Where did manners go?

The most disgusting (ok, well I guess there are more disgusting things, but it was definitely up there) happened yesterday. It was a good day at work and things ended on a very positive note. So, I decided to walk up to Grand Central to catch the train so that a) I could enjoy a little walk on a beautiful summer evening and b) I could chat with my family on the phone and share the good news of the day. And so I did - I walked to Grand Central, all along talking with first my mom, then my dad. Upon arriving at Grand Central I headed down to the horrifically hot and humid subway tunnels (nothing out of the ordinary). I proceeded to wait about 15 minutes for a subway to come, all the while the station was getting more and more crowded. By the time a subway arrived we were all squeezing into the subway car because we wanted to be on that train. I was sandwiched between various people, unable to move even my arms. Just as the train was leaving the station, the girl standing RIGHT in front of me sneezed. That's not bad except for the fact that her sorry attempt to cover her nose and mouth was quite weak and the entire sneeze ended up IN MY FACE! I was SO disgusted and wanted to vomit in her face, but I have more class than that! However, it put me in such a bad mood. I mean really, how hard is it to have manners?!?!?! I swore I could feel myself getting sick, so after sounding off about it to my sister and then my mom, I rushed to the store and loaded up on citrus fruits and some OJ.

The things that we put up with in NYC!

Shake Shackin' it up!

Today Kari was in the city with the youth from York, PA. So, Brett and I met up with them for a while. We did lots of walking through way too many crowds, but it was fun to spend some time with my lil' sister. Of course I avoid Times Square at all costs unless I'm with visitors who want a glimpse of the madness or if I go to a Broadway show. Other than that, it never gets my attention. However, that's where the youth were walking through, so I took one for the team.

Check out those crowds AND it was in the mid 90's and very humid that day, ugh!

Kari and I went our separate ways - she down to Ground Zero with the group and Brett and I to look for maternity clothes and enjoy some of the best burgers Manhattan has to offer. So we went here:

And enjoyed this:

Healthy, I know, but SO delicous! If you're ever in the area, you must make a trip to the Shake Shack.

Oh, and we bought a little present for baby girl G. Every Big Apple baby just has to have one.

Our 4th of July weekend

We spent the fourth with my mom, Kari, Kirsten, Kyle and Brooklyn at Kirst and Kyle's new place in York.

We took Amtrak out to Lancaster - Brett's an Amtrak pro, but it was my first east coast experience on Amtrak. When we arrived in Lancaster, this is the sign we found. Come on, wasn't that almost 4 years ago!!! Talk about recycling signs. (And I'll have you know that it wasn't strictly enforced since Brett had no trouble bringing his golf clubs, which were over the size limit, on board).
For the 48 hours we were in York, we packed in quite a bit. Of course first things first, we had to meet our almost newest (Becky and Ben's daughter Breann was born the morning of the 3rd) little niece Brooklyn and get in some cuddle time with her. Isn't she precious?
Getting some kisses from mommy!
Brett got some practice, though he has yet to change a baby's diaper. He'll get plenty of opportunities in a few months though!
On the fourth, my mom, Kari, Brett and I went to Gettysburg. We took a 2.5 hour bus tour and then proceeded on to see one of the battle re-enactments. It was pretty awesome. A day packed full of history. Brett was super into it and we have since rented the movie 'Gettysburg.' We've watched (read, he's watched and I've dozed in and out of) a little over two hours of the 4+ hour movie.

Looking over Gettysburg from Little Round Top.
Posing by one of the many cannons.
Anxiously awaiting the start of the re-enactment. Yes, it did rain a little bit, but that didn't stop us.
The battle (which the South won).
We enjoyed a fabulous home-cooked dinner before heading to see the fireworks...we made it just in time. And it was a great show. These little kids were standing behind us and just cracking us up...everyone 23 seconds one of them would say, 'This is the finale.' 'No, this is the finale.' We heard that through the whole show until the actual finale began. They all agreed that 'That was definitely the finale. Until next year.'

Brett got in a round of golf on Saturday (he had so much fun and is now on a golfing kick) while Kyle studied for the bar and the girls spent some quality time together. We took Brooklyn to get a fourth of July picture at the mall. She was wide awake the whole time and did so well. Other than that we just let Kirsten take it easy and we all hung out.

And of course, here are some pictures of Brooklyn. I just couldn't help it.
Saying goodbye. We'll see her in a few weeks for her blessing!
Thanks for a fabulous weekend mom, Kari, Kirst, Kyle and Brooklyn. We had lots of fun!

Movin' on up

I was just looking through some pictures and found these from our move two months ago. Though you'll still have to await pictures of the new apartment since I have yet to take them, you can at least get a taste for the chaos of the move.

The last of our stuff from our studio.

Some of the fabulous help we had from the ward (Matt, in truck; Ryan, in blue shirt; Alex, in front)

Martina and Alex are some of the amazing seminary kids that came out to help! Just love them!

Maya was there too keeping watch over the truck!

We sure wore Alex out between the heavy lifting and the stairs! He found a comfy spot to enjoy some pizza and soda before heading home.

Adrienne made her appearance just as dinner arrived and the van was unloaded - but not to worry, she went back to the old apartment to help us clean. What a good friend!

The final picture in our first apartment together! Do we look exhausted or what? It was after 11pm by this point and we had just finished cleaning up.

Obsessed!

Brett and I are officially obsessed with 24 and our hero Jack Bauer. We got hooked on the show thanks to our NetFlix subscription and once we begin a new season, we just can't seem to do anything else. We literally, eat, work, watch 24 and throw in a little bit of sleep here and there. Movies put me to sleep, but rarely does the thought even occur to fall asleep when I'm watching my good friend Jack Bauer save the world. Monday night we finished season 6 - thank goodness there are no more seasons, now we can actually get something done. But honestly, Jack Bauer is absolutely amazing - he really is our hero.

I have yet to see seasons 1 and 2 since Brett had already seen them and introduced me to it beginning with season 3. But never fear, I have some baby recovery time and as such, Jack Bauer and I have some dates lined up for October!

Note: Brett and I have noticed how the characters in 24 never say 'bye' when they hang up the phone. We decided to try it out...it's hard, go ahead, give it a whirl!