Pictures from Emily in England
0 commentsMy little sister Emily is studying in Oxford, England for six weeks. Here are some photos that she just emailed us from a concert in Hatfield.
Upcoming Travel to Niagara Falls
I will be flying into Buffalo, NY later today through Monday morning. We have a family reunion and memorial service for my grandfather on my dad's side, who passed away a few months ago. As always... I am excited to see my parents, aunts (Aunt Vicky!!), uncles, nephews, and cousins.
Update From my Mother in Arizona
My parents are in Phoenix for a little vacation this week. Here are some highlights from an email that my mom sent to my sister and I this morning:
On the way, we realized it was exactly 26 years ago that we made the same trip to the Grand Canyon. This time we opted for the South Entrance instead of the East Entrance. Did we ever tell you that when Dad and I were in the Air Force we were on a refueling tanker and the pilot got permission to fly along the river at the bottom of the Grand Canyon?
Then she sent us some pictures.
On this next picture, she said...
Lots of foreigners checking out the Canyon. Japanese, Germans and French were the most popular languages we heard. On one stop, it happened to be named something like Grand View, we encountered a group of about 8 German college buddies just perched at the very best picture taking spot, drinking beer.
my mom - "Did I miss the sign that said Welcome to the Grand Canyon Saloon?"
Just to let you know, for the fourth day in a row we have won the award here at the Villas for having the smallest car. Dad thought there was a contender that would dethrone us, but no way, we reign supreme. Check out the photo of your father with the jelly bean.
my mom - "Thought you guys needed to know that renting small cars is not something we do to torture you, we do it even when you're not here."
My First 4th of July in New York City
My friend Danielle organized a great picnic on Friday. We spent valuable
office hours studying the 
fireworks barges (sponsored by Macy's) and decided on the East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Williamsburg's East River State Park is near North
8th and Kent Avenue
We arrived to the park around 3:30pm. Danielle promptly secured the best hectare with almost a dozen blankets.
Our headquarters, 3:30pm - photo
by Danielle Strle
The girls held fort with cards, board games, and snacks. By 6:30pm, many of our friends had gathered.
More friends, 6:30pm - photo
by Danielle Strle
Even more friends, 6:30pm - photo
by Danielle Strle
Please don't miss Zach Klein's Granny chair in the above photograph (blue t-shirt). I was so jealous. Anyhow, there was plenty of room for everyone to lounge around and have fun. Lord knows we had plenty of time to kill before the 9:20pm show time.
Diet Mt. Dew and juggling break, 7:00pm - photo
by Danielle Strle
We had so much free time that we even made a few new friends.
Our park neighbor, Mr. Feldman, and party hostess Danielle Strle
After many hours, a little drizzle, a few sandwiches, lots of snacks, and plenty of friends... the fireworks started around 9:20pm.
Not one of our actual pictures - you had to be there - source
It was, as many people can attest, an amazing display. The cubes, smileys, glitters, floaters, and sparkles. Several times I found myself unable to keep from yelling out with glee. Perhaps the best fireworks display that I have ever seen in my life? No doubt.
You can see all of Danielle's photos in her photo set - July 4. East River State Park. I feel honored to have helped brainstorm and pick locations, but ultimately this was Danielle Strle's show. As her email said... "we're assembling the most awesome picnic ever." Happy 4th of July!