Inwood to Battery Park and somewhere in between

Last week started out fairly mellow, visiting local parks and playgrounds, staying close to home; so needless to say by the end of the week I was itching to get out. Friday morning we headed up to Fort Tryon Park and Dyckman Farm. Fort Tryon Park was beautiful, the view of the Hudson along the flowers and trees in full bloom, for a moment I forgot I was in NYC. There are certain places in Central Park, Inwood, Riverside and others that allow you to block out the craziness of the busy city. It's wonder how you can be in the middle of Central Park and not see a skyscraper or hear the horn of a passing car, still after three years and countless visits to the park it still amazes me. What would we do without Central Park? Where would Chase and I spend our days?


One would think that after a visit to the Northern part of Manhattan, my fix for getting out would be filled, but you would be wrong. After Chase's nap and some searching on line, I decided to head downtown in hopes that Tyler would actually get off work in time for a free harbor cruise, part of the River to River festival. I ended up getting off the wrong subway stop and missed the cruise.  However, Chase and I met up with Tyler and walked through Battery City Park along the Hudson river with views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and New Jersey. It was a prefect night for a walk. 

Saturday morning I was still itching to get out, so when Chase woke up earlier than normal, we decided to head down and walk cross the Williamsburg Bridge.  Later that afternoon we headed down to Lincoln Square to take advantage of the 850 free concerts happening all over the NYC to kick off Summer.  Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Philharmonic Principle Brass, were playing, we had a great time, thanks Cody, Beth, Morgan, Ashley and Eliot for joining us.   Here are some fun/artistic pictures Tyler took of the day's events. 

Happy Father's Day

Do you ever have one of those week's you just can't wait to be over? Well, last week was that week, we still managed to get out and continue with our summer of no regrets even with an unhappy child. I'm not sure why Chase wasn't happy, but it was a really tough week, and after a few days . . . mom's patience began to wear. It didn't seem to matter what we did, or where we went, he just wasn't happy. We are happy to say . . . we are off to a much better start this week.

Last week we took advantage of "Pay what you wish" at the Bronx Zoo, I wish I could say Chase enjoyed it,however he wasn't feelin' it. We did manage to see the Gorilla Exhibit, which I really enjoyed, they are truly fascinating to watch.

Morgan, Eliot, Chase and Bella

Tyler and I had a date night (kind of) we were able to get tickets to Death Cab For Cutie at an outside venue in Brooklyn, McCarren Park Pool. We arrived just after they started playing, man I forgot how much I like their music, anyway about an hour-and-half into the show they suddenly stopped playing and said good night. The audience was a little or lot stunned, some guy gets on the stage and tells us that the show's over due to incoming weather and to get home safe. About the same time a huge gust of wind picks up, and everyone takes off running to the subway. We some how managed to miss the down pour while on our way home - however we were covered in dust. Here's a clip from the show...


Thursday we visited the Farmers Market and then headed down to Madison Square Park for the kids summer concert series. Chase danced around for a little bit but we ended up at the playground for most of the concert - we'll attempt to attend a couple more times before it ends.

Chase hanging out with the strollers at Madison Square Park

Friday Chase and I went to lunch with Stephanie L., a past young women, who is leaving the NYC for Nashville and then Canada and hopefully onto Europe after that, she's training in classical and contemporary ballet. Best of Luck Stephanie we had a great time.

A summer with no regrets...

In talking with a couple of friends we have decided to make this a summer with no regrets.  We aren't planning on leaving anytime soon but as you all know you can't also control the unknown, so just incase something does happen we want to make sure we take full advantage of what NYC has to offer in the summer.  The summer of no regrets started last week we visited a new playground in Central Park on 100th St. and 5th Ave, Museum Mile Tuesday evening, we saw the Guggenheim and the Cooper-Hewitt Design.  We had a great time hanging out and see a bunch of friends wondering 5th Ave - too bad Tyler wasn't able to join us, maybe next year.

"The boys" hanging out in line waiting for the Guggenheim 

(thanks Ashley for the picture)

After we went through the Guggenheim, Chase and I stopped to watch the street performers, he loves live Music. 

Wednesday night I was fortunate to be able to take the YW to Carnegie Hall to watch the BYU Orchestra perform.  We were able to arrive early so the YW could meet and talk with members of the orchestra, it was truly a great experience for all.   

Thanks to Tamara and Gayle on Thursday we had a chocolate chip cookie exchange...wow there were some amazing cookies.  For pictures see Kiasa's blog

To end the week - we headed out to Jones Beach, we figured since we were car sitting we would take advantage, Thanks Jeff and Shima.  We had a great time playing in the sand, not so much in the water.  Let's just say Chase didn't love the water or the sand at first.  I guess we will have to visit a few more playgrounds with sand. 

Amongst all the happiness there is sadness...

So I was going to blog about how crazy and fun the past week and half have been, which I will do, however in checking out my sister's blog I was overcome with sadness.  One of her friends 2 yr old was just diagnosed with leukemia, I can't imagine how hard it would be.  My thoughts and prayers will be with them as they travel through this journey.  I am grateful for my health and the health of my family. 

The much much more in UT

So in between the weddings and graduations we did manage to have some fun and just hang out with the fam.

My dad, brothers and brother's-in-law all play on a city softball team. Although they are not the best team they do have a great time playing.  Chase had a great time chasing all his cousin around the ball park.  Good Luck Guys!!!  We were also able to watch my nephew play little league ball. Go Ryan!!!

Steve after the game

Morgan, Abbie, Garrett, Emma at the ball park

Grandpa, Hailey, Cyd and Audrey

My brothers - Steve, Scott, Dave and Matt (Hailey)

We also visited the petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point.  Chase was able to ride the pony's, pet the goats and feed the chickens.  Although Chase enjoyed the pets, he loved the little jail house and dance hall even more.

"Mommy get me off this pony"

Lisa, Emma and Ethan headed on a tracker ride

Mom and Chase

Micah, Chase, Garrett, Ethan and Emma - In Jail

The dance hall

One of the highlights was watching three of the little ones play soccer for the first time.  If you have never watch 4 and 5 year olds play soccer, it is a real treat.  Some even call it "magnet ball" since all the players follow the ball (all the time).  A quick synopsis of game 1 - they play 3 on 3, 4 8 minute quarters.  We start the game with 3 players on field, there is one little girl who can actually kick and follow the ball, however after the 1st quarter she fell apart.  She was crying and throwing her hands in the arm, yelling "mommy it's to hard" all because the other team was scoring and she couldn't.  Garrett one my nephew's has a total melt down and ends up in the car.  Emma (my niece) starts out strong, but then she is hot and tired and thirsty.  Ethan another nephew only wants to stand by the goal and will not kick ball (I'm sure it has to do with his older brother beginning a goalie) and the last little boy has wondered off to an empty field. In the end we had as many parents on the field as players.  The coach of the other time finally had his players all stand still and let each one of your players kick a goal.  Needless to say they have improved over the weeks.  I just love watching little kids play sports for the first time - I can't wait for Chase to start. (Video to come)

Emma and her attitude

Garrett on the field - "Hooray"

Garrett taking a break - with a smile