{Oupas Visit}

Columbus Day Parade

Oupa being here gave us more excuses to get out and see things.  He was here for the Columbus Day Parade down in the City so we decided to head out there. Big Mistake. This was the first time I was brave to drive to the City, not sure I'll be up for the challenge again after being cut off several times and one car making a left hand turn in front of me and pushed me to go left and I almost hit a pedestrian. Like I said I don't claim to be an aggressive drive. All I think about it it "please no one touch my car" cause I swear I will be shocked if we leave NY without a scratch or a dent. Jon on the other hand is very much an aggressive driver and too gutsy for my liking. Sometimes it's better for me to just close my eyes and lay back cause I think my blood pressure shoots through the roof when we drive there.

Okay back to the Columbus Day Parade is was a Monday and the parade was about to start and I drove the one spot I knew for parking and reg charging 10 dollars they charged me $28.00 CAUSE IT WAS A HOLIDAY. I think I cried inside the rest of the day. Then we arrived at the parade and it was horrible. Basically it was every Italian in NYC walking the streets. IT was 3 hours too. We stayed for maybe 1 hour and 25 minutes of that was me taking Addison to the bathroom. We then headed to FAO SCHWARZ (the largest toy store) then too Central Park to play. Another thing I learned is you always ask food people how much their hot dogs are cause I just ordered then gave him the money and I paid $3.00 for each hot dog and the next guy got them for $2.00 cause he asked how much they were.

Taking Oupa to the Ocean

We had a lot of fun with Oupa on the beach. It was again a beautiful day. We enjoyed the warmth of the sand and walked a bit of the boardwalk. 

Oupa dug a hole for the girls and they loved getting into it as you can see.

The peaceful sounds and sights of the ocean.

{Another Great Stop in Palmyra}

THE SACRED GROVE

With Jon's dad with us we had to stop again in Palmyra. I was excited cause the trees were beautiful with the fall leaves. The Sacred Grove was beautiful. We were the only ones there too. I would say it was nice and quiet but my kids were excited to stretched there legs. It was beautiful Jon took the older two kids up the trail while we stayed in the main area watching Addison be as cute as ever playing in the leaves.

Oupa & Emberlynn

THE HILL CUMORAH

We visited the Visitors Center then took the walk up to the Monument on the Hill Cumorah. Jon let the girls roll down the steep long Hill. They had a blast and I realized I need to relax more, even though I did it all the time as a kid. I think the thought of it for me know made me want to puke. 

This next picture was the road to drive up to the Monument. It was gorgeous. I was born in October and the fall is very therapeutic for me.

{Niagara Falls- WARNING Plethora of Photos}

Niagara Falls is seriously a must see at least once in your life time. Even better on the Canadian side and even Better in the Fall.  I don't think we could have gotten luckier. My father-in-law had an Engineering Conference in Niagara and asked if we wanted to meet him there. OF COURSE!!!  

There were two negatives about the trip #1 Jon got a speeding ticket. It would of been me too if I were the one driving so I can't give him to hard of a time cause we were both excited to get there. #2 At the Canadian border they compensated my PINK PEPPER SPRAY my wonderful friend Brooke back in Vegas gave me for a goodbye gift. I was so sad. Seriously I'm not lying. Other then those two things this trip was seriously RELAXING, SOOTHING, REFRESHING, LUXURIOUS, EXCITING, BEAUTIFUL AND BREATHTAKING.

It being the month of November we have been counting our many blessings and moving to Long Island is on my list, where before back in Las Vegas I never could ever see it being a blessing just a hardship to me. The more I'm here the more I LOVE IT HERE. Seriously I feel so lucky and blessed to have this wonderful opportunity to venture out and experience such a wonderful part of the country.

We arrived in the late evening. When we looked out it was too dark to see, but boy could you HEAR the roars of the falls. To make things better I turned on the fireplace opened the floor to ceiling lookouts and was completely in heaven.  

Rise & Shine the kids let us know it was morning time and so glad they did the awaiting the early morning sunrise was greatly arousing. The girls took baths and I snapped away while Jon and his father were tucked in bed. And if I can say the shower I took that morning felt like I was in a day spa. Turned on the Plasma TV (even though I couldn't hear it in the shower, just because I could).

Up above is shots from our room. We had a corner room. I guess that morning I didn't take the photos of the other corner (what was I thinking).

After breakfast we took our first wake to the falls. The day was a bit cast over as you can see in the photos, but I didn't mind one bit cause it made EXCELLENT PHOTOS. Only wish I was a PRO and these pics would be way better! But I was quite happy how they turned out.

Here was a pretty area that my father-in-law suggested.

 I was so excited when someone offered to take our photo

Little MB thought it was so funny to find every puddle along the walk. If you look at her jeans you can see her pants soaked half way up to her knee. I was paranoid and try to stop this ruckus considering this happened the first hour on the walk. This little one would search out all puddles then focus all her attention on that puddle. She then would dart towards it. If any of us would grab her before she reached it. Then we wouldn't put her down until we passed it. THAT STUBBORN little girl would go back every time almost and jump in that puddle that she was so focused on. Jon says she is stubborn just like her mother. Which is probably true considering my mother agrees with him. But she did say it is what kept me out of trouble.

Jon is so cute with our girls. We all can easily tell they are loved by their father. He would do anything for them. ANYTHING! Sadly I think they know that too.

This is my favorite picture. Maybe it has a lot to do with my husband looking so hot in this picture too, because it's not my favorite shot of me. Jon's dad took it and I loved how he framed this shot. This photo is now on our DEBIT CARD.  Totally COOL I know! Thanks Dad for a GREAT SHOT.

SHERATON HOTEL AT THE FALLS

Here is the facade of our hotel room taken in the gardens in front of it. I love the shot of Jon and his dad. One of my other absolute favorite shots. This time taken by me. : ) Not not cool enough to go on my DEBIT CARD though ; )

Here are pictures inside. All my pictures were dark and didn't turn out but you can get the just. It was beautiful suite. We definitely got spoiled. In the first morning we woke up the girls laid down on the floor with their pillows and watch and listened to the falls roar. THEY LOVED IT SO MUCH. Who would of thought children would dig this vacation so much. 

Here is Jon and I on the Balcony.

Here is one more collage of the other corner side I forgot to add up top.  I was totally shocked how much you can do in Niagara. I thought there was only the falls.

The second evening we were there Jon's dad treated us to Dinner on the 13th floor of the Restaurant. We had their nice Seafood Buffet and as you can see the views were fantastic.

Here are the Girls playing in the gardens in front of the Hotel.

Ride into the Mist

MAID OF THE MIST

This was way fun to do as well. Addison was extremely nervous about going on the boat too. Jon talked her into it after a very long 30 minute prep talk. Jon succeeded and we all boarded with smiles on our faces. What a relief that was. We all enjoyed it too and Addison thought that was the neatest thing. Her biggest concern prior to getting on was they would push her over in the water. She loved the mist from the photos.  We all did.

Before we got on they took professional pictures of the family. Jon's dad bought each one for a keepsake. I scanned it in and when I come across it I will post it.

The LIGHTS at NIGHT in Niagara

The night lights as you can see were breathtaking. The lights were reflected off the mist from the falls and really lit up the sky. So beautiful.

Jon's dad watched the girls so Jon and I could go out and walk the falls by ourselves.  It was a nice escape.

 Here you can see the lights that light of the falls as were were walking we were enjoying our shadows maybe a a little too much, but thought it was cool. People kept walking by so it was hard to get some shots but we managed to get some. I love the bottom right picture with the blue highlight around our shadow.

Our last morning there we found a great breakfast cafe right in front of the falls. We felt like we were the only ones there and it served the yummiest food. Really. Again we looked out the window and enjoyed the falls. The upper picture is where you stepped out to.

The drive home was beautiful. Upstate NY is gorgeous.  This trip was a blast for the whole family and we were grateful we all got to enjoy it together.

{Old Westbury Gardens}

A fun Summer activity we did with our entire family located in Garden City (20 minutes from our home). This building reminding me so much of the Great Gasby, however the Great Gasby was not filmed but many other famous movies were. 

This was another FREE PASS the library gives families to check out once a month. With an Interior Design background I really appreciated all the details involved. I told Jon if only I lived here while I was taking my courses life would of been more exciting and easier for me. Instead in Utah I had to do a lot of traveling and cutting out of magazines.  I am amazed that I am living in a beautiful place where the History of America started. 

I only have pictures of the outside cause no photography was allowed inside the mansion. Which kills me cause I have never seen pieces so exquisite up close and personal. It was amazing, however it does save for a shorter post which apparently I need since we did this back in August.

The gardens were amazing and many of them. If only I was a good photographer this this place would make for amazing photo shoots.

Emberlynn! 

Poor girl looks like she sweating like crazy in these photos.

Addison's  Cheerleading Poses!

Alix isn't shy to pose in front of the camera. In fact she was the one who started all these photos by saying mom take my picture?  CONFIDENCE IS A GOOD THING TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN AS LONG AS HUMILITY IS ALONG WITH IT. (I think I may need to teach that better lol! )

You should see another Post about Old Westbury Gardens here pretty soon. This time with Oupa!

{Snow Angel- Tori Amos}

This is what I have been listening to the last few days. Jon downloaded last year for free off itunes.  I love her voice. It is so peaceful. In no way I claim I can play the piano but I spent a half an hour trying to find sheet music to this. It will take me weeks to learn it (like I say I'm no pro- only had a session of piano lessons in Kindergarten. The rest I taught myself. If I had questions I would ask my sister Tanya) Anyway if you find any sheet music send me over the info I would love to learn the piece. (I don't have a piano either but I figure I can use the churches.)

{Montauk}-Long Post

For those who don't know where Montauk is- it is the the farthest east you can travel on Long Island. This trip was TOTALLY AWESOME. I seriously had a blast there. No this is not what it looks like in November this is what it looks like in the the middle of July. and yes I am just now blogging about it.  I'm so behind so bare with me. But keep in mind this was MY FAVORITE SUMMER GET-AWAY this Summer!

-MONTAUK LIGHTHOUSE-

Voted one the best Light houses in America. It also has the highest ranking of all the lighthouses in America. Ratings are determined by scenic area, working lighthouse, keep-up, and etc.

When I think of East Coast Living my mind goes straight to the Lighthouses and Nautical Things. The ocean of course along with seagulls, lobster, fish, beach houses and ships. This trip was all that too!! The weather was beautiful. We woke up really early on a Saturday and drove east. We got to the Montauk Lighthouse a half an hour before it opened. Perfect timing so we walked around the light house on the rock and took a beautiful scenic walk along the ocean. 

Emberlynn loved walking on the rocks she was a fearless rock star that kept Jon and I on are toes with one or two heartattacks along the way. Addi & Alix loved climbing on them too, so did Jon and I.

Seriously this moment I can still feel and picture. How relaxing and awesome is this? JOn came and joined us and we sat here for at least a half an hour watching all the fishing boats.

So just so think we will be back here soon!

-----CAMP HERO-----

This national park was right next to Montauk so since we have the Season Empire pass that gets us into all the parks we decided to go cause it was free. It was $10 but to me it was really the greatest attraction. There are a lot of funny alien and 4 Dimensional Humans rumors about this site. You can read more about here if you are interested.

-----GOSMANS DOCK------

To help top off the day we  had to go some where exciting to eat so I found this place called Gosmans. It is where all the fishing boats come in and there are restaurants and shops. It was so much fun.

 -----TIME TO EAT LUNCH-----

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YES that is Lobster on my plate. (First time it was served on a paper plate though) We also had coconut shrimp, fries, lobster bisque, cole slaw, salad, corn on the cob & some chicken fingers. YUMMY!

This Seagull was just 5 ft away from us. It starred at us the whole time. Towards the end of the meal it flew to the table behind me. AFter sitting there for 5 minutes  or so I started putting the last yummy bite of lobster in my mouth. What I didn't know the seagull swooped in to get it but failed instead hitting our water over. I couldn't believe it! We just started laughing historically in amazement it was planning it's attack the whole time. But no seagull can out smart me. "IT'S MINE" (I just quoted FINDING NEMO if you didn't know) My jokes are still coming folks. There cheesy I know but they make me laugh : )

This picture is really hard to see but if you enlarge you can faintly see a white circle. That my folks is my first jelly fish I have ever seen outside a aquarium or zoo there is another one in this picture but I have a time seeing myself. This freaked me out a bit cause I swim in that water. We had a table right next to the water and we looked down and would watch the jellyfish and that seagull. It actually is what I think East Coast Living is all about! 

-----Hither Hills Campground Beach-----

We didn't go camping but you could. In fact people were all lined up hoping someone would leave so they could squeeze in. This place was packed. So we headed a little up the beach and found this fun quiet area to swim and play in the sun. 

This was also the first time I saw my first topless person. The funny thing is she was 75 meters away, so you really couldn't see it very well. At first I just starred thinking- Does she have a top on? Then I just starred cause  : ) hah I know I'm crazy, but I was just trying to watch how one acts topless in front of tons of people and look so casual like nothing is odd.

Go ahead laugh at me. After awhile I finally looked at the people and ALL HEADS WERE ON HER. 

------THE HAMPTONS-----

Driving through the Hamptons were breathtaking. They seemed so quiet too. We drove down some roads to find the BIG HOMES and found some awesome but not he mansions you hear about and see in the movies. But still it was beautiful. On the drive home we stopped at a small farmers markets and sadly to say they were a rip off. The prices really were not that good. Some where but I found some South Hampton Honey I bought at the Grocery Store for 6.99. The same bottle they were selling for 11.99. I thought I needed to go by a case and sell it on a stand up there. I would make bank. Anyway we did support the local farmers by buying their DELICIOUS ROASTED CORN ON THE COB. 

YUMMY #2

US ENJOYING THE YUMMINESS! 

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ON the way home we enjoyed our peanut butter sandwiches and other packed goods we packed earlier that day. This really was one of my most memorable fun relaxing East Coast days I had been craving since the moment we moved to Long Island.