It funny that although the weather is still glorious, you can definitely tell that fall is in the air. For one, about two weeks ago the extra thick issues of Vogue, Elle and InStyle arrived on my desk at work. These issues weighed three times as much as the August issue signaling fall was here. Secondly, there is not a store window in town not displaying scarves and hats, which seems ridiculous given the still 85 degree weather. Lastly, on our way to beach on Sunday we spotted a few rogue red leaves mixed into the green. A little premature to say the least. At first I was sad to see an end to my favorite season, but looking back I have to say, we had a great summer in the city and I can be happy that we ended on a positive note.
So what did we do that made the summer so amazing? Well, I kicked off the summer on Memorial Day weekend in L.B.I. (Long Beach Island, NJ). We rented a beach house right on the sand called “The Sea Wolf.” We spent three long days BBQing, playing on the sand and attempting to swim in the freezing ocean. I joined my two girlfriends, Steph and Constantina with their significant others, along with about 4 other of Steph’s boyfriend’s friends from M.I.T. Everyone got along fabulously and we vowed to do it again next year. We will see.
View from the Sea Wolf 
Constantina and I
Rupa, Alonso, Constantina & Christian
Cathi, Constantina & Steph
Cathi, Constantina & Steph
We also had visitors to show around New York. Meagan came at the very end of May for one of the first nice weekends of the year. We ventured to a explored the city, lunched in the park, went to a Yankee Game, bike road to Brooklyn for some frozen mojitos at the Havana Outpost, and then on to a wine and cheese at our friend Jeb’s apartment in Williamsburg. Al D and his wife were visiting from California as well, so we had a fun little crew.
Lunching in the park
Haylee, Meagan, Me, Nathan
Yankee Game
Riding to Brooklyn - Megan (in front), Haylee (in back)
In late June Donnell came for a quick visit for work so we were able to snag some time with her at one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, Barbuto. It was good to catch up, but wish we have had more time.
In late June Donnell came for a quick visit for work so we were able to snag some time with her at one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, Barbuto. It was good to catch up, but wish we have had more time.
Nathan and Donnella
Then in July, the Lyman’s came for a visit. It happened to be the hottest weekend of the summer, but we managed all the same. Too hot for clothes, little Milo became the hit of the Village with his precious baby rolls of pudge – no one could resist the naked baby boy. We picnicked in the park, shopped and splurged on a fabulous Italian dinner at little outdoor café. Before we knew it, the weekend was through and we sadly had to say goodbye to our dear friends. It was not goodbye for long, however, because we were able to see the Lyman’s again Fourth of July weekend.
Then in July, the Lyman’s came for a visit. It happened to be the hottest weekend of the summer, but we managed all the same. Too hot for clothes, little Milo became the hit of the Village with his precious baby rolls of pudge – no one could resist the naked baby boy. We picnicked in the park, shopped and splurged on a fabulous Italian dinner at little outdoor café. Before we knew it, the weekend was through and we sadly had to say goodbye to our dear friends. It was not goodbye for long, however, because we were able to see the Lyman’s again Fourth of July weekend.
Eric, Dion and Milo
Naked baby - Milo was a hit.
We flew out west to help host a surprise party for my mom and dad’s 60th Birthdays, my mom’s retirement and their anniversary. We had a Mexican Fiesta in their honor, and it was so fun seeing all their friends and family. Adrienne stole the show with the slide show she prepared by scanning in over 300 photos from the time they began dating to 2008! I will have to link into her site and download some for the blog. A trip down memory lane!
We flew out west to help host a surprise party for my mom and dad’s 60th Birthdays, my mom’s retirement and their anniversary. We had a Mexican Fiesta in their honor, and it was so fun seeing all their friends and family. Adrienne stole the show with the slide show she prepared by scanning in over 300 photos from the time they began dating to 2008! I will have to link into her site and download some for the blog. A trip down memory lane!
While we were in LA we were able to sneak up to Santa Barbara to visit our college buddies. The first night we went up to Lompoc to visit the Dudley’s. It was the first time I had been to their house and absolutely loved it. I could see why Nate wanted to stay there as long as possible when he visited there before moving to the NYC. The have an expansive Spanish-style hacienda equipped with white stucco walls and red tile roof. There is even a wall in their garden that was part of the original mission. Very cool. We BBQ’d some fish and ate in the dining room (like adults) and just caught up. Truly a highlight of the trip! The next day we took off for a full beach day at Hammond's Beach with Santa Barbara’s next generation. What I mean by the next generation is there has been influx of babies amongst our friends in Santa Barbara since we moved (mostly baby boys, so far). We arrived to find a row of new mommies and daddies with precious cargo in toe. The waves were perfect for long boarding, so we all caught some waves, and even played a little smashball. Before too long however, the babies had to go home and go to bed, so little by little we packed up and departed before the fireworks. Things have certainly changed since our post college day Fourth of July’s! Meagan graciously lent us her apartment so Nate and I ate Mexican and fell asleep early watching movies. Sunday morning was brunch at the Lyman’s. We spent some more quality time with little Milo and Wyatt over waffles and fruit. Yum. Sadly though, it was time to go before noon and off we went to my mom and dads to prepare for the party.
The Dudley's backyard.
Hammond's on the 4th
Nathan, Drew, Eric, Dion, Jess
We were back in California, however, in August for Lynn and Justin’s wedding in Orange County. We stayed with our friend’s, the Teter’s, and had a blast celebrating their wedding with them. Lynn made a beautiful bride and the wedding was gorgeous. The ceremony took place at Lynn's church overlooking Dana Point and the reception followed in Trabuco Canyon. So much fun catcing up with our buddies from the OC.
We were back in California, however, in August for Lynn and Justin’s wedding in Orange County. We stayed with our friend’s, the Teter’s, and had a blast celebrating their wedding with them. Lynn made a beautiful bride and the wedding was gorgeous. The ceremony took place at Lynn's church overlooking Dana Point and the reception followed in Trabuco Canyon. So much fun catcing up with our buddies from the OC.
Nate, Me, Ryan and Jackie Hart at the Rehearsal
Lynn and Justin - The Chenards'
Katherine, Josh, Wormo, Alex, Nathan, Me, Justin C., Justin A., Teter, Jana, Ryan, Jackie
The Hart's and the Ellis'
Katherine & Cathi
So what did we do while were in town? Well every weekend there was always something to do. We saw some great bands including Death Cab for Cutie, Cold War Kids, Elvis Perkins, Wolf Parade, Yo La Tengo, and even Bon Jovi in Central Park. Bon Jovi was an experience itself. He played all the hits, even those songs you forgot he even sang like ‘Little Runaway' and 'Living on a Prayer.' It was like juniour high all over again. We had terrible seats (at the way back of the lawn) and could barely make out the ant-sized Jon Bon on stage, but what a blast! We sang a long with the rest of the NYC residents the bridge-and-tunnel peeps ("bridge-and-tunnel" = people from outside of Manhattan to come in to party via bridge or tunnel).
Bon Jovi Concert - Jeb, Nichole, Deb, Nathan and Jen
We also managed to explore many of New York’s finest beaches and spent long days at Lido Beach in Long Island – which is a hilarious scene – and even ventured up to see what all the hoopla was about in the Hamptons and Montauk. Nate and I have our system down now to get the most of our time at the beach. We pack the cooler and our gear the night before so we are ready to go when the clock hits seven. We purchase peaches at the Farmer’s Market across from our house, just before getting on our bikes to ride to the car. We lock the bikes at the pier we park the car on and jet out across Canal St, making just one stop for coffee and bagels. Then over the Manhattan Bridge and the 495 to the beach. It takes about 45 minutes to get out there but well worth it. We then try to convince the high school girls that work the parking lot booth that we are local residents of Long Island to escape the $20 fee for non-residents, even though we still are sporting CA plates. We are 3 for 7 so far. The waves are finally picking up due to the hurricanes down south so I am sure we will have a few more beach days left in September.
We also managed to explore many of New York’s finest beaches and spent long days at Lido Beach in Long Island – which is a hilarious scene – and even ventured up to see what all the hoopla was about in the Hamptons and Montauk. Nate and I have our system down now to get the most of our time at the beach. We pack the cooler and our gear the night before so we are ready to go when the clock hits seven. We purchase peaches at the Farmer’s Market across from our house, just before getting on our bikes to ride to the car. We lock the bikes at the pier we park the car on and jet out across Canal St, making just one stop for coffee and bagels. Then over the Manhattan Bridge and the 495 to the beach. It takes about 45 minutes to get out there but well worth it. We then try to convince the high school girls that work the parking lot booth that we are local residents of Long Island to escape the $20 fee for non-residents, even though we still are sporting CA plates. We are 3 for 7 so far. The waves are finally picking up due to the hurricanes down south so I am sure we will have a few more beach days left in September.
Nathan and I in the Hampton's
So that’s the highlights of the summer in a nutshell. I am sure I will be better at updating the blog, come fall and winter when it is too cold to go outside. Ciao.
So that’s the highlights of the summer in a nutshell. I am sure I will be better at updating the blog, come fall and winter when it is too cold to go outside. Ciao.
1 comment:
glorious summer recap! Quite inspirational.
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