one fine day

It was one fine day in New York City as Adam, Ben, Amy and I made a trip back East. We spent one day in the Big Apple and then the weekend in D.C. with Brian, Kelly, Sam and Vivian (coming to a post near you).

Now, for those of you who didn't have the pleasure of knowing 13-year-old Bri (alias: Breezy), I had quite the obsession with a little movie called "One Fine Day." It starred Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney, and there was a heart-fluttering "puddle part" where George picks up Michelle and carries her over a puddle in front of the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.

I loved this moment. I rewound this moment circa 2,673 times. I knew that one day it would happen to me.

And, in fact, it's happened twice. Sister Erin picked me up in front of the Bethesda when I was 16 (love you, Ers-Bears!), and then Adam picked me up at age 24. It's been 11 years, and it still makes me swoon.

So ... 2,674 anyone?

Here are a few other pictures (OK, a ton) of our fabulous day in the city that never sleeps. Since we flew in on the red-eye, we fit right in.

Good Eats
Sarabeth's is my hands down favorite breakfast spot in New York.

Proof
And here's why.
Smiles Central
After breakfast, it was off to Central Park for the most perfect mid-day jaunt.

The pretty lilacs.

I'm obsessed with self portraits.

By the way, Adam's quitting his job at E*Trade to become a photographer, specializing in tulips. We're gonna be rich!
Cute!
Amy and Ben were caught canoodling on the steps.
How bout them Apple?
Someday my MacBook Air will come.

"To...to...to...to...today, Junior!"
Junior's Cheesecake is the hands down best cheesecake in the world.

Wicked fun.
And Wicked the musical is the hands down best show in the world. I've seen it three times!
(Question: Is this post showcasing my obsessive compulsive (OC) Hallstrom gene? I think it might be. And yes, there is no "D" because we don't have a disorder. We're just .... passionate.)

Wicked grateful.
Amy and Ben are the most stellar of travel companions.

Take One.
The puddle part wasn't built in a day, you know.

Take two.
And ... cut.

this is kara-lara

Let me tell you a little something about this sister of mine.

She's the most clever girl you'll ever meet.

She's passionate.

She's generous.

She's silly.

She's got a wicked side. (Wicked cool!)

She's adorable.

She's a catch.

She's crazy good at Karaoke Revolution. (Nearly as good as me.)

She's completely lovely.

She's easily egged on when you can't stop giggling at her jokes.

She's a confidant.

She's a best friend.

She's a sister.

And she's 29 today. Happy birthday, love.

mom's the word

How do we love our mothers? Let us count the ways.

First up, Mom Hallstrom. We love:

1. How she absolutely adores her family.
2. Her love of the gospel.
3. Her engaging storytelling.
4. Her infectious love of birthdays.
5. That she understands everything.
6. That she still loves holding my hand.
7. That she loves and finds success at TJ Maxx, despite the fact that it's totally cluttered and overwhelming!
8. That she's an incredible scriptorian.
9. That everyone who meets her wants to be her friend.
10. Her ability to make everything beautiful.

Next is Mom Stewart. We love:
1. How she absolutely adores her family.
2. Her love of the gospel.
3. Her sage wisdom.
4. Her stellar sense of humor.
5. That she tickles your back when you sit next to her.
6. The way she listens.
7. The permanent twinkle in her eye. (Seriously, she's always smiling!)
8. That she can never get mad at Adam. (Isn't that right, Mom?)
9. Her scrumptious cooking.
10. Her hugs. They're the best.

We love you both! Thanks for showing me who I want to be when I grow up.

Note: We realize this is a day late, but we were traveling back from D.C. and couldn't post in time. But really, shouldn't every day be Mother's Day?