Bard BBQ

Last Sunday we had a lovely (and chilly) BBQ on the top of the Bard Hall Roof to honor our Columbia Med/Dental Student friends who will be moving shortly. We moved here the same time as most of them 4 years ago and now it's time for them to move on. We tried to corral the kiddies on the couch for a picture, but we were not very successful as they kept escaping!

There's the George Washington Bridge in the background. What a great view!

Frolicking in the Cherry Blossoms!

We took a trip to the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Gardens this week with friends Malesa and Aubrey. (It's free all day on Tuesdays and Saturday mornings, if you want to go!) The Cherry Blossom Festival was held just a few days before we went, so it was prime viewing. It was a perfect day to get out and enjoy the sun.

Luke loved digging his fingers into the grass. We gotta keep him in touch we mother earth so he doesn't become one of those typical New York babies who is afraid to touch grass.
So here is Luke puttin' the moves on Aubrey! Ok, ok, I posed the picture, they aren't really holding hands. Of course everyone who walked by thought they were just so cute and had to stop and oooh and ahhh over them.

*Fun side note: We were chillin' here under the trees for a good 45 minutes. During that time we met a group of Thai people. Not just one group or two groups, but THREE different groups of Thai people walked by and I talked to all of them. So cool! I never get to speak Thai anymore, so it was really nice. Maybe I just need to go to Brooklyn more often! :)

Ode to Hans

This is Hans. Hans works with Joe. Hans is the inspiration for the name of this blog. You see, Hans likes to wear black. (correction: Hans ONLY wears black. Everyday.) Hans gave us the best baby gift, a book called Urban Babies Wear Black and a black IheartNY onesie that you can see Luke sporting in a previous post. As Luke truly is an urban baby, we thought that this book title was a fitting name for our blog.

The book reads:

Urban babies wear black.
Urban babies do yoga.

Urban babies visit galleries.

Urban babies jog.

Urban babies enjoy architecture.

Urban babies appreciate fine dining.

Urban babies attend the opera.

Urban babies take taxis at the end of a busy day.

*The other day, Luke fell asleep in his stroller on the subway. Anyone who has ridden the subways here knows that they can be pretty loud. But Luke sleeps through all the noise. On the quiet elevator ride to the street, he started to rustle. I told the MTA guy who was also on the elevator with us that it was too quiet and Luke liked the noise. MTA guy said "He's a true New Yorker!"

Thanks, Hans, for without you, this blog would be nameless.

Upstate NY

Yes, this is 4 posts in a row. A blogging binge you might say. This blog is feast or famine, folks. Here's our trip to upstate NY! Our first stop was in Palmyra, a town rich in church history. This is the Joseph Smith log cabin.
This beautiful vintage high chair caused me to immediatly covet. I really wanted to steal it. Too bad stealing is against our religion! Oh, so is coveting. The Smith Family home. I think this is the first picture on this blog without Luke. A momentus occasion!
Here is the Sacred Grove where Joseph Smith prayed and saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It was so special to see where Joseph lived and walk where he walked. He went through so many trials to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Next, we stopped at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, the birthplace of buffalo wings. Joe has been dreaming of this place since he was last here, 15 years ago. Luke especially liked the wings. No, we did not really let him eat buffalo wings. What kind of parents do you think we are, anyways? It's just a posed picture, sheesh!

This is outside the Anchor Bar...One proud papa. Our final destination was...Niagra Falls. Thanks to our friend, Miggy, for the tip to bring our passports to go to Canada. Good thing we did bring them, because our hotel was in Canada and we didn't even realize it until we got there.

This is the view from our hotel room. Sweet, huh? Can you belive they let you get so close to the Falls? Feels like you are about to fall in, doesn't it? So amazing and beautiful.

Luke was all smiles!

Beach Baby

Here are some pictures from our trip to North Carolina last month. (yes, I am kind of late posting, I know!) Holly auntie was on spring break and went to visit, so we decided to go too. This is Luke with Grandad. Luke certainly has a round Hallmark head, doesn't he?
Luke's first trip to the beach. A little windy. Luke must have liked the salty air, because he had his tounge sticking out for most of the time.
We went to the aquarium and Luke looked at the fishies.
Luke being a little crabby.
We also went to Fort Macon, one of the best preserved forts in the US. Pretty cool. We found out that Luke's head is as big as a cannon ball.

Just some random photos...

Here is Luke in his crib with the bedding grandma made for him. We are in a one bedroom, so his crib is literally two feet away from our bed. It was thus important that his bedding match our bedroom decor. After my search for crib bedding produced nothing that I liked under $300, I decided to make my own. My mom was kind enough to sew it!
My boys after a long day at church. They both wore their pinstripe suits.
Luke and dad being twinsies again. Not planned, btw. :)
And here is our 6-month childbirth prep class reunion. All these babes were born within a few weeks of each other. Can you find Luke?

laughing luke

So here is Luke when he thinks something is funny. Gotta love that belly laugh of his!