carol told us all about it.
She read the book documenting the legend,
and graciously passed it down to me.
Awesome.
I'm 1/3 the way through.
I love reading the history behind places.
Makes it so much more.
More than just a city.
We stopped at local dives along the way,
ate dinner at a restaurant in the middle of no where, and watched as a
man tried to pick up Carol right in front of us.
She's a hottie.

The next day was Niagara Falls in Canada.
On the drive out, Carol had made plans for us to
make a stop "only 15 miles" off the route at the famous
It ended up being a tad off the beaten path in Aurora,
but HOLY COW was it worth the drive.
The grounds were out of this world.
The old family house still stands on the property
along with the barn where the products are made.
Outside the shop looking out to the Finger Lakes.
Love all the live garland.
The entrance to the shop.
Love.
She is famous for her black and white stripes and checks.
I'll take 2.
Look closely at the chandelier.
See the spoons?
She is a creative genius.
This table and chairs were to die for.
I want all of this, please.
Need a mini kitchen?
You'll have to shell out 5 figures.
Filing this away for next year.
As if I can duplicate it.
Okay, get ready.
This is a doll house.
A doll house.
Really?
Checkout the goodies hubby bought me:
and
Carol escaped with a few prizes of her own.
I think we're going to start collecting her dinnerware.
Love it.

After some power shopping, we hit the road to Canada,
not stopping until we set our eyes on this:
Are you kidding me?
It is absolutely so incredible.
Everyone should see this once in their lifetime.
It is too hard to put into words.
     
Hubby and I!
It was beyond frigid.
I think we lasted about 5 minutes outside.
Carol and I decided we were wimps because we
saw lots of people out as if for a Sunday stroll
showing no aversion to the chilly air coming off the water.
It's called acclimation, people.
And we're not acclimated to that nonsense.

Isn't this a great picture of Ed and Carol!
Love them.
After making our way indoors, I took another pic
to show the shear magnitude of Horseshoe Falls.
In the warmer weather, you can take a boat ride
right up to the edge of the falls.
No thanks.
Can you believe people have gone over the edge in barrels
and walked across on tightropes?
Crazy.
We ate dinner at the top of a revolving tower
overlooking the falls as well as downtown Ontario.
Incredible views.
So beautiful at night.
Dinner:
Salmon
and beef tenderloin
YUM
Next stop, the casino.
What a fantastic day.
You can laugh at the pic.
We did.
A lot.
The next day was spent reading and relaxing at Ed and Carol's
before a night of dinner and gambling
at Turning Stone Casino in Verona.
No pics.
I know.
We had the best time.
Carol and I found a bar to sit at
while the boys made us some money playing craps.
We girls had fun gossiping and trash talking.
Good times as always.
The men made out like bandits,
and then we hit the road back home.

We woke up the next morning,
and Carol and Ed drove us to the train station in Albany.
I love traveling via Amtrak.
The ride is beautiful.
As soon as we arrived at Penn Station, we dropped our
bags at the hotel, got a bite to eat at an oyster bar,
and shopped til we dropped.
So.much.fun.
When dinner rolled around,
we asked the concierge for a sushi restaurant recommendation,
and this is where he sent us:
Good times!
You can tell I've had a long day.
Cold sake makes everything better.

After dinner, we hit a local pub for some fun.
Love this handsome man!
The next day consisted of shopping, shopping and did I mention shopping.
We did New York City.
Along the way we stopped at Ground Zero.
I wasn't prepared for how it made me feel.
Brought back so many memories of that day.
Hubby on Wall Street!
The financial heart of our country.
It was pretty cool to see.
We had to stop and checkout this Home Depot.
How many Home Depots have you seen with a holiday window display
Only in NYC!

We considered doing one of the big parties on NYE, but that's just not us,
and I didn't want to have to get all dressed up
so Ryan took me took a wonderful dinner after a
long day of shopping...I'll show you some of my purchases in a future post...we went
back to the hotel to shower, and went to a now favorite spot by our hotel
to ring in the New Year Soladay style!
While there, we met THE sweetest newlywed couple from Germany.
Meet Kim and Jenny:
They were so much fun.
It was their first time in America, and we had a great time
swapping stories about our homelands.
It also fun introducing them to some American drinks!

We watched the hoopla outside the bar at midnight.
It's madness!
Don't gag, Sass.
                       
Back inside the bar, Ryan did his
usual picture taking mania before calling it a night.
I won't subject you to all that mess.
It was good though.
The next morning came way too early,
but we made it to Penn Station for the ride back to Ryan's parents.
Goodbye, NYC.
Until next time...
Carol prepared a fantastic last meal for us
that night, and we sat around the table trading stories from our week.
What an out of control FANTASTIC week.
Blessed, blessed, blessed we are.
We couldn't have asked for a better way
 to end an incredible year for our family
and begin another one.

Happy 2011, friends!

10 comments:

Coco said...

I LOVE McKenzie Childs. That tea pot is something I have had my eye on for a long time.
And that wreath? You can totally make that for me next year.
Looks like ya'll had a blast!!!!

Your wineglass will be in the mail tomorrow!!

Miss you! Let's get together when I am in town to do the Cowtown. Meet Jen and I downtown FW!?

starnes family said...

Gagged a bit. Just a bit.

:)

Haunted book? Yes, please!

What an awesome trip. That first picture of you and Ryan from NYE night is darling. And, the pic of Ed and Carol is precious!

SASS said...

I gagged.
I didn't even watch the whole thing. I just couldn't do it.
Love Pop's scavenger hunt! So sweet. And a projector? Even better!
Frame the first pic of you and Ryan in the snow. Presh.
Niagra Falls! Heaven! I've got to go there. Never been to Canada OR New York. WTF? You know my traveling history- this is just silly.
Cold sake really does make everything better. But I prefer hot!
K, that freakin teapot. SASS WANTS. That whole shop! OMG! A new addition to the bucket list.
In Greece we met a couple from Australia and a couple from Switzerland. We had so much fun exchanging stories of our homelands- the best is hearing what they think a stereotypical American is like. Priceless.
Love this trip!!!!!! I feel so much better. I was dying for the update. Loves you & Ryan, Alice! Even though you make me gag at least weekly.

Merry Mack said...

I want to go to there. Beautiful. Looks like super fun and I truly have no words for the cutie shopping. Oh, and the grandparent scavenger it possibly the coolest idea EVAH! Cool. Awesome. Clever. I have severe jealousy.

Impulsive Addict said...

Wow! This post must have taken you a little time to put together! Looks like you guys had a fab time!

Love that tea pot! Super cute!

I've never been to NYC. I would love to go someday.

La said...

It looks like you and Ryan had a wonderful time. It's been years since I visited NYC. I really need to make it there soon.

Happy New Year! La

If the shoe FITZ said...

awesome trip!
love those wreaths!!!

Dee Stephens said...

I love that store! WOWZERS! Niagra Falls looks awesome. Never been. Also, I hear the Finger Lakes region is awesome.
And.. I'm with you on NYE. Brad and I would have done exactly as you guys did including meeting randoms and becoming friends :)

FROGGITY! said...

good grief! such fun and so much prettiness!! happy 2011!

The Rand's said...

What a fun trip!

Happy 2011!

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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New York Shenanigans!

Shenanigans
Definition: silly or high-spirited behavior
That's what New York was.
Total blast.
As was expected.
Humor me, and hang on for the ride.
Prepare yourself.
This is long.

Real quick!
Ryan's parents made a 2 day trip to Texas to celebrate
Christmas with the boys before Ryan and I left for NY.
Here are a few pics of the fun.
Then on to NY.
I promise!

Preston, Pop and T
Silly boys.
Please, Preston, whatever you do, do NOT smile.
Thanks.
The annual Boys' Christmas Scavenger Hunt!!
Pop always starts it off.
Each of the boys take their turn reading a clue.
While the adults standby for help.
This year was especially special because
Carter could read his clue without any help!
We're so proud of this smart little guy.
Once the clues are read,
the boys take off to their destination!
The surprise!
Pop and Grandma gave the family a projector for our media room!
It is awesome, friends.
Fo real.
It sounds just like we're in a theater.
 Lot's of fun will be had in here.
The best part, we can take it with us when we move.
More on that later.
Big plans on that note.
What was in the box?
Movie supplies of course!
I think they like it.
 Thanks, Pop and Grandma!
Please excuse Preston's bed head.

Okay, on to NEW YORK!
Lunch at Chicago O'Hara airport.
Let the vacay begin!
The view from Ryan's parents' house just outside of Syracuse.
Beautiful.
The back of their property is a snowy haven for little boys.
Ours loved it last year.

 Leaving for the Adirondacks.
Brrrrrrrr.
The ride was incredible.
I love that we were able to see parts of NY in addition to the city.
New York has some of the most breathtaking countryside.
I don't know why I didn't take any pics while in the Adirondacks.
Not smart.
I was, however, so intrigued with its history.
Do you know the story of the famous murder that took place there?
Carol told us all about it.
She read the book documenting the legend,
and graciously passed it down to me.
Awesome.
I'm 1/3 the way through.
I love reading the history behind places.
Makes it so much more.
More than just a city.
We stopped at local dives along the way,
ate dinner at a restaurant in the middle of no where, and watched as a
man tried to pick up Carol right in front of us.
She's a hottie.

The next day was Niagara Falls in Canada.
On the drive out, Carol had made plans for us to
make a stop "only 15 miles" off the route at the famous
It ended up being a tad off the beaten path in Aurora,
but HOLY COW was it worth the drive.
The grounds were out of this world.
The old family house still stands on the property
along with the barn where the products are made.
Outside the shop looking out to the Finger Lakes.
Love all the live garland.
The entrance to the shop.
Love.
She is famous for her black and white stripes and checks.
I'll take 2.
Look closely at the chandelier.
See the spoons?
She is a creative genius.
This table and chairs were to die for.
I want all of this, please.
Need a mini kitchen?
You'll have to shell out 5 figures.
Filing this away for next year.
As if I can duplicate it.
Okay, get ready.
This is a doll house.
A doll house.
Really?
Checkout the goodies hubby bought me:
and
Carol escaped with a few prizes of her own.
I think we're going to start collecting her dinnerware.
Love it.

After some power shopping, we hit the road to Canada,
not stopping until we set our eyes on this:
Are you kidding me?
It is absolutely so incredible.
Everyone should see this once in their lifetime.
It is too hard to put into words.
     
Hubby and I!
It was beyond frigid.
I think we lasted about 5 minutes outside.
Carol and I decided we were wimps because we
saw lots of people out as if for a Sunday stroll
showing no aversion to the chilly air coming off the water.
It's called acclimation, people.
And we're not acclimated to that nonsense.

Isn't this a great picture of Ed and Carol!
Love them.
After making our way indoors, I took another pic
to show the shear magnitude of Horseshoe Falls.
In the warmer weather, you can take a boat ride
right up to the edge of the falls.
No thanks.
Can you believe people have gone over the edge in barrels
and walked across on tightropes?
Crazy.
We ate dinner at the top of a revolving tower
overlooking the falls as well as downtown Ontario.
Incredible views.
So beautiful at night.
Dinner:
Salmon
and beef tenderloin
YUM
Next stop, the casino.
What a fantastic day.
You can laugh at the pic.
We did.
A lot.
The next day was spent reading and relaxing at Ed and Carol's
before a night of dinner and gambling
at Turning Stone Casino in Verona.
No pics.
I know.
We had the best time.
Carol and I found a bar to sit at
while the boys made us some money playing craps.
We girls had fun gossiping and trash talking.
Good times as always.
The men made out like bandits,
and then we hit the road back home.

We woke up the next morning,
and Carol and Ed drove us to the train station in Albany.
I love traveling via Amtrak.
The ride is beautiful.
As soon as we arrived at Penn Station, we dropped our
bags at the hotel, got a bite to eat at an oyster bar,
and shopped til we dropped.
So.much.fun.
When dinner rolled around,
we asked the concierge for a sushi restaurant recommendation,
and this is where he sent us:
Good times!
You can tell I've had a long day.
Cold sake makes everything better.

After dinner, we hit a local pub for some fun.
Love this handsome man!
The next day consisted of shopping, shopping and did I mention shopping.
We did New York City.
Along the way we stopped at Ground Zero.
I wasn't prepared for how it made me feel.
Brought back so many memories of that day.
Hubby on Wall Street!
The financial heart of our country.
It was pretty cool to see.
We had to stop and checkout this Home Depot.
How many Home Depots have you seen with a holiday window display
Only in NYC!

We considered doing one of the big parties on NYE, but that's just not us,
and I didn't want to have to get all dressed up
so Ryan took me took a wonderful dinner after a
long day of shopping...I'll show you some of my purchases in a future post...we went
back to the hotel to shower, and went to a now favorite spot by our hotel
to ring in the New Year Soladay style!
While there, we met THE sweetest newlywed couple from Germany.
Meet Kim and Jenny:
They were so much fun.
It was their first time in America, and we had a great time
swapping stories about our homelands.
It also fun introducing them to some American drinks!

We watched the hoopla outside the bar at midnight.
It's madness!
Don't gag, Sass.
                       
Back inside the bar, Ryan did his
usual picture taking mania before calling it a night.
I won't subject you to all that mess.
It was good though.
The next morning came way too early,
but we made it to Penn Station for the ride back to Ryan's parents.
Goodbye, NYC.
Until next time...
Carol prepared a fantastic last meal for us
that night, and we sat around the table trading stories from our week.
What an out of control FANTASTIC week.
Blessed, blessed, blessed we are.
We couldn't have asked for a better way
 to end an incredible year for our family
and begin another one.

Happy 2011, friends!

10 comments:

Coco said...

I LOVE McKenzie Childs. That tea pot is something I have had my eye on for a long time.
And that wreath? You can totally make that for me next year.
Looks like ya'll had a blast!!!!

Your wineglass will be in the mail tomorrow!!

Miss you! Let's get together when I am in town to do the Cowtown. Meet Jen and I downtown FW!?

starnes family said...

Gagged a bit. Just a bit.

:)

Haunted book? Yes, please!

What an awesome trip. That first picture of you and Ryan from NYE night is darling. And, the pic of Ed and Carol is precious!

SASS said...

I gagged.
I didn't even watch the whole thing. I just couldn't do it.
Love Pop's scavenger hunt! So sweet. And a projector? Even better!
Frame the first pic of you and Ryan in the snow. Presh.
Niagra Falls! Heaven! I've got to go there. Never been to Canada OR New York. WTF? You know my traveling history- this is just silly.
Cold sake really does make everything better. But I prefer hot!
K, that freakin teapot. SASS WANTS. That whole shop! OMG! A new addition to the bucket list.
In Greece we met a couple from Australia and a couple from Switzerland. We had so much fun exchanging stories of our homelands- the best is hearing what they think a stereotypical American is like. Priceless.
Love this trip!!!!!! I feel so much better. I was dying for the update. Loves you & Ryan, Alice! Even though you make me gag at least weekly.

Merry Mack said...

I want to go to there. Beautiful. Looks like super fun and I truly have no words for the cutie shopping. Oh, and the grandparent scavenger it possibly the coolest idea EVAH! Cool. Awesome. Clever. I have severe jealousy.

Impulsive Addict said...

Wow! This post must have taken you a little time to put together! Looks like you guys had a fab time!

Love that tea pot! Super cute!

I've never been to NYC. I would love to go someday.

La said...

It looks like you and Ryan had a wonderful time. It's been years since I visited NYC. I really need to make it there soon.

Happy New Year! La

If the shoe FITZ said...

awesome trip!
love those wreaths!!!

Dee Stephens said...

I love that store! WOWZERS! Niagra Falls looks awesome. Never been. Also, I hear the Finger Lakes region is awesome.
And.. I'm with you on NYE. Brad and I would have done exactly as you guys did including meeting randoms and becoming friends :)

FROGGITY! said...

good grief! such fun and so much prettiness!! happy 2011!

The Rand's said...

What a fun trip!

Happy 2011!