When Jeff and Demi came to town! New York!

Paul's brother Jeff and his wife Demi came to visit us at the beginning of June and boy did we have a full docket.

We just went non-stop all week and I have the pictures to prove it.

We picked them up at JFK at headed to Staten Island where we stopped in at the Bay Street Luncheonette. The owner (Paul) made sure to welcome Demi with a nice "How YOU doin'?", Staten Island style.

Then we rode the Staten Island Ferry and enjoy the Manhattan skyline and misty sunrise.

After some Wall Street fun - we walked past my favorite Trinity Church and cemetery.

And Paul and Jeff and their best friend in the background hung out.

And then we watched these two crazies catch a huge fish out of the North River and when I asked for a picture of it they just stomped their foot right on that fish, ripped out it's hook and let it flap around while they went back to their lines.

I promise it was so weird.

Then the Goatesies arrived in the big city and Reuby was just being a charmer and holding everyone's hands... including MINE! This has never happened.

 

Then we headed to the 9/11 Memorial and took it all in. Cute Reuben tracing his "R" was one of the best parts.

Then the whole crew (all 9 of us) hopped on the Subway and headed up to Chelsea.

This is Nathan saying, "My only goal in life is to keep her off the pole, and I've already failed".

I was just so happy to see the Highline in the green summer!

Reuben and Marian enjoyed wrestling, and I enjoyed watching.            
             

Then I had this great idea to take a picture staring into the sun.

Ombre Ivy and more cute siblings.

 

Window pictures of the whole group!

And I just walk too fast and left them all across the street.

New York Public Libraryyyyy

Nicest public bathroom in Bryant Park includes fresh flower bouquets and rotating lined seats.

 

Then we walked over to the American Doll store, and Paul and Jeff tried to find their perfect match. Until we realized the convenient couch we had found was actually in some private party room and then we felt a bit embarrassed and walked right out when all the 7-year-olds started gathering for a group picture with their dolls.

I've never had an American Girl Doll or understood the craze of it, until this moment. She even had mouth guard!!

Rockefeller Center

And the necessary chocolate cake stop.

More hooker time...

And then we sailed with Pirates back to Staten Island.

or... on the Staten Island Ferry more accurately.

And it was lovely.