While I Was Rambling...

While I was rambling on and on about Mexico and weddings and beaches and what not, life continued on for us in New York. I thought today I would just post a quick catch-up so you can see briefly what we've been up to in the last week and a half or so.

So here's what we have been doing:

We finished decorating our apartment for Christmas.

 The stockings were hung by the blue wall with care...

Cayman Islands ornament from our honeymoon

My Willow Tree Nativity set, which is now complete! My mom has been sending us new pieces each year, and this year was the creche - the final piece. I love it!

We celebrated Eric's birthday with a delicious cake, small gift (he already got a new golf club before his October Florida trip as his birthday gift), and some yummy food spread out over several days.

Eric's cake and gift

Reading his card from me

We have been enjoying our new camera, although we (well, I) have largely just been taking pictures of our view, the dog, and Christmas decorations. We'll try to get out for some more photography experimentation around the city soon!

Our view at dusk

Sleepy puppy

Last Sunday, on our way to church, we walked past filming for the movie Tower Heist, which is not really news. They primarily film near Trump Tower at Columbus Circle, so we have seen filming for that movie several times over the past couple months, including the SWAT-type scene back in late October:

Tower Heist filming in Columbus Circle

On Sunday, however, the filming was particularly interesting because it featured a recreation of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! So, we got to see some of the classic floats, all camped out right in front of our church.

Parade recreation in front of our church

Loved the pilgrim atop the turkey reading a book between takes

Giant pilgrim people resting without heads during a filming break

 View of the "parade" down Central Park West

Then as we walked home from church, we walked past Owen Wilson. He wasn't even wearing a hat or sunglasses or anything. No disguises for him, I guess - he was just walking around looking like Owen Wilson. All around it was a very eventful trip to and from church.

We have also been trying to stay warm as the temperatures drop. We had our first snow accumulation yesterday and this week is shaping up to be the coldest we've had yet.

Achilles is trying to stay warm under blankets

Eric was able to go ice skating at the Rockefeller Center rink for free, thanks to a work-related event. I went without him last year, so I'm glad that now we have both had the opportunity to skate there, even though we didn't get to do it together.

This year's Rockefeller Center Tree

Looking up at Rockefeller Center from the ice

Eric on ice

Prometheus

We have also been trying to enjoy other Christmas decorations in the city. Last night, while we were out running errands, we spent some time in the Time Warner Center watching the stars (if you remember, they do a light show in the evenings), and then enjoyed the scenery from Columbus Circle for a while (and tried not to freeze to death). The city sure is overcrowded right now, but if you can look past that and not let it suck the holiday spirit right out of you (I suggest steering clear of Macy's, in that case), it really is magical.

Stars in the Time Warner Center

Looking into the Time Warner Center from the outside

View of the Time Warner Center from Columbus Circle

Looking down 8th Avenue from Columbus Circle (those are our shadows!)

Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle

Not a bad week and a half, right?

Now we're gearing up for another busy week. Tonight my sister is coming to town and staying until Friday evening, and then my Aunt Debbie will come just a couple of hours after Heather leaves and will stay till Monday. That's the fastest visitor turnaround we've ever had! We'll do lots of sightseeing and festive Christmas activities, I'm sure.

Meanwhile, Eric is going to Florida on Thursday for Christmas with his family and Kelley's graduation! I'm so glad he's able to make it down there for all that. I wish I could join him, but it's good that we'll be represented in Kelley's cheering section!

Then, when Eric returns on Monday, we have tickets to see the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. I am beside myself with excitement over this, as this is an NYC To-Do List item, and as a former aspiring ballerina myself (decades ago, but still), I am always excited to see the Nutcracker. Can't wait!

So, things will probably be pretty quiet around here for the next week or so, although you're probably glad for a break from me after all the Mexico talk! Enjoy your week and stay warm!