Nearly two and a half years have passed since we packed up our little house in Long Island and moved across the country. I don't know how, but time surely flies. As such, we decided the Thanksgiving holiday was a good time to fly East and reconnect with family and friends. We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Miller's house in Brooklyn and were very grateful that Uncle Frank, Aunt Ruth and Rachel were able to travel down and spend so much time with us while we were there. Jake and Makenna both loved traveling on the subway to and from NYC, where we visited the Museum of
Natural History (think Night at the Museum), saw the gigantic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, rode the ferris wheel at Toys R Us (what kid wouldn't want to see the world's biggest toy store?), and a myriad of other things. We ate bagels and pizza, played a lot, and didn't sleep nearly enough.
We also spent some time on Long Island, visiting with dear friends from our former area code. It was amazing to see how much bigger and older the kids I had known only a couple of years ago were. I know, we only had one child when we left and came back to visit with two. I'm sure they were thinking the same thing. Nonetheless, to see friendly, familiar faces, to hug and talk to and laugh with dear friends, what a blessing it was.
When we lived in Farmingdale, there was something special about the neighbors we had on Rose Street. Paul & George, Barbara, Bill & Janet, Mike & Carolyn, wonderful people that Brian knew long before we married; people who welcomed me with open arms, and loved Jacob when he came along. It surely wasn't a question of if we'd go back to visit, but when. Making the turn off of the expressway into Farmingdale was a bittersweet feeling of anticipation and sadness for me. Though its easy to look back with rose colored glasses on, I have often wondered if we made the right decision moving to Colorado. I miss my friends, my sweet neighbors, our charming little house and the memories associated with it. I'm grateful we got to visit with everyone that day, to cram two years worth of news into two hours, to have them meet my 18 month old daughter, and to hug my friends again. I'm thankful the new owners of "our" house were gracious enough to let us come inside and see what a beautiful job they've done with it. (And I was pleased to see that they'd kept the kitchen walls the same blue I painted them years ago. It made me want to come back to our home in Colorado and paint the kitchen the same color.)
Though I certainly won't miss the traffic, I have to admit that a piece of me belongs to New York. And though I don't know if we'll ever move back there, we'll definitely be back to visit!
Jake and Kenna with Grandpa & Grandma
Jake with his beloved cousin Rachel
Outside the Museum of Natural History. I don't think Makenna wanted her picture taken!
Daddy and Kenna on the subway.
My happy kiddos at the "train park" in Farmingdale. I used to take Jake to play here all the time when he was little. It hadn't changed much...just wish the weather had been even slightly warmer!
At Rockefeller Center.
Riding the ferris wheel at Toys R Us. The store is so monstrous that the ferris wheel is inside the store!
"Ah wo"
Jake thinks Legos are pretty cool. The window display is of Rockefeller Center, made entirely of Legos.
Rachel holding our newest cousin, sweet little Harlow.
Two of my favorite people!
