New York, New York!!

New York City. June, 2008...

Just one day after arriving home from sunny Burbank, I was off to the East Coast. I was lucky enough to be a chaperone on Megan's much awaited "Performing Arts Tour" of New York City. I met Heidi and Megan (and the rest of the musical theater, choir kids from Reed H.S.) in NYC, and we had a fun filled week! We went to the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, MOMA, Met. Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Opera House, China town, Times Square, Broadway shows... it was endless fun, burning the candle at both ends!

Heidi and I were surprised to find we did NOT meet the height requirements to be a Rockette! Imagine!

It was fun to have some time to hang out with Heidi!

This is the whole group, at the fountain by the Boat House in Central Park. All talented, great kids. We saw "Young Frankenstein," The Little Mermaid," "Mary Poppins," and "Mama Mia." The post-show tradition was to meet the stars and get autographs outside the stage door. Megan looks beautiful with one of the stars from Mermaid.

East Coast beaches are beautiful, but very different from beaches of the Pacific. Paige and I sport our lovely red hats, and Leah (finally) warmed up to the feel of the sand. She didn't like to touch it... it was so cute!

What an incredible city! Before the tour group came into town, I had a short visit with Doug, Amber, Leah and Paige. Besides the beach, we spent some time in Cental Park, rowing a boat on the pond, riding the carousel, shopping, eating, and exploring the city.

Thanks, everyone... it was so great to see you all. I MUST say this--Amber and Doug are incredible parents, with incredible, beautiful girls!

These past few weeks have seen many an "adventure"....

....What an exciting and busy past few weeks!! First, Em's wedding--good times! ....you were all there. But, there's more!

I was afforded the opportunity to head south to beautiful Burbank and go to Em and Chad's open house in his home town. Mom and I flew down on Thursday after the wedding and spent a little time hanging out with Em and Chad! Burbank is a great city... their apartment is literally just blocks from Nickelodeon, Disney animation studios, Warner Brothers, NBC (with Late Night with Jay Leno), the ORIGINAL Bob's Big Boy (complete with car hops and an antique car show on Friday nights), and, my favorite-- Yummy Cupcakes!

Now, let me tell you just a little bit about these cupcakes. They are not good. No. They are fabulous! Make that fabulous, cubed.

Here we are exiting the shop. It was tough to leave.



Emily is here pointing out just a few of their decadent creations. We went for CHOCOLATE!! Imagine that. Heavy on the chocolate. We came out with a six pack!!! Don't be fooled by the white one. It's chocolate with a cream cheese and coconut frosting. Excellent.

It was wonderful to get a little more WEDDING in... the open house was great, hosted by Chad's mom, Ellen, and his sister. It was held at Chad and Em's church (hand's down, the coolest one I've seen-- a renovated country club in the hills of at the edge of Burbank--elevators, a huge gym, outdoor patio, and a fabulous view). I have only a few pictures of the night. Em got a new digital camera earlier in the day, she broke it out and I went crazy being the "photographer" for the event. Emily's got all the pics on her new camera.
It was a "cupcake" event. The mock wedding cake was a tower of designer cup cakes...Treats included numerous gourmet cupcakes for all to enjoy--- peanut butter chocolate, chocolate mint, coconut, key lime....etc. Plus lots of MINTS!

Here we are frosting all the great cupcakes. Fun in the kitchen!




Emily looked beautiful!! She wore her hair down this time, for a different look. Here's mom and Em getting ready.

Mom hung out with her cousins from Orange County, a treat for her!







Em (the professional photographer, and for good reason) took this visually stunning picture of me (NO, this is not retouched). Note how the visual effects (or is it affects?) of the lines create interest, and show just how witty, charming, magnetic, sensitive, and intelligent I am!! (I may have made some of that up, she might have said it was for dramatic effect, but needless to say, the diagonal lines were on purpose!) She is amazing. Thanks Emily!

Em and Chad were off on the honeymoon the next morning.

You all need to get down and visit! The Safari Hotel is just yards away, with a very retro neon sign, and classic pool! Awesome.

This was just the beginning...it was coast to coast in 2 days. The wonderful Pacific... We ate dinner at sunset on the beach in Malibu.

Stay tuned for the trip to the east coast, just 48 hours later!