when emily comes to town

My friend Emily has crossed the Hudson to come back to the city twice in the last ten days, and I got to hang out with her both times.

The first was last Saturday. While her husband served with our ward doing hurricane clean up, she and her kids spent the day with us. Because seven small children in one small apartment can get chaotic quickly, we escaped outside to one of the few playgrounds in the neighborhood that wasn't closed for downed trees. We had to step around at least one giant uprooted tree to get there, but our efforts to maneuver around it were worth it. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time. Afterwards we went back home, ate an indoor picnic lunch on the living room floor, and tried to convince the kids to calmly watch a movie -- which they did for about ten minutes until they traded the movie for the more entertaining option of running amok.

 Elizabeth liked to pinch Matthew's cheeks while Charlie liked to take off his socks.

 Garrett, Caleb, and Elizabeth on the tire swing.

Snack time with the triplets.

 BFFs!

 A teddy bear in the swing.

The big kids pushing the triplets on the swings.

Indoor picnic lunch.

Watching the movie pre-running amok.

Today Emily was given the rare opportunity to come into the city sans children, so Deborah and I met her up there. We stopped in Jacques Torres for the most amazing hot chocolate, which we sipped as we walked through Central Park. What was left of the autumn leaves was gorgeous; they provided a stunning backdrop to the sites in the park we saw on our walk: Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, several picturesque bridges, the Mall, the literary statues, and the zoo.

Our sightseeing crew: Deborah and Nathan, Emily, me, Caleb, and Matthew.

These girls are my favorite!

 Nathan showing Deborah the view from Belvedere Castle.

 Caleb, still happy after I told him to stop trying to climb over the wall.

 At the Bethesda Fountain.

 Cheesing it up on the Mall.

Caleb really wanted me to take his picture with Shakespeare. How could I say no?

Such a fun day! It is always good break away from a normal day to spend time with the amazing women I'm privileged to call my friends. This outing today was seriously the best way to start the week. Ladies, we need to do this again soon! (And maybe next time more of our circle can come, too!)