An obvious sign that Blake lives here….

Why I put floor-length drapes in a room where the kids play often I am not sure, but as a result, Matt has had to re-anchor this drapery rod three times! If it keeps going on like this, we will eventually hit a stud!

NYC 2013

We got home from Mary and Matt's wedding late on Sunday night and then packed up to leave for NYC Thursday morning. Matt had a conference there (the same one we have gone to in the past a few times) and he really wanted me to join him for this one. It didn't take too much convincing as I love NYC in the fall and they were just starting to get all the holiday decorations set up.  My parents came up to the cities to watch the kids while we were gone and thankfully they had just as much fun (if not more) than we did!!

I had already decided to join Matt for the conference when I was on the phone with my sister Lindsay one day back in September. We were talking about their plans while they were in the states and Lindsay mentioned that they would either be taking a trip to London for a few days or to NYC. Thankfully for us, London didn't work out and they ended up vein gin NYC over the same days as we were!!

We all arrived in the city on Thursday afternoon and met up for dinner, along with Rob's old flatmate and his wife, Zander and Kristen, who Lindsay and Rob were staying with. We ate at a great little Italian restaurant that Zander had recommended and then all took in a show on Broadway--Motown.

Zander and Kristen are from New Zealand and have only been living in NYC for under a year, so this was not only Rob's first Broadway show but also theirs.

The show was great and had some really amazing singing and dancing. Plus, it's always fun to see a show on Broadway--the talent is just phenomenal!

Matt had work meetings the next morning, so I just hung around the city and enjoyed being back for the first time in 4 years! Sights like this never get old….

And thankfully the colors in Central Park were still pretty great, despite it feeling like winter back home. I could wander the streets of New York with just my camera, a book and a coffee for hours. I don't know what it is, but I'm continuously enamored with the city that never sleeps.

I hung out with Rob and Linds a bit in the afternoon, just walking around the city and doing some shopping, then headed back to our hotel to meet up with Matt for dinner. Matt has a crazy knack for finding wonderful restaurants and this night did not disappoint. Linds and Rob headed back to Zander and Kristen's for dinner, so Matt and I were on our own. We ate at this fantastic place called Quality Meats, which actually reminded us of our favorite restaurant in the cities, the Butcher and the Boar. Amazing atmosphere, great food pairings (I was even tempted--although I didn't--to try the steak tartare), a talented bartender who mixed up a special drink for me based on what I told him I liked and didn't like, and of course the best company!!

Coolest doors….

Started off with some great oysters and prawns to start off our meal….and although I don't have a picture of it, they made an AmAzInG table side barbecue sauce. I had never seen that done before, but they mixed it all right in front of us and it was absolutely fantastic. Even as I sit here typing this, Matt said, "Oh man, that bbq sauce was so good. I can't wait to go back!"

Exploring Soho market with my sis

And one of Matt and my favorite places in all of NYC--a tiny little jewish bakery on the upper west side called Levain Bakery. We first went here about 9 years ago on our first trip out to New York after I had read about it on some random blog. They were known for their amazing chocolate chip cookies and let's just say they did not disappoint! You know they must be amazing if we have gone every single time we've been in New York ever since! But this time was a bit different….

We got there on a Saturday afternoon, but since we were on vacation, we weren't really paying attention to what day of the week it was! This was the line we saw……you can see the sign from the picture above is on the far left of this picture just on the left of the blue molding. That blue molding is actually the top of the bakery….the entrance to the bakery is down a few stairs and its located underneath this MaxWax store. (You can see Matt on the right hand side in the black coat, heading to the back of the line!)

And this is a picture of the ENTIRE place….it's absolutely tiny! Honestly, every time we've gone to New York, we always just hope that the bakery is still there. But after what we saw this last time, if they've lasted for over 10 years, with the lines we had to wait in, I don't think they'll be closing their doors anytime soon!

And here is their selection…..they don't make a lot of different items (they do a lot of custom orders), but boy do they do those few things well!

After we got our cookies and a few for Linds and Rob and Zander and Kristen, we headed to a coffee shop. But I had to take one more picture of that crazy line…..

(Apparently they have been featured on Oprah--when she had a show--as well as Live with Kelly and Michael and a few others) but we had NEVER had to wait in a line before!

Serious deliciousness!!

We met with with Lindsay and Rob and Kristen and Zander and headed back to Brooklyn for dinner at a quaint little restaurant near Kristen and Zander's apartment and then to hang out at their place for awhile. Zander had told us all that taking the ferry back to their place is really beautiful at night, but with the last ferry leaving at 5pm, we didn't know if we'd make it. We walked towards the ferry station and were about a mile away when we saw the ferry just pulling in---so we all started sprinting!! It was absolutely hilarious--of course Rob took off like a gazelle and was our guarantee that he wouldn't let the ferry leave without the rest of us. As we started sprinting, Rob shouted, "Yeah team!" and we were all-in on the race to make it. We did make it and boy was it worth it!

Beautiful skyline views of Manhattan

We walked through a beautiful little village-type town called Williamsburg, where Zander and Kristen live, and it was so fun to see a part of Brooklyn we wouldn't have otherwise seen. We ate at this amazing little restaurant, located on the first floor of their apartment building. Zander and Kristen had been waiting for a special occasion to try the place out, after seeing it was always packed out and hearing rave reviews from everyone. And boy were we glad they waited to take us there!! It was phenomenal!! We didn't take a lot of pictures, but if you check out the website (Marlow & Sons) you'll get a great feel for the place. Matt was in heaven with the selection of oysters and convinced both Rob and Zander to try one. With it being their first-ever oyster, Linds had to take a pic! (Rob looks a bit nervous at this point)

The next morning, Matt and I hit up another of our favorites in the city---breakfast at Norma's in the Le Meridien Hotel. Mouth-watering food every single time we go and the fresh-squeezed OJ can't be beat!

Most of our time spent in New York was walking around, shopping, reading at coffee shops and relaxing. But with all the times we have gone to NYC, Matt had still never been to a game at Madison Square Garden. And although I am now in a hockey family, I didn't grow up in one so I was unaware of how iconic Madison Square Garden is. But we decided last minute to go to a Rangers game and it was very cool! Just getting off the subway, right underneath MSG, and walking upstairs and right into the venue was an experience in itself! 

Seeing just about any sporting event with this guy is a good time!

We had a great time in one of our favorite cities and it wouldn't have been possibly without my amazing parents. My mom even had to head back home the day before we were coming back, but my Dad said it would be no big deal and he'd handle everything just fine. I got this text from him while we were sitting at the Rangers game….

Seriously?! How amazing it that? I don't know many grandpas who would not only LOVE spending an entire day playing with my endlessly energetic kids but then also do and fold the laundry, run the dishwasher, get clothes laid out for school the next day and look forward to watching some DVRed football only AFTER the kids were all in bed! He is truly a rockstar and I am so thankful for him!!

Persuasion

Wyatt had to write a persuasive paragraph for school and this was what he came home with.

His teacher wrote at the bottom of his paper, "I sure hope you get to go!" Thanks Mrs. Kroohn!!

The day after

My parents have a tradition of throwing a party at their house the day after their daughters' weddings to host any out of town guests for one last gathering. (As if there wasn't enough work to do when your daughter is getting married!) But my parents have limitless energy and love serving others, so we all get to benefit from their generous spirit! Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures as I was spending most of the time catching up with my cousins and aunts and uncles that I don't get to see as often. But I did manage to take a few....

An UNO game with my 90-year old grandpa (my mom's dad), my aunt Adie (my Dad's sister), my mom and Blake....3 generations

Carefully examining Great-Grandpa Criter's play

We also used the gathering as a birthday celebration for my Grandpa and Rob who both celebrated birthdays in the weeks following the wedding (and big ones at that! 30 and 90!!)

It was such a fun (and exhausting) weekend. We drove back to the cities on Sunday evening and got in around 10pm, only to get the kids to school the next day and prepare for Matt and my trip to NYC on Thursday.

The big day (and the day the Bohlman name died)

I'm going to blame my blogging hiatus on the fact that I was waiting to get the professional pictures from my sister's wedding……

Yes, the big day was finally here! And although there is constantly work to be done when you are the sister of the bride, it's also so much fun!! Lots of time with family, extended family and friends all celebrating my sister and her soon-to-be husband!

We started the day off with a Starbucks run on our way to our hair appointments--and Mary Jo, the biggest Starbucks addict I know, even knew all the people working that morning at Starbucks. We walked in and they immediately announced to the entire store that "today is Mary Jo's wedding day! Congratulations to the bride!" and then proceeded to give us all our drinks on the house! Boy, it sure pays to have a sister who is on a first-name basis with all the baristas!

Then it was off to our hair appointments--Sadie even had her own appointment and she sure loved every minute of the pampering and getting all glam!

Mary Jo, Lindsay and Laura

Sadie walked around to check on everyone's progress while her curls were setting

Sadie giving her input on Mary Jo's veil placement

A few pics from my phone of Sadie and Lindsay having fun together

Coffee--check, hair--check….now off the church for makeup and dresses!

As a gift for being attendants in her wedding, Mary Jo gave each of us these personalized hangers to hang our dresses on. They were so creative and all the dresses looked so beautiful hanging on them.

Classic that both Lindsay and I brought gingham button-up shirts home to wear the morning of the wedding

And as Mary Jo's big sisters, it was our duty to make sure all the last minute tasks were completed and everything was ready to go…..

Love this picture of Mary Jo's first reaction to seeing her flowers---it was all becoming so real at this point!

And of course we had to get some food in us!

Sadie was in her element--getting a bit of makeup, hanging out with all the girls--I mean, what 6-year old wouldn't love to be treated like the rest of us?! So thankful to have such a great daughter to enjoy these moments with--she is such a girlie girl and none of these special little moments were lost on her!

Possibly one of my favorite pics of the day…Sadie has such wonderful examples of godly women in her aunts and grandmothers and I am so thankful that she has such great women to look up to.

Of course, she was included in just a few selfies as well!

This was a completely honest moment---Sadie was standing in front of my sister, just talking to her, when she was so overcome by the weight of the moment and the beauty of my sister than she just burst into a hug! Whenever Sadie is speechless, she hugs:)

My parents with the kids--SO blessed by the great relationship my kids have with my parents!

The whole crew

My mom, sisters and I

In the spirit of keeping it real, this is what takes place while pictures are being taken...notice Blake's hands. He was quite possibly the most excited guy in the whole place about getting to wear a suit and he sure wore it well!

(My Dad was in charge of getting the boys all ready and to the church on time--Matt drove in straight to the church from a conference in the cities--and Wyatt's glasses were forgotten. He didn't mind not having them, but of course he looks quite a bit different without them!)

Blake was all business when it came time to eat some lunch quickly before the ceremony. And I was so glad the photographers captured this moment between Pat, my mom's best friend, and Blake. (My kids affectionately refer to Pat as 'our Pat'. She was my personal attendant for my wedding and did the same for both Lindsay and Mary Jo's wedding--such a special woman in all of our lives and I love that my kids feel the same way about her.)

Also notice Blake's spiked hair in the front--he was adamant that it be this way!

My mom, her brothers and their 90-year old dad (my grandpa)

Blake leading the way out of our dressing rooms and to the ceremony!!

The boys walked down the aisle first…..Initially, Wyatt was not very thrilled about being in the wedding. He had done it twice before and now knew everything that it entailed (mostly dreading having to walk down the aisle in front of a bunch of people he didn't know, all looking at him). When I talked to him about the honor of being asked to be in someone's wedding as well as his responsibility to help Blake out, he accepted. And this was exactly how it went down…..Blake was excited about the entire process while Wyatt was nervous, yet when it came time to actually carry the rings in, Wyatt did it just like a pro and Blake nervously held the box under his chin the entire walk down the aisle!

And then there was Sadie, who unlike both of her brothers, loved every minute of the spotlight and deliberately took her time walking down the aisle, soaking up all the attention! That aisle couldn't have been long enough.

A few pictures from the ceremony…..

What would a wedding be without a bit of humor, right? 

(Doesn't my sister look stunning?)

The happy couple--Mr. and Mrs. Kronberger

And this was how Blake felt about the ceremony.....

During the ceremony, I looked at him and noticed that his eyes were starting to close but there was nothing I could do about it. Of course I didn't mind him sleeping, but he was sitting in the chair next to the main aisle and I didn't want him to fall into the aisle and hit his head on the concrete. Thankfully he just fell asleep and his head tilted to the side. Once the ceremony was over and everyone was walking out, Matt gently laid him down and he slept there for just under an hour! My aunt texted me this picture but all throughout the reception, people were coming up to me to share pictures from their phones that they had taken of Blake--what a little trooper!

Being a bridesmaid can still be a blast--even for a married mother of 3!

We rode in the limo to a few different locations for photo ops---and they got some beautiful pictures like this one….

…but not without some sacrifice on our parts (all those leaves were stuck on my heel, which was also covered in mud by the end of the afternoon). Oh the things you do for a good photo, right?!

A great picture of the happy couple!

The family picture--and my parents' christmas card--in front of the capital building in Madison. I love this city! So many great memories of growing up here and all three of us girls getting married here (as well as meeting Matt here!)

And none of this would have ever happened if it weren't for these two falling in love as a couple of crazy college students at the University of Wisconsin--just steps from this spot!

But enough of the pictures, it's time to head into the party!!

Wedding receptions are honestly some of my favorite events of all time--especially when it's a family wedding. And they get to be even more fun the older my kids get---this one was no exception! It was the first wedding reception where all three kids were a part of the entire day and man was it a blast! Can't you tell? Wyatt clearly loved being put into a headlock by my Uncle Mike while my cousins looked on, just glad that for once it wasn't them!

Matt and Rob got to sit at a table with the kids and my Uncle Gary and Aunt Sandy

And Linds and I got several visits during the meal from smiling faces like this one!

(This one was clearly taken after a few rounds of dancing, where it became necessary to shed a few layers of clothing!)

And family weddings are great because we get to spend time with dear family friends who we don't get to see near enough! (Some of these pics were clearly taken with my phone, so the lovely zombie eyes are a given)  

More family--our entire family with my Grandpa Bohlman (90 years old) and his wife Mary

(and a few kids in dancin' attire)

Wyatt, Sadie and Blake loved all the time they got to spend with my aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws

Loved spending a bit of time with Mary and my Grandpa

And then the dancing commenced…..

I've got a couple kids that can shake it with the best of 'em

Uncle Rob showing off his Michael Jackson moves…..and he didn't disappoint! My kids are still talking about Uncle Rob's dancing and they were quick to brag about his mad skills to anyone who would listen!

Sadie's favorite activity to do with her Daddy----doesn't matter if it's at home or at a wedding, she always loves it and never wants to stop!

And I may have a new diehard dancer to accompany me as well! (All it took was that short nap during/after the ceremony to get him to last all night long!)

My mom's amazing friends--these women have been friends since we were all kids and I babysat for many of their kids when we were younger. They meet every monday morning for coffee and have walked through life with each other--through divorce, cancer, illness, job loss, heartache--you name it and these women have been there for one another. Some of them are like 2nd mothers to us. The group has grown over the years to about 30 women and they continue to take trips together, celebrate life together and be there for one another. I pray that I would be blessed with friendships like this someday!

Lindsay and I having some fun with the ladies!

Not sure what was happening here, but the picture cracks me up!

Wedding dances are just the best! These pictures all bring smiles to my face and I wish we had another family wedding coming up soon! 

This picture was taken in the middle of Matt and Blake doing their signature 'Sorensen Handshake'

LOVE the smile on Blake's face as he was watching Uncle Rob

Wyatt didn't want to dance for quite awhile as he was afraid people would be watching him (which, in all honestly, they would be--he pays a lot of attention to situations before he enters them and he saw everyone commenting on Blake and Sadie's dancing, so I could tell there was no way he was going to subject himself to everyone's examining!) 

But these two didn't want to stop!

Sadie showing Pat her moves

And then it happened...the DJ played Blake's much-requested song "What Makes You Beautiful"

by One Direction and the moves busted out.....

He started doing all the moves (from the song on the Wii on Just Dance--which ironically he probably hasn't played in like 6 mos.) so I kept doing them with him to keep him focused on me and the dance moves, because a large circle was starting to form on the dance floor and pretty soon NO ONE else was dancing except for Blake and EVERY SINGLE EYE in the place was watching him.

But he rocked it out!! 

At the end of the song, everyone started clapping and when he turned around and saw all eyes on him, he quickly gave me a hug to hide his embarrassment. But he also secretly enjoyed all the attention (I think!) It was such a fun moment!

And one final pic from the night---'dancing' to Jump Around (with a wedding in Madison, you knew it would be played at some point!) And I love that Matt and my Dad are in the pic too.

Man, it was such a fun day celebrating Matt and Mary Jo and enjoying time with family. The kids had a blast and Blake was in tears when we had to pull him off the dance floor!! But thankfully the fun with family didn't end that night--we had more excitement the next day and then for the following two weeks while Lindsay and Rob were in the country.