Finishing 2016 with the Suns

Marcus and I had talked about going to a Suns game in New York City the entire time we lived there, but we never were able to make that happen.  When we moved to Utah, we decided we'd definitely be able to go to a Jazz vs. Suns game.  Marcus looked up their schedule and saw that they played on New Years Eve, so we decided to celebrate the new year with the Suns (and the Jazz).  

#sunsfanforlife

This picture doesn't do our seats justice

It was a fun game!  The Suns almost had it several times, but they lost it in the last few minutes.  Bummer.  Next time ;)

We enjoyed a delicious Iceburg shake during the game. 

And don't worry, the boys enjoyed the night with Noni & Grandpa.  

And none of us made it all the way until midnight...

Vox Humana Concerts

I was asked to play in a quartet accompanying a women's ensemble called Vox Humana.  It's a Saratoga Springs group that branched off when the Saratoga Springs Community Orchestra was established.  I thought the singing was really great, and it was fun to play in a quartet.  It's been awhile.  

We had two concerts.  The first was at a creche festival in Eagle Mountain, and the second was at the Assembly Hall in Temple Square.  Marcus and I made that one a date night so he could come watch :)

It was a fun Christmasy night with great lights and music.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Marcus and I went to see my cousin Shelby in the Draper Arts Council's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  It was so much fun!  Shelby is amazing at everything she does, and the entire show was fantastic.  We had a blast, and I promise no one sang along too loudly :)

They had a camel as part of the show, which was awesome!

Shelby rocking out with her violin

Our fun group - Jana, Corie, me, Marcus, Gram, Trev, and Logan

Selfie with THE CAMEL!

I love this show so much.

YW Sponsored Date Night

The Astoria Ward in Woodside has some of the best Young Women out there!  It was definitely always an exciting adventure having a calling with them.  As a Going Away gift, they gave Marcus and me a night out.  Dinner and a movie, complete with babysitting!

And this perfect card!

We went to Junior's - one of my favorite places!  They had closed the locations in Grand Central, so we ventured to Marcus' (least) favorite place, Times Square.  So worth it.

For dessert, I had a delicious red velvet cheesecake

And Marcus enjoyed a banana split

And then we went to see Captain America.  Which side are you on?

Captain America and Iron Man were there taking pictures, although sadly they weren't the real ones... You can dream in NYC :)

We had a great night out.  Thanks YW!  And Chase and Ty also had a blast with their fun babysitters.

Day After Christmas Date

Marcus planned a morning date for the day after Christmas.  Chase was really excited to go play with Winnie and Marion while we went out, so it was a great morning for all Hardys.

He insisted on his new rain boots

Heading to Winnie's

On the R train... our beloved 7 train was having serious issues due to the rain earlier in the week :(

We went to brunch at Penelope in Murray Hill.  I had Nutella French Toast -- really good!

the cute restaurant

And after brunch, we saw a movie...

You guessed it...

(I actually enjoyed it... ssshhhhh!)

And while we were off enjoying a morning in Manhattan, Ty and Chase were having a blast with Winnie and Marion.

I think Ty looks like Chase a lot here!

Chase got to play at the fancy Sunnyside Gardens Park - apparently he really didn't want to lave

It's been a really fun Christmas weekend.  I've really enjoyed Christmas being on a Friday because it lengthened our weekend so much.  This was the first Saturday I haven't had to work in a long time, so we were happy to take advantage.

CK Holiday Party

We always look forward to the annual CooperKatz holiday party.  The company is great, and we get to try a restaurant in Manhattan we wouldn't otherwise visit.  This year, the party was at Adoro Lei.  It was a fun (and delicious) night!

Here are some pictures of the restaurant/bar from their website:

Anne, Dorothy, and Ralph

Every year, each employee is recognized personally and given something to represent that.  You may remember the model cars, hats, and other themes from the past.  This year, the theme was constellations.  Here is what they said about Marcus:

Marcus Hardy is the constellation ... Centaurus!

The Centaurus constellation of the Southern Hemisphere contains two of the sky's brightest stars - and represents one of the most powerful creatures of Greek mythology. And like the sharp-minded Centaur, Marcus demonstrates some of the best aspects of our industry. He possesses a keen intellect, a fierce independent spirit, a powerful will and the ability to execute and drive success under any circumstance. He is one of the stars of the Fiserv team, and saddled up many years of success for DiaiAmerica.

They were all given pictures of the constellation and a beautiful book about them.

Hors d'oeuvres were passed around throughout the evening.  And dinner was then family style on the tables.  It was amazing.  I particularly loved the pizza appetizers.  Adoro Lei is known for their pizza - well deserved!  I don't have pictures of that.  Nothing showed up with the dark lighting.

Here are two more pictures we received previewing the night:

calamari fritti, kale salad, and caesar salad

hot cherry steak

And just so I can dream about the deliciousness later, the menu:

Hors d’ Oeuvres from 7 - 8pm

Truffle Rice Balls: Artisanal truffle cheese rice balls with almond and panko crust

Adoro Sliders: Veal and pork meatballs with sheep’s milk ricotta

Chef Assortment Pizza’s

Charcuerite Board: Chef assortment of cured meats and cheeses

Calamari Fritti: Fried Calamari, fried zucchini, fried carrots, fried caper berries

3 Course Dinner Selection Family Style

1st Course: Classic Caesar Salad, Chianti Kale Salad, and Citrus Pear Salad

2nd Course:  Chicken Madonna, Espresso Tuna, and Hot Cherry Steak

* During the second course we will also be sending out family style sides for the group. Roasted cauliflower, Roasted fingerling potatoes, and mixed mushrooms

3rd Course; Nutella Fingers, Tartufo, and Cheesecake 

tartufo

Thank you CK for another great holiday party!

And in case you haven't seen it yet, here's the 2015 CooperKatz Holiday Video!

Merry Christmas :)

Just the Two of Us

Marcus and I took advantage of all the family around who wanted to play with the boys and enjoyed a few hours here and there hanging out together.  We made a few stops to our favorite places.  

I don't have pictures from when we saw a movie and had Cafe Rio.  I also got a Rocky Mountain caramel apple.  I love those.  

In-and-Out - a must for us

Smart Cookie, one of our favorite places from when we were at BYU

And the Salt Lake Temple

We did miss our crazy boys while we were out, but it was amazing how much faster we could go in a restaurant or walk around a building :)

Veterans Day Reception

Marcus has become friends with a Navy public affairs officer here in the city. He occasionally invites us out to receptions and other functions - we like to joke that this is the only time we ever get to go out. On Monday night, as a part of Veterans Week, we were invited to visit LPD-21 -- the USS New York, which was visiting the city. She's an amphibious transport dock - a type of ship designed primarily to transport and deploy marines and equipment. 

The New York is special in that it bears many tons of steel from the fallen World Trade center as a part of its construction.

We didn't take this picture - but this is what she looks like in daylight.

This is where you enter - she's smartly designed in that you can walk right on, entering one of the bays where vehicles and other equipment would be stored while underway.

This is the ramp down from the flight deck to the vehicle storage deck. Below that is a well deck (we didn't get a picture) where hovercraft and other landing craft can enter and exit the ship while she remains a fair distance from the shore.

The hanger bay where the reception addresses and entertainment took place. 

The Navy brought in a fantastic jazz and pops band for the evening.

Marcus took this cool photo sphere of the Intrepid, which is permanently docked one peer over.

A CH-53 Sea Stallion on display on the flight deck.

Chase would have loved the helicopter...Marcus did too.

Proof that Erica was there.

The food at these is always good. Especially the meatballs.

And the Cake Boss cake.

Entertainment from the USO is also always a great time.

This is us and CDR Corey Barker, Marcus' PAO friend, along with his colleague LT COL Elizabeth Ortiz, who is the Air Force PAO in NYC.

It was a great way to remember those who have served, and a very fun evening.