Beautiful Babies

First day of 2nd grade and last year of preschool

Last Days in Rochester

We were lucky to spend the last 10 days in Rochester with Mike and the kids (we missed and love you Michelle, next time!). Annie is a sweet, sweet teenager and Emerson confirmed that one of the best ways to entertain your kids is to have a 10-year old boy around.

Thank you Grammy and Bompa for all the love and patience with us all in your home - "the cat" included. We'll see you next summer! (...just kidding!!) ;)

8600 miles and our best summer yet

DeClerck Reunion

A couple days before we left Rochester we had one last family reunion with the DeClerck's. Grandma D and 5 out of Grammy's 6 siblings, spouses, cousins and their kids made it to Penfield for the afternoon. Lots of excitement including the arrival of Joan and her dog Taylor (hopefully Grammy has recovered by now) and one of the youngest grandchildren jumping onto Grandma D's lap with full force. Whew! The following day when we checked in on Grandma D she told Ryan, "there were so many kids there I didn't even know who they all were!" :)

Women Run the ROC

The weekend before we left I ran one last race with cousin Karen. The event was a 5K in downtown Rochester followed by a kids 1/2 mile event. I was happy with a sub 9-min/mile pace and Reese was thrilled to run her first race.

Happy 4th Birthday, Sweet Nash!

This year Nash was blessed to celebrate his birthday with lots of his NY family. Grammy and Bompa...Uncle Mike, and cousins Annie and Emerson from Austin....cousin Karen, Jason, Travis & Tanner,...Great Aunt Barb....and Great Aunt Carol,Uncle Tom and Adam. We basked in the sun, played sharks and minnows, launched airplanes, tossed bean bags into the "cornhole", and ate BBQ. Since he was the bday boy we even let him splurge on both cake and cupcakes. Happy Boy!

NYC

About a month ago while thinking about our upcoming trip to Boston we decided what the hell, let's go to NYC while we're at it! Ryan or I had never been and its hard to say when we might have the chance to go again in the future. I consulted with my friend Brie who lived in Brooklyn for many years and she gave us some great food, hotel, and entertainment recommendations. We got a hotel in Midtown Manhatten (a "fancy" hotel per the kids and I suppose by our standards as well), walked our hearts out, went to the top of Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock), ate some delish Mexican food and margaritas, saw Times Square, and spent an afternoon touring Central Park and watching street performers. I honestly wish we'd had a bit more time to see more and taste more food from all the great restaurants my friend recommended but it was a great trip for our first go around. What we saw was truely a great, BIG city.

Top of the Rock

 

 

Grand Central Station

St. Patrick's Cathedral by day

Rockefeller Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Patrick's Cathedral by night

Sea lions at Central Park Zoo

 

Bethesda Fountain

 

 

 

 

 

Midton Manhatten American Girl Doll Store

 

 

Until next time Jimmy Fallon, we'll get a sitter....