London 2012

This year we traveled to London from Spain for a long weekend to see the 2012 Olympics.















We went to the British Museum on Friday, the night of the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics, and we had the place to ourselves.

Highlights included seeing the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies.

On our first full day in London we got to see the Men's Cycling Road Race.














The next day we went to the Women's Cycling Road Race.

Alexi really enjoyed the afternoon he spent at the V & A Children's Museum.

One of our favorite destinations, recommended by our friend Gloria from Spain, was Kew Gardens.

The Italian food in London was delicious - pasta makes everyone happy!  The Maitre d' of il Castelletto was a Spaniard who enjoyed conversing with David and Alexi.  And Alexi patronized a local lemonade stand at the Olympics.

Sharon and David were last in London in February 2005, so it was fun to share the sites with Alexi.  Pictured, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben.

Sharon spent one night at the open air Globe Theatre to see Richard III.  One word: phenomenal!

Besides the Olympics, we visited a bunch of museums and historic sights in London.  Here we are at the Tower of London (check out Alexi's great T-shirt from Auntie Jen!).

On our last day we toured Tower of London and got to see Tower Bridge in its Olympic glory.

We had a great time in London together.  Looking forward to a future visit with the newest addition to our family!

Spain 2012

We vacationed once again this summer on the beautiful Costa Brava in Spain.

This year marked Alexi's 4th time, Sharon's 10th time & David's 32nd(!) time in San Feliu de Guixols, Spain.

Alexi went in the pool every single day.  He loves jumping in the water, putting his face underwater, swimming tummy and backstroke and playing with his German, French and Spanish friends in the pool.  We also had a great time going to the beach - David and Alexi loved building moats together.

We very much enjoyed daily the Spanish tradition of la siesta: la comida (shared family meal in the middle of the day) and naps (for all of us!) afterwards.

Sharon and David took a day trip to Barcelona to celebrate (a little bit early!) our 10 year Wedding Anniversary.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a vegetarian restaurant called Teresa i Carles and walking along the incomparable Rambla.

Next we toured the Palau Guell by Gaudi.  Absolutely amazing architecture and interior design, and signature mosaic roof design.

 







We ended our day in Barcelona on bikes.  We rented bikes and rode around the city, hailing back to the first time we rode bikes together in Berlin through the Brandenburg Gate on our European backpacking trip.

Alexi still loves driving the cars and trucks at the Festa Mayor in San Pol. And this year he had a blast riding bumper cars with David (this would NOT be allowed at theme parks in the USA!).

We enjoyed our annual walk around the beautiful Ronda, with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean.

Alexi had fun climbing the steps and attempting to open the door to nowhere (he kept trying with papi's key!), and reading on the Ronda.

Alexi enjoyed spending time with our very good German friends Nina and Sven and their daughter Ana.

For the first time this year, we took Alexi out on a paddle boat (barco de patines).  While mami and papi paddled with our feet, Alexi steered the boat.  He loved going down the slide in the boat into the Mediterranean!

David and Alexi went into town often, and Sharon joined them on trips to El Mercado and for our annual pizza dinner at Pizzeria Cibu.  This year El Mercado had one organic produce stand, which we shopped at frequently.










We had a wonderful vacation in San Feliu de Guixols.  Alexi says his favorite parts of summer are Spain, the beach, the pool and pastries!  We are truly blessed that Alexi gets to spend time in the place where David spent every summer of his childhood, creating his own special memories.

Best of 2011

Here is a compilation of our favorites from 2011:

Sharon's Novels (in no particular order; all incredibly great)

(1) Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
(2) Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
(3) To the Lighthouse by Virginia Wolf
(4) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
(5) Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Best Nonfiction (Sharon and David):

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aaron Rolston

Our Favorite Movie Rentals

(1) Lillies of the Field
(2) 127 Hours
(3) Quest for Fire
(4) As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me
(5) Last Train Home
(6) The Fountain
(7) Inside Job
(8) Hillary and Jackie
(9) The Bank Job
(10) The Battle of Algiers
(11) Restrepo
(12) Cinderella Man

Best Spontaneous Subway Jam AND Best Concert of the Year:

Moon Hooch on the L platform at Union Square

Best Art Exhibits/Gallery Shows/Performance Art/Public Art

(1) Roof Piece on the High Line
(2) The Luminous Interval at Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
(3) Olek Crochet Room @ Christopher Henry Gallery
(4) Abstract Expressionist New York @ MOMA
(5) Kara E. Walker @ Sikkema Jenkins and Company
(6) Miru Kim @ DOOSAN (The Pig That Therefore I Am)
(7) The Mexican Suitcase and Elliott Erwitt: Personal Best @ International Center of Photography
(8) Jim Campbell @ Hosfelt Gallery
(9) Willem de Kooning @ MOMA
(10) Diana Shpungin @ Stephan Stoyanov
(11) Women in the Heights: Perspectives @ NoMAA
(12) Do Ho Suh @ Lehmann Maupin
(13) Carsten Holler: Experience @ New Museum
(14) NurtureArt Benefit (Monica's photograph from On Cloud Nine included)
(15) Tight Spot by David Byrne (under the High Line)
(16) Echo by Jaume Plensa in Madison Square Park

Best Opera: Carmen @ the Met

Best Broadway Show: Billy Elliott

Best Ballet: NYCBallet's "The Nutcracker"

Best TV Series: The Sopranos (currently watching the final season on DVD)

Best Sports Event: Yankee Game at the NEW Yankee Stadium (victory in extra innings)

Best Travel Destinations

(1) San Feliu
(2) Bilbao
(3) Martha's Vineyard

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants

(1) Peacefood Cafe
(2) Wild Ginger
(3) Tai Thai
(4) V Spot
(5) Counter (RIP)

Best Vegan Bakery: Body and Soul (@ the Union Square Greenmarket)

Best Ice Cream: ChikaLicious

Best Vegan Ice Cream: Lula's Sweet Apothecary

Best Shakespeare: King Lear and Romeo and Juliet Performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in an exact replica Globe Theater in the Park Avenue Armory

Best View of NYC: Car Free Park Avenue during Summer Streets Cycling Event in August


Top 5 Reasons to Love New York City

(1) Annual Fun Events: NYD Polar Bear Swim @ Coney Island, Coogan's Salsa, Blues and Shamrocks Run, Scotland 10K Run, Inflation Eve, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
(2) Washington Heights Community: Little Seed CSA, Harvest Festival, Easter Egg Scramble, Muffin Madness, Shearing of the Heather
(3) Art Galleries/Museums/Public Art
(4) Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants, Cafes, Ice Cream Parlors, Greenmarket Vendors, etc.
(5) Cycling - biking Alexi to school, bike commuting and fun rides along the Palisades, 9W, Central Park and Hudson River Greenway