Graduation Week: The Browns Visit

Anthony's parents, came into town for the big graduation and to help us move.. (Again.) It was so much more fun than the first time they came out. We knew where to take them, what we wanted to and I wasn't being a homesick baby. 

Anthony's last semester was pretty casual and his schedule allowed him to take 2 golfing classes, plus a sailing class. He always came home telling me how fun sailing was and I didn't believe him. You can't wake board or tube behind a sail boat, so what would make it fun. I was so wrong! Sailing is a blast, and I hope that we can continue doing it in the future. We loved going, and since he passed all the exams he could take out any boat he wanted by himself. It was pretty cute seeing him so confident doing something I had absolutely know knowledge about. 

We took one last tour around campus. I am sure going to miss that beautiful school. It is just breathtaking. 

We hiked the top of the clock tower just intime to hear the the guy play the chimes. Way too loud and much more enjoyable from below. trust me. 

We visited Watkins Glen one more time and took in all the mystical surroundings. 

Ithaca falls. Aren't his parents so cute?!

Farewells to Ithaca

We had a big bucket list for leaving Ithaca. There was so much we wanted to do before we left, so we tried to cram it all into the few weeks that we actually had good weather. We had a lot of waterfall hiking, friend farewells and BBQs, latenight games of Greed, and so much more to do.. 

The Ithaca ward and Cornell branch put on a charity benefit for Feed My Starving Children. There were 4 ladies that were the whole musical, and they sang a bunch of 50's songs, with some witty dialogue in between. During the evening shows they had dinner served with the show. It was fun to go with all the girls and support the cause. 

Also, I think like half the girls in the picture were pregnant at the time.. Wow. and I think only 2 are left to have their babies in October. Sad I can't see them :(

A's last day of classes!!!!! Woo Whooooooo

Our Relief Society closing social.. It was sad saying goodbye to everyone. I never realized that this would be my last time being around a bunch of friends, my age, with the same goals and so much in common. It will never happen again, and it's a bit depressing. 

I had been waiting to find a car that would show people what I mean when I say "Ithaca doesn't think you stand for a cause unless it's on your bumper." and this car completely proves my case. Typical Ithaca. 

Hiking Lucifer Falls

Anthony also turned 28! It wasn't a very eventful day with family since he opted to go golfing two times in one day. I also finally found a "cake" that he likes. He doesn't like cake, cupcakes, most cookies, and most brownies, so I have struggled finding something that was special that he would like. Pavlova was the answer. It was divine. 

||He claims to not like brownies, yet somehow the whole pan disappears in the middle of the night.. ||

Golfing with his classmates

We had several BBQ's with the Swigerts at Stewart Park. It is such a beautiful view, and Amelia was happily eating watermelon and chasing the geese. 

Farmer's market Belgian Waffles.. the best.

We also had to have a bunch of  goodbyes with the Chords. Each goodbye turned into an other party and ended up being a week of goodbyes. ugh. I miss them. 

Anthony and Chris did this insane burger challenge. One may have thrown up after... Ahem.. Chris.

Back to School

We got back into New York on Sunday.

 I will never drive that far with a 1 year old... 

Ever. Again. 

We would leave at 5 am, and Amelia would do great for about 5 hours and then she was done. We would stop and eat and play at a park. Then she would sleep for about an hour and then it was over. We had to stop for the day. We added on 2 extra days because of this, but there was just no way around it.

It feels good to be back. It is 100% different than last time.

 I know people, I am not crying myself to sleep because I miss family. 

I know to expect.

I am not a new mom with a tiny newborn that I have no idea what to do with.

I have realized Ithaca isn't scary.

I go outside.

 Last year went so slow and so fast all at once. Possible? I guess so. I know this year is going to pass by so quickly that I will soon be recalling these days as memories.

We are still unpacking our apartment. We stored most of our stuff (everything except furniture and kitchenware) in the attic, and we had a sublet for our apartment all summer.

Our house smells like Indian food. 

Amelia is going 90 miles an hour. Everything I put away is just pulled out of place and put somewhere new. When we left, she couldn't walk but I didn't think it would make that big of a difference for baby proofing. I thought she was pretty mobile and curious as a crawler. 

I. WAS. WRONG.

She is getting into everything! She RUNS everywhere opening all the doors, cupboards, fridge, boxes, and it's getting a little overwhelming while trying to put this house together. 

Anthony has started is last year at Cornell. This is monumental. Our entire relationship, we have always been in school. 

Working around this schedule, and preparing for this test. 

We will be done with school! 

(Until he gets an Executive MBA. And I go to cosmetology school... Okay, just let me have my happy thoughts for a minute!) 

He is taking a whopping 26 credits this year (for F.U.N.). That is a lot at any school, let alone at Cornell. I will be alone this semester. Feel free to call me anytime. 

Our last year in Ithaca. I am ready to enjoy every minute. (Or at least endure the winter with a smile.) 

Hope you all had a good day back to school.. or a good day at your new jobs if you just graduated. Or a good day. 

Our first week in Ithaca

Today

The Big Apple

 Anthony and I went to NYC for spring break. It was so much fun. I had never been, so I absolutely loved it. We did all the touristy things and some local things. We were lucky enough to score an apartment rental for the break. We were on Columbia campus renting a law students apartment. It was tiny and I can say that I am so glad we don't live in NYC. I just couldn't do it with a kid. So small.

We walked an average of 9 miles a day and took the subway 4-6 times a day. That is a lot of work with a stroller! 

Advice:: DO NOT TAKE THE SUBWAY AT 5:00 WITH A STROLLER.

Amelia would take her morning nap in the stroller and then we would go back to the apartment for her afternoon nap. She had to wear her snowsuit the whole trip and had a stroller shield. It was freezing and rainy, but it was blast

My Great Grandma's house in Danellen, NJ. Where she grew up

The Rimple Family. Anthony helped baptize them. 7 years ago.

In Jersey City

Our tiny apartment. whole apartment captured in 3 pictures.

Hoboken

The Statue of Liberty was closed because of Hurricane Sandy, but it was still fun to see.

9/11 Memorial

The grocery mart around the corner. It was the size of a gas station, but surprisingly had a lot of the essentials.

Times Square.

It wasn't busy at all this day.

Partially because it was raining and freezing.

30 Rock.. Liz Lemon??! No.

At FAO Shwartz. Loved that store.

The MET

Columbus Circle

Empire State Building. 

One of my favorite parts of the trip.

[[Picture Overload]]

The Stardust Diner

China town. 

I really liked this Chinatown. It wasn't as dense at San Francisco.

However, don't eat their street meat. Anthony learned the hard way. 

Times Square.. It was warm this time and SO CROWDED

Toys R Us in Times Square

The Disney Store. 

I wanted to buy Amelia everything.

Anthony did not.

A final dessert to say goodbye

We are going to try and go back during the fall. I want to see the leaves in Central Park.