we love new york in the fall

Sunday afternoon wanderings in Central Park, near the Pond and in the Ramble. I want to go back there and get lost. Oh! And we saw three raccoons! I've never seen a raccoon in my life, and I saw THREE! In Central Park! It was awesome.

i can't help myself

I was just looking at these and wanted to post a couple more. I haven't seen many sunsets this summer, and I can't get over this one. After storms and clouds all afternoon, that sky was just unreal. Gorgeous!


from our window.


from the roof.

I've been missing nature lately. Okay, I've been missing Utah specifically. It's so beautiful there. Yes, we miss our family like crazy, but at least we get to talk to them and see them on video chat. But if I think about the mountains and canyons, that's when I start crying. I miss going for drives in the canyon, running and hiking and riding bikes in the mountains. Utah kids, next time you're driving around, look up and notice how incredibly amazing the view is. I'll never take it for granted again! We're hoping to plan a weekend sometime soon to escape the city. I know there are a lot of beautiful places around here to visit. I just wish we had our camping gear out here!

a gorgeous sunset as seen from our roof

took a bunch of shots and put them together. maybe i should just get a wide-angle lens!
click to see it bigger. :)

drive to the cabin (i love the mountains!)

So far, our visit to Utah has been fabulous. I love it here. We arrived late Thursday night and woke up Friday morning to take family pictures with the Grafs, then had a delicious breakfast together at Magleby's Fresh. Michelle did Klane's and my hair in the afternoon, and we had a barbeque and hung out with the Hardings in the evening.

This morning we went up to one of my favorite places, the cabin. It was a quick trip to pick up tables and chairs for the lunch after Justin's farewell tomorrow, but I really enjoyed the drive up the canyon and seeing the cabin. The weather is so beautiful and the mountain air felt amazing and smelled so good. I couldn't stop smiling.

we're having fun playing with our new lens

can't wipe the smile off my face

something beautiful to see

If you're into weddings like me, check out this one, captured by one of my favorite photographers, Jonathan Canlas. Besides the great photography, I thought the wedding itsself was really beautiful, interesting and very unique. They had an intimate reception where everyone ate dinner at tables set up on a beach. No shoes allowed, and the bride and groom even lounged in an oceanside hammock for a few moments. It's a little more casual than I would've done, but I thought they pulled it off extremely well, making it still feel like a mostly formal event. Anyway, check it out. Very very cool.

i didn't have a camera so this will have to do

My family stayed at the cabin last night. It is so beautiful up there. Here's my picture of this morning.

I woke up early and hiked to the falls. The skies were blue, and the morning air was refreshing; cool and damp from yesterday’s rain. Pillars of sunlight streaming through the trees left pools of light on the forest floor, sending steam rising from the evaporating dew. In the meadow, millions of drops of dew and rain exploded into a field of crystals in the morning sun. Late May is the greenest time in the Utah mountains, and three days of rain brightened the colors and made everything crisp. Small footbridges that usually cross dry streambeds were covered over by rushing water, creating a game of finding a new way across. Small streams had appeared in new places, and the streams that usually trickle through the forest had turned into rushing rivers. In some places the trail branched off onto higher ground to escape the water. I’ve never been so alone on that trail. Alone in a good way, like it was just me, the mountains and God, and the hugeness and grandness of nature stretching out around and above me reminded me of my smallness compared to the world. Running on the narrow trail felt perfect, my muscles propelling me forward, eyes reading the uneven ground to find the next footfall, breathing in that cool mountain air. The forest carried the fresh smell of earth and trees and rain. Rounding the last corner to the falls, I saw the mist rising from the bottom, filling the whole lower area. More water than I’ve ever seen there was hurling itself off the edge and pounding onto the rocks below, creating a larger cloud of mist than usual. The morning sun hit the mist and created a magnificent rainbow. I sat in the mist, watching the water crashing down for a few minutes, then climbed up further on the rocks, above the lower falls. Out of the cool spray, I had a vantage point of the mountains stretching out from the falls, clouds resting around the tops. It was the only time I’ve ever been completely alone at Stewart, and it was definitely the most beautiful I’ve ever seen it.

Pictures of the view from the hike via jpcrockett on flickr. It was prettier than these this morning though!

a photo from klane

Klane took this awesome picture of a bridge in Central Park and I think it's pretty amazing, don't you? Looks like a romantic spot to visit with your lover. :) I can't wait!

back to our roots

We had a nice (although short) trip to So UT for Miralva's bridal shower. I'm so excited for her and Mason to be married in June, they are going to be a great couple. It was so fun to visit with family we don't get to see as often as we'd like. I really enjoyed seeing all of you and wish that it could happen more often! I love visiting Cedar City; it brings back childhood memories of summer and Christmas vacations. It's just a nice place to be.

I went running yesterday morning up the canyon trail. It was so beautiful that when I got back and my parents were heading out, I grabbed their camera and ran the trail again with them. I was sort of exhausted the rest of the day, but at least I got a picture of the red rock.

Klane is doing well in New York, although I feel bad he's alone out there. He's been keeping very busy with work at DDB. He says they're keeping him occupied now and giving him lots to do. He's already designed some ads for Hertz, website for Electrolux and some other things for drug companies... as well as a lot of things I can't remember. It's hard to keep up with what projects he's on since it's always changing!

dear husband,

I miss you. The sunsets in Utah are beautiful! I went up in the hills above my parents' house to snap a picture, and it reminded me of when we used to drive up in your truck and look out over the city and eat treats or watch movies. I miss your hugs. Be safe.
Love!

p.s. I'm sorry you got locked out of the apartment tonight. That was probably my fault since I was on the phone distracting you. But I'm glad you're staying at Robbie's and not on a bench in Central Park with the crazies.

running in the park

One of the things on my mom's to do list was running in Central Park. So we did! And also took breaks for pictures. Excuse the sweaty shine on my face.

i like the park. quite a lot.

I went running yesterday morning on this path. It was gorgeous and sunny with a cool breeze, and there were lots of people out enjoying the good weather. So beautiful! I will be back.

Klane's first day

This morning Klane and I went into the city, me for one more test and him for his first day at DDB! It was very exciting. DDB is kitty corner from the famous St. Patrick's Cathedral, and is in a beautiful part of town on Madison Avenue.

While Klane was at work, I wandered over to Rockefeller Center, hitting H&M and Anthropologie for some browsing, then made my way down to 34th street for my test. Other adventures of the day included Times Square to check on broadway tickets for when my parents come next week, lunch with Klane, and reading a book in Central Park for hours. It was a nice day, and I am now exhausted from all the walking.

Klane's first day went well, he got a desk and a computer and he is ready to be briefed on a new client tomorrow morning. They'll have him on a team working on stuff for a specific client.

We are excited to get into our apartment tomorrow! Woo hoo!! The Greens have been absolutely great and we've had fun getting to know them and their four adorable kids, but we don't want to wear out our welcome and are excited to finally get into our very own little place. Plus, cutting out the 30 minute train ride into the city will be nice.

Here's some of my day in photos...

These pretty flowers are by Klane's office

Klane's building. DDB is the second, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth floors.

Coming out the doors to meet me for lunch. He's just so grown-up! :)

We went to Chipotle. It was my first time and I approve.

It's a gorgeous time to be in NY. It was 80 today.
These flowers were in front of the Plaza hotel across from Central Park.

Central Park sounded like a good idea for the afternoon, and escaping the sounds of the street was nice. It's gorgeous there!
Full of people taking advantage of the great weather. I'm excited to spend time there with Klane!

This is called the Mall. I don't know why.
All I know is it is one of the places they sang that awesome/hilarious song in Enchanted, which I love and can't help but smile when I watch. (Watch it and try not to smile, I dare you.)
And I sat there reading for two hours. It was lovely.