Showing posts with label brad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brad. Show all posts

Saturday, August 28, 2010

a city so fine they named her twice

New York, New York! I'm a little late to the game on getting these posted. Things have been crazy coming back from the trip and catching up. But, without further adieu... our trip to the Big Apple (and Long Island).

We had a crazy early flight (we're talking 6 AM) and got in to LGA around 8 AM. Grabbed our rental car (a Chrysler 300 - rolling in style) and took off to my first training before checking in to the hotel. The boys stayed in while I did another training and then we had a little fun.

I'm like a moth to a flame when it comes to the beach. I can't stay away if I know I'm close. After a long day of travel and trainings, we took off exploring and ended up on the southern coast of Long Island in a place called Jones Beach. This sand was so incredibly thick that my calves were killing me about halfway to the ocean. We sucked it up and continued the trudge and I'm so thankful that we did.


Oh Look! It's the ocean!


How tired does this poor little guy look?!? I guess that's what happens when mommy pulls you out of bed at 4:30 AM. Momma promises not to do that to you again sweetie. But it was worth it, look, the beach!


Getting a second wind now that his feet are in the sand.


He LOVED the beach. I'm not sure whether it was getting out to explore or the salt air (it's a cure all for me).


And you couldn't turn your back for 1 second without him heading straight towards the water. Silly boy.


And now we had to walk back through the torture zone. Ouch. Luckily I learned the secret of walking in Bradley's footsteps and it was so much more bearable. We headed to dinner and then back to the hotel before another busy day of trainings and making our way into NYC!


We got into the city around 4 the following day and grabbed a LATE lunch before hitting the streets. Follow the masses and they lead you right here. I have never seen more crowded streets than in Time Square. So many different cultures and languages all melted together in this small area.

Bradley in Time Square!


Baby Caleb (I can't help it. I know he's not a baby, but he's my baby, and well, the name is stuck) in Central Park. He's just glad to be out of the car.


A kickball field in Central Park. We considered going for a carriage ride, but I didn't want to get a second mortgage on the house to do so. Maybe next time.


I just thought this was a neat fountain.


Radio City Music Hall. Such a cool sight to see in person.


The GMA ticker! Too bad we weren't around while they were filming.


Bradley in Time Square - again. I'm behind the camera (as always) if you're looking for me.



The famous ball drop and year


This was the view from our hotel room. I had fun playing with slow shutter speeds and the traffic below that night. The next night it was red and green.


We had one full day to sight see and, well, we tried to see it all. We bought a bus tour package and away we went...

Ground Zero. Construction was everywhere right here. It's hard to imagine that two extremely large buildings stood on this site. Everything was so close together.


Construction on Freedom Tower.


This was as close as we got to Lady Liberty - and much of this is thanks to my zoom lens. We walked the battery, but never made it on the ferry.


All of the walking knocked Caleb right out and he got his afternoon nap in while strolling lower Manhattan.


Here's Bradley outside of the New York Stock Exchange. I wanted to go in and ring the bell but I think the security people would have stopped me before getting within 5 feet of the building.


We started across the Brooklyn Bridge towards a famous ice cream shop, but we were quickly losing time so we turned around and headed back towards the bus stop (and a Starbucks for more energy!)


We missed the last Upper End Tour Bus of the day so we decided to do Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Plaza) instead. What views!


Caleb must have been happy to get out of the stroller because I got lots of impromptu hugs and kisses.


View of the Empire State Building

View of Central Park


View out towards the Statue of Liberty.


From here we went to check out the BRU in Union Square (my next day's appointment) and to dinner. The next day we did the Upper End tour. I wanted to relax and enjoy the sights so the camera stayed put up. We had a great time on our little whirlwind adventure. It was nice to be able to see some sights without the feeling of having to get my money's worth out of the trip. Will we ever go back? Maybe, but for now we can check that off the list.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

splish splash whee...

A few weeks ago Target had their 75% off Summer Toy Clearance event and I took the opportunity to stock up on some cheap fun toys for the family. Ains was incredibly excited about the water toys so one of the first boxes to be opened was the Slip-N-Slide!

Bradley had to be the first one to give it a go - you know, making sure it was safe and all. I'm just glad I was ready with the camera.


Caleb had a blast! He was a pro and kept going back for more.


Ainsley, on the other hand, was all talk. She was so excited and couldn't wait - until it was set up. Oh no, I'm not doing that! NO WAY. But, Mommy and Daddy have a mean streak, so she went. And OH NO she's not doing that again.


She did however try to catch Daddy's splash in her trusty bucket at a safe distance.


Caleb couldn't stay away and had several unintended slides where he was trying to walk UP the slide trying to maintain his turn. But this time he took a time out with Daddy under the spray.


While we were putting things away, Caleb happened upon the hose. At first he wasn't sure what to think...


But then he realized the power it held!


Innocence before the storm...


And this is when I couldn't get within 10 feet for fear of getting soaked. Reinforcements were sent in to reclaim the hose.


But then the hose got in the wrong hands, again. Such a nice sissy.


Mommy got a little revenge in too. Kinked hoses, pressure, and a few laughs but don't worry, Mommy took it easy on her. She never got too soaked.


Diapers and water don't mix so Caleb was running around bottomless for much of the day. This little clinched bottom was too cute to not photograph. And of course it will be nice blackmail when he's 18.


Sunday, July 4, 2010

pops in the park and fireworks


Caleb got a little too carried away with his juice on the drive over. But we made it to our nice shady spot that Howie staked out much earlier that morning.

Ains and Abby had a blast with these "goggles". Poor Alice had to repair them about 500 times before the night was over.

Howie got some snuggles in with Miss Reagan - Caleb was jealous.


Silly girlie...


Caleb and his juice - at least this time it went IN his mouth.


Momma and her wild man.


The girls were starting to get a little impatient.


But finally, we had fireworks!! A slightly obstructed view, but perfect nonetheless.

Thanks Alice and Howie for a fun night! Next time let's go to Pops in the Park sans little ones and really enjoy ourselves!


july 4th parade


All decked out and ready to roll...


Waiting on the firetrucks to arrive so that the parade could begin.


Such a cutie!


Caleb tried to "honk his honker" literally...


Cruising beside her neighborhood bud Abby!


In the midst of it all - Poor Daddy had to pull the wagon for the whole parade, Momma wasn't feeling so hot.


Sitting in the firetruck afterwards - think the heat was getting to her too?


The fun was over and we headed home.

Happy 4th of July everyone!