Much more to report than what this post will entail so stay tuned for more updates this week. I'd like to start out by wishing all the mothers out there all the very best on this very special day in recognition of them! Hoping that each of you were able to celebrate in one way or another.
Next piece of news that really is no longer "news" at this point, is that I am pregnant. Twenty-one weeks to be exact. I only mention this now because as I begin to post pictures I think it will be obvious and I don't want to cause confusion by getting caught up and not posting photos in chronological order.
Just last weekend I traveled to NYC with my folks to meet up with my sister and celebrate Silvia's (sister-in-law's) graduation from Long Island University (Doctoral degree in Psychology). We enjoyed a fun-filled 5 days in the Big Apple...
 |
| Our arrival at New York's JFK. |
Silvia and Kelly were there to greet us and off we went, heading downtown to meet Brad. Traffic and horrific horn honking most stick out in my mind. Upon finding Brad we escaped the mini-van mid-block and walked with Brad to a little Mediterranean restaurant for a quick bite before making our way by foot to Broadway for a showing of The Lion King. All agreed that the special effects were spectacular!
 |
| Kelly and I following the show. |
Just across the street from the theater Brad works on the 34th floor of a high rise right in the middle of Time's Square so we went in to take a peak at the views. I don't have any really great shots but all of us were amazed at how busy the streets were at that time of night. Lots of people and lights, street vendors and general activity. Welcome to NYC!
Friday morning arrived quickly for us Pacific Coasters as we gathered together to make our way to Long Island University. Silvia took her visiting family members in one minivan, Brad's landlords, Pete and Judy, kindly took the Stoll clan in another. I didn't take any photos but did grab this shot with my iPhone of the new graduate and Brad.
 |
| Dr. Silvia and Brad |
Following the very lengthy ceremony and a reception for the graduates in Silvia's department, we made our way back to Brooklyn. Later in the evening Pete and Judy hosted a graduation in their back yard for Silvia and Brad's family and friends. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with all of the people that have been supporting Silvia over the course of the last 5 years.
Saturday was also another early start. This time we were all on our way to Lancaster, PA. In the way of an explanation, Silivia's family makes the trek from Italy about once a year. They have "done the city" on a previous visit and had made a request to go to Amish country. I was more than happy to oblige considering Nathan was unable to make the trip with me and I would love to discover the city with him sometime in the near future. Besides, it turned out that the beautiful, rolling hills of Lancaster County were a welcome reprieve from the hustle bustle of the city.
Brad had reserved a farm house that would sleep all 11 of us and the Stoll van arrived first.
 |
| Dad, Brad and Mom enjoying the rural scenery and smell of the dairy cows! |
 |
| Dad, Brad and Mom in front of the house. |
 |
| Making friends with the lone fawn cow in the herd. What a long tongue! |
Once Silvia's family van arrived we all picnic'd on party leftovers from the previous evening and then headed out for some sightseeing and country shopping.
 |
| Farm animals including some billy goat kids - so cute! |
 |
| Amish buggies. |
 |
| Dad enjoying the colorful, man-powered Amish-made scooters. |
Brad had made dinner reservations for us at Stoltzfus Farm Restaurant, an Amish meal to conclude our day in the country.
 |
| Stoll family before dinner... |
On Sunday we took our time making our way back to the city, stopping to meander through an antique mall before departing Lancaster County. Upon arriving in NYC, Brad dropped us off at Rockefeller Center so that we might make our way to the "Top of the Rock" and soak in the views of the city on our first clear day in New York.
 |
| Kelly and I with Central Park and Uptown spanning out behind us. |
 |
| The Empire State Building and the rest of the city in the other direction. |
Once we were finished we reunited with Brad at the base of the Rock and made our way to the car for a quick driving tour on our way back down to lower Manhattan and the financial district. We had 7 PM reservations to see the 9/11 Memorial. The memorial is hard to capture in pictures but I can assure you that it is worth seeing. I don't have the words but I was touched - highly recommended.
From the Memorial we made our way to a small Italian restaurant to enjoy a late dinner with Silvia's family. The staff and food at Numero 28 Pizzeria was authentic and we had a wonderful time tasting 4 different types of pizza.
 |
| The whole crew! |
Monday (5/7) was our final day in town. We started in Brooklyn at a little park with views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges and making the most of some family photo opportunities.
 |
| Siblings in front of the Manhattan Bridge: Kelly, Brad and Kari. |
 |
The Stoll Family.
|
 |
| Dad and I as we were making our way across the Brooklyn Bridge by foot. |
 |
| The Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge, including the new World Trade Center building. |
Once in Manhattan we made our way to St. Paul's Chapel, a small church and resting spot for workers following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. We took a walking tour of the Financial District including Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and made a visit to the Bull to conclude our time in the city. The Bull was gated off and there was actually a long line in the middle of the street to get a photo. We thought, "While in NY..."
What a wonderful trip! It was great to share the time with Brad, Silvia, Kelly and my folks. The flight home somehow seemed much longer than it did going. It didn't help that my tummy was not feeling well. I would guess this will be my last flight pre-baby and it was well worth the journey.
