New York City

 This summer has been just lovely. I've not been great about blogging, so I am going to attempt to catch up a bit over the next couple of weeks by sharing some of the great memories we've made while they are still at least a little fresh in my mind.

The summer started with a trip to New York City. Kate, Gracie, and I joined my mom and Ben's mom for a long weekend in this bucket-list destination.  We loved our time there and I am completely hooked now. I am already trying to figure out how quickly I can get back.

Some of my favorite pictures---

Times Square on night one! We were all excited and didn't want the night to end, even if it was midnight!

Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art: This was high on Gracie's list of must-do's. 

Kate showing off her new purse, dress, and necklace after an afternoon of shopping.
She had Uncle Bryan to thank for some birthday spending money. 

our neighborhood for the weekend

love this shot-
dinner in Little Italy for my mom's birthday

LOTS of walking.

We started to be pretty okay at maneuvering the subway by the end of the trip.

LOVED getting so much time with my girl.

We wore Kate out with late nights and thousands of steps. She was a rock star.

the very best travel partners around

There was just so much to see. 

Kate cracked me up at this moment. She asked me to take her picture at the base of the Statue of Liberty. I pulled out my phone and she immediately struck this pose. It was hard to keep a straight face. 

Seeing the Stature of Liberty and Ellis Island was a highlight of the trip for me. Patti arranged and treated us to a tour group, so we were able to be with an expert for the day. She taught us so much and kept things interesting. 

There was beauty all around us. This was just a subway station. 

Kate was serenaded by one of the performers at Ellen's Stardust Diner, a restaurant where all of the waiters are aspiring Broadway actors. While serving the customers, they also perform for everyone. (Think karaoke but ten times better.) The performer that serenaded Katie later stopped her on the way to the restroom to give her a ring. She proudly wore it the rest of the weekend. Ellen's was our first stop of the weekend and it did not disappoint!

We didn't let a little rain get us down. 

What a night. What a trip.  Cheers!