Mother's Day Trip! #MomsandGrams

We were so lucky to have our Moms and Moms' Moms out to New York for Mother's Day this year!  And since it was Kathleen and Grandma Bev's first trip to the Big Apple, we made sure the schedule was packed tight with plenty of sightseeing and yummy food!  They got in on Thursday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed their taxi driver's interesting commentary and the majestic city skyline on the drive in.  Meg greeted them at their hotel after work and gave a quick tour of her office before they headed to dinner on the subway.

Checking out the pink rubber ducks in the Channel Gardens at 30 Rock

Central Park in the Spring from the 61st floor

Subway riding to dinner!

Who's that sexy man behind you guys?!

Our first planned dinner took us to the Meatpacking District for a modern take on Southeast Asian Cuisine at Spice Market.  We enjoyed a bounty of unique appetizers and the warm breeze.  Gregg was held up by an unusually late case at the hospital but made it just in time for dessert and a post-dinner chat back at the hotel.

It was a lovely night out, they had the windows and doors open

On Friday, our visitors took a tour bus around to check out the city in style.  Little did we know that they would blanket the entire island of Manhattan with their tour! (Not pictured: 45 minutes stopped dead in downtown traffic while FDNY put out a structure fire.)

They did all of the Red line, then ALL of the Blue line! Sightseeing champions!

On Friday evening, we made it to one of our favorite restaurants, ABC Kitchen in Gramercy.  Dinner was incredible and Gregg got to enjoy all the courses this time. After our delicious meal we headed back to Brooklyn, where we had found an apartment for the Moms to stay a block away from our own.

Saturday, Gregg was on call at the hospital, but the ladies had a lovely time checking out Poppy's for breakfast which doesn't have regular hours and operates as sporadic "pop-ups".  Lucky for us they had one this weekend! After breakfast we headed to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden to take in the full effect of Spring.

Cherry blossom petals everywhere!

Recognize anyone?

Bonzai!

Japanese Garden

Princess Irene Tulips

Chinese Tree Peony

Gram met the artist of the painting that she purchased. 
She even got a hand written note from her on the back!

In line for a Mister Softee :)

Excited for her Froyo!

Enjoying their treats in front of the Brooklyn Museum.  

Happy campers :)

At Cobble Hill Park, on our way to get groceries for dinner

We demanded our guests allow us to host and prepare Mother's Day Brunch at our apartment. Gregg got back from his night of call as soon as he could and the prep was on!

Gregg killed it on the mini pancakes

The spread: fresh fruit, yogurt parfait, quiche and mini pancakes

#TotesBrooklyn 

The Beatles, I mean, The Moms walking through Brooklyn Heights

To the Promenade!



Walking off our brunch on the Promenade

Another meal?  Okay!  Mother's day dinner at Watty and Meg just down the block from our apartment. 

Getting dessert at the Chocolate Room!

Monday called for more sightseeing.  The Moms had explored the city by bus, by subway, by taxi, and by foot but now it was time to explore it....by boat!  We took the NY Taxi Boat along the Hudson River to check out the great views of Lady Liberty and Downtown Manhattan.

Not too crowded down below on a Monday

We got off the Water Taxi for lunch at El Luchador in South Street Sea Port. Always time for a quick history lesson! 

One more stop on the Water Taxi and we were back in DUMBO (Brooklyn).

Don't worry Brad, we didn't go here without you!

Exploring more of Gregg and Meg's running route next to Jane's Carousel

Iconic shot of the Manhattan Bridge framing the Empire State building

As dinner approached, it was time for our favorite pizza on the planet, Lucali...

...with some of our favorite wine, Caymus

Dessert at Farmacy, which is on the ground floor of the Moms' apartment building. 
To clarify, Kelly and Gram's desserts were "half" Sundaes :)

What a trip! We were sad to say goodbye but had a wonderful time together. Hopefully we helped make their trip a memorable one! Same time next year??

Honeymoon in Antigua!

Our original plan for honeymooning was a trip to Cabo after our wedding in June. However, residency had different plans and we had to rethink the schedule.  We had 2 weeks between our wedding and the first day of residency to graduate from dental school, find an apartment in NYC, pack up our entire SF apartment, and move across the country! With heavy hearts we canceled the Cabo trip and settled for a two-night midweek stay on Lake Tahoe to keep our sanity.  We promised each other then that as soon as we could, we'd book that trip for white sand, blue water, and tropical cocktails.  And as luck would have it, Gregg was given a week off in early Spring and we set about finding the perfect resort.  After a grueling first 3 months of winter and Gregg working over 80 hours a week at the hospital, we eagerly booked the week at Galley Bay in Antigua, the perfect spot to enjoy our belated Honeymoon.

SO excited, even at 6 am!  Sunshine here we come!

Obviously Meg had to hit up the Fun Zone, she must've thought we were in Newport

One of the perks of flying on Easter Sunday is the flight attendants set up an Easter egg hunt for the passengers

Very impressed with the first class amenities.  Quiche, fresh fruit, and a warm biscuit! 

Gregg getting his round of golf in: "I crushed that drive"

A quick hop and a skip and we were in Antigua! Just a 4 hour direct flight from NYC.

Sugarmill here at the resort but they were all over the island, too, leftover from colonial days

First step on the deck, our closed-toe city shoes came off in a hurry

Our suite (top)

We had a nice warm welcoming from the resort staff

Meg could hardly wait to get her suit on and get in the sunshine.
Gregg needed a minute to lay down on the bed.

Our "walk" to the beach

We didn't realize it until after we came home, but Galley Bay was one of the resorts where they filmed the Finale of Desiree's Bachelorette season.  Neato!

Even after staring at it all week, we still can't get over how beautiful the water is

Instantly our favorite member of the staff: the lady who brings homemade popsicles to you out on the beach! #hotdoglegs #guavapassionfruit

We did have a few heavy showers a couple of the days, but they were gone the next minute and it was always a balmy 80+ degrees

Life is tough when you are honeymooning ;)

Meg completely content on the balcony

Gregg making friends with a fellow photographer during the sunset... :P

Where we enjoyed many dinners throughout the week, Gaugin Restaurant.  Each palapa is its own private table.

Good morning, Antigua

Our lizard friend. He and his buddies loved to hang under the stairs to our suite.

Before our dinner at Sea Grape, the main restaurant for the resort

Poppin' bottle(s)

Nearly everyday a cruise ship or two would come in to St. Johns, the capital city, in the morning and depart in the evening

Enjoying a Cuban stogie with a view

The birds were quick to spot an unattended beverage or snack

Before our dinner at Ismay's, the resort's premier restaurant with a great inspiration

Another beautiful sunset...

...and beautiful lady

Gregg dragged Meg off the beach for some lunchtime munchies at the Barefoot Grill

View from the Grill

Our go-to spot for drinks, the TeePee Bar

This was our breakfast view every morning at the Sea Grape

Soaking up more sunshine.  And a Banana Slide :)

GROWWWW, GROWWWW

We had a perfect week, exactly what we had hoped for when we started planning our Honeymoon over a year ago.  And although we were so sad to leave, we were glad that Spring had finally started to show itself back home.  One final look at the gorgeous water after takeoff. Until next time, Antigua! We LOVE you <3