Fun times in the city!

I had an exciting trip to the big city to celebrate my sister’s marriage! We packed a lot of family time and sight seeing in a just a few days so I am going to post a few highlights. The guys stayed home, so it was very strange, yet fun, to be without 2 little people, diaper bags and nap schedules to worry about.

1st: This is just a glimpse of what it is like to be 6’8″ and fly in an airplane. This is my younger brother Aaron, who lives in Louisville. We traveled together which was very nice.

Giant man in a tiny plane

#2.   (Not the prettiest picture of myself , but anywho….) I was so glad I got to meet up briefly with Bernie’s cousin Ballard Boyd. He is a talented director and writer. He happened to be doing some contract work for Google that day! Jackpot! Coleman, Aaron and I got to tour Google. What an AMAZING place to work! They wouldn’t let you take pictures, but ask me later and I can give you some details on the cool decor and features of working for one of the largest companies in the world.

Myself and Cousin Ballard, outside of Google.

Google is right across the street from Chelsea Market and I took lots of neat pictures of that, none of my pictures are too impressive, but wow, lots of cute little shops, etc. Then we hit up The High Line, a very cool newly remodel part of the Meat Packing District.  The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. My pictures didn’t turn out very good, but its a neat space with great views! I would love to go back and spend some more time when its a little warmer.

#3.My nieces, Sarah & Abby, hit the jackpot when we entered this 5 story Forever 21, which was on Times Square. I went along for moral support. Wow! If I was 15 and 100 lbs, I would have gone broke in that store! Again, they wouldn’t let us take pictures, but we stood right outside the entrance and took a quick snap shot.

2 teenagers in heaven

We stopped in a few stores before a fun dinner at O’Lunney’s where we got to meet the rest of the families and other friends involved in the wedding. Julia is surrounded by some GREAT people! Everyone was so nice and great to talk to! I can see why she is so happy in NYC.

#4. This picture is a bit dark, but after dinner we did a quick walk thru Grand Central Station before heading back to Queens (where our hotel was and where Julia lives). It was neat, looks just like the movies and commercials!

Brother's in Grand Central Station

#5. Wedding Time! Abby, Coleman and Aaron are waiting in the lobby of this beautiful building, The Liederkranz Club.

Abby with her Uncles, Aaron and Coleman

The Liederkranz Club Info

Reception Floor. Gorgeous Building!

A few pictures near Central Park before the wedding.

#6. My sister, Julia, married her partner of 10 years, Jamie. The ceremony was beautiful.The families coming together despite the difference of backgrounds was beautiful. We had Catholics, Jewish, gay, straight, Southerners, New Yorkers, young and old. The day was all about love and support those these two beautiful people.

The Beautiful Brides!

All the families!

#7.The Reception! Loads of fun, good food and dancing!

Abby and Melissa having fun at dinner!

Our family is never shy on the dance floor! Mom and Dad are one of the first people on the dance floor!

Mom and Dad cutting a rug!

#8. Sight seeing before we leave! We went to Ground Zero, which has made a lot of progress since the last time I was there, in 2002. I saw the Protestors on Wall Street. They looked like they were having way too much fun to be protesting a serious topic. Then we walked up to SoHo after hitting up several neat shops. We had to see George, at the hair salon where he works, Dop Dop. George Rylander, hairdresser by day, and part time ordained minister (amongst other things) by night,  officiated Julia and Jamie’s wedding. He was so much fun ! I love that we got to know him a bit, I can see why Jamie and Julia love this man! Melissa is a hair dresser herself, so it how fun to see how this fancy NYC hair dresser is working it.

Melissa and George @ DopDop!

#9. Talent! Julia has some talented friends! Her friend,  composer Michael Whalen, played the piano at the reception. Michael’s a two-time Emmy winner for his music for television shows and movies. Nicole Cooper and her sister, Tiffany, are beautiful girls originally from Louisville, met Julia while attending Murray State and now living her dreams out in NYC. Patrick Richwood was super fun to dance with at the reception! Not to mention he had did an animated reading during the ceremony. You would never guess this cool guy who rocked a kilt was a famous actor who has been in: Pretty Woman, Soul Surfer, Night Court, The Princess Diaries, Beaches to name a few!

Julia’s high school friend, Debbie Rutledge, is a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Dept. of State. She and her husband just got back from 3 years in Serbia. They’re back in D.C. taking lessons in Turkish. Their next assignment will be in Turkey sometime next year. Pretty impressive for a Murray High Grad! A real treat for me was to meet, Mike Saccio, Julia’s friend who is the Head Props guy on Law and Order:SVU, which only happens to be my favorite show!

I could go on….needless to say, Julia and Jamie are very talented and surrounded by some talented, inspiring people.

#10. My nieces are growing up!!! sigh……I will have to dig up a pic of when they are little so you can see how these sweet baby girls are now big smart, talented women. I had so much fun enjoying the city with them!

Sarah, 15, Abby, almost 13.