The Big Apple (Long Post!!!)

Cross one item off my Bucket List...New York City. Mom, Campbell and I recently spent a week with Jeremy in The Big Apple. It is so hard to describe in words how much fun we all had together! So, in lieu of a long explanation of our trip, here is my top ten list for NYC:

10. The Subway - A cheap, fast way to travel...but beware of the foul smelling, unidentified liquid in the elevator AND carry lots of hand sanitizer!

Campbell particularly enjoyed the subway rides!

9. The Toy Stores: F.A.O. Schwartz and Toys R Us- The most awesome toys stores in all the world! From the Big Piano to the Giant Ferris Wheel, it made all of us feel like kids!

8. The Today Show - Campbell made his second appearance on the Today show with his "Hi Daddy" sign. We shook hands with Meredith and Al. Meredith even tickled Campbell and made him laugh.

7. The World Trade Center Site - This was a very somber site to visit, but made me proud to live in a country where our loved ones are honored and our heroes are praised for their bravery. I hope to go back someday when the memorial fountains are finished and the beautiful new buildings stand tall.

This is what the site will look like in 2020.

6. Times Square - You know on TV when you see the hundreds of people walking in NYC with their heads turned to the sky? Now I know why...what a beautiful site! Lights everywhere, people everywhere, noise everywhere. It's indescribable.

5. Broadway & The Empire State Building- Mom and I went to see a wonderful musical "Next to Normal". Jeremy got us tickets and sent us on our way while he kept Campbell. It was everything I thought it would be and more.

Thanks Jeremy!
After the show, we went to the Empire State Building Observatory so we could get a night view of the city...it was breathtaking!

4. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - What a beautiful symbol of freedom. She is even more beautiful in real life than in pictures. We also visited Ellis Island, where all of the first immigrants came through on their voyage to America.

3. The Double Decker Bus Tour - There is no better way to see all of NYC! It was awesome to see all of the buildings and sites from atop a huge bus, not to mention the fact that it saved our feet many, many steps. Campbell was so content to sit in our laps and take it all in! Our tour guides were very informative and even knew where a lot of famous people lived.

2. Architecture of the old buildings and churches - probably the most surprising aspect of my visit and one I did not expect to be so incredibly fascinating. We visited several churches that were just huge and so intricate in detail. I was amazed at the artwork done so long ago in these buildings. The city is so rich in history and it was awesome to see it all from our rides on the double decker buses.

This is the Post Office in Manhattan. It is a whole city block!

St. Patrick's Cathedral on Madison Avenue.

1. Jeremy! - By far, the very best thing about NYC was getting to see Jeremy! He was such a wonderful host and tour guide. He was off work the whole time we were there, so we spent 24/7 with him. He and Campbell were able to spend some great quality time with each other. I know Campbell loved it as much as Uncle Jeremy. We stayed in a great little apartment in Brooklyn and experienced real NYC living in Jeremy's neighborhood. We ate fabulous food, visited ALL of the wonderful NYC sites and had the most wonderful time. Although it will probably be a while before my next visit, I hope to go back and spend another great vacation with my baby brother!

Mom and Jeremy, eating breakfast at a quaint little restaurant in Brooklyn.

Uncle Jeremy and Campbell strolling in Central Park.

Uncle Jeremy and Campbell at the 3 story M&M store.

Riding in style!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

To my sweet, precious Mother- You are such an inspiration to me. Your caring, compassionate, comforting ways are traits that every mother should possess and teach her own children. I pray that I am as wonderful a mother to my own children. Thank you and I love you with all of my heart.

To my loving sister - I watch you with your kids and see what a lovely, sweet family you have. I have learned so very much from you as a mother. You are the most precious sister and friend and I thank you for taking such wonderful care of Campbell this last year. He is so crazy about you!!!

To my wonderful Nanny - You are the matriarch of the family...no one could have done a finer job for sure! You have given the women of this family the model of love, family and commitment. There could be no greater gift...I love you and thank you! Thanks for passing along wonderful recipes and the ability to cook...Kameron, Campbell, and the future Walkers thank you as well!

To my precious "other Mother's"- Kaye and Nancy, thank you for always treating me as a daughter and for sharing your families with me. I love Kameron so much and you all are an added bonus to a wonderful husband and father.

And to all of the wonderful mothers in my life-Having only experienced a year of motherhood, I know that I have many lessons to learn. I know that I will be the best mother I can possibly be and that I will have the most positive role models right there with me. Thanks to all of my family and friend "Mommies" for helping me in this exciting journey through motherhood.

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a mother's love

Can understand our tears,

Can soothe our disappointment

And calm all our fears.

There are times when only a mother's love

Can share the joy we feel

When something we've dreamed about

Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a mother's faith

Can help us on life's way

And inspire in us the confidence

We need from day to day.

For a mother's heart and a mother's faith

And a mother's steadfast love

Were fashioned by the angels

And sent from God above.

Author Unknown