The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: ~Our Anniversary/Graduation trip to New York~

In May I finished up the last of my classes for my Master's Degree in Public Administration. The degree wasn't one I ever would have thought to seek out, however, if fell in my lap and ended up being the perfect fit for me. I look forward to the future, when it's my time to go out and work and make a difference.

Also big, on August 16, 2018 Travis and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. It's hard to think it has already been 10 years, but at the same time when I look back over all the things we've done, places we've lived, and hard times we've overcome.... I'm really exhausted thinking it's ONLY been 10 years.

We were really fortunate to be able to celebrate both these big moments by taking a trip to New York while Travis's mom flew out to our house to take care of the kids (and man, she killed it with the kids, which made it easier to just relax and enjoy each moment of our trip).

Highlights of our New York Trip:

Sat Aug 11th: Landed in NY and went straight over to our old favorite Chinese food place by our old house. Took our stuff to Carol and Dave's brownstone, in Brooklyn and that night we went to the Jason Aldean Concert at Madison Square Garden!

Sun Aug 12th: We took our rental out to the Hamptons and brunched with the "elite 1%ers" and let me tell you, I was no impressed with some of their behavior. Then... they wanted $50 to park at their beach, and all we wanted to do was go for a walk! So, like try common folk, we parked a mile away and just walked to the beach.. ha HA... take that rich people! Then that night we had dinner with Dave, Carol, and Ashley; we've missed these friends!

The Hamptons

Mon Aug 13th: When we went out to our car we saved it just as it was about to be towed away! Travis had me throw the cones out of the way and we fled the scene! For lunch we went to Rosa's Pizza!! Best dang pizza on the planet!! We went through the New York City Library, saw the Flat Iron building, and as a HUGE bonus... the Mets were in town making up a rained out game, so they were playing the Yankees! We went. We cheered. We WON!!!!!! It was an amazing game!

Tues Aug 14th: We walked around Flushing Meadow Park (The Globe Park), walked across the Brooklyn Bridge (bucket list item for Travis), and enjoyed dinner at our favorite German restaurant, Zum Stamtich!

Our Street View

Heaven!!!

Wed Aug 15th: Beach Day! We went out to Robert Moses Beach (Fire Island) so we could see the lighthouse and enjoy the beach... and to try and avoid the crowds we walked down the beach away to where there were fewer people; however, the reason there were fewer people, we later discovered, is because it was a partially nude beach!!!

Thur Aug 16th (Our Anniversary): This was a BIG day!!!! We went to Jimmy Fallon, only to end up waiting three hours to be seated for the taping. Come to find out they had to tape Thursday and Friday's show in one night so we were able to sit for twice as much show and see extra guests come out! We got to see Arianna Grande (we were sitting right by her mom), Nick Kroll, Aerosmith, and Jennifer Lopez! For the Aerosmith performance they pulled us down to the front row and I was able to stand three feet away from the doors they came out of. Their performance was amazing! As a treat they performed a second song, and as they went to leave, I was the only one left standing on my row and as Steven Tyler walked past me (like three feet away) he blew me a kiss. I blew him one too and he pretended to be "knocked out" from it! I told Travis that was the best way to celebrate our Anniversary! Then as an added bonus They gave out tickets to their upcoming concerts to every member in the audience!!!

Fri Aug 17th: We walked 6 miles through Central Park and eventually down to NBC studios for a Jamba Juice (something we'd been craving all week). We also enjoyed a delicious lunch of Halal Guys! Then that night we went to Dinner with Dave, Carol, and Ashely to a French restaurant to end our trip!

Sat Aug 18th: We took a 4am Uber, flew to Minnesota where we waited several hours before our room was ready to check in to, and then Lori arrived with the kids! We all tripped over to Costco for shopping and lunch. Addie and I napped while the rest went to the pool. Then for dinner we all went to the M.O.A. and hung out for a bit before dropping Gma Lori back at the hotel and starting our drive home.

While we were gone Gma Lori took great care of the kids and they missed her the minute she left! She took them to the museum, played outside, visited the Farmer's Market, they made star wars cookies, got the house all cleaned, and so much more!