Summer in NY: We're engaged!

Catskill, NY on the Hudson River

The end of our summer in New York definitely ended on a high note! Spending time with my nephew, a visit to NYC, meeting my friends' new born babies, and more family events. But, one of the most exciting things was getting engaged! A very nice surprise by Jaap and received with much love and excitement! Jaap is good at creating romantic moments. We're so happy and it was extra special being able to share it with family and friends. I can't wait til I can call him my hubbie!

So many things happened in New York during Jaap's two weeks visit. Too much to write about, but here are some of my favorite things about New York, America, and home!

Game day with Jaap and Joey. A day full of mini-golf, go-carts, laser tag, and a great arcade!

Visiting my hometown, seeing friends, and being able to hold the newest members of our Catskill clan. Congratulations to Katie, Joe, and beautiful Baby Cole!

Getting engaged on the beautiful Hudson! Unfortunately, if we were to take this picture today I would be completely underwater because of the devastations left by Hurricane Irene. My heart goes out to everyone in the Catskills... so sad. 

Holding more babies when we met Heather & Chris' new little one Gavin! One more to the Catskill clan. 

Festivities at the annual Pardo family picnic. This is an action shot of me before Shannon and I won the water balloon toss.

Seeing Shannon...

and my niece Elin. She's so cute. :)

Happy birthday to Titi Vivian & Pop.

My two favorite people.

Sharing our Dutch traditions in America. Playing Kolonisten aka Settlers of Catan with the Pardos.

Cosmopolitans with Amanda & Jaap at the Russian Vodka Room. Please note: This is one of my FAVORITE things about NYC. It is the best cosmo you will ever have. No joke. (If you're in NYC and wanna check it out: 52nd between 7th and 8th) LEKKER!

Vegan dinner date with Shannon at Angelica's Kitchen, our favorite restaurant.

Visiting Jaap's former residence of Roosevelt Island. (It's a tiny island between Manhattan and Queens.)

Riding the newly renovated tram.

Walking around Central Park and see my favorite spot, the Bethesda Fountain.

The sculpture garden on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

 and the collection of musical instruments. 

 Good-bye lunch with Shannon & Susan at Alchemy in Park Slope. 

Family time...Pop & Elin.

 Visiting the Jim Henson exhibit at the Museum of Moving Image in Queens. Jaap is an official Muppet collector, so this was a very special day for us. Here we are trying to sneak a few illegal shots of Jaap with some original muppets. 

But, my favorite about being home are family and friends. Being able to hug my parents, niece, and nephew are the best things! And at the same time, the worst thing is hugging my parents good-bye at the airport when we leave. I dread it every time because I know I won't see the for a few more months. On the plus side, we already bought our tickets of Christmas. We'll be home for the holidays!

Pardo BBQ, Kate & Joe's wedding & NY farewell

Hello from Maastricht! Jaap and I arrived safely on Tuesday morning. Thanks to Jaap's parents and family I feel very welcomed in our new Dutch home. (Pictures to be posted later).

Two weeks ago was the Pardo family picnic. Festivities included the annual water balloon toss (which Jaap and I placed 2nd in), wiffle ball game, some good Puerto Rican BBQ fare, and of course lots of yelling and screaming. (Mostly over a forgotten cheesecake that was accidentally left in Queens).

Special thanks to Cathy and Chris Pardo for hosting the shindig and Titi Vivian for some excellent rice!

We went to NYC on Monday to visit friends and NYC. We visited the MOMA and had dinner with Shannon, Michael, Amanda, and Susan in Hell’s Kitchen. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures that night. :) But, here’s a pic of Jaap and me at the MOMA with Starry night in the background.

On August 19^th, Jaap and I traveled to Foxboro, MA for Katie and Joe’s wedding. Congrats to my dear friends who are currently enjoying their honeymoon in Alaska! ‘Extreme weddings’ continued complete with repeat performances of Poker Face and of course Since You’ve Been Gone. Meaghan and Caroline treated the newlyweds to a special treat of some Irish dancing. (You can see Meaghan below choosing some tunes with the DJ). Congrats again to the newlyweds! It was a beautiful wedding.

Last weekend Uncle Vinny, Aunt Carol, Shannon, Lee, and my nephew Joey came over for a good-bye dinner. Aunt Carol brought the famous chocolate mousse cake. J Joey opened up his barbershop and gave Shannon, Jaap, and myself some haircuts. Rates were very reasonable. $2 for a haircut and customers receive $150 back in fake money.

I taught Joey how to play a few three-note tunes on the recorder and he gave a short recital to the family. Later on, Jaap taught my parents how to play Kolinisten (aka Settlers of Catan). It was a great weekend spending time with family and friends before our trip to NL.