Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

After we saw the "fearless girl," we met Aunt Harleen, Rachelle, Sarah, and Kylie in Battery Park to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was Cohen's first time down to Battery Park and he loved watching all the "big" boats. :) This kids loves all forms of transportation. He was thrilled beyond reason when I told him we were going to go on one.

We had a fantastic time being tourist for the day and hanging out with my family. It's always so nice catching up with them!

While Cohen and I were waiting in Battery Park, I decided to sit down on one of the park benches in the shade while Cohen ate his snack in his stroller. I saw some squirrels ransacking a garbage can a few benches down, but figured they wouldn't bother me. Oh how I was wrong! While sitting there checking my email, a squirrel literally jumped into my lap! I started screaming and ran away with Cohen and the stroller. I tried to play it off like it was no big deal because Cohen was worried, but not going to lie.....I was freaking out!

Joy School: End of the year party!

A few weeks after we moved to Manhattan, Cohen and I joined one of the Joy School groups in our ward. It has been an amazing experience. Cohen loved making friends and learning new things. I enjoyed getting to know some of the kids and moms in the ward! It was a great group of kids and I'm so grateful for the other moms and all their hard work and willingness to put up with Cohen. He's totally a handful!

We had a little party in Central Park today celebrating the end of the program. Cohen will be going to pre-school in the Fall and I know he will miss seeing his friends during the week. Hopefully we will be able to schedule playdates in the park!

 

Playing in the fountain at AMNH!

My friend Liz invited me and Cohen to meet her at the fountain at AMNH today to enjoy the water and the beautiful weather! There have been several play dates there in the past few months, but I have never made it because we have been out of town. It was so excited to finally see what all the fuss is about. Cohen and I both LOVED it! Cohen was fascinated with throwing his blue bucket into the water jet and watching it fly up. :) Good friends, good weather, and water fun makes one great afternoon!

Back to the High Line for Rachel and Jilyn's Senior Pictures!

I really miss my YW in New Jersey! I'm so glad that Jilyn and Rachel come up to visit me on occasion and fill me in on the latest happenings in the good old Eatontown 2nd ward. I was called into Young Women's when these two were newly minted Beehives. I can't believe they will both be graduating next month.  Last month, they trekked into the city (ridiculously early...at my request) and met me at the High Line park to take some senior pictures. I love these two girls. They are such wonderful young women I can't wait to see what amazing adventures life will bring them.

Washington Trip January 2017: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

After Burgerville we headed to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for a little walk. I lived in La Center for over 5 years and never once went to this park. It was so fun taking Cohen and walking around. There was a big bridge at the very beginning that went over some train tracks. Since Cohen is obsessed with trains, we spent some time there waiting for a train. Luckily a really long train with some oil cars went by when we were leaving. Cohen was one happy little guy.

While walking my dad would walk ahead and hide behind a tree. Cohen would then say, "Where's Grandpa" and then go and try and find him by walking around the tree. It was really cute and I think both Grandpa and Cohen enjoyed it.

You will notice that Cohen has a sticker on on his forehead. My cousin Jamie gave him a Good Dinosaur book for Christmas and it had a bunch of stickers in it. Cohen LOVES dinosaurs and decided to put one of the stickers from the book on his forehead. Well, it was on there for over 24 hours. He bathed and slept with it on and refused to take it off. We luckily go most of it off on the second day in the second bath. Kids are so much fun!

Grandma and Grandpa Anderson come for a visit....Day 1 - Central Park

On our way back from the Plaza we walked through Central Park. Grandpa Anderson was totally impressed that Cohen walked with him the whole way. It was such a beautiful day in the park and Cohen enjoyed jumping in all the mud puddles. You will notice the chocolate on Cohen's face. He had just complete a black and white cookie.

Central Park Chess and Checkers House

Many of you probably already know this, but I lived in New York City for awhile after I graduated from college. I lived on the Upper West Side close to Central Park and use to walk through the park all the time.  I'm ashamed to admit that I never knew that there was a Chess and Checkers House. I've seen the building before, but I had no idea that you could go borrow chess and checker sets and play a game. Well, my nephew heard about it and wanted to stop by and play a game on our way to the Central Park Zoo. It's a really cool facility and I'm glad we stopped by.

Summer is a go! Bring on the Water!

Now that Cohen has his cast off we can spend quality time in the water! We've already took a trip over to the Woodward's pool and had a blast! I discovered a couple of months ago that there is a splash pad (or sprayground) near our house and we have taken Cohen several times since getting his cast off. He loves it! I think he was unsure of it at first, but he has really gotten into it. He loves filling up his little bucket and dumping it on himself. I think we have some fantastic summer Dorbrook Sprayground trips ahead of us!

Central Park, Serendipity, and Wicked

Also old news.

While the fam was here we spent some quality time in NYC. We saw a couple of shows, visited Central Park, and did the traditional touristy things.

One of the days we went to Serendipity3. Dad had never been so we thought it was a must. He loved the frozen hot chocolate, but was a little disappointed that he had to share with mom. I knew better...I ordered my own! I don't mess around when it comes to Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate.

One of my favorite things to do in NYC is to people watch in Time Square. It's totally entertianing. The lady in the pictures below was ranting and raving about something. I think it was religious, but I totally couldn't understand her.

Of course we had to take pictures in Time Square

While walking up to Wicked (after eating at Virgil's BBQ) Jeff decided he wanted a treat. He wanted to walk over to Pink Berry, but totally got vetoed by the rest of the group. He spotted Scoops "R" Us in the Toys "R" Us and decided that was a suitable option. I will say that they had a nice array of treats, but it was totally overpriced for what it was. Sounds like NYC :)

New Jersey: Allaire State Park

After two days of road trips we decided to visit some of the places around our place in New Jersey. WE ended up visiting Allaire State Park. I had heard a lot about the park and the Historic Village, so I was excited to finally see it. It's so lovely! I kind of want to go back and ride the train around Christmas time.

Doesn't Kari looked thrilled to be there!

Allaire State Park

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/allaire.html

Historic Village

http://www.allairevillage.org

4265 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07727

Take a Hike...@ Huber Woods Park

Jeff and I decided that we should spend more time hiking. There are just so many places to hike in New Jersey and we should be taking advantage them! One of the first places we went was Huber Woods. It was so lovely! We got lost a couple of times (there are a lot of trails!), but enjoyed it! We just kept wandering around until we found our way back to the car.

Brie had a good time too! She was totally exhausted after we were done and according to Jeff, "A tired puppy, is a happy owner!"

Huber Woods Park

25 Brown's Dock Road, Locust (Middletown Twp.) , NJ 07760

(732) 872-2670 - Environmental Center

(732) 872- 0336 - Ranger Station

THE HIGH LINE

I love this place! I always love walking the high line. 

It's one of the best parts of NYC.

I made sure to save some time to walk the whole park when I was in the city two weeks ago.

Now for more Brie

Remember Thompson Park I wrote about a few weeks ago? Well, one of my favorite things is going with Jeff on his walks with Brie and taking pictures. It's nice having such a willing model. Jeff is never willing to have his picture taken, but when the dogs around he doesn't seem to put up much of a fight.

What else have I done this year?

I was just about to write yet another post about Brie, but then realized that all my post for 2012 have been about her. So...to change things up I'm going to spend the next couple days posting about all the other things I've been doing in 2012. Then I will post about Brie :) Until I have kids you're going to be getting a lot of pictures of her :)


 Since we got Brie we have been spending more time at Thompson Park. Jeff more than me, but I have really enjoyed the walks we've taken together. It's such a large park! We use to just walk the same path every time, but now Jeff is showing me different parts of the park. The Picture below was taken on our last walk.

At the end of our walk we crossed a field and found a bunch of deer just chilling. I was surprised that they didn't run away. I've really been enjoying our walks and the beautiful Thompson Park.