NYC Day 2

Our second day there, we woke up and headed to Brooklyn!  Is it seriously beautiful there.  The streets are right out of the movies.  Or Sesame Street.  :)  We walked around a bit, enjoyed the view of Manhattan, ate at Grimaldi's - MY FAVORITE PIZZA EVER!!, got some ice cream and ate it while taking pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge.  We then headed across the bridge back to Manhattan.  Along the way, we came across a large group of Air Force Cuties, and we got a quick pic of Wendy with them.  By the time we got back to the city, big clouds started rolling in and we were so mad because we both brought the CUTEST rainboots and were dying to wear them!  But as quickly as the rain came it, it went out again.  Oh well.  We walked around South Street Seaport for a bit, and then headed back Uptown to Central Park and just wandered around.

Funny story about Central Park.....When we went to Central Park the day before, we got there from Barton's house, which is quite a ways north of the park.  This day, we entered the park from the very south end at 59th Street.  We made our way to The Mall, and grabbed a bench and people watched for a while.  We then headed to Bethesda Fountain (which was under renovation AGAIN darnit!!) and took some pictures.  We were in the park for about two hours when Wendy & I had this conversation....

     Wendy noticed some people taking pictures in a tree. Very cute. 

     Wendy:  I bet they have trees like that in Central Park.

     Me:  What did you say?

     Wendy:  I said I bet they have trees like that in Central Park.

     Me:  Where do you think we are???  We ARE in Central Park!!! 

     Me:  ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - laughing at Wendy

I could see the confusion on her face.  She thought Central Park was more up near Barton's house, up off of 103rd Street.  It's truly hard to imagine a park that big, but Central Park really is THAT BIG.  Yes Wendy, same park.  It was hilarious.

So, here are some pics from Day 2....

Uh, yea.  They had these two gigantic anatomically correct sculptures in the Time Warner building.  Wendy got a grab.

Brooklyn Heights

A view of Manhattan from Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge

Yummy Grimaldi's!

Me and my girl

Oh baby!

Wendy has been saying RAD for years.  She's a true Valley Girl.  No, she didn't graffiti this...it was already there!  Wendy brought RAD back!

Cutie Air Force dudes!  Check out the one looking at Wendy.

Storm comin' in...

Beautiful Central Park

There were flowers like this everywhere!

The Mall

Entrance to Bethesda Fountain

Peek-a-boo!

The Boat House

Seriously SO green!

Yippee!  I'm in Central Park!!!

The John Lennon Memorial

Central Park baby!!!

And then, on Wendesday night.......more to come.

New York - First Night and Day 1

Whew!  What a week it's been!  As soon as Wendy & I stepped off the plane, I went into full Party Planning mode for Hugh's and my 40th Birthday Bash.  I had most of the preparations done before we left for NYC, but I had to put it all in to motion as soon as I got home.  The party was GREAT, and we had so much fun visiting with family and friends.  I'll be posting those pictures later....hopefully tomorrow. 

Anyway....NYC.  What can I say?  It was incredible.  Barton was quite the host, and Wendy and I saw so much in our 4 days there.  We came home with lots of funny stories, and some great pictures! 

When we got to the airport, we ran into a large group of LDS missionaries who were all flying home!!  Adorable.

This is Wendy - pre-take off and pre-valium.  I have to say....it was a bumpy first 15 minutes and Wendy was holding my hand and about broke my fingers.

Oh yes.  Lovely.

Ok.  Can I just say that these roasted almonds are a delicious party for your mouth!  Yum!

Wednesday morning, we woke up and took the LONG ONE BLOCK walk to Central Park.  It was so beautiful.  Everything was so GREEN and there were flowers everywhere! 

A little bridge we came upon...

Seriously.  It's a forest in the middle of this gigantic city.

Waterfalls too!

Yes, flowers everywhere!

This is a famous restaurant called Pastis in the trendy Meatpacking district.  Love the red awning.

The architecture is truly gorgeous!

St. Paul's Cathedral.  I took a picture last year from this exact angle and this year it looked a little different.  Check out last year's picture here.

A plane flying low over the WTC site.  A strange sight.

There is progess at the WTC site! 

WTC workers.  The dude on the left waved at me after I took his picture.  I'm glad he was ok with it.

A view of the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park.

It was a LOOONGGGG day!  More pictures to follow....

Sneak Peak

Wendy and I had a WONDERFUL trip to NYC. So much walking and so much laughter!! Many stories to tell. But right now, I only have time to post a few pics. I'll get to the nitty gritty after this weekend. Enjoy!

 

 

 

And We're Off!

Tomorrow Wendy & I leave on our much anticipated trip to NYC!  I'm super excited...but uber stressed as I have way too much to do today!  I'm sure I'll get it all done.  Let's just hope I haven't ripped all of my hair out by the day's end.

I had a wonderful birthday.  My best ever!  I spent Friday surrounded by family and friends and had an amazing day.  Turning 4o is empowering!!!  Saturday was spent with more family and my church family - including all of my "daughters" (the young women) - at our annual Camp Fundraiser.  Super fun night and we raised a lot of money.   Kristen's banana cream pie sold for $100 - 3 times!!!  Uh, Kristen??  I need that recipe!

I have completed by 40 Random Acts of Kindness, but haven't finished blogging about it.  Adding pictures takes some time, ya know!  So, when I get home from my trip, I'll get to work on that.  If any of you have a RAOK that I can share, please email me!!  I would love to add it to the post!  Julie & Jody - you completed your RAOK kindness with the lovely gifts you sent me!!  You guys are awesome!!  And Jody, I already have the RAOK you sent me earlier about Valentine's Day....so that'll be included!  Thanks.

Ok....so I'm off to clean, pack & shop.  I'll be checking in from NYC!!!  Love you all!

Today is THE Day!

I woke up.  I didn't feel any different.  Thank goodness!

Because I'm 40!!!

But I still feel 25. 

Except for this nagging shoulder thingy I have going on.  And the ache in my neck.  And the grey in my hair (which will be promptly colored this morning.)  And the crease in between my eyebrows. 

But, I honestly do feel great.  I'm happy. I'm healthy. I am surrounded by a loving family and wonderful friends.  (And let me just say, if you don't have a Facebook, get one - just for the birthday wishes alone!!  I feel so loved!)  And I can still shake my booty like nobody's business!! 

I'm finishing up my 40 Random Acts of Kindness post, and will get the up soon. What a great experience it's been!!

I'm feelin' the love today people......feelin' the love.

My Hero

Julie and her daughter, Kit.

Let me tell you a little about my friend Julie.  I've known Julie since 7th grade.  We went to Junior High together, and then on to High School.  We had a slight rivalry when it came to the boys, but we were always friends.  We didn't keep in touch after high school, but I remember seeing Julie at our 10 year reunion.  She was very pregnant with her first child and looked adorable.  (There is something so beautiful about a very pregnant woman.  I loved it.)  I said to Hugh after the reunion..."I think I had the most fun visiting with Julie D."   She turned into a wonderul woman.

Soon after our reunion, I found out that Julie had cancer.  Hodgkin's Lymphoma, I believe.  She was only 28, maybe 29.  And she had just given birth to her son.  She started chemo and radiation.  She lost her hair.  Actually, her hair started falling out and so she and her husband watched "GI Jane" with Demi Moore for inspiration (remember when Demi shaved her head in the movie??) and then they shaved Julie's head.  I can't imagine doing that.  Just that alone had to take so much strength and courage.

She was told she would never have any more children.  She proved them wrong when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter.  She eventually was told she was in remission.

Julie is Griffin's "Birth Mom".  And because of that, she will always be a part of our family.  I'll never forget that she allowed us to bring Griffin home when we needed him so much.  He helped our family heal after the loss of our sweet Chelsea.

Julie knew there was a possiblity that some form of cancer would return.  And that came true just a few months ago.  Thyroid cancer.  She had her thyroid removed, and had some treatment done.  It has been a very rough couple of months for her.  She's bummed that they lack of a tyroid has caused her to gain some weight, and says that is harder to kick than cancer!!  Always funny.  And, let me tell you, she has the most amazing friends and family rallying for her, and it is so beautiful to see.  

Julie...just a few minutes ago....posted this on her status on Facebook:

"CANCER FREE!  I'm FAT...and HAPPY!"

I stated bawling.  I just can't imagine going through cancer TWICE at such a young age.  And all the while, being a wife and a mother.  Just can't imagine.

Julie is my hero. I think she is one of the strongest, most courageous women I have EVER known.  It is an HONOR to call her my friend.

Julie...that t-shirt is coming your way.  I love you.

Dolphins

My favorite line from Glee last night....

"Did you know that dolphins are just gay sharks?" 

- Brittany the Cheerio

Hi. My name is Toni and I'm a Gleek.

Do you know what makes me happy? 

GLEE makes me happy!  Oh, how I missed those kids.  And Sue Sylvester.  And dreamy Mr. Schuster.  It returns tomorrow night, and I'm sure this season will be better than the first - if that is even possible!

How nice of them to start the new season the week of my birthday.  So kind.

Of course, I won't be watching it until AFTER Caitlin's very first softball game.  

So, please don't call, text, facebook or email me until after 10:00 pm tomorrow.  I'll be busy hanging out with New Directions!  I wonder what they'll sing....

Oooh!  Can't wait!! 

Modern Family

Do you watch this show?  If not, you should.  It is, to me, the funniest show I've seen on TV in a long, long time. 

Here is a clip from Hugh's FAVORITE episode.  This is Mitchell and Cam.  They were on their way to Luke's birthday party (the nephew of the red headed guy) and Cam (adorable!!) is the clown named Fizbo.  This is what happened on their way to the party.  ***There is a tv legal swear word in here.  Just be warned.***