...success declared...

I entered my apartment building after work on Thursday and was greeted by Zoe, my favorite New York dog, as usual. After a couple good pets, I threw open the door finally able to do what I had been waiting for all day...to see Josh and meet Julie and Morgan! (By the way, Julie taught me how to do that word highlight-y thing within my text! Now you know how totally un-computer saavy I am. Thanks Julie.) We had a great night. Julie and Josh are a very excellent match for each other (aw...cute and nice!) and Morgan instantly endeared herself to me by saying, "I hear you are artsy-fartsy like me!" Jeremy and I even got to sign her coveted Dr. Suess My Book About Me. We drew, had make your own tacos, and then after Morgan was asleep had adult hang-out/talk time. Not the dirty meaning of "adult" okay!


On Friday I had to go to work, but only until two, so they all came to meet me so we could head to the Natural History Museum. I had never been there before, and man...that place is big! We didn't even see half of it, and we saw tons. Jeremy kept harassing Morgan by poking her with an umbrella , so she finally got him back when we were sitting in front of the stuffed penguins. Thus, the umbrella fights began. We went to Guru for dinner, which is where Jer and I had our N.Y. wedding reception last summer. I watched Morgan work on the same spoonful of lentil doughnut in yogurt sauce for about fifteen minutes. She whispered, "It's kind of sour!" Not one complaint though, and she did eat some as well as portions of what Josh and Julie had. We headed home and ended the long day early.


Saturday was the big day, the reason we were all gathered...Joan's birthday celebration! Josh left in the morning to go to New Jersey originally to pick up Rick, though unfortunately he was not able to come, but got to hang out with him instead. We just kicked around the apartment, watching Simpson's episodes, eating breakfast, getting ready, goofing around. I was very mean and kept picking up Morgan and messing with her, trying to get her to wake up and play with me. Finally she did when Julie brought her breakfast. I apologized for bugging her and she said that was okay. Man...she is the most sweet, polite kid! Wait...I know lots of great kids...I'm not going to play favorites! So, Joan's party was a success. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Food was tasty and plentiful, it was beautiful outside, family and friends were gathered, and there were lots of people to meet and lots of folks who had not seen each other in a long time. It was sad when we had to say goodbye to Josh, Julie and Morgan in front of the restaurant. Morgan started crying and it broke Jeremy and I's hearts. Jer and I wished that we could all live in the same town. We miss hanging out with Josh, and now we miss the latest additions to the family. It's nice to think about how it is just a beginning though, and not an ending.
Jeremy and I hopped in a cab with Rachel and Judie to head on to Grandma Bea's. There, we got to relax and watch Joan open her presents! I always love seeing what people pick out for others. Joan seemed very pleased with the whole day. We were happy to be surrounded by so much family! I got to hang out more with Rachel, which is always a good time, and eventually Peter and Joanne, followed closely by Chris and Juhani with their new girlfriends Carlin and Rebecca, showed up. After lots of gabbing, suddenly it was around 8:30! Time raced by on Saturday. We all walked out together, but then Peter and Joanne caught a cab.
So...Chris, Carlin, Juhani, Rebecca, Jeremy and I all headed for Chris's car which was parked a ways away. Lots of laughing and getting to know one another. When we made it to the car, Chris folded up the backseat so that four of us could sit Native-American style (the preferred nomenclature) back there while he and Carlin had the luxurious front seats. It gave me a new perspective on how scary drivers in New York are. We went all the way uptown to where Peter and Joanne live (81st Street!) By the end, Juhani and I were clinging on for dear life and trying not to hurl. (Chris is a very good driver, but was giving us a hard time!) We were very grateful when he let us out, our legs buckling beneath us. We decided not to go up to Peter and Joanne's, but went instead to a good Mexican place around the corner where we had a very delayed dinner and drinks. Mmm...strawberry margaritas...so tasty and alcohol ladden...After many laughs, stories and such Jeremy and I called it a night and found the nearest subway. We made it home around 1:45 am and went to bed almost immediately (We first had to make sure our neighbor Nancy upstairs wasn't dead like we thought she may be, but that is a whole other story!) So, the long day was done. We were tired, happy, and still a little sad, but we had a great weekend. Thanks to all who were involved. Oh...Julie...sorry we never got a Manhattan Special. (I just wanted another excuse to use the highlight-y thing!)