"When you were born, you were crying, and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying."
"It is easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult...Choose your words wisely."
"The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. DON'T GIVE UP."
Wow, where do I begin to write about a fabulous week in New York City with five crazy, wonderful, energetic, and loving daughters and granddaughters! It all went by so fast and now we're all back home to reality. We made some pretty wonderful memories and lifted each other's spirits so much.
Since the Nauvoo Temple has been shutdown for three weeks I decided to meet my family in New York. Tiffini, Traci, Kristin, Tieler and Ellie meet me there for a roller coaster ride of fun. We went to so many places and saw so much I don't know where to begin. I guess at the first would be the best place.
I arrived on Monday and Traci and Ellie meet me at the JFK Airport. It was so late that we taxied to the city and crashed.
Sometime either Tuesday or Wednesday Traci and Ellie rode bikes thru Central Park. I sat down and people watched and then walked back to our hotel about 10 blocks. The weather was beautiful that day and a great day to be outdoors. We did so many things that I get all the days mixed up. All I know is that I loved every minute.
The next day Traci had everything planned out so we could see and do a ton of things. We spent most of the day in Chelsea. There are so many fun shops and restaurants in that area of Manhattan. We loved the Chelsea Market and ate lobster rolls for lunch. Ellie hates seafood so she covered her nose most the time. We also walked on the High Line an old railroad track converted into a park where people can walk and enjoy the gardens. From there we went to Columbia University to see the campus. Maybe Ellie will go here to school someday. Work on a scholarship the tuition is out of sight.
Our next stop was at Absolute Bagels for their wonderful bagels of every kind and cream cheese. From there we walked to St. John the Devine Cathedral. Beautiful building but very cold internally and externally. You come away with a feeling of emptiness.
Tuesday night we went to the new Ground Zero Museum. It was free admission that night and what a crowd. Normally it costs $25.00 to get in so everyone came that night. It was amazing and very touching. So many lives lost for such a random act of terrorism. I'll never forget the photos on the walls of people jumping to their deaths, and spectators feeling obligated to watch their final act of courage in honor of those heroic people. A very powerful place to visit and remember what took place on that dreadful day on 9/11. During that day we also went to Dominique Ansel's for cronuts and DKAs. We always shared just a bit with each other. So many places to go and so many fun foods to try. Rice to Riches was also delicious. Love the rum rice pudding. Yes, I think we all gained a few pounds.
Wednesday we continued our whirlwind of activities by going to the play "You Can't Take It With You." A hilarious mixed up play about a crazy family. Really enjoyed it! That night we went to Aladdin. Wow, the show was so exciting and the staging was amazing. Loved the costumes and fun antics of the genie and Aladdin. We ate at John's Pizzera before the play and of course we loved it. Nothing better than New York pizza!
Late Wednesday night Tiffini, Kristin and Tieler arrived. We had adjoining rooms so we woke up when they arrived and had to hug and kiss and catch up on all the latest adventures with them.
Thursday morning came very early for us since we stayed up so late. We had to be at the "Live with Kelly and Michael Show" by 7:45. It was so cold waiting to get into the show. We all had a great time.
Traci, if I've gotten all these places and events mixed up, please forgive me. Just know that everywhere we went was spectacular and memorable. Your planning was amazing and we saw so much thanks to your organization.
After the Kelly and Michael Show we waked a half a block to the Manhattan Temple. Tieler and Ellie did family baptisms while Tiffini and I did initiatories. Traci and Kristin went back to the baptistry and watched the girls get baptized. It's a beautiful temple but very small and very few temple workers around. They didn't have enough workers for Traci and Kristin to do any initiatories. All the temple workers had to go and help with the endowment session. I think they could use Rudi and I there as temple workers. It wouldn't be a bad place to serve. In fact a great place to serve. I love New York!
We then had lunch at the Shake Shack. Great burgers!
Wednesday night we saw Cinderella. we all wished Addie, Ainsley and Callie could've been there to see all the glitz and glamour of this show. Someday I'll need to take them to New York to see how amazing it all is.
Friday and Saturday we went to the Empire State Building and Ground Zero. Tieler has never been to see the tourist attractions so we enjoyed watching her and her reaction to it all. Her first time on the subway, time square at night with all the lights, lots of taxi cab rides, all the fun stores, Maceys, Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station, American Girl Place, Rockefeller Center, Serendipity for the best and largest hot fudge sundaes in the world. Yes, Grandmas favorite place to go!
Saturday night Traci, Tiffini, Ellie and I went to see the play If/Then. By then I was so wasted that I must admit I don't remember a lot but the girls said it was great. Idina Menzel was the lead and has a great voice. What I heard was really good.
By Sunday we all were getting tired but still ready to keep going. We took the ferry to Brooklyn and saw the Manhattan skyline from the ferry. We then walked back to Manhattan over the Brooklyn bridge. Yes, I walked all the way back. Check that off my bucket list. I felt so good but very tired. Glad I did it! After we had our last meal together at Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn. What a way to end a fantastic vacation with the best people ever. Thanks girls for making my memories of New York so wonderful. I know I have forgotten so many things but all I know is that I'll never forget this trip and I hope we can have many more together.
We all flew home Sunday night. So hard to say goodbye again, but I'll see them again in a short 41/2 months. Rudi picked me up in Moline after a two hour delay in Chicago. It's good to be back and continue on with the best mission in the church.
Today, Tuesday we started back at the temple. So many changes, new phone system to learn, new covered chairs in all the endowment rooms. Rudi and crew did a wonderful job on the chairs while I was playing. He really deserves a vacation but we're back in the saddle again. Today we're working a double shift. We went in this morning at 9:00 to 1:00, then home until 5:00 to 9:00 tonight. I guess we'll survive but very different.
Well, for those of you who have survived reading all of this email, congratulations. My fingers and hands are really tingling now. I went to the doctor yesterday and found out that the reason my hands go numb and tingle are due to carpal tunnel problems. I'm scheduled to see a surgeon on Dec. 9th to get it fixed. So much fun, NOT!
I was so sorry to hear about my Aunt Caroly passing away last Saturday while I was gone. She was such a special person to me. We shared our diabetes stories. She was such a fighter right up to the end. I'll miss her so much. Two of my moms sisters have passed away so close together. I'm sure mom is having a great reunion with them in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with Uncle John and his family. We love you and feel your loss.
Now I really do have to close and get ready to go back to the temple. We love you all and always appreciate your support.
Stay warm somehow! We're freezing again just like last year.
Love always,
Rudi and Kathy
Six girls in New York loving every minute and loving each other.
One way to stay warm in New York, drink lots of hot chocolate, steamed milk and hot cider, YUM!
On top of the world at the Empire State Building. Really cold up there but a beautiful blue sky, couldn't ask for more!
At the broadway play Cinderella. Love being with such fun people and enjoying so many plays and musicals.
Of course eating was one of our main interests. So many new and exciting places to try out. Churro's in hot chocolate. Reminds me of Madrid.
Aladdin was fabulous. Love New York and all the great musicals.
Grandma and Ellie in Time Square.
Traci and I enjoying a quick pastry and rest.
New Ground Zero Museum. So very interesting and touching. Don't miss it if you're in New York.
Our first play was You Can't Take It With You. So funny and very entertaining. Ellie in the corner at the bottom of the picture.
At the Kelly and Michael show. We love seeing all kinds of the New York culture.
On the subway again. We got pretty good at riding all over the city.
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Yes, I walked every step myself, with a little help from my friends. Really cold day but so fun to be with my girls.
Grandma with Tieler and Ellie on the Brooklyn Bridge. Thank goodness for these two sweethearts who helped their old grandma make the over mile walk.
Pizza in Brooklyn to celebrate making the walk across the bridge. I'll walk anywhere for pizza!
The whole gang at Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn.
Stopping for macrons and a quick rest and break from the cold.
Ellie and Tiffini at the top of the Empire State Building.
Mom and her two girls. Do you see and resemblance?
Shopping with Ellie for her cactus! Hope it made it home in tack.
Super granddaughters! So much fun to hang out with. They know how to make me feel young!
Traci, me and Ellie at Columbus University in Manhattan. Maybe Ellie will get a scholarship here some day then I can come and visit her all the time.
