New York Library

Garrett and I took advantage of the beautiful weather to go to Bryant Park. Unfortunately it was being renovated and all the grass was torn up. But that didn't ruin the day - just the sitting on the grass part. We then had lunch and walked to the library to get our New York Library cards. The first books we checked out...an autobiography (A Backwards Glance) and a book on learning French.

Visitors

My niece, Sarah, sent us a fun visitor to enjoy New York. He was so flat that he flew over via the US Postal Service. We also had friends from Australia visit. They had to fly via Delta. Here are a few pics from our fun weekend.

The Opera - La Fille du Régiment

Garrett and I went to the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. The opera was fantastic with an amazing tenor. We were all the way at the top, but it was still great. The average age of those around us was 55 (and that was including us). It was probably because we went to a matinee showing.

Blizzard in NYC - Feb 10th

It can't compare to DC, but we had plenty of snow to write messages in them. It did snow all day on Wednesday, so schools were cancelled (even Garrett's university). Most people didn't go into work, but I did! Garrett was sweet enough to walk me to work. Here are some memories of the day.

Celebration

For our anniversary and Valentine's Day, Garrett took me to a lovely restaurant called The Russian Tea Room. It was so amazing! Garrett had stroganoff which consisted of fillet mignon with an amazing sauce with mushrooms over noodles. It was a deconstructed meal - best ever. Our desserts were pretty cool too.

The art around the building was fabulous also. It was just a lovely evening. Thanks sweetie!

Crystal Bear that is an aquarium. So beautiful

Faberge Eggs hung from a gold tree.

Christmas doesn't end yet

To celebrate our relaxing weekend together, Garrett and I decided to go to the American Natural History Museum and see if their tree was still up. It was still very festive with the dinosaurs made out of large pine-tree branches and the TONS of people there. It wasn't as bad as Time Square at New Years, but we were amazed at how long the lines were.

When we mentioned that all we wanted to see was the Christmas Tree a worker took pity on us and showed us a faster way. And there it was the origami tree!
I was so excited. I had no clue about this until this year when I googled a few "must see" things in NY. But don't worry this wasn't the first and only year. "For over 35 years" OrigamiUSA has designed and decorated a tree to herald the beginning of the holiday season" for the museum. This year the theme was Origami A to Z. As you look up close you'll see dinosaurs, birds, letters, etc. So much fun!
The top was also very impressive. Maybe we should decorate Mom & Dad Hales' tree this way next year. Are you game?

Just a close up to show all the amazing detail. I love the centipede.

Our First Christmas

We went and bought our first Christmas tree. In New York, it's easier to get a live tree, but it's more expensive than other places. We have a lot of beautiful ornaments that really make the tree stunning. We just love having the white lights and pine smell.

My mother sewed us stockings inspired by Martha Stewart but improved by the Hales vision. You probably can't see all the detailed piecing and heirloom tatting. They are gorgeous.

And of course we have first Christmas ornaments - Thank you Mom, Dad, Mama, and Daddy!

And I couldn't help but post a picture of the ornament that we bought in Vermont. We went to a glass blowing studio and watched a vase be blown. I'm a sucker and had to get something to remember the experience. Garrett was sweet and now we have a beautiful glass-blown ball.

You Know Its Fall When There Is Football!

Garrett and I went to our first football game together - Army vs. VMI. Located at West Point, NY made it an easy commute to see a Virginia team play. Fortunately it wasn't that competitive so when we cheered for VMI, I didn't fear for our safety. All in all we cheered for good plays and groaned for the sad plays. Two things I learned...1)VMI does not pass (total of 5 tries with 2 completions) and 2) cadets are required to go to games and do push-ups when Army scores. A pretty fun event over all.

At half time they brought out a 100-yard flag - so cool! That was the largest flag I've ever seen.

In the end Army won. Go Army!

The High Line

The High Line is a former railroad track in New York that was changed into a walking path recently. It's located in New York's Meat Packing District (more of a night club & cool restaurant area now) and fairly close to our church. Garrett & I took a Sunday stroll along it between General Conference Sessions, and it's beautiful!

Here's more cool info from their website (http://www.thehighline.org/):

The High Line was built in the 1930s, as part of a massive public-private infrastructure project called the West Side Improvement. It lifted freight traffic 30 feet in the air, removing dangerous trains from the streets of Manhattan's largest industrial district. No trains have run on the High Line since 1980. Friends of the High Line, a community-based non-profit group, formed in 1999 when the historic structure was under threat of demolition. Friends of the High Line works in partnership with the City of New York to preserve and maintain the structure as an elevated public park.

The project gained the City's support in 2002. The High Line south of 30th Street was donated to the City by CSX Transportation Inc. in 2005. The design team of landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, created the High Line's public landscape with guidance from a diverse community of High Line supporters. Construction on the park began in 2006. The first section, from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street, is projected to open in June 2009.

It's A Home!

Well, we used our wonderful gift cards and purchased a rug. Doesn't it look great with everything? Notice the coffee table - it was built by Garrett's grandfather - which works perfectly with the style.

Setting up the NYC Bridal Shower

They men folk helped set things up and then went off to do secret man stuff while the women folk enjoyed the party.

Brooklyn Bridge: Fun with G&B

These are some of my favorite pictures of the afternoon. I'm sure that Garrett and Betsy will have a completely different opinion, but since they are the main event, they have the only opinions that matter!

Ideas - NYC Engagement Photos

For advice on engagement photos in NYC, go to: http://www.uppereast.com/engphotos.html

These are photo sites that have engagement photos in NYC for you to get some ideas.

• http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7479346
  
• http://jasonandtami.com/home.html
  
• http://www.upstatephotographers.com/?p=246
  
• http://www.rjtpictures.com/RJT_Pictures_Blog/?p=874
  
• http://fatchettphoto.blogspot.com/2009/04/sherazade-david-engagement-photos.html
  
• http://blog.catieronquillo.com/2009/04/nakeisha-cesar-engaged-brooklyn-edition/
  
• http://www.furiousphotographersblog.com/2008/10/brooklyn-new-york-engagement-photography/
  
• http://www.alicegarik.com/blog/2008/01/11/brooklyn-as-the-backdrop-for-your-engagement-photos/
  
• http://www.carlateneyck.com/engagements/callie-niels-york-city-engagement-shoot.html
  
• http://turnloosetheart.net/2009/04/erin-and-kevin-the-engagement/
  
• http://www.joanallenblog.com/2009/01/central-park-engagement-photo-shoot.html
  
• http://karenwisephoto.blogspot.com/2009/01/heeki-and-sue-in-central-park.html
  
• http://www.julesbianchi.com/blog/2008/10/engagement-session-in-central-park-2.html
  
• http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/12/08/our-engagement-pictures/
  
• http://www.bradross.net/nj-wedding-photography-blog/?p=70
  
• http://becreativephotography.blogspot.com/2007/06/marsha-joshs-engagement-photos.html
  
• http://blog.thresholdvisions.com/category/central-park/
  

We will have none of this:  http://blog.dsoleil.com/?p=747