MEMORIAL DAY IN THE BIG APPLE

It has been great spending some time with Aaron and Caren in Brooklyn and New York City. The first couple of nights we stayed in the new Le Jolie hotel just a few blocks from their condo. Very convenient and very comfortable....very European! Then we moved in with them to spend some "together time" over the weekend and tried out their new inflatable mattress. It worked great!

The first day while Aaron and Caren were at work Maury and I explored "Ground Zero", Financial District of lower Manhattan, had lunch with Aaron, visited the NY Stock Exchange, we cruised around the Statue of Liberty, toured Ellis Island, and then came home to a fabulous 5 star dinner with Aaron and Caren in their own gourmet kitchen. The filet of beef was out of this world! The most tender and flavorful we have ever had. We are thrilled that they enjoy cooking and entertaining in their new home.

Yesterday Aaron had the day off and took us on a car tour of all of Brooklyn, had lunch at the beach at the word famous Coney Island and had my first Nathan's NY hotdog, walked on the board walk, tried to ride the famous ferris wheel (closed for repainting), went to his favorite gourmet grocery store, and walked to a nearby plant nursery where we purchased an herb garden for the gourmet chef. Today we plan to go to a couple of Brooklyn museums and maybe to the Botanical Gardens. Tonight we have reservations at a new NYC restaurant "Craft"! Can't wait. It should be very special.

Tomorrow Maury and I are going to a Broadway Musical and shop around the city and will return to Raleigh on Monday night. It has been a wonderful 6 day trip away from work and from Raleigh.

This was Maury's first visit to Aaron's and Caren's new condo. We are both impressed with their new home and what they have done to get it decorated and organized. Aaron and Caren have more company coming in next Saturday as Jason, Meredith and Amelia will be flying in for four days to visit with them and to see Meredith's brother, Michael. I am sure that they will always have plenty of family and friends coming in as Brooklyn and the NYC areas are fun places to visit. Always lots to do!

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY

We had a delicious breakfast prepared by Amelia and Daddy Jason at their house this morning. The Steeles were there also for a little while this morning before they left to return to Charlotte.

Even though it was a rainy Mother's Day, we had fun reading books, playing games, listening to music, and enjoying Amelia practicing her art work and writing her name. She is so smart! It was a very relaxing day. So relaxing that Daddy Jason and Amelia tried to take a nap for a few minutes.

Bubby loves the decorative garden stone that Amelia and Mommie Meredith made Bubby for Mother's Day. Bubby also loves the beautiful petunia hanging basket and the card with photos. Amelia enjoyed wearing her new "CUPCAKE" apron that Bubby bought back from a business trip to Charleston, SC this week. We can't wait to make cupcakes with sprinkles!

We will have a delayed Mother's Day celebration with Aaron and Caren in about 10 days when we visit with them in NYC. Can't wait! Today was another special day with family!