Day OneHundred-FortyOne

Thank you to my sister and brother-in-law (and Cordie) for opening your doors to myself and a house full of guests. It was a great week and perfect way to peek at the joys we will be gaining when we repatriate in the upcoming month. I love you! Goodbye NYC...I cannot wait until we meet again.

Day OneHundred-Forty

Meet the newest member of my sister's family, Cordelia.  She is 4 months old,  half Australian shepherd/ half King Charles spaniel, and as cute as can be.  She has been a great cuddle partner during my afternoon-fighting-jetlag naps.  Love her.

Day OneHundred-Thirty-Nine

We started the day with our debut on the Today show and finished the day in Grand Central Station - does it get much better?  Friday evening means it is closing time... and time for everyone to head home after another long week.  Grand Central is the ultimate place to watch the progression of time and the masses of people making their way home.

Day OneHundred-ThirtyEight

When we left the restaurant (several fantastic beers and delicious mussels later) the rain had resumed.  But I couldn't leave the city without seeing Time Square.  But with Mark the Second being less 3 days old I couldn't fathom getting him wet!  So my sister held the umbrella while I captured the bustle and lights of Time Square at night.  (Made me feel very important :-) )  The area just bleeds color and with the gleam of rain water - it shined that much more.  LOVE.

Day OneHundred-ThirtySeven

People watching on the subway .... it doesn't get much better.

Day OneHundred-ThirtySix

What's NYC without the subway?

Day OneHundred-ThirtyFive

Between travel, camera disaster, jet lag and girls weekend -  I've been a little behind on uploading 365 pics.... AGAIN.  But after a day to get to know my newest member of MoeCakes, Mark the Second, the clicking resumed!  And where better than NYC?  It was my first time to NYC having made a deal with my husband that neither of us would visit until we could go together -- but that just took far too long!  When the opportunity for a girls weekend arrived, I just couldn't pass it up, and my husband was wonderful enough to give me the okay, even without him.  Rain and all, the day was fantastic and city was amazing.  We just barely scratched the surface of the city, which means I will be back -- and the next time, with my husband.  So - in honor of girls week and my "inaugural" visit to NYC the next seven days will be pictures from my day in New York.  Enjoy!

Day OneHundred-ThirtyFour

My morning routine - Run, Dunkin donuts coffee in a favorite mug while watching the Today show... from the day prior. 

4 weeks and counting.... Running in clean air and on a sidewalk, Today show (in real time), ever lasting supply of coffee, and so much more.  Can you tell I'm super excited?

Day OneHundred-ThirtyThree

Secret telling is some serious business....

Day OneHundred-ThirtyTwo

There's nothing like a good pair of jeans to make a girl happy.

Day OneHundred-ThirtyOne

Can you tell I've been at a 365 standstill?  Between my camera being in the midst of service center turmoil, the beginning stages of moving back stateside, a girl's trip to the states next week, Bali last week, and wrapping up loose ends with my last few photo shoots - 365 has been non-existent.  The stress of knowing I should be photographing something each day weighs on me, but I've been casting it aside due to my missing half.  BUT good news - my baby is back, safe at home....And seems fully recovered.  Her insides were handed to me in a zip lock bag... a little odd, I must say, but she is whole again.  With each click of the shutter I hold my breath waiting for that ERR 20 to reappear, but so far, so good.  Welcome home.  Please stay healthy.
..... And welcome back to 365.

Day OneHundred-Thirty

I've said before Moe is my little bundle of creativity.  During our week in Bali she wrote, lyrics and melody, to her own song.  I go through weekly stacks of art.  Stories are abundant.  Paper products are everywhere.  Duct tape, scotch tape, masking tape.... It never stops.  

This evening Mom and Dad were led upstairs to go through her very own library.  She had the play room lined with books, a checkout desk, return slips and all.  We were instructed to pick out no more than 5 books at a time, "and if we needed help to find a certain book, she would be more than happy to find it for us".  

Aunt Mary, this one is for you.  

(And a couple extra I thought you would enjoy.)

Day OneHundred-TwentyNine

All sparkle and glam - it's a daily thing.  Can you imagine putting on a "formal gown" every day just to feel like a princess?  I guess I understand why Cakes gets such pleasure in doing so.  And what you can't see is the blue eye shadow, bright pink blush, and red lipstick covering that sweet face.  I will say she is getting better at applying and has even decided she wants to be a "make-up artist" when she grows up!

Day OneHundred-TwentyEight

Our very own film strip ... via MoeCakes and an iPhone.  Laying around the pool these two know how to pass the time, add a camera in their face and they know how turn it on.

Day OneHundred-TwentySeven

Thank you Ku De Ta. You will forever be one of my top spots in the world.

Cakes.

Moe.

Day OneHundred-TwentySix

Moe in Bali.

Even tried to find a camera to rent. No luck. Can I cry a bit more?

Day OneHundred-TwentyFive

Serenity.

OneHundred-TwentyFour

Life without a camera...on vacation...is a photographer's nightmare. Having to rely (solely) on an iPhone camera is not only a challenge but disheartening at every turn. But it wouldn't be right to completely halt 365 until I have my camera back. So, here are my chosen pics for the last couple days. Sigh.

Day OneHundred-TwentyThree

Bound for Bali, this was the view as we began our decent. Nature is an amazing thing.

Day OneHundred-TwentyTwo

4 Girls, a pool and a trampoline....the fun never ends.

Day OneHundred-TwentyOne

When Moe came to me and said that she wanted "Pippi Longstocking" hair for crazy hair day, I was at first proud - having grown up loving Pippi - but a tad "oh, geez, Al - really???!!!"  So I was quite thrilled when my theory on how to accomplish the feat actually worked out!  I had to laugh this morning when I looked over and saw the view.  Bottom line - Twin and Crazy Hair day at school, I think these two take the cake.  

Day OneHundred-Twenty

It runs in the family is a true statement when it comes to this pair.  These two are a true example of the "athlete brothers".  Big brother is a stellar athlete in most he does, holds many of the records in his swimming league and little brother isn't far behind... and best of all they are both great kids (props to Mom and Dad).  It's Eli and Peyton in the making....wait, wrong sport :).  Just for them, I looked up some MLB brother duos:

Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez

Brian and Marcus Giles

And I know they look at this blog (thanks to their Mom!) so I just need to tell Parker not to groan when you see this (it's a great picture and I told you would be painless) - and tell Ryan that he has the perfect "I will win" look.  Thanks guys!