20th Anniversary!!! (And Youth Camps!)

With Clark on his mission and the kids at camp, Lee and I decided to celebrate our 20th anniversary early with a trip to NYC.  We purposely didn't volunteer to go to camp either, so we could go on this little trip.  I almost booked a trip to Cabo San Lucas, but they we'd have to figure out rides for our kids.  Cal went a day early on Monday since he was a youth camp director. He had lots of meetings and preparation before this day.  In the spring he was working at Food Lion, doing track and seminary and working on summer camp.  One night he was on a meeting on our way home from PA and fell asleep during the meeting. He was pretty tired! Sadly I don't have any pictures from camp! 

The main thing I wanted to do was see the Music Man.  The tickets were so expensive and the kids behind us were talking and hitting my chair (I kept getting after them), but it was so good! First we parked our car, dropped off our stuff at the hotel, then walked over to the Music Man.  There was quite a wait just to get in the door to go to our seats.  

It was funny seeing Pret A Manger stores in NYC as we saw them all over in London.

We tried to go in the Chrysler building, but the security guy wouldn't let us in. I can't remember exaclty what we did.  We walked around, went to a couple of buildings.  We ate at the Shake Shack that night and walked on the High Line Park.  So pretty! 

We had fun seeing the Vessel and got to walk around a little in the inside on street entry. We couldn't walk on the stairs though. 

High Line Park

We walked over to Little Island and explored that area too. Cute park! There was a cool optical illusion as well there. 

The second day we went to Brooklyn and walked over the bridge.  You can find great prices on hats and tshirts on the entrance and exit of the bridge. 

We got on the metro and rode a little way to the botanical garden.

Next stop was the One World Observatory. It was fun going all the way to the top. It was like a roller coaster ride for my stomach as we went up very fast in the elevator.  The elevator presentation was pretty cool. 

We walked by the 9-11 memorial as well. 

The last big event (after pizza at a $1 pizza slice shop) was a sunset harbor cruise of the NYC skyline.  So pretty!  

We drove home that night.  We had a problem with our parking but thankfully I found the reservation I made beforehand and we got the reduced parking price that I had paid for online. 

It was quite weird with the kids gone!  We weren't really at home while they were gone, that's why we planned the trip when we did.  But when we were home it was weird!  I'm excited for the kids to be off on their own adventures soon, but I think I might be in for a harder adjustment than I realize. Cal will be gone next summer, then the girls in 3 years and Elden in 5 years.  Wow. 

The kids had a great time at camp.  Lee picked up the boys at camp.  I picked up the girls at the church building.  That weekend a little boy in our ward, Wesley Briggs died in a drowning accident.  It's been very sad.  I'll be planning the funeral for that. He just turned 2. 

Haley made some yummy crinkle cookies!

We got our new bike racke! Holds 7 bikes!

The work continues on the building.  Lee installed the front porch light and it looks great!

We got the ceiling power washed, along with the steps.