US Open

This was an impulse decision when one of my tennis fanatic friends (Julie Pearson) texted me to ask if we were going to the US Open? Obviously we totally knew that was going on and of course had plans to go ; ) So ten minutes later we would be headed out to Queens. 

Welcome to the US Open festivities!

Giant lady with a giant tennis racket....obviously.

It's not the US Open without a blue dog mascot. I'm sure it had a purpose and meaning...I'm just not sure what it was. 

Brighton was pretty psyched about the giant tennis ball.  So that was what he picked to go see.

Tori picked the tennis ball car. Unreal how long we waited in line for this. 

But come on! This face!

Dad and Mom picked watching a match as our event.  Everyone was taking pics of this guy so I joined suit. 

Then we walked over to the Unisphere. This picture is amazing to me. Look how that sunlight is hitting Tori, and then Brighton?? We have two different kinds of angels going on here. 

"Strike a pose, there's nothing to it"

I miss pine trees. 

When Daddy leaves for the weekend...

We run non-stop so we don't think about how much we miss him. With the sad news of Grandpa Dean's passing, Brandon had the greatly needed opportunity to attend his funeral in Utah, however, we couldn't quite swing the rest of us going. Though it wasn't the happiest reason to be gathering, the kids and I were still sad we couldn't be there with Brandon and the rest of his family.

So, we stayed busy. If I haven't emphasized this enough, New York has SO many things to do for free here, and this steam punk concert on the plaza of the Lincoln Center is one of the coolest I've been to. Tori went through a brief acrobat phase, so we just couldn't pass up the free chance to see some tricks.

Sword dancers

Acrobats/Aerial Dancers....same diff

Following the circus was a free concert that Tori insisted we stay for. I was ready to go to beat the crowds out, but we negotiated 3 songs. I actually love that she is so eager to get the most of her experiences. 

And the fountain is always a good time. 

The following morning we geared up for some jogging down Park Avenue for the Summer Streets Festival (one of, if not THE, favorite NYC tradition we enjoy).

Tori alternated between running and scooting.  Park has some good hills, so it was fun to be able to let her go for it without the fear of death at each stop light. 

Juicing up!

Brighton got in on the action too!

And even a turn with the pink scooter.

Not only are the streets care free but they are lined with tons of fun, free events. Our favorite area was of course Midtown. Midtown never let's us down.

Tori getting in some football training. It got serious!

Sometimes the only way we see the sun...off of a reflection on a building.

There was free miniature golf and the course was designed so that each hole represented an emotion.

Insecurity. The green was a seesaw. 

Jealousy

Depression....although hanging beads are anything but depressing.

This one was boredom, and I remember because we spent most of our time on it, being the kiddos favorite, and I was indeed bored.

Right next door was the Banana Boat block, with tons of free sunblock and places to relax while we tested out the sunblock. 

With our new free sunblock, obviously there's no need for a shirt...in the middle of Manhattan.

When in Palmyra, New York...

Do as the Mormons do! And boy, did we! I can't believe we did ALL of this in one day. This has to be on of my favorite experiences to date...from my whole life, third to marrying my eternal companion and having children!! It was like finally meeting someone you had heard so much about. It was great to put a "face" to the historical locations of so many stories I grew up with.

We started the day bright and early, arriving at our car rental at 6 a.m. Another 6 hours later, we were in Palmyra, where we began our exploring at the Sacred Grove. I couldn't wait for this!! Hence, why we went there first! I spent half the hike rushing my kids down the trail to get "there," when Brandon pointed out that we were there...at the Sacred Grove. I had it in my head that there was a clearing at the end of the trails. I wasn't exactly expecting a marked spot indicating where Joseph was kneeling and where exactly God and Jesus were, but literally, I misunderstood what a grove was. After clearing up that misconception, it was pretty magical, and probably more fun trying to guess where Joseph might have been, where I might have gone had I been looking for a place to pray, and taking in the peacefulness of the grove. I enjoyed, in essence, walking Joseph's steps that day. Pretty humbling.

Everything is close to each other, so from the grove you can walk to the cabin where Moroni appeared to Joseph, the barn, framed house, etc.

The framed house....Brighton was literally jumping off everything. He was in heaven. 

I spy Angel Moroni!

I have to smile thinking Joseph would have appreciated my rambunctious boy!

A replica of the family cabin built in it's original location

The room where the 6 boys slept and where Moroni appeared to Joseph

Stairs down to the kitchen

We then drove over to the publication site of the Book of Mormon and did a tour through the building.

Downtown Palmyra

First edition Book of Mormon. My amazing father-in-law bought me a replica of this. 

Original floorboards

Learning about how the letters were printed on the page. The sister missionary leading this part of the tour mentioned something about a miracle, and Brighton yelled, "Yeah!" haha.  

Printing room

This picture makes me so proud! Tori listening so intently!

From there we went to scout out seats for the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Pictures don't do this much justice. When you first drive by, it's pretty amazing to see. The hill is fairly good size, and the set literally looks like a Peruvian stone temple right there in upstate New York. Specifically, Peruvian...definitely not any other style temple ; )

Before the show, the characters come out in costume to mingle and take pictures. Tori really wanted to see this "Indian princess," but got pretty start struck like her Mama.  

View from our seats.

We loved scoping out pretty head dresses!

Moon rising on the set.

Tori asked questions through the whole thing. It was so great! She loves theatre! She was extremely bothered when they burned Abinadi. As Brandon put it, the pyro-technics were pretty legit. The waters of Mormon had a pool with waterfalls flowing out of the set. It was beautiful! 

I loved it! I loved everything about this day!