We have so enjoyed all of our Visitors to NYC since our arrival here in March 2016. And please all know how much they have lifted us and brightened our time away from home! But to finally be able to "Welcome" our own family members is truly a great experience we look so forward to. And on October 8-11, 2016--it happened!! Exciting Time!! Brad & Cassi Mumford made it to NYC!! Brad had a training for his Air Guard duties in Washington, DC--so they planned to stay for a few days with us before that training took place. How wonderful to "first" see them as they arrived at the Manhattan Temple to participate in a Session (which was one of the 3 Spanish-only sessions and I think they even declined the headphones) on that Saturday. What a great start to our time with them!! Brad has always been a great "planner" and before any trip--he always has an itinerary that he outlines, refines and then incorporates into the trip. (He did it when we visited them in Japan in 2014). He did so for this trip. He had things planned for us to do together and activities and sights for he & Cassi to do while we were doing our Temple Service. Now ordinarily, if you planned to visit--and that time included a Monday--we would be "free" to spend the day with you as that is our P-day and the Temple is closed. But there are 5 "government holidays" in the year that are not usually observed by other entities yet they are "holidays"-- and the NY Manhattan Temple IS OPEN for the 9:00 and 11:00 am Sessions--and the Temple Missionaries are the ones who "run" the temple on those days--no Volunteer ordinance workers are expected to come in. So--October 10th was Coumbus Day--and we had to be in the temple until about 12:30 pm--so they signed up for a "Walking Food Tour"-- which they thoroughly enjoyed with about 36 other people--from all over the world!! This was Cassi's first visit to NYC--so they bought the
New York Pass-- which allowed them to choose several places/things to do & see over the 3 full days they were here. We joined them for the 9/11 museum, the Intrepid & the Air, Water and Space Museum, a stop at the M & M store, Broadway play--."Wicked" and a Juilliard School Concert, "The American Brass Quintet" (excellent!), Stardust Diner and our favorite Indian restaurant, Kismat up in Washington Heights. On their own they did Lady Liberty, Top of the Rock (Rockefeller center Observarory--really cool view of the City--especially at night) and rented a tandem bike and rode around in Central Park!! They also did the Hop On/Hop Off Bus tour--a few stops. We did have such a great time--and we walked and walked and walked!! We "captured" a few pics to "remember and celebrate" our time together--it was Wonerful!!
Central Park and the statue of Balto-- the famed sled dog who led a dogsled team the last 53 treacherous miles in a 1,000 mile journey from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska and got medicine to that village and "saved" them from a diphtheria epidemic/outbreak. This journey in 1925 is where the idea of the Iditarod race first started.
At our Sunday Meetings in Rego Park 1st Ward (in Queens)
City Hall in Downtown NYC
That was a Rainy Sabbath
Aboard and below on the Submarine called "The Growler"
9/11 Reflecting Pools
Inside the Star Dust diner where the Wait staff sing to you while your eat. They were great--we requested a Neil Diamond song, "Sweet Caroline"-- and tho' they don't " do requests"-- a few minutes later this great voice starts singing " Where it began . . . " and the song was launched!! Good times!!
Brad, me and E Mumford--submarine controls
Brad & Cassi--on Submarine
Outside famous "Ellen's Stardust Diner"
On our way to see "Wicked"
Our view of the stage for "Wicked"
L to R-- Brad & Cassi Mumford, S Carol Mumford and E Ron Mumford
" Saying Good-Bye" as Cassi & Brad leave our apartment early Octoer 12th--heading to Penn Station to catch the train to Washington, DC. Can I just say "how I dislike Goodbyes" but so THANK YOU FOR COMING!!
We look forward to "Hosting" many more of you!!
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