Baku Babies Back in NYC for the 9th Annual Azerbaijani Reunion

I hope family and friends enjoyed our post regarding Carlo's Bake Shop, aka "Cake Boss" :)  As you could tell we enjoyed going there and ultimately eating our treats :)  But the reason we were shockingly close to Carlo's Bake Shop is b/c we made our annual trek across the USA.  This year the 9th annual Azerbaijani Reunion was in Jersey City/NYC...the "Baku Babies" are back in NYC :)

We arrived Thursday, August 5, 2010, b/c Ryan was asked to participate in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  Gina asked if we wanted Ryan to wear authentic Azerbaijani clothing and walk around the three rings of the circus with Ben and Andy.  Also, b/c it was Russian Night at the circus, of course, we replied with a YES!  We were told we could then stay and watch the rest of the circus.  It was a done deal-not to mention a cultural event for Ryan.  The boys (Ben, Andy, and Ryan) all looked amazing in their Azerbaijani clothing...it was as if we were looking at boys who live in Azerbaijan.  Ryan truly did have a great time that night b/c not only was he proud of who he is but after he was able to view the circus.

The circus itself was spectacular!  I will say that it was done in a much smaller tent, therefore a much smaller area BUT still sensational with all the astonishing acts, especially the elephants and the lions.  Even though going to this circus goes against everything I stand for...its unbelievable the lengths we will go to being a parent.  The boys (Ryan and Luke) truly were impressed with circus and that to me is pure joy.  Isn't it funny, not funny as in HA HA, but in irony what we will do for our children?  It's simple, what makes them happy makes us (Ron and myself) happy.

On Friday, as you know, and as I've blogged we went to Carlo's Bakery, Mmmmmmm was that a delicious trip!  Then, that night we met up with other parents who have adopted from Azerbaijan and we went to Pizzeria Uno to eat, drink and be among friends (both for the sake of the children and the adults) :)  What I find extraordinary-is that most of our children knew each other as babies in the Baby Home back in Azerbaijan and they all have this connection to each other...even now as most of the adopted children from Azerbaijan are between the ages of 6 to 10, who were adopted as infants.  When they say "HI" to their friends from Azerbaijan, or as Ryan refers to them as his "Baku Friends", you can see that instant connection.

On Saturday, we were going to go into NYC but decided against it, b/c time was not our friend that morning/ early afternoon.  However, we decided to walk along the Hudson River in Jersey City, which is where we were staying with a positively breathtaking view of NYC across the Hudson.  We stumbled upon a memorial for the victims of 9/11/01, we had no clue that this was even there.  It was extremely sad but yet tastefully done.  We walked the entire pier or I should say that Ron and the boys did.  The boys were fascinated with the fact that the Statue of Liberty was right there (on Ellis Island) and huge.  Can you imagine their reaction when they actually get to Ellis Island and see just how big the Statue of Liberty is?  LOL!

Saturday afternoon, was the big event for the Azerbaijani Reunion.  We all met at the Baku Palace in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.  Our family has been to the Baku Palace but each and every time we go there its as if we are going for the first time.  As always the food and entertainment did not disappoint!  And the Silent Auction, that actually had authentic pieces, brought back from Azerbaijan, by Jane and Judy specifically for this event was magnificent!  We ate, we drank, we watched the entertainment (an actual dance company from Azerbaijan), we bid on the Silent Auction, we listened to the wonderful stories that Ben, Sabina, Jane and Judy told us about their visit to Azerbaijan, and most importantly we experienced and enjoyed each others company...it was great to be among friends :) 

That evening, we went to Coney Island...not too sure if this was a huge success or a huge failure, or at least for our specific family?  Coney Island is like nothing I have ever experienced in my entire life!  It was an attack on all of my senses...kid you not!  However, we ran into a family that we have not seen in many, many years and it was very sweet to reconnect with this family.  As a matter of fact, we reworked our plans for Sunday (our departure day) so that we were able to visit with this family.  Ron and I thought that the boys would enjoy seeing the Statue of Liberty (as was the original plan for Sunday) but that reconnecting with this family was important at this juncture in our lives (especially Ryan's life!). 

On Sunday, that is what we did, we went to this family's house, they live in North Jersey and our boys played, we ate, we drank, and reconnected :)  Our adventure to Jersey City/Hoboken/NYC was special and hopefully one that we will not soon forget :)

Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)

Carlo's Bakery...SO WORTH IT!!!

We are finally home, Thank-Goodness :)  We must be getting really old or we really love our bed?!  More on our WONDERFULLY long weekend for Ryan's Azerbaijani Reunion in another post...This post is dedicated to CAKE BOSS :)  As I've said before, Ron and I are obsessed with Cake Boss, Ace of Cakes, etc..., therefore when we were in Jersey City, NJ which is right around the corner from Hoboken, NJ-what did we do???  We visited Carlo's Bakery, aka CAKE BOSS!!!  It was SO worth it!!!  Of course, this feeling of joy and excitement did not come without a price, does anything?!? 

We arrived at 11:00am on Friday morning and we waited in line for what seemed like forever :/  The line was across the street and already starting to wrap around the building, in one word "INCREDIBLE"!  I nearly jumped out of our moving van to get into the line and boy am I glad I did!  I waited, and waited, and did I mention I waited some more :)  Ron had the task of keeping the boys busy, and shockingly they did extremely well, which for an eight and three year old is not an easy feat.  But Ron did take them to the park and the water until I reached the corner and then we crossed the street as a family :)  Cheesy, I know-we are like that :)  We were Ohhhh SOOOO close but SOOOO far away :/  Ron was asking the security if it was always like this?  He told Ron YES!  Which I knew about b/c I went online to Carlo's Bake Shop's website and that's exactly what the website talked about, "expect to wait a minimum of two hours".  The website talked about how inefficient the bakery was itself and they could truly control the crowds if they want to but that they liked the crowds.  Not too sure about this as there were a boat load of people there.  I totally believe it has to do with the notoriety of the bakery.  There was a local or I should say a former local of the Hoboken area who told us that she was not fond of the bakery.  She told us that she can remember walking past the bakery as if it were nothing before the the TLC's tv show.  Now, its almost as if people can't get enough of it!  Also, I will say it was the people you met in line as you were standing there, almost like when you were in your late teens/early twenties and actually slept out for concert tickets...am I dating myself?!  LOL!  The funniest aspect of this trip to Hoboken was there were people who were yelling, "It's just a bakery", out of there cars as they were passing by. 

We waited in line for just about three hours....we were asked was it worth it?  I believe so :)  We arrived at the door of Carlo's Bake Shop at 2:00pm, when we went in it was a typical bakery but it was more too.  Words can't describe it...extremely awesome is all that comes to mind!  We did see Buddy's Mom, Mauro's son, and one of Buddy's sisters-that in and of itself was worth it and we get baked goods on top of that...made my day :)  I will stated that on TV it does look bigger, it was extremely tiny in there but then again there were A LOT of people in a tiny space :/

When we were done we left happily but also saddened that the fun was over, I can say it was like when you were a child and the build up to your birthday was just incredible but once the day got there and the party was over boy ohhh boy what a let down :(  But Ron suggested we go behind the bakery and I was so glad he had suggested that!  B/C they were putting a cake in one of there cars and we saw and got Danny's photo...the cake looked great too that they were loading into the car :)  Also, we saw Mauro, who told everyone to get off the door.  I thought that was funny and couldn't believe the audacity of some people.  We left soon after that and went back to the hotel in Jersey City and enjoyed our baked goods!  It was worth it!!!


Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)

"Baku Babies"...Again in NYC

We are off to NYC tomorrow, Thursday, August 5th for Ryan's Azerbaijani Reunion that runs until Sunday, August 8th.  The Azerbaijani Reunion was held in NYC once before in 2004.  We are getting more and more excited for the reunion!!! The boys keep on asking that dreaded question, "When are we leaving again"? But, I must say I can totally relate to their enthusiasm! LOL! We will be arriving Thursday and heading to the "Big Top", Thanks for the tickets Gina :) The boys, especially Ryan, can't wait to see their friends :) Ron and I are looking forward to seeing our old friends and meeting new ones this year. Plus, we get to hear the fabulous stories from Jane and Judy about how their trip was to Azerbaijan!  Also, we get to participate in the "Silent Auction", which as I'm told has authentic items brought from Azerbaijan and we get to EAT authentic Azerbaijani food at Baku Palace in Sheepsheads Bay, Brooklyn  (an all time personal favorite of mine)!

There have been nine Azerbaijani Reunions all together and we have attended five going on number six this year.  I've posted some photos that I have not previously posted from last years reunion in Chicago.  Enjoy :)


Love & HUGS,
Jenny, Ron, Ryan, & Lukey :)