Christmas NYC 2010

It’s the experiences that hide in the unexpected moments that are the most memorable. We’ve had many of those this holiday season, and I will cherish all of them for years to come.

My mom and sister flew into NYC a few days before Christmas. They left behind family, friends, a new boyfriend and a serious boyfriend to spend time with my children, husband and myself.

Jack was beside himself for weeks about their impending visit, every day asking when they would be here. I miss them so much that my heart and chest physically ache when they aren’t here, so I was also beyond excited for them celebrate our first Christmas with us in New York City.

In the days before the big night, we shopped and mingled around Rockefeller Center and the packed city streets, taking in everything we possibly could.

First time at Build-a-Bear (Justin lost a bet, clearly, with the ‘stash)

We made sugar cookies for Santa and left carrots for his reindeer. We haven’t decided how exactly Santa gets into our apartment. He certainly doesn’t take the subway. Justin knocked over a couple of plants in front of the windows to make it look like he busted through our living room that way… I’m still undecided if that is a little creepy or not. Time will tell as they get older, I suppose.

It was a beautiful first Christmas in New York City.

… and then the unexpected.

The Great Blizzard of 2010 hit the day after Christmas. 17 inches of snow was dumped on the city, reeking havoc on the unprepared city systems. 1,500 flights were grounded in NYC alone- my mom and sister’s being one of them. They will be with us until January 3rd or thereabout (no complaints on my part!).

Justin and I were able to grab a date night and watched from a restaurant as it pounded the city. It was really beautiful.

We were like little kids playing in the snow. The city was deserted, aside from a few revelers, a couple of cross-country skiers, and the various struggling cars and drivers trying desperately to move through the mess. It was definitely a sight to behold. The chaos and slush in the following days have also been memorable, but I’m certainly not complaining.

We weren’t expecting a white Christmas, or to enjoy our family beyond the few precious days they were here. I’m enjoying every single moment in the last days of 2010- one of the most fantastic years of my life.

Happy Holidays and much love from my family to yours!

Photos in Central Park courtesy of Thaddeus Harden and Shutterfly.