Finishing up NYC

On our last day in the big city we walked down 5th Ave.  We stopped by St. Patricks Cathedral.  It is a beautiful church.  It reminded me of the churches in Germany.

They had a huge nativity. 

"After the angel announced Jesus’ birth to some wide-eyed shepherds, a chorus of angels began “praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest!’” (Luke 2:13-14). The shepherds responded by running to Bethlehem where they found the newborn King lying in a barnyard bassinet.

They returned to their fields “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (v.20).

Coming face to face with the Son inspired the shepherds to worship the Father."

The alter was adorned with wreaths and the stain glass glowed as the light shined through them.

But what we thought was so impressive was the organ. It had such detail and so many pipes! You can barely see the organist playing.

Next we stopped at St. Thomas Cathedral. 

Their alter was all hand carved!

Love the details!

Then we walked farther down the street to check out all the commercialism of Christmas.  The stores were wrapped in lights and the windows filled with sparklely things.

We are in the Apple store elevator.

I had to check out FAO Schwartz!

Well that pretty much wraps up our little trip to the big city.  Thanks for following along.

The Annanie Christmas

We hope you had a wonderful Christ filled Christmas.  Here at the Annanie house we were busy doing our favorite things, eating Chirstmas cookies and playing games.  After Christmas Eve church services we gathered in front of the Christmas tree for our yearly photo.  I got a new camera this year so I took a bit longer to get a good shot.  I work better with things that don't move, hahaha.  But I must say Michael and I have some good looking kiddos!

Trying to get Blue in a picture is hard. Matthew and Sarah got him to sit still for this quick picture.

Every year I try to get picture of just the kids. 

 I have given up on the serious picture and enjoy their creativity to make it fun. 

Christopher is into weight lifting right now and wanted to see if he could lift his brother and sister.  He last about one second, long enough to get this picture.

Here are the stockings I made this year.  I bought the stocking for 2.00 at Walmart.  Then I doodled everyones name onto some canvas and hot glued them on.  Do you notice anything different about this picture?????  There is one more stocking this year!  That is because .......

Matthew asked this beautiful young lady to marry him a few days ago.  Let me introduce the future Mrs Sarah Annanie.  She is a wonderful girl and we welcome her into the family! 

Christmas Cookies

This past weekend Michael and I worked

together to make Christmas cookies. 

Since our nest is empty,

we made our favorite holiday treats. 

We make a great team. 

Below are the links for the for all the recipes.

Thumbprint

Pecan Tarts

Spritz

Pecan Balls

Pretzel Turtles

Snickerdoodle

Peanut Blossoms

All of these cookies will be served at our family "Cookie Day".  Each year we get together to play games and enjoy  appetizers and cookies. 

NYC Day 2

Today we spent the day hiking around Central Park. 

This was a great respite from the business of the city.

We took some time to skate at Wollmen Rink.  I was a bit wobbley, but Michael pulled me around the ice!

It was beautiful day on the ice!

At dusk we went down to Rockefeller Center

 to take pictures of the lights.

These giant ornaments were really cool! 

 I loved how they sparkled.

Isn't this a cool shot.  Michael saw it,

and I grabbed the shot. 

Boy, is this a big tree.  This area was sooooo crowded! 

 Not too many people are ice skating.  

It costs big $$$ to skate down there.

 

Thanks for stopping by............... 
Tomorrow I will post the rest of my NYC pictures.

NYC Day 1

It has been about 6 years since we have been to New York City.  So we thought we would go during the holidays to check out all the lights and activities of the season.  Our hotel was near Times Square.  It has changed a bit since we had been here before. 

They have added tables and chairs to the area.  The roads are blocked off so it is more of a open walkway.

Of course it is still the brightest and visually stimulating place in town!

There is a new store just for M& M's, really?? 

 Just another gimick to get us to spend our $$!

They did have a pretty Christmas tree!

The screens looked so clear. 

We went to go see the Broadway play Wicked. 

 It was really good.  Tomorrow I will share all the Christamas lights and our day in Central Park.

Thanks for stopping by................