
Before we begin, though, I have a few questions. Like why has it been such a long December? Is there reason to believe that maybe this year will be better than the last? Is there reason to believe I’ll stop quoting Counting Crows lyrics in this post? Yes, there is reason, but I am also going to quote Annie Lennox. You see, I wouldn’t be ME if I didn’t start or finish or title this post based on a song, or more than one song. And I have a question for Annie Lennox. Who broke your heart? Who did this to you? Should I kick that person’s teeth in? I’m not ok with her pain.
I write this post annually, and you can come to expect it, like how I write lots of holiday baking posts, a Finish the Sentence Friday post every Friday it’s running, and my big annual end of the year New Year’s recap survey question one. That one will be coming up next week and it’s sure to be great fun because it takes me hours to do it, and I love it. What am I missing anyway, when I lose entire days to writing? Cold, biting wind? Political debates on Facebook? When I write on my laptop, I balance it on a pillow, and Luna sleeps in the crook/overhang of the pillow – against my legs. It’s rather magical. Just like NYC trips. This was their sixth annual holiday NYC trip.

About two years ago, I had a business trip scheduled that I had to miss because I had a virus with fever. Let me tell you – I have not experienced adult fevers very much. This may have been my second virus-induced fever in all of adulthood and I didn’t take it lightly. So I couldn’t get on that plane. It was during spring break, so Cassidy took both kids to NYC. It was Des’ first time. That said, last Christmas they went back to their father/daughter trip and I stayed home with Des, having a blast. Since Scarlet and Cassidy went to Panama for ten days, and Cassidy didn’t want to make two NYC holiday trips – one with both kids, and one with just Scarlet – the three of them went to take Manhattan together. I don’t even know if I was invited along. Probably?
In a perfect world, I’d have Scarlet and Cassidy guest blog to tell the stories of the weekend. I think it’s pretty amazing to let the photos do the talking, though, as I normally do. Things were magical, from what I could tell, and they did bring me back lots of chocolate. Plus, their infectious enthusiasm for life (and Star Wars) at the Disney Store in Times Square led to them being famous for a few minutes. And the story is as simple as that. Timing and enthusiasm.
Star Wars: Rise of the Bowmans from cassidy bowman on Vimeo.
The four of us went to Connecticut together because I had a fun Santa-like work event down there, and then I dropped them off at train station, stayed on the platform until the train came, and then blew dozens of kisses into train windows. Then, I drove home alone in the dark rain and just.. got stuff done.. for the next 50 hours. Now we begin the photos. I took none of them!


























Their faces here!















So, do you plan to take Manhattan by storm too?
I’m linking up with Finish The Sentence Friday (FTSF) for another fun and challenging prompt. This week’s topic is “The Holidays..” And there’s time to write yours. Link up your post HERE.
Omg, what a perfect Manhattan holiday trip!! Honestly, couldn’t have done it up better myself if I tried. Oh, and the Billboard sign is one for the ages!!! π
Isn’t it?? If I had gone with them, I would have tried to meet up with you!
I can’t offer a guess on the Richard car plate. What a thrill it must have been for all of you to see Cassidy, Scarlet and Des on the big Broadway screen! I enjoyed watching that video and all of the NYC trip photos on your blog, and SmugMug. Your tall Christmas trees always look so majestic! Annie needs some serious pain relief. I hope one day soon we see a smiling, dancing Annie sing a happy song in a heartwarming Hallmark Christmas movie. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!! ππ π€ΆβοΈβοΈ
haha, that’s ok, Eddie. I don’t know if I even want to admit the Richard thing. It’s pretty embarrassing!
I am so united with you about Annie’s pain. I hope as she’s grown older, she has made better choices for life mates. That’s all I can think. I have been there in my younger years.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! So happy to have “found” you in my family’s lives!
Thank You Tamara! Everyday I’m happy and very thankful for this too, and l really meant to wish you and your family a Happy Hanukkah. Please forgive me for not doing that.
Forgiven! It’s totally ok. I was having those thoughts yesterday, of people I didn’t say “Happy Hanukkah” to and then I realized it was all good!
The Star Wars billboard epic-ness! Your family is the coolest! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukah and best wishes for good things to come to you and yours this next year π
And for you! Cheers to another year, eh? I’ll be holding all six of you in my heart this holiday season, and dogie too!
OMG they so definitely took Manhattan. I regret not taking Tucker and Robert there while we lived in DC. I’ve been a few times but they’ve never been. Seeing all of these amazing photos makes me want to just go from here. Happy New Year, friend. You and your family are wonderful and I’m so glad to know you. xo
Well that will just make the time you go so special! We went a lot when I was a kid because we lived in NJ so it was the thing to do, but Des just started going recently, and it’s even more meaningful with an older kid.