The annual tradition continues,

I hope it never ends!

NYC is a family tradition

This year I tried to throw in a few new places we had not seen or been to...

 

 Learning to juggle in Bryant Park

 

 

A Salute to the soldiers at FAO Schwartz

 

Walking along the elevated park, Awesome! 

It's an old railroad track that has been converted to a park, all above the city

Lots of flowers, benches, fountains, old railroad tracks to walk on

It ended near Chelsea Market, a fun eclectic foodie building to walk through

 

Waiting for Dad and lunch at Washington Square Park

Makes for fun people watching...

yoga, bands, juggling, odd ducks walking around, dogs that are treated like children

 

 

 

 Fun at Central park after church

 

 

 

 We found Mr. Dum, Dum at the Museum of Natural History

 

A boat ride to see Lady Liberty

 

 

 

 

As we were exciting the boat tour I received a phone call...

get to the closet building on the water and wait a few minutes,

lucky to see Marine 1 land, the girls were amazed!

 

The new WTC building, slowly reaching completion

 

Ran into this guy on our walking tour to China Town

 

 

 

Until next year...

Back to School!

Summer's end is always a mix of emotions

It's nice to return to a school schedule but I always have to remind myself that September is anything but normal

 

Aubrey was excited for her start at 4th grade

A little nervous having a new teacher to the school

 

The minute we walked into the room she was in heaven

If I can say a classroom was adorable she was in it

Chevron print decorating the walls, reading cubbys and cute things lining the windows

 

Happy Face pancakes for the first day of school

 

My big girls heading to middle school!

How did this happen??

 

They opted to ride their bikes, awesome having school so close for them

 

Aubrey is a solo bus rider for the year

 

The little one entering her first day of pre-school!

Hill Cumorah Pageant

One family summer goal was to make a visit to the Hill Cumorah Pageant

Our family has made the trek up north once before in the spring, about 6 years ago when my Grandparents had come to town

It was great to be back again, with girls old enough to relate places to scriptures

 

 Waiting for the show to begin

 

 

A view of the stage

 

All the cast members walk around before the show begins.  My girls were super excited to meet so many people

 

Outside the home of Joseph Smith

 

 A walk around the temple grounds

 

 

Madison in front of the Palmyra Temple

 

Printing press tour

 

Due to limited hotel options and costs we opted for a KOA campground site

I have never camped w/ KOA before

We were in for a treat,

paved walking paths, playgrounds for the kids and this giant bouncing mat

 

 

My little kid at heart

 

 

 

 

After our two day stop in NY we headed West with a stop in Kirkland, OH

 We have dear friends that live in Cleveland

So happy they hosted us for a few days

 

 

During our stay we took the family to Cedar Point amusement park

 

 

Top Thrill Dragster...

Zero to 120 MPH in less than 4 seconds. A few seconds later, you’re 420 feet in the air. In the race for pure adrenaline thrills, there is one winner: Top Thrill Dragster. Nothing else compares to this high-horsepower shot into the sky. From a standing start you’re launched forward, then straight up, then straight down and back to the finish line. The ride may be over in 17 seconds, but it’ll stay with you forever.

 

I should have worn depends on this ride, what a scary moment.  Of course my girls LOVED it and wanted to go back for more.