Overjoyed by the honor of being asked to be this little one's godparent. She's something special and I love the bond we have begun to form already...*sigh*
Warm fuzzy feelings. Family. Commitment to the next generation. Love.
See this precious baby girl here? That's my niece & SOON TO BE GODDAUGHTER Elise(the only photo of us together from Xmas) looking endearingly cute in that Santa dress, eyes full of happiness and wonder.
Overjoyed by the honor of being asked to be this little one's godparent. She's something special and I love the bond we have begun to form already...*sigh* Warm fuzzy feelings. Family. Commitment to the next generation. Love.
0 Comments
The four shining stars of Christmas this year are of no surprise. A shared 1st/2nd place of course goes to our two nieces Jaina & Elise (duh;) with the BOBULKI & pierogis taking a close 3rd/4th. I said it yesterday before leaving Easton, you shouldve just rolled us back on 78East to NYC. It probably wouldve worked even if I crunched along the highway the entire time, my pockets full of those pretzel/hersheykiss/pb m&m treats. Delish. We joked that after 10min of a food sesh our stomachs were grumbling for more. It's indulgant and ridiculous and just what Christmas Eve is in this family that I married into. And I love it. Wigilia was a bit of a smaller function this year as A & I are in Asia honeymooning away and less extended family able to make the drive, but the laughter and stories that filled the air were the same as ever. Merry Christmas wishes passed as the oplatki was broken. The candles lit in reflection of the occasion at hand. And carols (though less this year than others) filled the house between courses of Polish nosh. Jaina's reaction to the table and chairs (that Nana/Marlene purchased and spent so many hours perfecting) was hands down the present of the evening as she gasped in toddler wonderment over the dining set just her size, just for her. At any moment possible, I swooped baby Elise into my arms (who doled out smiles left and right) whenever possible, enjoying the happiness that babies bring to family gatherings. Toasts made to all sorts of sentiments that night. The biggest owed to Mike & Marlene who've made Wigilia such a standing tradition.
Another Christmas down, a New Years to go. 2012 is almost here! One of the top reasons I love my parents is their willingness, ability and energy to travel to NYC for even just a 24hour stint to see Lee & I around Christmastime. After a long week for my Dad and my Mom wrapping up what is the busiest season for CBA, they hopped a flight at 8am on Satuday morning simply to have a day with us. Catching up over tea and coffee in 7B, enjoying a quick visit to the Rockafeller Tree and St. Patrick's in midtown (good lordy it is tourist central up there!), and a holiday dinner feast at The Beacon and concert at Carnegie Hall(*as the choir sang with the NY Pops Orchestra, I was flooded with childhood memories of my CFC days gone by)...we couldn't have asked for a better string of New Yorky moments yesterday.
Mom & Dad will be to 7B any moment now. To my Dad, Christmas is any day with his family. And nothing makes me feel all warm and fuzzy for the holidays and familytime like the Eat N Park commercial shown on local Pittsburgh channels in December :) Ohhhhh that star....so cute! We're off for a day of brunching, maybe Rock Xmas Tree visiting, and a festive dinner and Holiday Pops concert @ Carnegie Hall tonight. Missing my siblings and wish we could all be together today... XO (allow me to be blonde for a moment) Sooo....like.... umm.... the holidays take alot of energy! Another thing that takes alot of enery is my body healing this darn finger. Mother trucker it is annoying. But I digress. A suburban Saturday was just what the doctor ordered. We merrily made our way out of the City, chuckling at the line of cars waiting at the Lincoln Tunnel as fled town, vans full of families wanting to shop til they drop, experience a slice of NYC life at Christmastime. I'm sure they were as ancy to get to their destination as we were. A quick afternoon visit to Justin & Neha's and some moments with our nieces set the day off on the right foot. And baby snuggles with Elise? Aside from the most adorable bottom lip quiver turned "who is holiding me and why isnt it my Mom/Dad" tear fest, I was able to garner a few smiles from her! Jaina is just on fire these days, her personality blooming. Quick as a whip and boy does she know what she wants :) And who doesnt love a set of friends that welcome you into their home for a night of holiday partying with pizza and ribs and wine and homemade beer? It goes without saying, we love visiting the Johnsons. Some cheesy ugly terrible kmart/thrift store wardrobe change and we were ready to attend the Hollenbeck party in style. Of note: Kit's MAC-eyeliner-painted-stache was amazinggggg. Men and bourbon. Women and wine. Jingle bell shorts and 1993 holiday smocks. It's safe to say, we had a great time :)
It started off just as so:
*perfectly sunny and crisp Friday NYC evening *important guests arrive from Russia and London (!!) *hi's and hugs and "so good to see you!"s echo in St. Xavier *the rehearsal begins church, eyes stare in awe of the beauty of the murals *the energy is high *the anticipation higher *the last Markle brother ready to be a husband *the gorgeous Irina ready to be Mrs. Markle #4 ;) And it was underway! The wedding weekend of such an important couple in our lives: Lee's brother Andrew and his (now wife!) Irina. A blending of cultures in the most fabulous of ways. After the rehearsal we headed to Blue Water Grill for dinner in the vault! BWG was once a bank and the nooks and crannies of this restaurant give it such an old world (almost Titanic-like) feel as you venture down the marble staircase where the private dining experience awaited us. My in-laws have the rehearsal dinner agenda and flow down to a science. Personal stories and anecdotes of the bride and groom filled the vault with laughter and heartfelt tears. My sweet sis-in-law Neha's welcoming of Irina into our family left me welling up with tears, unable to look up. Neha, Irina and I share such a unique connection as the wives of those Markle brothers, a special club of 3 that can only understand what it's like to be married to one of the "boys" ;) Elena, Irina's mother's toast also struck a chord within me, as she spoke to her only child, her daughter Irina, with her best friend since childhood by her side. Nicholai traveled from Moscow to celebrate Andrew & Irina's marriage and their friendship, standing not just the test of time but different continents was a powerful example of a lifelong frinedship. She spoke to the love of one's friends, the community of support that augments any marriage and family circle. She talked honestly (as Russians do;) and charged the room to hold on to those dear friends that have been with us through our lives, that even through the distance, disagreements, careers and choices, those that you have known since childhood and still have now....those friendships...THOSE are ones to nuture. And to hold on to tightly. To respect the changes that inevitably occur as we age. But in those differences grows understanding and a bond that is ever so deep. My mind immediately wandered to my own friendships since childhood: Jax, my first friend when we moved to Wexford. Who share the same 7year old memories that I do. I'm not sure there is a word powerful enough to convey the importance of that person's role in giving perspective to life. Elena, thank you for your words and the reflection is granted me... Wedding Saturday rolled around the following day, Dad got to town, we rehearsed our song, and caught up over another batch of my (now famous;) chicken noodle soup. The song? "The Wedding Song" by Paul Stookey which was sung at our wedding last December and at so many of the guests in attendance weddings' as well. Having not sung in public in YEARS, my nerves were high, but as soon as we got up to the alter and it began, they melted away. To sing for Irina & Andrew on the most important day of their lives was a powerful moment for me to share with my Dad. Irina was breathtakingly beautiful as she walked down the aisle in a dress so perfect for her in detail and style. The ceremony, presided by the childhood priest & family friend of the Markles, Fr. Ed, was full of love and sentiment. Jaina was not too sure about walking down the aisle this time around as flower girl, but as soon as the ceremony ended that personality emerged and she was a total riot from start to finish. And hands down the most adorably cute toddler in that white tafetta dress, matching fur cape and silver glitter shoes ;) Other highlights of my darling niece include her hilariuos commentary all night long: "Uncle Lee, you're so SILLY!" -Jaina, hardly able to contain herself laughing with the crowd during Lee's speech. "This is PopPop's car!" -Jaina, as we drove to photos in Washington Square Park in the hummer limo. "I'll take the cheese sandwich!" -Jaina, upon sitting down at the dinner table, noticing the menu cards and placing her order ;) Andrew & Irina, your love makes my heart swell. To many more shared memories as the years and decades pass and I wish you nothing but a lifetime of happiness! CHEERS (!!!) ps: we're off to Barbados this week for our own anniversary celebration....what a YEAR. Back next weekend for and update that hopefully simply says: rest & relaxation x 5 days = heaven. Tonight will be the night I document it all in detail...but here's a sneak peek at the video my Dad made for Eliz & Brady, shown at the rehersal dinner. Gets me everytime. *SIGH* We’ve all had a perfect weekend. Those really rare string of days where everything, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, goes and flows just too wonderfully, too succinctly, with more laughter and happiness than imagined....swooping in to beat the already high expectations and anticipations. Where the combination of personalities and timing and surprises all form this crazy & cosmically amazing 48 hours of life perfection. And THAT is just how I would describe my little sister's bachelorette party weekend in NYC :) Before I go into the rundown of events, these are those things that happened insanly too well: *Liz’s flight from Chicago takes off on time and arrives in NYC early. (Chicago > NYC = never on time.) In fact, ALL guests from out of town arrive on time. That’s some travel karma awesomeness. *The weather forecast for the weekend: 75, sunny and breezy all 3 days. Not a cloud in the sky sunny. *SKr arrives at 530pm on Friday to help me with the final food prep. We finish the spread literally as the first girl arrives to my apt. *Speaking of the spread, the amount of food and drink purchased was SPOT ON. This is so hard to predict with 11 girls. I win. *Suprisingly not hungover on Saturday morning = 9am spin class before the bride to be wakes up. Who does this on a crazy busy weekend? Certainly not normal me. But it felt great! *Make quiche from scratch for rooftop brunch post-spin. Finished 5min before girls arrive. Piping hot homemade quiche? Just call me Martha. *Last decision manicures needed between pole dancing class and get-ready-for-night mode. Walk into QQ nails with 7 girls and we dont have appointments….and are able to accommodate. Unbelievable! *Rooftop cocktails at night + group photo shoot on the roof with perfect empire state building backdrop. SKr gets to speak Spanish to our neighbors in the bldg. Happiness. *Limo arrives and we were upgraded for FREE from a normal limo to a a mega one. *Seated downstairs at dinner next to (wait for it)...a photo booth :) :) *Complimentarty extra bottle of surprise champagne sent over by the manager of restaurant and his wife (a friend of mine from PSU). Chills. *Large table at LPQ Meatpacking open & secured for a table of 10 for brunch on Sunday. THIS NEVER HAPPENS. From start to finish this weekend's events went off without a hitch and was carried simply on life long friendship reunioning and lots of girly giggling. Friday night, I hosted a champagne party with all the tapas and small plates I could find @ Trader Joes. Mushroom truffle & tomato pesto pizzettas, parmesean artichoke dip, shrimp cocktail, greek salad, fruit & hummus and a fully loaded cheese plate (naturally) and......... the cupcake tower. Best Williams & Sonoma $26 purchase ever. We gabbed and told funny Liz stories, had a cameo by one of her favorite PSU guy friends, embarassed her with a game called "The Road to Brady" and caught up like any 9 girls do: swapping fashion steals, hair advice, travel tips, etc etc. And some good ol' fashioned poking fun at each other through the timeless art of storytelling. Half a case of brut cuvee later + 3 bottles of wine = kickoff to bachelorette weekend success! On Saturday, (shocked at my very minimal hangover), I made my way to a 9am spin class to sweat it out and ward off any sleepies for the rest of the day. After spin, it was time for rooftop brunch with the girls and what brunch is complete without a quiche! Quiche, Brooklyn bagels, fruit salad and lots and lots of java. October 8th and we were sunning in NYC in the perfect indian summer breeze? Yes, please. Before we got too comfortable up there, it was off to our private pole dancing class! Hahahaha. I know, such a bachelorette staple. Perhaps overdone. But it is TOO great. For an hour, Miss T (the instructor....who gave us all stripper names...I was Chastity and my sister the bride to be....DIAMOND;) showed us some sweet pole moves and we all had a hilarious time trying to look half as natural and smooth as she did. We mastered the sexy strut around the pole. We did not master the double turn and seductive body rolling. Good times had by all. Manicures were the next necessity of the afternoon and (while an unplanned part of the weekend), we miraculously scored 7 manicures at my fav QQ Nails in Chelsea without appointments! Lizzie & I went for a green-grey Essie color...tres chic. After the manis, it was already time to get ready for the big night out! All the girls arrived and we toasted to the bride to be, presented her with a special "Dear Liz" memory book and .... had her open some sweet lingerie gifts. I mean, who doesnt love a lacey nighty?!? (censoring other gifts given;) More kettles and sodas and it was to the roof for a photo with the gorgeously lit Empire State Building in the background. Always a sight to give even the most jaded New Yorker chills and perspective. I love my town :) 830pm on the dot and our limo arrived! Upgraded to an SUV one, we felt really special. Lizzie was donning her sash and veil and feeling the love. Dinner at the Smith was a feast with a perfect pre-fix menu that made everyone feel in foodie heaven (hello beer battered string beans, brown sugar short ribs, and goat cheese pesto ravioli.) The photo booth + Lizzie's toasting with each table + extra bottle of champagne sent from the manager + happy tears. Spectacular. By 1045, we were off to the main event : Rubix Cube at the Canal Room! A must for anyone who ever visits or lives in NYC....Rubix Cube is an 80s cover band to rival all others. I mean, one time I went and Debbie Gibson actually showed up to sing with them. $20 ticket = best ever. And sister got pulled up on stage to dance and twirl and belt out "Pour Some Sugar On Me" with the band. True story. The "younger" gals made their way to after party themselves out at Sandra's apartment and Mama MOH (me) face planted into bed to catch some Zzzzs. What a night. What a weekend. What a celebration with the ladies who love her most for my sis! 3 weeks til the wedding...woohoo! PS: Photo dump from the weekend. Overload. Sorry! A mother of three sons, only daughter to her father...sister to four brothers and a wife to one great man. She always says the title of her autobiography will be: "My Life with 9 Men." haha! And that...that humor, that love, that compassion....that is my wonderful mother-in-law. Marlene, what an honor it was to take this weekend and celebrate all that you are to your family. You give of your time, energy and heart to all of us in so many ways and being able to pamper and gift and toast to you was such a treat. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "men are what their mothers made them." My biggest cheers and thank you to Marlene this special birthday year... is for raising the man that I call my husband. She instilled within him a strong value set, loving demeanor, and abundant family loyalty. She also passed along her infectious laugh :) And it goes without saying, that her greatest accomplishments are her family and a life rich in love, friendship, and faith. One day, when Lee and I start a family, I can only hope to be even half the mother that she is to her three boys. Soooo....we did what we thought any real over-the-top celebration would entail;) *a Four Seasons massage! *mani-pedis with the girls! *an iPad, luggage, wallet and more! *a limo to and from...(!) *a full on steak and wine and dessert feast at Barclay Prime! Happy birthday, Marlene! We love you so much. I'm in an overly nostalgic mood this week coming off the Alaska trip. I am a planner and an organizer in my personal life but I think for the most part I do a good job of living in the now and taking in the big and the small moments that comprise a day's living. But sometimes...well....sometimes (like this morning, very loudly) my mind is reaching back into memories gone by and ones that I'm blessed to have as a part of my history. Fun, sentimental, the works kind of memories. Today's favorites are 5 of those ones :) Abby's Bachelorette Bar Crawl. State College c. 2005. I get perma-grin looking at pics from that night. She was the first to get engaged and married of us 4. Now all of us are wed and little Eme Ward is getting excited to welcome baby Hollenbeck into the crew of wine weekend babies;) Grandma & Grandpa Kertz's 50th wedding anniversary party. I love this memory and picture solely because of Grace's dramatic tearfest. haha. No, in all seriousness, I am so fortunate to have a set of grandparents who have seen a milestone like this in their marriage and family. My tough German grandfather's tears of happiness that night spoke louder than words. Wexford ladies reunions. My high school galpals mean the world to me. This is us from our reunion trip in 2008. We thought we'd really "grown up" that year. I love naivete ;) Dancing with my Dad on my wedding day. I'm such a sap:) I love everything about that moment with my Dad. With the girls and Mr. Pontiere singing "My Girl." It was as special as special can be. Kristin's first visit to NYC. Let it be known there have been 6 visits since + her wedding. Those weekends with her in town go down as some of the most hilarious we've ever spent as friends. I mean, based on this picture, even Lee agrees :) |
AuthorSarah: one part of a family of THREE with my husband Lee and sweet girl Morgan, simply wanting to chronicle the path I'm on and the path that will come to be. For now it's NYC urban mamaville where everyday is a new adventure! (Actually, just getting to the post office is an adventure.) Ask Me Anything!Blogettes I LoveJoey & The Owl
Emphasis Added Enjoying the Small Things MODG The Grateful Life Ramshackle Glam Lindsay Lately Gotham Girl Stylized Existence Living with Intention House Built of Walls SwimBikeRunningonEmpty A Pinch of Ginger Making the Moment Last Pearls to Pampers Dear Baby Oh Happy Miracle Hey Laney Archives
August 2015
Categories
All
|