I don't even know where to begin! There is no way I can write everything we have experienced the last few weeks and all the emotions and things we have felt and learned moving to New York City. We feel like it has been a good move for our family. We miss Idaho and all you dear family and friends so much. But so far we actually love it here! It has been fascinating. My favorite thing I think has been that there is so much diversity. I love it! I love all the different people that live here. And most everyone has such kind hearts. We love taking the subway, we love walking in New York City, we love the kids' school where Lexi is the only blond one in her class and on her first day all the kids gathered around her to feel her hair! And Brenner asked one night, "How do those guys make their faces dark?" It has been such a learning experience but we're all adjusting and getting accustomed to it and really like it. We've done a lot of sight seeing and have seen all the great tourist-y things like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, Times Square, the Manhattan Temple, the M&M Store, Dylan's Candy Store, the huge Toys R Us store with a ferris wheel in the middle and giant lego statues, FAO Schwartz with the Big Piano, the Flat Iron Building, the Chrysler Building, Wall Street, etc, etc, etc. There is so much to see and do!
We live in a 16 story building with a rooftop terrace. We love to go up there. The views are amazing. It is especially fun to take dinner up there and eat while we watch the sunset.
We live on the 13th floor and this is the view from our little balcony. It scares me to death when the kids go out there, I hate heights, so we keep the door locked! But it's a great view, especially at night. These pictures don't capture the granduer of it all and the sparkling lights and the hustle and bustle of this gigantic city. I do miss the mountains and cool, crisp air of Idaho but for 2 years I'll take it! It really is quite mesmerizing.
We take the Subway or the Air Tram into the City (we actually live on an island that is considered part of the Upper East side of Manhattan) and I've driven to Target in Harlem, I can't even say how happy I was to feel a little 'normal' to find a Target! I expected our ward to be very different from Idaho, but it is full of families and has lots of kids and is just great.
I think the hardest thing I've had to get used to is doing the laundry in the shared laundry room. Each floor has 2 washers and dryers, and one week (having 5 kids) I had 8 loads and took up 4 floors! But it was nice to get all 8 loads done at the same time! I can't wait to have my own washer and dryer again some day!
I think one of the funniest things is how everyone is so blown away that we have 5 kids. Every time we go out people stop us and ask, "Are all these kids yours? 5?!! You have 5 kids?!" It is just mind boggling to them. Most people we've met just have 1 child. I'm so thankful to have 5!
My parents came for a few days and it was fun to show them around. They helped out so much with the last of the unpacking and organizing. We loved having visitors! Anyone is welcome to come visit!
This is looking out over the river on the Air Tram. We live on the island on the right and we are on our way to see the sights in Manhattan on the left of the river.
The kids at their new school. On their first day last week, Lexi's class went around the room and introduced themselves to Lexi and said their name and what country they are from! There are kids from all over the world whose parents work at the United Nations.
There are a couple parks across the street from our apartment. I think we've been there every day since we moved here! The kids roller blade, play basketball, play in the fountains, swing, and there are always lots of kids to play with. One night Dave met us at the park after his day of class. He just started his 2nd semester at Cornell. He is doing great and still has his smarts after all these years! He studies hard but still makes time for us. It is so nice being a family again. It was way too hard being apart for a couple months. I would follow him to the ends of the earth just so we could be together. Life is much better together!
Also, one night Dave got out his stethoscope (above) and the kids loved hearing their heartbeats.
Malia is learning how to sit up and always has a brother or sister by her side. She's so fun and Brenner said to me this morning, "I like her. She's my best friend." Wherever we go she gets lots of smiles!
I was really nervous to move here and afraid of what it would be like, but so far we really like living here. I didn't know that it would be possible to like it but I'm grateful that it's been a good experience so far!
And Brenner was the best helper-floor-cleaner-upper after. It was great! The only bad thing about making cookies is that the kids aren't the only ones who eat way too many!
