New York City Day 2

Saturday we slept in. Then woke up and made our way all the way down to the end of the island otherwise known as Manhattan. First on our must see list was Ground Zero, World Trade Center site. I've seen it over the years in various stages of transformation but this was his first time. 

We got our tickets and got in line, which seemed to go by pretty quickly. We didn't have to wait to long, at all. There was tons of people which made me really happy that we got there early when we did. 

It's such a calming place, so surreal and unreal. 12 years ago this was a very different place. 

The Memorial couldn't be more beautiful. I can't wait to see it one day with no more construction around it and the museum finally open. 

I'm so glad that we were finally able to share this experience together. It was much different then he expected. It was for me my first time as well. 

To honor a lost loved one on their birthday a White Rose is placed on their name along the fountains. It was such a beautiful memory. I can't imagine what the ones they've left behind have been through. 

After leaving the 9/11 memorial we walked around Battery Park, took a peak at the Statue of Liberty. Made our way uptown a little through the Financial district past the giant Bull. I didn't want to get lost in the crowd so we stayed clear and opted to avoid pictures. 

I took him through Trinity Church, its such a beautiful place. So peaceful and calming. 

We walked through the cemetery looking at the different headstones reading the dates. Some are so OLD that you can't even make out what they say at all. Normally cemeteries creep me out and I want to stay as far away as possible but there something so different about the Trinity Church cemetery. The headstones are so old, they look like are going to crumble to pieces. 

We did a little window shopping while downtown, grabbed some lunch at a local pizza joint and then headed back to the B&B for a bit. I think the giant climate change for me did a number on my immune system because I felt like I was hit by a bus. I know some of it had to do with not drinking enough water. I go through multiple bottles of water while at home and those first two days in the city I hardly had anything to drink. I was feeling really light headed and felt like I was going to pass out. Some much needed rest was in store. I was a bit disappointed. I mean really, I NEVER get sick but my 2nd day on vacation and I get slapped with this. I was determined to fight it and push through and that I did. 

That evening we headed out to dinner to a place called Good Enough to Eat. Another pick by the hubbs. I got a Turkey BLT Sandwich with Mac Salad. I wasn't sure how I was going to like the Mac Salad because I've never had it before but I absolutely loved it. It was so yummy. 

The hubbs got Buffalo Burger, I've never in my life seen a burger so big, The picture seriously does it no justice. It was probably 3-4 inches thick including the bun. He enjoyed every bit of it because there wasn't a bit left when he was done. 

We contemplated dessert, I mean we are on vacation right. But I still wasn't feeling 100% and we were both super stuffed so we decided to pass. Saving it for another night. Back to the B&B we went. Even feeling a little under the weather it was a great 2nd day in the city. I'm loving this time away with the hubbs and can't wait to see what the next few days have in store for us. 

New York City Day 1

Hubbs and I are off on our New Years Eve adventure, New York City here we come!!! 

It's the Hubbs first time to the City and well me, I've been several times before. 

We opted for a little Bed and Breakfast in Harlem over a Hotel closer to Time Square. I have to say we were quite happy with our choice. It was small, quaint and just right for the two of us. We could come and go as we pleased and didn't have to worry with 100's of other hotel guest or waiting for a elevator to get to our room.  

We had a pretty stocked kitchen with food, appliances everything we would need for the week. This was my first ever B&B to stay at and well I had this picture in my head of what I though it was going to be like. Well I'll admit it was a bit of a let down. High expectations maybe?!?! Still a great place to stay. 

TV, free Wifi, Garden View of outside, Pretty decor, Comfy bed and down comforter. (seriously love these things, I know what I'm asking for for my birthday) A box of Chocolate (which we never opened) shameful I know. 

After we unpacked and freshened up a bit after our long day of traveling. 4 airports, 2 flights, 45 minute shuttle ride and a early early morning we headed out to grab some dinner. First subway ride together with the hubbs. He couldn't figure out why there was so many different colors, numbers, letters and routes for the subway lines. But it only took him the evening to figure it out and he was the one directing us all around the city and pointing out which subway line we needed to take. Man with good direction is always a good thing. 

After dinner at a little French place called La Roast we headed back to our B&B for a bit of relaxing. We were both warn out from traveling and it was seriously cold outside. 

Much more to come from our wonderful week spent in the Big Apple, so stay tuned. 

A Quick Recap of 2013.

Going through pictures from the last year and remembering some of my favorite or most memorable moments I though I'd share some that stood out to me. 2013 was a great year for so many reason's but a extremely hard year that I never saw coming. I'm so glad that this chapter of my life has closed and I'm looking forward to starting a New Year fresh. 

March- I ran my first half marathon. 

April- I went home for spring break & spent the week hanging out with my little brother & family. 

April- I celebrated my 27th birthday with these beauties bc the hubbs was away at school. 

June-Was my first annual swamp poker run. 

June-Spent a week in WV with my favorite people at New River Gorge. 

I did lots of baking through out the year with my new kitchenaid. 

I ran a total of 11 different races during 2013. 

July- Celebrated the 4th with some fabulous friends and great food. 

August- The hubbs picked up his 6th BCT cycle. 

August- I headed back to Texas for my Papa's funeral. I was able to visit family, our God Father, and my other Papa who passed away back in 2002 for the first time. 

October- Went to the SC State fair for the first time, since its been open a total of three times since we've been here. 

November- We celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary and I ran my first full marathon. 

November- Our friends from VA came down for the weekend, the same weekend as our Anniversary.

 

November- The hubbs and I made a trip back to Texas for what has been one of the hardest moments of my life. Saying goodbye to my Mamaw. 

 

November- The hubbs and I celebrated Thanksgiving together at home just the two of us. After I did a little black Friday shopping with my girl B. 

December- We celebrated Christmas Eve with some great friends and then Christmas Day together at home. 

Im not at all sad to say goodbye to 2013 I'm quiet glad to see it go. We had some great times together and def. some hard ones. I've got high hopes and dreams that 2014 is going to be a great year. We've got some big changes ahead of us and I'm excited to see were that leads.

Gift Giving

Every year I always say I'm not going to make gifts so complicated to mail home for our family. However every year I always fail. Getting better each time but I also end up sending so much home. I just can't bring myself to do a simple gift card which ideally would be easier. I love getting gift cards so I'm sure the next person does to but for me giving them just seems so un-personal. This year I made HomeMade Pumpkin Bread in these cute little dishes and wrapped it up and sent it on its way. 

Along with a few other things as well. 

Two of my Best Friends (who I refer to as My Spouse and Mistress on here) are so creative when it comes to gift giving. It kills me because I'm not crafty at all, I try so hard but I always seems to be a fail.  This year I some how came up with a cute idea I though I'd give and try and low and behold they came out super cute and I'm so proud of them. If only I would have though about it before I sent my families Christmas gifts home I would have done one for them as well. 

The letter is the first letter of their last name. 

Nancy w/ her fam- Mistress. 

Sarah and B- Spouse!!

Jenna w/ her fam.  

 I absolutely love them and can't wait to make one for our house as well. 

And the best part about it was, its a totally affordable gift. 

(Now that they've all three received their's I can finally post pictures)

Christmas Day

Our Christmas was very low key this year and it was simply great. The night before I had made our breakfast casserole that we enjoyed Christmas morning. Normally we made a huge spread of pancakes, eggs, bacon, ect. but we decided to change it up a bit. This is one of our favorite breakfast casseroles so its always a winner with us. 

After breakfast we opened gifts. This year we kept things simple in the gift giving department. We always have a habit of getting what ever it is (to a extent) we want through out the year so its hard when it comes to gifts. I told the hubbs not to get me anything this year because my gift was our trip to NYC. (more on that to come) But of course he didn't listen, he said he wanted me to have something to open on Christmas morning. I've really been into making smoothies her lately and he knows how much it annoys me getting out the big blender and putting it together each morning. He got me a smoothie maker and the mixer part turns into the glass / cup you drink it out of. Super cool and a great space saver. He also got me a rice maker which doubles as a steamer and you can make actual full meals in to. I'm actually really excited to start using it, its similar to a crook pot. I've been wanting to get the new Fast & Furious 6 movie and hello stocking stuffer. He's such a stud I just love him. 

I got him the sights for a recent gun he'd been wanting, which was quite difficult to get with out him finding out but thankfully Becky helped me out with that one. A new HK water bottle (also a gun brand) thank goodness for wish list's on line and that he's good at keeping them updated. I can never go wrong with flannel shirts. He's super old school sometimes and loves them. I hated them when we first got together but they've grown on me over the years. I also got him a new knife which he had been wanting since he broke his last one. Sadly I failed and got the wrong one. That's ok, (we went back the day after Christmas and exchanged it for the right one.) 

All in all it was a very relaxing morning, we took the pups across the street to the soccer fields and let them run around. We had no plans the rest of the morning, so while the hubbs went up and reloaded ammo I decided to go ahead and tackle the down stairs and take the Christmas decor down. Normally I'm pretty good about waiting till at least the weekend after Christmas but since we were leaving the day after the next and not like anything was open were we could go any were I figured why not. It's all packed up and ready for the movers when they come this coming summer. 

(I completely failed on taking a bunch of pictures Christmas morning, but that's ok)

(last year we got our first real tree, this year we opted not to get one with our early vacay. I sure miss the look and smell of a real tree)

I figured I'd share a few of my favorite new pieces I got this year. 

Go Cock's, you can't help but become a fan living in the South. 

Such a sweet ornament from our dear Neighbors.

New Monogrammed stockings, I mean did you really expect anything else?!?!?!

Sweet gift's from some of my parents at school.

 

  
This is our Battalion ornament that our BC's wife gave to only the people on the board. I feel honored to be given one. 

All in all it was a great day and I couldn't be more blessed to be able to spend it with my love. 

I absolutely LOVE the holidays but I LOVE being able to get my house back in order again and back to normal. Until Next Year!!!! Happy Holiday's and here's to Another New Year to come.