NYC second part of Nov 2009 trip

Here we are at the Macy's Day parade. We had an amazing view...thank you, Keith! Being a Sergeant in the city gives you some great perks:) And then they had a snack truck with coffee and donuts (I know, shocker!) and lots of other snacks all compliments of the SBA so we didn't have to leave to find food. Here we are right at Macy's as the floats practically go right over our head. We met Keith's girlfriend, Eileen who is wonderful. And she makes some mean pies (peach, apple, and some brownie pie) we found out that same day. Yeah!

Will you just look at Times Square now. It's amazing the transformation it has undergone over the last 10 or so years.

The window displays at Macy's is just Christmas in NYC. They are beautiful. And you just get in the holiday spirit checking them out. Several of the windows are scenes from the movie Miracle on 34th st. I was telling Blake the story of the movie.

Then we hit the M&M Store next. That's always a favorite. There's Lexi with Disco M&M and then sultry Ms. M&M makin the moves on Blake.

Below are the 2 story shoots of every kind of M&M imaginable as well as various mixes (summer, Christmas, NY Yankees etc). And you get the privilege of buying them for the low low price of $12.99/lb :)

And we don't go to NYC without having lunch at Dallas BBQ. Just try to get Lynn out of the city before you do that :)

There's pictures of Madison, Keith's 3 yr old daughter and pictures of another day we spent in the city until night. Blake was amazed at the lights once it got dark. Thanksgiving dinner at Chris & Gail's house, thanks for a fabulous dinner. Oh wow, the nieces and nephews are getting so big. I don't know how they get bigger and older, yet we all stay the same age :)

There's Lex and Maddy holding hands on the way to the train after the parade. It was so cute!

There's the LIRR as we board from Penn Station. It was so mobbed that day. Everyone was going to see family.

There's all the kids at one table. We learned to keep our hands away for fear of losing a limb. There's Ben on the end (kristen's boyfriend) who was a good sport about sitting with the kids. He was really great with Blake too.

There's my brother Chris with Blake. There was instant bonding the moment we arrived. Blake was whisked away. Lynn and I got the chance to mingle and have some drinks and have multiple pieces of pie.

Lexi is on Jeremy's lap. She has always adored him. He was always a great cousin to her even as a baby.

There's my sister Celeste who just ate little Blake up. Who needs a pack-n-play, he just slept on her.

Below we board the flight to Burbank. The kids were so good on the flight. Lexi's always been a good traveler. Having the TV on the flight is a must now. The 6 hr flight is no joke. What did we do without that.

It was so nice to see everyone again, all the kids have grown so much. Hope you all enjoy this next month before Christmas! Love you all

Yankee and NH Visit Nov 2009

Here are our pictures from the first part of our trip to NY & NH, stay tuned for the second half. Also there are pictures from the World Series that we watched here in CA, look at the Yankee fans! Got to meet our son-in-law Gabe, check out the pictures with Amanda. We also helped out at the Single Mothers Outreach Program one afternoon. Loved seeing you all, XOXO

It was busy in NH. We had about an hour and a half to see the Strickler and Jordan families. You see Lynn with Michele and Sharon by the fireplace. Then there's the always-buff Chris (Sharon's husband) joining us in the next photo.

Here we are at Dunkin Donuts (the first time of many during the week) with my Mom in Valley Stream. Look at the pure joy on Lynn's face to have Dunkin's...

Todd and Gretchen threw an awesome party in NH. Everyone was there. It was such a blast. Wings were everywhere and there was this awesome meat that Mike brought. Something about some guy with a chain saw and leather mask from Londonderry that made it for him. Some photos from the party had to be removed for the benefit of some people's reputation :)

Thank you to Shelly and Mike for having us stay with them for the weekend!

Here we are just getting off the plane at JFK. It's a little chilly in NY. We were waiting for my brother to come pick us up at 11 at night. It was 80 when we left Cali. There's Lex showing Blake the sites out the window. They were so good on the plane. It was a long day, we were so excited to finally be there.

Below we are at the Single Mother's Outreach program put on the by church we belong to. In the picture with me and Blake is the always beautiful Cathy who worked there with us that day. She's so great. The women were so grateful. Really nice clothes are donated (hey, it's SoCal. I saw shoes from Prada and Gucci, sweaters from Banana Republic, suits from Ann Taylor and more) and single mother's in need can come and take what they need for free.

Lexi made NY Yankee cookies. There was no way the Phillies had a chance once those came out.