Celebrating the City

Our President's Day/Valentine's Day weekend was full of fun (and a whole lot of walking!). We walked everywhere, from China Town to the Brooklyn Bridge to Time Square and back to our apartment. We kept the chill off with the occasional cup of hot cocoa or apple cider, and had a really great time exploring the city.

This is what the streets of New York look like on a permanent basis: a million people trying to go in what seems like the opposite direction that you are trying to go in!

China Town was CRAZY! I've never seen so many people buying dried jellyfish and dried octopus in my life! I'm not kidding. The smell was indescribable. It was quite the adventure. We wanted to buy something to try, but all the prices and names were in Chinese.

We found a deck where we could gaze at the Brooklyn Bridge and sit and contemplate life and such. The birds were awesome, all lined up waiting to get their pictures taken. Very sweet of them.

We were so close to the Statue of Liberty, and we were planning on taking a ferry across to see it, but the line was out of this world long, so we just walked around the dock seeing the monuments and boats. This one is dedicated to the navy, and it overlooked the Hudson River and faced the Statue of Liberty.

The ferry we were gonna take (and see that tall building in the background, the one that towers over the rest? That's Brick's work).

On our Valentine's day adventures we happened upon the Rockefeller Center, which was actually really cool. I really wanted to do the outdoor iceskating, because it looked all romantic.

We decided this year that it was my turn to plan our Valentine's day, since Brick has done it every other year. I thought he would appreciate an oh-so-romantic outing to the NBA store, since it's his favorite. While there we figured out I am tall enough to play in the NBA! I could too, you know!

Brick is not quite as tall as Yoa Ming.

Our day also consisted of the ever-so adventurous first time trying Indian food. We were the only ones in the restaurant because it was a little early, and we ordered a three course meal. We had no idea what to do when they brought out this hard tortilla thing with spices in it, and this bright greenish stuff, I guess to dip it in. I'm sure the waiters were enjoying our cluelessness. We just laughed it off as we guessed which fork to use and all, and it was a good time. The experience really encompasses what our relationship has been all along...a whole lot of guessing and laughing and trying new things together. Brick has really helped me to step out of my comfort zone. I am so grateful for his companionship!

On that note...Happy late Valentine's Day everyone!

New Skills

The past couple of weeks I've filled my time learning how to crochet and digital scrapbook. I hope to get really good at both, and I figured when will I ever have this much time on my hands again, like, in my life?

My sis-in-law, Cat is a great teacher, and very patient with me while she took the the rounds with the crochet hook. Thanks sis!

In New Yo-ork! This place will make you feel brand new...

These are the three plays we went to see on Broadway this week. It's almost sickening how much talent we experienced in three nights. Their voices were INCREDIBLE! The first one we went to, In the Heights, featured Corbin Bleau, for all you Highschool Musical fans out there, and he did a great job. Memphis was about the first Rock and Roll music, and Rock of Ages, featuring American Idol's Constantine, and boy can he ROCK! I loved the music in that one, because I LOVE THE 80's!

This is the set for In the Heights. I wouldn't advise taking pictures inside the Broadway theaters. You get in trouble. But sometimes you gotta take risks, right?

Brick's fam was visiting because our brother-in-law, Trevor, who jumps for BYU had a trackmeet here. He took third and jumped 6' 8 and a quarter. It was awesome being able to see him jump, and then party with them the rest of the time!

This is a restaraunt called Ellen's Stardust Cafe. The waiters and waitresses are all aspiring Broadway stars, and they perform while they wait tables! They are all fantastic singers, and the cafe has a 50's feel to it. So fun!

The museum of the week was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yes, mom, we saw works by Remrandt, Van Gogh, and many other famous painters. I know the artist in you is dying to go, and I hope some day you can!

There was also an Egyptian exhibit, which was my favorite. Above are the sandals and finger and toe covers, made of gold, which they adorn their royalty in for burial. Tracy Jordan in 30 Rock isn't the only person who owns a pair of golden shoes, I guess.

All the mummies were fascinating, especially when you consider how old they are and how well preserved they are!

Another New York specialty: Dog Walkers! This cracked my up! Each person had about nine dogs they were walking!

Last but not least, we saw these dancers on the subway train on our way to a show. They dance and then ask for money. They were pretty good, especially considering that the train was jolting right and left and stopping suddenly while they danced!

NY 2 DC

This last week I left Brick for a few days and headed off to Vienna, VA to visit my brother Aaron and his family. I was met at their house by this welcome sign and a chocolate on my pillow, courtesy Hanna Mack. She was so sweet to let me use her bed!

One afternoon we walked just down the way one day to enjoy the frozen creek and the beautiful snowy landscape. Here, Hannah is helping Alli up over the slipery ledge (how cute are they?)

Aaron is such a good brother! He took me out on a date to the Cheesecake Factory while I was visiting, and every night we chewed the fat until it was way past my bedtime!

I sure love these girls!! When they were little, I babysat them all the time, and everytime I did, they would sit on the counter while I braided their hair and painted their fingernails, just talking to their Auntie Candio and being their sweet selves. It was a little strange to see them growing up! Alli kept me great company the whole week, cuddling up to me like the old days.

I was so surprised, because I had never thought about it, but Aaron pointed out to Alli that I was closer to her age than I am to his. He told her how fun it would be when she grew up and she and I could be friends. She looked at him with confusion and said, "But dad, Candice and I are already friends!"

Hannah and Alli are in middle school, and Tanner is going into high school next year! He and his newly found logic, especially when it comes to chores and bedtime, was really entertaining.

The first night I was in Vienna we all went to Seussical the Musical, starring Hannah Mack! She did a great job, and belted out each note beautifully and fearlessly, even throwing a full-out tantrum up there on stage, jumping up and down while delivering her lines without missing a single beat!

Even though we were just outside DC, we sat on our rears day after day, talking and crocheting, which Cat was kind enough (and patient enough) to teach me while I was there. I made this hat and one other ALL BY MYSELF!

Thanks for making me feel at home, just like you did when I was in high school! Love you guys!