Double Digits!

Jake turned 10 years old on Friday, October 14th! T-E-N...how can that be? His first "present" was the fact that he had no school on his birthday! Despite the fact that he could have slept in, he chose to still go out to breakfast with Daddy, a birthday tradition. His next gift came with a little smoothness on his part. After playing First In Math on the computer for a while, I reminded him of his dishes (a daily chore) that still needed to be done. He looked up at me and said, "Since it's my birthday, will you do them for me?"

We left for the library late morning and checked out a bunch of books. Then, we made our way over to Ms. Beth's house. Except for when I had to drag him in for some lunch, Jake played outside the entire time. There is always lots of tree climbing, mud sloppin', good old fashioned outdoor fun when we go over to the Riddell's who have lots of wooded area surrounding their property.

We left there around 5pm. We met Grandma and Grandpa K., Uncle Matt, Aunt Sarah Beth, and Anna at McDonald's around 6:30 for dinner (Jake's choice for a quick restaurant so that everyone could come over to our house afterward and hang out....thought that was sweet considering he had his choice of where to go).

Yesterday, we had his Minute To Win It party with 5 of his friends outside at the church. He seemed to have a great time and so did his friends. So fun to watch boys interact with each other. We left the memory card to the camera at home, but thankfully, my mom took a bunch of pictures with her phone for us. Will post those soon.

Just wanted to give a belated birthday wish to Jakers! We love you, son!

A Big Thank You and some other stuff

I realized today that I never even mentioned a huge part of our trip...the wonderful grandparents who helped to make it happen by taking care of our kids! Thank you so very much, Mom and Dad E! What a blessing it was for us to be able to go and know our kids were in the hands of grandparents who love them much and were willing and wanting to spend almost an entire week with them! I know the kids made many memories with you and that makes my heart happy! Thanks the big special moments...like picnics at the park and fishing and for the quiet, but just as big special moments...like singing "Summertime" at bedtime and lots of journal writing! I love it! And we love you both so much!

Today was a day to recover from our vacation. Sounds funny...but it truly was an exciting, yet tiring, visit. Let's just say Dan or I had no problems falling asleep each night. I thought I would try to keep up with all the walking we'd done in NYC by pulling Claire in the wagon to school this morning. She loves it when "we" walk to school. Got a few spits of rain and was hoping we wouldn't get dumped on...or at least that the dumping would wait until my solo walk home. Thankfully, I arrived home dry.

Got a bunch of laundry done, had an easy supper plan (leftover porcupine meatballs...thanks again, Mom E), and read some Holes to Jake and Lydia and Rattlebang to Claire before bed. A pretty layed back day...glad to be home. One funny before I log out...at least to me. Claire sometimes gets mixed up with her words. Lately, she has been asking me, "Are you my baby?" Then comes the explanation that she is my baby and I am Grandma Kanost's baby. Tonight at bedtime, she commanded me to kiss Dan, "because you're his husband!" Silly girl!

Finally, just for a walk down memory lane. I was looking for a picture of Grandma and Grandpa Ernst to put on here. I have many but went looking for the ones of when we went to PNG in 02' and they got to meet Jakers for the first time! Talk about a memory...these pictures make me well up a bit. Guess it doesn't help that my sweet baby boy is turning 10 on Friday. Enjoy the pictures...I sure do!

Our Last Day Here

This was taken earlier in the week, but I had to include a picture of us on the subway!

So call me a dork, but there was one particular place I was hoping to visit in New Jersey, since we were close. This next picture was taken on our way to the train. I thought Christopher St. looked like a nice street to live on. We arrived in Hobokin, New Jersey - your 1st clue. The next picture is your 2nd clue (and answer if you are a fellow Cake Boss fan).

So, Cake Boss is one of my favorite shows to watch. The cakes they make are pretty unbelievable! I new I would be one of many wanting to go to Carlos Bakery (as you can see from the line in the picture below). It was a 1-2 hour wait in the line. And while I am sure whatever we ordered would have been delish (and my sweet hubby was willing to accommodate), I decided a peek through the window and a picture would suffice). While we were eating outside at the pizza place next door, I saw Grace, Buddy's sister. She was taking pictures with with people, so after we ate, we went over and grabbed a quick picture. I had said I wanted to see a celebrity and in my book, Grace is a celebrity!

Our next stop was the Empire State building! Jake and Lydia...you inspired Daddy for this picture. Remember the gorilla statue at the zoo. Well, Daddy got to pick King Kong's nose! Another shot of the George Washington Bridge for the kids!

Looked like a Lego city from so high up!

The new tower being built with Statue of Liberty in background.

The very top...where King Kong went a little berserk.

Look, Jake, Lydia, and Claire...we found Gelato on the streets of New York City! But I didn't see Pistachio.

Had to stop in Macy's just to see. So many peeps!

Who can tell me what's wrong with this picture? And of course...the obvious answer (to the debate) is Jordan and Pippen!

It's interesting when you are on a trip without your kids what makes you think of them. There are LOTS of pigeons here and I think of Bert's pet pigeon from Sesame Street every time I see one, which makes me think of my kids! Plus, I think they would be enamored with the quantity of them.

Our last stop today was Coney Island. It was nice to smell the ocean air and take a walk along the beach (albeit with shoes on...it was a dirty beach). And God gave us a beautiful sunset! A great way to end a great time!

Jake, Lyd, & Claire...this one's for you!

GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE!!! Today was a another beautiful day...we really were blessed with some great weather on our trip! I was worried about being too cold here in October, but with it being in the 80's today, I was borderline too hot.

So, we were planning on going to Long Island today but didn't time out our day very well. We wanted to attend church at Inwood with our friends, the Sotelo's, where Walter pastors. They meet at 5pm. We went and rode the train to one stop and made the decision then that we would have only about 1/2 hour on Long Island. So, we rode the train back and took the metro to Central park area again. We walked around some (it was so much more crowded than the other day!), then we walked to Gray's Papaya...a hot dog place Dan had been to before. Before long, it was time to head to Inwood. That was neat to be able to worship with some New Yorkers! After church, Walter and Victoria had us over to their home in the Bronx. We had a lovely time eating supper with them and their three kids and getting a chance to chat with them afterward for a while. Walter gave us a ride back to our hotel. It was neat to see the Manhattan skyline at night for the first time (was on the wrong side of the plane the night we landed). Also, one thing we wanted to get a picture of was the George Washington Bridge for the kids (thanks to a Bert and Ernie song we often listen to in the van). Since this bridge is close to where the Sotelo's live, Walther took us to a spot where we could get a good pic!

And that wraps up our day. Not many pictures because we need new batteries. We'll have to get some on our way into the city tomorrow. We still want to go to the top of either the Rockefeller or the Empire State building. They are having a big Columbus Day parade tomorrow so we may catch some of that and maybe hit a museum...a big recommendation from Walter and Victoria. We shall see!

NYC - Part 2

Billingtons, this pic is for you. Dan discovered this cobblestone in Central Park as we were leaving. Didn't know you were famous, did you...at least they shared the same first capitols! Turns out the Ernst's are famous as well...see last picture.

We walked some today...and walked...and then walked some more. After a lazy morning in the hotel and a good talk with the kids on the phone (hooray for Jake to losing another tooth!), we headed to the subway once again. We headed over to China town. Wasn't quite what I had in my mind and like Dan said - you been in one shop there, you've "been in them all." During our time there, we witnessed hundreds and hundreds of skateboarders. Most of them were making quite a stupid decision....banking on the hope that regardless if the light was red at the intersection or not, they were going. There were quite a few close calls! Dan modeling some earings I found. Sorry, Lydia...these are a bit too dangly for you.

We went to Little Italy and ended up eating lunch at Benito. They sold us on their lunch special, but unbeknowst to him, Dan's two Diet Coke's cost almost as much a lunch. Sneaky!

Just a cool building, on our way to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Lady Liberty seen from Brooklyn Bridge.

Half way across!

Multiple times throughout our time here, I have thought what it must have been like to witness the events on 9/11...when I look at the skyline or when I see a plane go by. I thought of the people walking on the bridge that day or riding on the ferry or walking on the street. It's been 10 years, but being here brings it back to the forefront of my mind so quickly.
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After walking the bridge, we took the subway to 5th Avenue. I wanted to check out The American Girl store. That place had THREE floors! And a salon where the dolls can get their hair done. And of course, it was swimming with girls! Two funny comments I overheard - one from a boy outside of the store - "I'm not going in there," and one from a poor boy trapped inside - "Get me out of this torture chamber!"

Then we walked back to Time's Square...significantly more crowded on the weekend! We ate a cheap dinner (shared a $5 footlong from Subway) and people watched for a long time. Then it was off to the hotel to watch the Huskers/Ohio State game....but look what I saw as we were leaving Time's Square (see last picture)! Looks like we are famous, too!

First Time in NYC

Guess whose in the Big City? WE ARE! Dan and I have wanted to visit NYC together for a few years. He has been a couple times on missions trip but I had never been before. Dan recently gave up his seat on one of his business trips resulting in two round trip airfare to anywhere in the States. We celebrated 13 years of marriage in August and decided to celebrate (a little late) by coming to New York with those tickets. We arrived late Wed. night. There is so much to see...I am glad we aren't rushed. Yesterday, we stayed around the Time's Square area. Today, we got to visit the 9/11 Memorial, take the ferry to Stanton Island, and walked and rested in Central Park.

Look who we happened upon in Time's Square! Beth and Libby! (ok, ok...we did make arrangements knowing we'd all be there the same time). Had lunch them at Hard Rock Cafe and then we parted ways.

This pic is for you, Lid! Your famous in NYC!

Thought Jake would appreciate this shot.

I needed a chocolate fix in the Hershey's store.

Dan saw this and thought of Lydia...our girl who loves to skate. They look like Ronald McDonald skates to me.

We got to be part of the David Letterman audience! Too bad they didn't ask if anyone had any stupid human tricks! I'm sure Dan has one or two up his sleeve.

Here's our proof...Baxter the dog and his owner (winner of the dock diving dogs).

Another pic I thought Lydia would like...

We woke up this morning early to try and make it in time to get tickets to see the 9/11 memorial. We made it. It was neat to be able to be there...but it was pretty overwhelming and emotional. The above photo is a piece of warped metal from one of the twin towers. This was the first of many times this day I had to swallow hard.

This tree was the only one that survived on 9/11. They nurtured it elsewhere and replanted it by the memorial recently. Pretty cool, huh?

Us in front of one of the fountain footprints with new (unfinished) tower in background.

This intrigued me. I saw a few women listed along with their unborn children. I love that they were included because those unborn babies were, indeed, a life lost on that tragic day. So my confusion lies in the loss of so many other lives lost in the tragic act of abortion. When is a life not a life?

This was also quite interesting to observe...protesters on Wall Street (in that first pic, in case you can't tell, the news camera and microphone were fake).

On our way to Stanton Island!

Statue of Liberty...pretty cool!

Central Park is huge! I had no idea how big it was. We decided to go there and rest a bit in Sheep Meadow (1st picture). Our legs and feet were a tad tired from all the standing and walking! Our little rest turned into a couple of hours...so relaxing. Then we walked around the park for a while. It was very pretty. I really like The Mall strip with American Elms soaring overhead.

That's all for now. More to come!