So we made it here alive (no firey plane crashes- but we do still have to fly home!) and fairly well. The flight down was delayed for over an hour- some "minor" mechanical thing- I didn’t want to know- with everyone just sitting on the plane at the jetway for the whole time. Thank god for the TV’s on JetBlue, they saved us! The turbulence on the way down did NOT make me happy at all, but we did arrive in one piece. So, that’s a good thing although we were over an hour late.

Christmas morning was a lot of fun. And you know I must be so burnt out cause the camera didn’t even make it out of the bag for any pictures! The big boys got some new Wii games, 2 additional Wii controllers with nunchucks, and the suprise gift was new Nintendo DS’s with a few games. They were psyched. Timmy got some good stuff too- an Imaginext castle, a pirate Mr. Potato Head, a cleaning set (he loves his friends), some action figures (thanks Aunt Maureen for the Robin figures- thank god you found them), a blue lightsaber and some various other stuff. The big boys also got a laptop from Grandma & Grandpa! I have to get that wireless thingy set up when we get back, but they can finally stop commenting complaining to me how they don’t get any computer time anymore (which is true, they don’t cause I always need it for pictures!) and get back into the Webkinz thing.

John got me a pair of boots I had asked for, and a car and home docking station with speakers for his MY ipod (which is the one I stole from him). Cool stuff! I bought myself some books and some frames too.

We are having a GREAT time in Florida. The weather is fantastic (80’s and sunny- sorry, don’t hate me. I needed it bad!) and we have been in the pool everyday so far. The big boys just went to the driving range with John and Timmy’s napping, so I’m going to go down to the pool ALL BY MYSELF for a little while (don’t worry, grandma is staying with Timmy). I already finished one book, Plain Truth by Jodi Piccoult- read the whole thing yesterday. I almost forgot how much I love reading since it’s been so long since I have. I also had an hour and a half of blissfull massage with Asela this morning. Vacation, baby!

I can’t access my email for some reason, so if you need to reach me about anything photography related that cannot wait until after the new year, leave me a comment on the blog. I will check in periodically.

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas and that Santa brought you everything you wanted. Oh, and sorry no pictures until I get back. No way to get them off my camera to this computer. You probably don’t want to see pictures of the pool, sun, and beach with tropical waters anyway….

After the shoot on Saturday, I took a cab up to Nelson’s restaurant (Uncle Jack’s Steak House). As soon as I got in the cab, I apologized profusely to the driver…his restaurant is on 56th between 5th and 6th. That’s right near the heart of the Christmas craziness- the tree is on 50th and 5th. The driver was not particularly pleased with me. I gave him a good tip though, so he loosened up by the end.

Nelson’s restaurant is so beautiful. I wish he wasn’t so busy so I could’ve hung out a little longer (longer than the 5 minutes I was there) and taken some pictures in there. After leaving him, I decided to walk leisurely alone toward the tree to take some shots at night. Walked up 5th avenue, which is very christmasy in itself, saw the tree (again), saw them filming the opening to that America’s Choir show at Rockefeller Center, some street music too. But man….it was freeeeeeeezing. Couldn’t feel my face after a few blocks. So while I had good intentions of walking all the way back to Penn Station, I wimped out and grabbed another cab at around 42nd and 5th back to Penn. Made it 10 minutes before the train home. Good timing and a good time. God knows when the next time will be that I will have a chance to walk around NYC alone!

1. A model with a s***load of diamonds around her neck at Harry Winston.

2. The snowflake on 5th.

3. Fendi with it’s sparkly belts. Cool, huh?

4. The "bell ringer". He had to be labeled cause the fact that he’s standing in the middle of 5th Ave ringing a bell, isn’t enough of a give away as to what it is that he does. Ya know, just in case you were confused. Glad I had the camera for this one!

5. Cartier- also all sparkly. Inside and outside.

6. St. Patricks at Night. Love this one.

7. (up on top) the musical snowflakes outside of Saks. I caught them right in time for the music part which I was glad about cause we missed that on Friday.

8.the tree at night. Great view, but those damn photographers who charge to take your picture were STILL in my way.

9. Grand Central and the Chrysler Building- the chrysler bldg is my absolute favorite bldg in nyc.

Sorry, I know the pictures are sorta out of order, but most of you people are NY’ers, so you can figure it out!

The boys had a half day of school yesterday and John took the day off so we headed into NYC to go on our annual trip to the crowd-laden tree area and Times Square. Do you remember when Times Square was really Times Squaller? It was all peepshows (and worse) and drug laden and homeless and drunk and scary. It ‘s so NICE now. All pretty and disney and bright. I really like it much better this way.

Anyway, we went in with John’s parents this year, which was a lot of fun for everyone. Took the train in (there was no way I was driving in during the height of the season) which is always a big hit with the boys. Took the subway (with one extremely disgustingly smelly elevator) to Times Square and walked over to the Toys R US. Told the boys we were not buying, just looking, but if they saw something I would get it for them LATER for Christmas. But they still had nervous breakdowns over some Lego Star Wars stuff. Kinda put a damper on the rest of the day cause they were all pouty and pissy after that. Thankfully, Timmy was so ready for a nap and fell right asleep in the stroller for the walk uptown. At least someone was happy. Sleeping, but happy.

We walked up from Times Square to Rockefeller Center. Stopped on the way for a pretzel and to look at some cool window displays and some big decorations. Saw the display of the 1 million pennies that had been collected by NYC school kids to donate to charity. It was pretty cool looking. We ran in to Sharper Image to look around and warm up. Before going to the tree, we stopped in at St. Patrick’s Cathedral where the big boys chased pigeons, lit candles, and Timmy woke up from his nap.  Walked over to the actual tree which I had heard from a number of people was really, really pretty this year (it was).  Then I had a problem: It used to be that you could stand right in the middle in front of the reflecting pools and take your own pictures there- which was the best spot. They had even built a little platform in past years and people would just line up on their own and take their pictures. Now they have somekind of huge photography racket and it really PISSED me off. They have that prime area all cordened off and you must get your picture taken by NBC if you want one in that area. Of course, the picture taking is free, but the prints start at around $15 for one picture. What a fre
aking rip off! So now you have to take your picture off to the side of the tree, not in the middle with all the angels along side. It’s pretty disgusting what they can make money off of. But I cheated- I sent John and the boys in there and took my own pictures while the "pro" photographer was taking his. Timmy was NOT happy having his picture taken by this guy and he pitched a fit which lasted into my pictures. Oh well. Overphotographed syndrome.

After the tree we walked back thru the BIG crowds over to Times Square and went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for dinner. The wait wasn’t terrible since it was so early (not even 5pm) but by the time we got seated and started eating it was around 5:30pm. So it worked out really well. Timmy even told me he had to go potty (he never tells me, I just take him) and pooped in the city in the toilet! One of the highlights of the day.

All in all, it was a good day. The boys perked up after dinner and a little at the tree. Timmy was in a great mood at dinner and was even standing up in the booth dancing a bunch. He was so good about staying in the stroller much of the day. So tired today, but back into NYC for me as I have a photoshoot there this afternoon. Look for pictures on that coming soon.

Had a great time in the city today! Timmy and I went in with my friend Jen and her two boys. The main idea was for me to go to B & H Photo to check out a new lens. I previously bought the 24-70mmL thru B&H but via internet and didn’t love it, so it went back. They are so great about letting you play with their stuff so I tried out the 24mmL, the 24mm, the 20mm and the 35mmL. I bought the 24mmL which was really the first lens that I thought I wanted when I decided to upgrade to an L lens (they are professional grade). Let me tell you that I LOVE it. I was snapping away in NYC, but we were in a bit of a rush to make an early train back, so I didn’t really stop to play as much as would have liked. Got a few shots on the run. All pix w new 24L

B&H has quite the operation there. I have heard that the place was awesome, but it was definitely something I am so glad I saw firsthand. Unbelieveable selection- they have EVERYTHING there. It’s owned and run by Hasidic Jews (which I didn’t know until recently) and they were really sooooooo nice and helpful. The man who helped me was so fantastic and knowledgeable. So I walked out with a big girl new L lens, two filters (one for the 50mm lens I already have) and a "sock" for the camera. When you buy something they send it downstairs on a conveyer belt (kinda like the one they use at the drycleaners) in a little container. Then you pay and get your stuff. Super organized. So cool. I must stay FAR away from that place. Otherwise my credit card will be begging for mercy.

Timmy was PERFECT all day today. He was super on the train, great at B&H (all the guys were talking to him, drawing him pictures, and had nothing but nice things to say about him) especially since I had to go to the 2nd floor and the elevator was out. So I left the stroller downstairs and he walked upstairs with me. Since he was so good and patient at B&H, we took a walk up to the giant ToysRUs store in Times Square. Did some shopping and some playing, and some hiding behind Mommy when the big ginormous dinosaur roared, and some buying. Timmy got a set of superheros which is his latest obsession. We took a ride on the big Ferris wheel. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the Toy Story car, or the Scooby Doo car (we got the M&M’s one), but Timmy really liked the ride.

Meanwhile…Jen and her boys met up with one of her highschool friends and grabbed lunch while Timmy and I headed across the street to the MTV/Nickelodeon/Viacom building to see my friend Rich who is a VP of Promos at Nick. We only visited for a few minutes and then had to go catch the train.

I have a shoot tommorrow where I am planning on playing more with my new lens. Did I mention that I LOVE it?

Every year over Columbus Day weekend, we head out to John’s parents house on the east end. This year due to some colds, conflicting schedules with photoshoots, and the fact it is sometimes just way too hard to pack everyone up for two nights, we only did a day trip. But we did manage to cram in a zillion things in the one day. We went pumpkin picking, which included the hay ride, the bounce house, and the corn maze. We went out to a nice lunch. Timmy napped at the house with John while I took the boys to a few stores (didn’t buy anything), to the ‘east beach’, and for a drive around the area. Then we all loaded back in (along with the 24 pumpkins we bought), went out to Greenport to the carousel, the park on the water, and the duck store- where each boy got 2 little rubber duckies and Timmy got a pirate flag. We hit the Elbow Room for the BEST marinated steaks in the universe (sorry, Nel) for dinner and must’ve gotten there at the perfect time as there was no wait- that never, ever happens. We all really missed having Nelson with us this year (he always comes out for the weekend too) and it was very strange being there without him.

The pumpkin patch.

The hay ride:

The corn maze: (Jack found the coolest, fuzziest, huge caterpillar)

The east beach (where it was warm enough out that people were swimming in the sound, sunbathing, and I urged the boys to go into the water too)

The carousel:

And the park:

That about covers it in pictures.