Snowed in in NYC!!!

Well these pics are totally out of order so bear with me!  I went to NYC last Thursday with Julie Kate for a long weekend full of touristy NYC Things!  The main reason for the trip though, was to see her cousin in her last performance on Braodway as Glenda on Wicked! Thanks to COVID, they check the vaccinated performers all the time and she tested positive days before we were to leave to see her.  Because all the tickets were bought and reservations made, we went ahead and made the trip!  We still saw Wicked of course, but with the understudy as Glenda.  We were disappointed we couldn't see her  and she never had her "last perfromance".  Well, Ginna Claire is moving on the bigger and better things and starring in her own Halmark movie!  So that's the upside!

So, we arrived in NYC and of couse they start talking about the snow cyclone bomb thing...and so we were there for all of that!  NYC did not shut down a thing!  We did all our reservations, museums, ballet, and bever missed a beat.  You rock New York! 

So every fancy dog had fancy clothes and shoes....it was a hoot!

My body isn't equipped for 18 degrees.

We took a walking food tour of China Town and little Italy and were the only ones to show up!  Our guide was a hoot and we just had a blast!  I have never been so full!  I love Chinese food and Italian equally the same and was blown away by it all!

We had reservations at the old school italian Patsy's and it was absolutely amazing....

Best dancers ever....such an interesting performance.  We saw 3 separate dances and they were all so different!  The Lincoln center was gorgeous!

Julie Kate had never been to the Museum of Natural History and we just were like school kids in there....really amazing

So of course if you know me you know I love my deals and I love my bags.  Bartering is sport to me.  So of course since we were in Chinatown I had to find some bargains after our tour.  I was a good girl and only purchased 3 items. 

My little bracelet that was so fun to bargain for

This was my bag that took some work in a side alley with a tiny Chinese lady.  We were walking away when we finally agreed to a price!

And this one is for Claire and she's yet to see it...it's a simple crossbody with a tassel and leather logo.  No metal on this one!

And of course Wicked!

These are the best seats I've ever had to any show.  No one was in front of me for 3 rows and I could actually see every piece of ths stage!!! My favorite musical!

 

This is Julie Kate's cousin, who was home in quarantine....

Times Square freezing fun on the first night!

Homemade pasta and sauce!

Our guide with fresh canoli!

So glad I had the opportunity to take a few days for myself.  Lance held down the fort in Memphis and spent lots of time with Claire!  They had a blast without me !!!

First Day of School!

Well, the Spring Semester at MSU has begun for Jesse and he took these pics for me because this was his first day of school as a senior!  We are proud of him, and he will still graduate in the 4 years, but now he will be able to add a 2nd major (which he is trying to decide of it's computer engineering or cyber security)  Either way, I will cheer him on !  He has applied for summer internships everyhwere and has not heard a word back.....I thought everyone was hiring?? Anyway, we are praying the right opportunity presents itself for Jesse!

More pics to come!  I leave tomorrow for NYC for a long weekend with my friend Julie Kate to see Wicked and a bunch of other NYC touristy things......totally excited to not drive someone or cook a bnch of meals for a few days!!!!!

 

Hamilton and The Peabody!

Well, Hamilton is in town and you know I'm not going to miss that.  So this time Jesse was my date and he loved it!  We walked around the Peabody before the show to see the holida decorations, but they had already taken them down just days after Christmas!  We were bummed but had fun nonetheless!  

We had great seats and Jesse tolerated my singing beneath my mask! So grateful for Lance that he provides such great experiences for us!!!

 

Merry Christmas!

I'm not going to lie...I've been really really busy these last few days and did a horrible job on the pictures.  But I did get a few....Claire so glad to be out of school and done with brutal exams.  Claire is really feeling the effects of her difficult curriculum....She relaxed by decorating all these Christmas cookies I baked.  We passed them out to everyone we could think of!

Emily came over the evening before Christmas Eve and we did presents, Chinese food, and a movie with her.  We had a wonderful time!

Christmas Eve we did a wonderful Italian Dinner and presents with my parents and brother...it was lovely!

The kids had a wonderful Christmas this year and Claire received the Perfect Practice Putting mat.  She was so excited for that thing!  I'll post pics soon!  She got a bunch of Shein outfits that I sewed and made fit for her! She finally got a pair of Birkenstocks and Air Force Ones...and she finally received her first Lululemon golf skirt and leggings....

Jesse is easy. He asks for very little.  He received a new bike for college.  He has put 650 miles on his first college bike and it's time for a new one!  He got a new tablet to take notes on for his senior engineering courses.   And of course lots of much needed clothes!

More pics to come soon....I am going to NYC in January with my dear from Julie Kate to see her cousin star in her last performance of Wicked on Broadway as Glenda!  We get amazing seats and I am so very excited...so that's my main Christmas present this year....a trip to NYC!

 

 

Our 12th Nutcracker!

Well, I've been taking Claire to The Nutcracker for 12 Years now, and we just keep having a blast every time!  We had really amazing seats again this year, so that helped  We also met up with my dear friend Julie Kate and her family, and had a lovely dinner at The Majestic Grille afterwards! Chrsitmas is in full swing!

Finally cold enough in Memphis to mink it up!

Before heading out!

 

We Have A Senior!!!!

 Jesse's final grades were posted today and he killed it!  3.6 with the hardest classes he's ever taken!  He's offically a senior...and early to boot!  So proud of Jesse for all his hard work, and now that classes and labs are back in person, he is thriving!  He's an almost Electrical Engineer!!! So proud!!! Go Jesse Go!

 

Huntsville and more!!!

Well, we took Claire to Huntsville for her last travel Hurricane event of the 2021 year.  She placed 10th out of 16 and there were some seriosly good girls in it.  She has some improvements to do in the off season, but she can do it!  We had a blast in Huntsville, but I didn't remember to take pics!  We took her to Nasa, lots of great restaurants, and to Bridge Street for shopping!  We then went to UNA for her first college visit.  They are a low Div 1 Golf team, and she got to see a good mid sized college.  It was a good place to start, and close to where her tournament was.  We then got back to Memphis and got ready for Jesse and for hosting Thanksgiving at our home.  It rained, but was turned our garage into another room and there was plenty of room for the 20 of us!

Claire helping me out at the soup kitchen the day after Thanksgiving.

Claire and I decided to go over the top with the ribbons this year and had a blast doing it!!

Hard to believe Advent is upon us!!

One of my best friends Amy lost her mom last week.  The day before her memorial service, she decided she wanted to clear her brain and serve others at the soup kitchen. So that's just what she did! 

 

Fall Happenings!!

Claire finished up a 2 day USJGT event today with a stellar 74-78!  She placed 1st and was all smiles....and hopefull we will be seeing a braces free smile in a few weeks!!!  Way to go Claire!

Claire and Mr. Cliff.  He runs the USJGT Tournaments and has watched Claire grow these past 4 years...he's a Memphis golf legend and the MUS golf coach.

Claire and Tanier after finishing up 18 today!

Jesse and Emily enjoying fall and MSU football!

Jesse dressed up on the top for a zoom interview!  Go Jesse go!