Summer in New York!

Well this last week marks ONE year in New York. It is hard to believe it has been so long it feels like we got here yesterday. Here are some pics for reminiscing.....

{All the Wood's and Olsen's belongings!!}

This summer has been quite a crazy summer as far as weather is concerned, it has basically rained everyday up until the last two weeks or so and now it is so hot and humid. But we have been able to get out to do a few fun things.

For the Fourth of July we went to the Delaware River Gap with some friends for some tubing down the river and camping. It was a lot of fun and good to get out to enjoy nature.....

After camping we headed to Long Beach on Long Island, it was my first experience on a New York beach overall it was great with the exception that you have to PAY to get on the beach now that is pretty lame. We met a bunch of people from the ward out there and it was a lot of fun just relaxing and playing games.

{The Boys}

{The Girls}

Trav and I have spent a lot of time in the park this summer, hours upon hours upon hours actually. It has been really nice when we have had good weather we just pack a picnic and head to the park with our books. On my birthday weekend we went down to do the row boats in Central Park, I have been wanting to do them since we moved here and Trav surprised me with it, it was so nice.

In July we also had a chance to go down to DC to visit Katie and Jeff......It was so great to see them, we have missed them in New York but it was fun to see where they are now and have them take us around their city. Scott, Marylynn and Zoe met us down there too! We just hung out ate good food, saw DC and enjoyed friends.

Other than that Trav and I have just been enjoying what NY has to offer in the summer. We have been to a few outdoor movies which have had spectacular views! We also went down to one of the Piers a few weeks ago to watch the Guitar Man in Central Park play some tunes it was great and the people watching was awesome.

Our lives have been crazy stressful this summer, but we are trying to make the most of it. I started a new job in June and have grown to really like it, the people are great and I am understanding the work a lot better so it makes it easier. Trav is still on the hunt, August has been really slow and dead for people getting back to him, but we are hoping that the first few weeks of September with be successful.

I have been missing family and friends so much lately :(, I am pretty homesick. It is hard to not have a trip to Utah planned to look forward to. Hopefully when Trav gets a job we will get tickets home even if it is just for a long weekend!

Please PRAY for MAGGIE!!!!!

Well just when we thought things were looking ok for Maggie she is taken back up to the hospital. Two days ago she got a very high fever so she was taken up to the ER at Primary Children's. It turns out that she has a bad infection and they are giving her a bunch of antibiotics. Her body is not releasing any of the fluids so she is completely puffed up and swollen, the doctors just keep saying she is "very very sick". She can use all the help she can get poor thing, please keep her in your prayers. Updates here.

For RENT!!!!!

So it is that time again, the time to rent out our condo! We have some GREAT renters in there now and wish they could stay, but they are moving to Alaska :(.

Just thought we would post our condo here to see if anyone is interested or knows anyone who might be :).

Two blocks away from the Governor's Mansion a condo built with every detail in mind. This is a beautiful 2 bedroom one bath condo with all newly refinished hardwood and slate floors in a gorgeous historic Avenues building. Exposed brick, granite counter tops, clawfoot bathtub, fireplace, stainless steel appliances, gas range, front load washer and dryer, ample storage, private entrance, designated parking, bay window, GREAT location and much more. Close to the U of U, LDS Business College, and Downtown. $1200/month. Available AUGUST 1st.

Large Living Room

Nook perfect for office space!

BOSTON!!!

Last weekend Travis and I had the chance to go to Boston to visit Michelle and Sean and sweet MAGGIE! It was a super last minute trip because we weren't sure if they would still be in town over the weekend. So Thursday night we booked our bus tickets and found a place to stay for a few nights, and after work on Friday we took off :).

Normally we would buy BOLT bus tickets but since it was so last minute they were all sold out and we had to go with the Chinatown bus LUCKY STAR......not so lucky. It was kind of a bummer because all week in NY it had been overcast and rainy and that Friday the sun was finally out and we were stuck on a bus, not just a bus, but a bus with NO A/C. It was sweltering in there and we couldn't even crack a window finally Trav asked the bus driver if he could pop open the emergency things on the top of the bus and boy did that make all the difference. Not only that but THREE times the bus stalled on the FREEWAY, we had to pull over and then cross our fingers that the bus would start again. It was just one of those things that you have to laugh because you can't do anything about it.

We finally made it to Boston and found the apartment we rented just fine. In fact when we showed up the owner upgraded us from the plain bed and bath to the actual apartment with a living room and kitchen too. It was so nice :).

Saturday morning we headed over to the Children's Hospital in Boston to see little Mags.
She is so freaking adorable, she was having kind of a rough day and wasn't super happy but she was hooked to so many wires and things who would be. We pretty much spent a lot of time at the hospital holding Maggie, getting updates and visiting with Michelle and Sean, it was fun to be there with all of them.
We took Mags for a walk in the courtyard of the hospital she was so tired...... zzzzzzzz
We did however get to go out for a few hours with Michelle and Sean to get them out of the hospital for a little bit. We walked to Fenway park which was really cool to see!
We found FREE cotton candy at Bestbuy :).
Went to Fanuil Hall in downtown Boston had dinner and walked around.
Also walked around Copley Place to window shop and just see the city.
I really LOVED Boston, from what I saw I would love to go back and see more. It was clean, green and historic. It was a lot of fun! Thanks Michelle, Sean and Maggie for a great weekend!!!
Maggie with a big smile :).

What we've been up to......

Well I just want to start by saying "It's about time", I know that is what everyone is thinking. Sorry but I haven't had a camera, plus while Katie and Jeff were living in NY Katie updated her blog and we pretty much did everything together so everyone could just refer to her blog :). But now that Katie and Jeff have left NYC for DC :( (we are sad and miss them!), it is time I take responsibility for this blog I started.

Trav and I have been back in NYC for about two weeks after our FUN visit to Utah. For those of you who don't know we have decided to try and stay in the city for a while. Travis is done with his classes, he is writing his thesis this summer and graduates in October. But we decided that we would stay here in NY and look for jobs! Needless to say that is what we have been doing for the past two weeks straight. I found a temp job that I have been doing for about 4 days it is going good so far nothing glamourous but it keeps me busy. Trav is still on the hunt making some good contacts everyday just hoping something will come through, keep your fingers crossed.

Other than that we have literally been LOVING NY in the SUMMER it truly is awesome! There are some many fun FREE things to do and FREE are always really good......

As I mentioned we don't have a camera so I haven't been able to document the last few weeks through pictures :( but a camera is on it's way so I will be taking lots of pics!!!!

Last week Trav and I spent the majority of our days looking for jobs which honestly is exhausting. We were able to get out a few times to enjoy some of what NY has to offer. We were able to hang out with our friends Scott and MaryLynn and their sweet new baby Zoe, she is adorable. We've been on fun walks in Central Park with them.

On Friday night we met Brianne and Jeremiah at the American Folk Museum, they were having some live music and drinks and it was FREE. The museum had a cool Kaleidoscope exhibit going on and they had some really neat quilts like the one below that mimicked what you see in a kaleidoscope, they were very impressive. After the museum we went to the BURGER JOINT for burgers and shakes, yummy! They really do have one of the best burgers in the city.
Saturday night Trav and I were able to hang out with Shawn and Annie we met them near their apartment and walked through the park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We have been there several times, but this was the first time we were able to go to the rooftop garden. There was a neat tree sculpture that covered essentially the whole patio. The views from up there were amazing.
On our way back we stopped for dessert at a little cafe that is known for its popovers. I had never heard of them, it is a pastry that you top with ice cream and chocolate and it was awesome, I would definitely go back....thanks for the suggestion Annie.
Sunday afternoon we headed down to the park and literally spent the entire afternoon just lounging around and reading, it was a beautiful day. A little later that night we went to Central Park, the Classical Theater had a free play that was going on. It was really neat how they set it up, the performers started in one area and as the scenes changed the actors moved throughout the park and the audience followed. It was really fun.
This week we stayed pretty busy with me working and Trav having a few night meetings he had to go to so we didn't get out much. Monday night, the day before my work started we actually found a fun thing that was going on, it is called Taste of Times Square. A bunch of restaurants from around the city come and set up booths and prepare samples and tastes of their food. So when you arrive you buy tickets and purchase your food with tickets. There were so many people there and so much great food, we had crab cakes, Asian salads, gnocchi and two kinds of cheesecake. There were also a bunch of street performers and music. They only do this once a year so I am glad we didn't miss it!
After being inside for most of the week when the weekend rolled around we were ready to get out of the apartment. We stopped by the Fashion Institute of Technology and went to their museum. They had dresses and gowns on display from the late 1700's to present. It was interesting to see how they styles changed. The dress below is has Swarovski crystals all over it, that dress must be super heavy.
After that we headed over to Grand Central where they have a small exhibit of the NY Transit projects they have going on. There are I think 7 major subway projects that NY is currently working on and the museum just gave details and status reports on each of them, it was crazy to see that some of these projects have been in the making for up to 80 years and they just now have the funding to get it done.
We wondered over to Times Square when were done there, they recently closed down Broadway to cars in the Times Square area and the city brought out a bunch oflounge chairs for public use so we just hung out down there for an hour or so and people watched, gotta love that.

This morning we woke up early, to get a good start on the day. There is a new park in the Meatpacking District called the HIGHLINE that opened this week. We decided we wanted to go check it out, it was really awesome. It used to be an old train line and the city came in and developed it into a beautiful modern park.
We then walked through the Flower District in Chelsea, where the street is surrounded by fresh flowers and shrubbery. I want to go back to buy an orchid or at least something green for our apartment.
After that we made our way back up to Central Park where they were having a Summer Stage Concert Series, we wanted to stick around to hear a few songs.....I guess Ruben Stoddard was there, Trav loved it :).

Needless to say it has been an eventful few weeks. We are really excited to take advantage of all NY has to offer!

Maggie's Fundraiser

Just wanted to send out a reminder that Maggie's fundraiser will be going on this Friday (15th) 1pm-7pm and Saturday (16th) 9am-3pm, it is on 3100 S. and 1000 E. Follow the PINK balloons. It is a garage, boutique and bake sale! Hope to see you there, thanks for your support!

Maggie on the News

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Kelly and Sara visit and 80's DANCE

Trav and I had fun week last week, his good friend from high school Kelly and his girlfriend Sara came out to stay with us for few days......as I am writing this I am realizing that we didn't get any pictures :(. We had a great time though. We spent a lot of time walking around and eating out which in my opinion are some of the best things to do in NY. Kelly and Sara were able to go to a concert, Thievery Corporation, which they loved and a comedy show as well. They also introduced us to some other friends they have that live here in the city. They are in a band called HIGHBENCH and they were in a studio rehearsing on Friday night so we were able to go watch them. It was our own mini concert and they were great. Not the best picture but it is all I had!!!


On Saturday night our ward had an 80's DANCE!!!! Trav and I are on the activities committee so we helped plan and it turned out great.....we had over 60 people and pretty much everybody dressed up, it was so fun and hilarious to see people in their costumes :).

Breanne, ME and Katie

Pretty much everyone at the dance!

Trav

On a side note......who is excited for THE BACHELOR tonight!!!!!!! Oh boy the suspense is killing me :)

No more Thanksgiving......

I have had enough complaints about updating my blog so here is the readers digest version of the last few months :). Brace yourselves....

DECEMBER--

December in NY is awesome you can really get in the Christmas spirit with all the decorations, shopping and cold weather. We were able to do a few fun things prior to leaving. We walked through Central Park on a snowy night it was really beautiful and we got some fun pictures. Trav and I also were able to spend a couple of nights in some really neat hotel/condos in midtown. An old client of Trav's gave us a few free nights and the places were amazing....I could totally live in one of them :)

Trav and I were in SLC for a MONTH I know it was a long time, but it went by pretty fast surprisingly. We were able to spend some good time with family and friends. It was so fun to be around all of our cute nieces and nephews again they get so big when you don't see them for a while. We had family parties, new years parties, lunches with friends and a few cabin trips. Oh and Trav had a birthday he is 31!!!!

JANUARY--

We came back to NY and it was actually really good. It made me realize how fast our time here has gone and how much I still want to do. ---side note Susan Surandon was on our flight!!!!

A couple of days after we got back was the Presidential Inauguration. One thing I really love about this city is that when something major is going on there are huge crowds of people all across the city watching or celebrating or whatever. So we went over to campus to see what was going on and of course a huge crowd was watching outside on the big screen. It was great.

I had never been to the Natural History Museum so Trav and I decided to go. It was pretty cool, they have a lot of really neat exhibits and a lot of animals :), which I never could figure out if they were real stuffed animals or fake.

FEBRUARY--

The month of love times 2. So this is the month of Valentine's Day of course but Trav and I also have an anniversary on the 3rd so we had a lot of fun! It was my year to plan our anniversary so I surprised Trav with a little night on the town. I had a few destinations with a card or note at each place taking us to the next activity. So we first went to dinner at a yummy restaurant called Rosa Mexicana they have delicious guacamole....yum yum. Being on a student budget I had to be a little creative. So the next stop was Barnes and Noble we spent 30-40 minutes in the humor section reading jokes to each other. The funniest ones were the "your mama's so fat" ones, they were hilarious. Stop number three was the movie theater, since it was our anniversary I chose a sappy love story, we saw Last Chance Harvey. It was a cute show. And to top the evening off we went to Cafe Lalo and had chocolate fondue for two. We had so much fun spending the evening together just the two of us, I had fun surprising Trav and he loved being surprised. Happy 4th anniversary to us :).

Well the weekend after our celebration was Valentine's Day. Katie, Marylynn and I decided it would be fun to do something fun for the boys the day before Vday so Katie made up a little poem that we left for them in Scott and Marylynn's decorated apartment. We had their favorite treats there along with hearts galore. They met us down at this really great italian restaurant. After dinner we had another note card giving the boys some options of things to do. Bowling was their first choice but the wait time to get a lane was ridiculous so we went to plan B which was you guessed it another movie. We LOVE movies apparently . We saw Push. It was ok not great just ok.

On actual Vday Trav and I wanted to be pretty low key and stay in since we knew it would be crazy busy at restaurants. We went up near the Hudson River and watched the sunset. It was really pretty and then we came back home and made a very delicious dinner. It was a brown sugar and mustard salmon first time we made it and it turned out great.

Talk show number number 3. Katie got tickets to go the the Rachael Ray show and who did she take???? ME. It was so much fun, the set was really colorful and bright and Salma Hayek was on the show so that was a big plus :). We get to go to Martha Stewart in a few weeks...

Last week Katie and I decided to get out of the city so we took a two hour bus ride to Philadelphia. I had never been there before so I was excited to explore a new city. It was fun, a little different than what I expected, but it was good. We just hung out downtown and saw the historical sites and then went up to see the University of Pennsylvania which was beautiful.

That pretty much sums up our last few months! Here are the pictures......