It has been a wonderful long weekend spent with family & friends, trips to NYC, several grocery runs, delicious food and Velda’s annual Christmas injury.  We arrived back home late this afternoon and have been enjoying a lazy evening in the comfort of our own home.  The holiday’s can be bitter-sweet because I always love coming back to my own home but after spending so much time with family, I really do miss not being closer to them.  Especially a rare Christmas like this one where ALL of us were together to celebrate!  I’m sure over the next few days I’ll share some of the highlights from our long weekend.

There was lots of picture-taking, especially since I upgraded my phone to the new iPhone which has 8 mp (no, not a Christmas present; it was just time).  My brother Mike and his wife Emily are big into iPhone photos and it spurred me on to make the most of my new mini camera!  There were moments I’d look around and see 4, 5, maybe 6 phones out taking pictures.  It was pretty funny looking!  So here are a few highlights from our day together in the city.

the twins talking to Santa

My little V met Santa Clause for the very first time.  I’m glad that we waited because it truly was a wonderful and even a bit magical!  We went with the family to see Santa at the Herald Square Macy’s.  If you see Santa, that’s where you gotta go!  They really now how to do it.  I’ll fill you in on their secret, they have a lot of Santa’s but they keep them in these little rooms so that when you walk to your Santa, you don’t see the others and it keeps the line moving.  I know, it takes a bit of the magic away but I was impressed with it all.  We also lucked out to not meet any Santa but THE SANTA.  There is only one Santa and he rides his sleigh every Thanksgiving at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.  I could go on and on about how wonderful Santa was with all the kids, how he took time to talk to each one and was just, well Santa!

My little V was a little afraid of Santa.  We went last and when her turn came, she did not want to walk up to Santa.  So her cousins Hannah and Leah walked up with me as I was carrying Velda.  The two of us sat down next to Santa and though she didn’t want to talk to him, she did say it was okay to take a picture.  Then little by little another person was added till we got the three moms and their kids (minus 3).  By the end of all the picture-taking she had warmed up and got to talk to Santa just a little bit.  It was a lot of fun and I think we both look forward to going to see him again next year!

not just any Santa but the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade Santa

the cousins just met Santa Clause

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Rockefeller Center

We ate lunch at a super delicious burger place called The Counter.  Your menu is a checklist where you can put together your own lunch.  I enjoy finding a new, yummy place to eat at.  The only down side was the 15 minutes where the sun was shining between the buildings.  You don’t believe me that it was bright?

oh, it was bright

It was a lovely day!