tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73583950867226579322024-03-12T19:58:36.378-07:00Our FamilyJohn ~ Ellice ~ Abigail ~ Dallin ~ Connor ~ OwenEllicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-68542861156693141412012-06-19T15:10:00.000-07:002012-06-20T15:11:27.251-07:00Owen's 1st Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Birthday Owen! </div>
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I just can't believe my little guy is 1 year old! </div>
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We sure do love this little boy. He fits right in with the bunch. He loves his brothers and sister (especially his sister) and can't wait to be running along beside them. </div>
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Owen hasn't always been the happiest baby in the world, but he is turning over a new leaf. Lately he has been much happier... and I bet when he is walking he will be even happier. </div>
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Owen awoke to find his birthday decorations. I love this age when they are so excited about the ribbon, balloons, and streamers around the room. His little pointing finger and "ooo-ing" was too cute. It makes it all worth it. </div>
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We all shared in the traditional "First Birthday Breakfast" ... Scrambled Eggs. Owen was loving life. <br />
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After a full tummy he was off.... to find the balloons :). </div>
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Lucky for us, Dad had forgotten his wallet and had to come back after taking Abigail to school. He was able to open the first present of the day. It took a little coaching when it came to ripping the paper, but once he realized it was okay, he had no problem. </div>
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Showing the big boys how his new toy works :). </div>
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I love first birthdays. Nothing to plan. No fancy day to create. Just doing fun things with my little guy. After breakfast and a present, we headed to the park. Owen loves to slide. So slide he did. Then back home for a morning nap (the birthday boy was going to get all the sleep he wanted... so he could be a happy boy). He loved his peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch and playing cars with the gang. </div>
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After we picked up Abigail from school, we opened another gift. It was a hit. Not only with Owen, but the other three as well. I had to keep asking them to "backup and give him some space", or "please give "Owbo" back his car." Crazy kids. </div>
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For dinner we thought we would finish up the day with some fabulous Mac and Cheese. I debated whether or not I should make it or buy it. In the end going out for Mac and Cheese won. There is this great Mac and Cheese place downtown on 12th street called SMAC. They serve all kinds of varieties and they are all sooooooo yummy! Owen LOVED his Mac :) and so did everyone else. </div>
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Then we headed back home for some cake and ice cream. </div>
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After Owen's experience with a chocolate chunk cookie the weekend before, I knew he was going to LOVE this chocolate cake. Well... who doesn't love a black-out cake from the Two Red Hens Bakery. </div>
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This cake is so good it is beyond dangerous. </div>
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Owen was a little taken back with everyone singing and staring at him... </div>
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But it didn't take long to figure out that the cake in front of him was delicious and all for him. </div>
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After taking a few little tastes and realizing what he had was a good thing, he quickly turned to his sister next to him to share... it was too cute. </div>
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I love watching how each child attacks their cake differently. All the kids thought the event was quite fun too. The boys (Dallin and Connor) were very worried that Owen was going to eat the entire thing. Too funny. We tried to reassure them that there would be plenty. Soon enough we had to start slicing for everyone :). </div>
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This boy sure does LOVE chocolate. </div>
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After he had his fill, it was straight to the tub with this little chocolate monster. </div>
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It was a perfect day. </div>
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Family, Fun, and Chocolate. </div>
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It is crazy to think that just one year ago, we were sitting in the NICU hoping and praying to bring home our little baby. His journey may have started a little rough. But what a blessing he has been. </div>
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We love you, Owen. </div>
<br />Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-14001296879718612632012-04-28T09:26:00.000-07:002012-06-28T09:28:26.395-07:00Happy 33rd!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Birthday to our Daddy!</b></span></div>
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It was so nice to celebrate Daddy's birthday over the weekend. We love having him home and love celebrating something special. </div>
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The morning began with gifts. I love that the kids are finally starting to get involved in this process. Helping to think of what Daddy would like, need and want; wrapping the gifts; and even making gifts of their own. </div>
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Aren't they cute? Abigail sure does love her dad. </div>
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Dallin was so excited to give his gift to Dad... a handcrafted surf board to take to Hawaii :). He told John that the board was "waterproof" because the paper was only on the top :). </div>
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We decided to head to Central Park -- to the Pond. This location had been on our list for awhile. We were waiting for the perfect spring day... and today was it. This lovely pond/little lake was designed for sailing these awesome remote controlled sail boats. Every Saturday morning, there are boat races and later in the day you can rent a boat to try out too. All kinds of people design, build and race their boats around the North East. It is fun to watch them in action in Central Park. </div>
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There is a little building called the boathouse right next to the pond where people can rent space to store their boats. The kids were lucky enough to go in and see all the amazing boats. Some of the gentleman were pretty excited to share their love with the kids. Some let them drive their boats and others even let the try to hold them to see how heavy they are. </div>
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Around 10am the boat races began. The kids loved watching the boats race back and forth, up and down the pond. They would run down the pond and back again following the boats. They were in heaven and they kept up the chasing for over an hour. I think one of their favorite parts was pushing the start button on the race clock. </div>
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We soon realized that the rental boats would not be coming out until the races were over. So... we headed to the Alice in Wonderland statue to climb and sat and ate lunch while we past the time. And soon it was our turn. It took a bit to figure out the boats (they weren't as nice as the others we were able to try out), but soon John and the kids were loving the boat. It is pretty cool. The remote only controls the sail and rudder everything else is powered by the wind. So fun. </div>
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Abigail, Owen and Mom watching the sailboats on the water's edge. </div>
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The pond was designed with a lip, so that children could lay on the tummy's and watch the boats without falling in. So smart. </div>
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After an eventful and fun day in the sun,</div>
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We ordered pizza and enjoyed Dad's favorite birthday cake... ice cream cake :). </div>
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We love you, Dad! </div>
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Abigail says, "I love my Dad because he tries to spend as much time with me as he can." </div>
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Dallin says, "I love that my Dad likes to play with me." </div>
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Connor says, "I love my Dad because he plays with me every night." </div>
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Mom says, "Thank you sweetheart for being you! So loving, thoughtful and fun. :) Thank you for loving our children and making our family a priority. We are best when we are with you."</div>
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Happy Birthday!</div>
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<br />Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-51566775603712946022012-04-14T20:58:00.001-07:002012-04-15T22:04:12.319-07:00Spring Break: Washington D.C. - Day 3<div style="text-align: center;">Day 3 began early for John. He was determined to get tickets to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. He really wanted to see them make money. So he woke up at about 6:30am, ran down to the building to wait in the line for tickets and was so excited to find that he was the first one there. Yeah! Tickets were supposed to be handed out starting at 8am Monday - Friday. It was Saturday. Bummer. Oh well, maybe next time. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urzQQIxZK_w/T4ud-Yvlf-I/AAAAAAAAELU/pO5tvlZ_mUc/s1600/DSC_0285.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urzQQIxZK_w/T4ud-Yvlf-I/AAAAAAAAELU/pO5tvlZ_mUc/s400/DSC_0285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731848645878579170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But lucky for the kids and I, he was able to make it back in time to the hotel before the little tummies started grumbling with breakfast in hand. We packed our suitcases back up and left them at the hotel for pickup later in the evening. And off we went ... on our last day of adventure in Washington D.C. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took the subway down to the National Capitol. But ended up going into the Library of Congress first. (good thing too, because they have a tunnel to the Capitol Visitor Center and the security line there wasn't long at all)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_kJzVbxiL0Q/T4udrqzxwWI/AAAAAAAAELI/rb5D1rCjR-Y/s1600/DSC_0226.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_kJzVbxiL0Q/T4udrqzxwWI/AAAAAAAAELI/rb5D1rCjR-Y/s400/DSC_0226.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731848324310483298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">What an amazing building! The detail was extraordinary. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Lucky for us, there was a special children's library room and a special exhibit going on because of the Cherry Blossom Festival. The kids were able to dress in Kimonos, try their paper folding skills with origami, make fish flags, listen to a book reading, try japanese candy, chopsticks and have their names written in japanese. They had a great time. It was a nice change of pace for them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slpr8mO8EiA/T4udqzqMwtI/AAAAAAAAEK8/WDx-yaUrs88/s1600/DSC_0228.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slpr8mO8EiA/T4udqzqMwtI/AAAAAAAAEK8/WDx-yaUrs88/s400/DSC_0228.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731848309506360018" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dD_31dgJQu4/T4udppldApI/AAAAAAAAEKw/nu5Fo4qEV-g/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dD_31dgJQu4/T4udppldApI/AAAAAAAAEKw/nu5Fo4qEV-g/s400/DSC_0230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731848289622229650" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Then through the tunnel we went to the Capitol Visitor Center. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The only way to see the building is by taking a guided tour. We were a little leery with the four kids, but it turned out great. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwPHviUvk6g/T4udpDOrpGI/AAAAAAAAEKg/HedWOfLGHE4/s1600/DSC_0237.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwPHviUvk6g/T4udpDOrpGI/AAAAAAAAEKg/HedWOfLGHE4/s400/DSC_0237.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731848279326172258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting in line...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMLFcH10nH0/T4udovMwbPI/AAAAAAAAEKY/-iUXCq0zVRU/s1600/DSC_0240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMLFcH10nH0/T4udovMwbPI/AAAAAAAAEKY/-iUXCq0zVRU/s400/DSC_0240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731848273949388018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone was really excited about their headphones ... at first. By the end both Dallin and Connor were done with them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10qiMoAtsBk/T4ucKNe5CKI/AAAAAAAAEKM/mEaqU-22oLE/s1600/DSC_0240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecG-TJpBVbM/T4ucJsJuUII/AAAAAAAAEKA/BKpzLw-4MOg/s400/DSC_0238.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731846641043787906" /><div style="text-align: center;">Truly an amazing building. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbE_yyeXF1Y/T4ucJIIa8LI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/0uBOwmnMj9E/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbE_yyeXF1Y/T4ucJIIa8LI/AAAAAAAAEJ0/0uBOwmnMj9E/s400/DSC_0262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731846631374647474" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0hPx8FL6eY/T4ucIPukYVI/AAAAAAAAEJo/H0oC7_9qQro/s1600/DSC_0266.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0hPx8FL6eY/T4ucIPukYVI/AAAAAAAAEJo/H0oC7_9qQro/s400/DSC_0266.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731846616233828690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ronald Reagan ... in honor of Dad. </div><div style="text-align: center; "> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKEP0PzHdJE/T4ucHzAjgdI/AAAAAAAAEJc/_s0zGvLjng8/s1600/DSC_0267.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKEP0PzHdJE/T4ucHzAjgdI/AAAAAAAAEJc/_s0zGvLjng8/s400/DSC_0267.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731846608524640722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Connor and John ... touching the "lucky spot." </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">George Washington was supposed to be buried in that spot. But he requested to be buried at Mt. Vernon with his wife. They tried to have him moved later to this spot, but the family refused. So now... it is just the lucky spot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZwdiuOvdBI/T4uaRn0Oz9I/AAAAAAAAEJQ/9sYBHQTsve4/s1600/DSC_0269.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gZwdiuOvdBI/T4uaRn0Oz9I/AAAAAAAAEJQ/9sYBHQTsve4/s400/DSC_0269.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731844578295599058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The kids in front of the Statue of Freedom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0u8JQ392gE/T4uaQxl8shI/AAAAAAAAEJE/kzVRqqjgOeo/s1600/DSC_0279.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0u8JQ392gE/T4uaQxl8shI/AAAAAAAAEJE/kzVRqqjgOeo/s400/DSC_0279.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731844563740176914" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keKoDqQdWAI/T4uaPy38mHI/AAAAAAAAEI4/Z1CpARAxxO8/s1600/DSC_0281.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keKoDqQdWAI/T4uaPy38mHI/AAAAAAAAEI4/Z1CpARAxxO8/s400/DSC_0281.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731844546904234098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a long tour and full tummies, we headed back outside to do one last promised activity. Paddle boats in Tidal Basin. We were a little worried we weren't going to make it when we saw the line. We only had a short time before we had to start heading to the train station. But the kids were determined and it all worked out. Good thing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNFe_dZrgGE/T4uaPOrwU2I/AAAAAAAAEIs/JDmVKJASHVA/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNFe_dZrgGE/T4uaPOrwU2I/AAAAAAAAEIs/JDmVKJASHVA/s400/DSC_0286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731844537189421922" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9afljdllly0/T4uaOeB1eWI/AAAAAAAAEIg/PF5b8nAT8VE/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9afljdllly0/T4uaOeB1eWI/AAAAAAAAEIg/PF5b8nAT8VE/s400/DSC_0299.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731844524128696674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">What a great way to end a great day in Washington D.C. </div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We quickly headed back to the subway to get back to the hotel to pickup our suitcases and get to the train station. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we arrived at the station, we saw the subway was stopped on the rail. We were trying to get down the stairs quickly, but the doors shut. But then they opened again. I ran for the doors but as I stuck my hand in they closed. In NYC, this is no big deal, the doors just pop back open. But not in D.C. They clamp down. Tourists on the other side of the door were nervous and tried pushing my hand back out. Connor was screaming. He was terrified. It really was okay. I was fine. The train can't go with an open door. I was able to get my hand out and the doors closed all the way. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We waited but the train did not move and after a minute the doors opened again. So, we seized the opportunity and jumped on (this time everyone made it on). But still the train did not go. Soon the driver was checking all the doors. Obviously this train was having a problem. After a couple of minutes, she asked everyone to exit the train. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So we started filing out with everyone else. Abby and Dallin were just a head of us waiting outside the subway car, when the doors closed again. This time Dallin and Abigail on one side and John, Connor, Owen, and I on the other. Not good. I was trying to tell the kids to stay there. We kept thinking the lady would open the doors. The train jolted forward. Connor was screaming. A man we were with was having the same problem. His kids were on the other side too. He jumped on the emergency speaker... "Let us out. Our kids are out there!" The doors opened again. We quickly got off and waited for another train. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next train was fine. We arrived at the station we needed to. We were able to get our suitcases and head back to the station. Connor kept referring to the previous subway as a "stinky train." And he seemed okay to get on the next subway for a ride to the train station. However, when we got on it was a bit crowded. Not bad. But with three strollers trying to maneuver, it was not ideal. A couple stops in to the ride, a couple was trying to get off with a stroller and they didn't make it in time. The doors closed on the stroller. Mom was on one side and Dad and baby were on the other with one of Mom's shoes. Crazy! At this point, Connor decided none of these trains were reliable. He wanted off. NOW! Luckily we made it safely to the train station and everything was fine. Connor was traumatized, but we were all okay. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I still think it is amazing that in all our time riding the subway in NYC we have never seen such a problem or experienced anything like that before. The D.C. trains were cleaner, and quieter, but they really need to work on the door problem. NYC doors seem much safer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Luckily our train ride home was not as eventful. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Two kids slept. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Two kids read and colored. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Daddy slept. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mommy closed her eyes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So nice. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> After a taxi ride home, it was nice to be back in our own beds. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We hope the kids remember something from the trip. Or maybe at least the pictures will help them remember the amazing things they saw and did. Hopefully. </div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-3440786128529775102012-04-13T19:49:00.002-07:002012-04-15T22:14:55.998-07:00Spring Break: Washington D.C. - Day 2<div style="text-align: center;">Day 2 began at the National Archives. However, by the time we got there the line stretched around the corner and down the side of the building. Bummer. So while John waited in line, the kids and I headed across the street to the Natural History Museum. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFYSzwUtNkU/T4uNm2C0NCI/AAAAAAAAEIU/JnqAHaArTn8/s1600/DSC_0139.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFYSzwUtNkU/T4uNm2C0NCI/AAAAAAAAEIU/JnqAHaArTn8/s400/DSC_0139.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731830649240957986" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTUJQxk2Ig4/T4uNmVIvu9I/AAAAAAAAEII/ANyFYo1eY24/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTUJQxk2Ig4/T4uNmVIvu9I/AAAAAAAAEII/ANyFYo1eY24/s400/DSC_0145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731830640407460818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I am still amazed that all of the Smithsonian Museums were free. Amazing. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Natural History Museum was a lot like the one we have been to many times in NYC, but who can pass up seeing some amazing fossils of dinosaurs?? And Abigail wanted to make sure we saw some gems. Our pictures didn't come out well - the lighting was too dim. I still haven't figured out how to take pictures in low light. Some day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWHsXgHPUfA/T4uM6n7I34I/AAAAAAAAEH8/qIWDG9UJcsc/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWHsXgHPUfA/T4uM6n7I34I/AAAAAAAAEH8/qIWDG9UJcsc/s400/DSC_0148.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731829889536417666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Hope Diamond"</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The diamond is actually a really deep blue color. Beautiful. Crazy to think that the original diamond was more than twice that size. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once John made it within 15 minutes of getting into the building he called us and we headed over to finish the wait with him. Good thing I remembered to bring Spot It. </div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40D5CkAuvCY/T4uM6Dx-tSI/AAAAAAAAEHw/lfE79NkkkZI/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40D5CkAuvCY/T4uM6Dx-tSI/AAAAAAAAEHw/lfE79NkkkZI/s400/DSC_0150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731829879834326306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">No photography is allowed in the archives, because of the nature of the displays. </div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was hard to explain to the children the significance of what they were seeing. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Magna Carta</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Declaration of Independence</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Constitution<img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" border="0" class="gl_align_center" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bill of Rights</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a neat experience. There is such a reverence and awe as you view these documents and ponder their significance in our history. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am truly grateful.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1E4HfwiQc9Q/T4uM5qk4CKI/AAAAAAAAEHk/8MiQwC2zIWE/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1E4HfwiQc9Q/T4uM5qk4CKI/AAAAAAAAEHk/8MiQwC2zIWE/s400/DSC_0153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731829873068476578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Connor didn't quite make it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next stop - The Museum of American History </div><div style="text-align: center;"> A couple of our favorites:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAmP0VLibtg/T4uM5MmVvyI/AAAAAAAAEHU/DjXgvom265g/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAmP0VLibtg/T4uM5MmVvyI/AAAAAAAAEHU/DjXgvom265g/s400/DSC_0154.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731829865021554466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Early Locomotive </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ADppGCm-jI/T4uM4mInoVI/AAAAAAAAEHM/fJJSle-lrTA/s1600/DSC_0157.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ADppGCm-jI/T4uM4mInoVI/AAAAAAAAEHM/fJJSle-lrTA/s400/DSC_0157.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731829854696350034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The actual hat that he wore to Ford's theater the night of his assassination. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Pretty neat. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We decided we had had enough museums for the day. So, we headed outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Of course, we had to fly our kite once more at the Washington Monument. After a bit of relaxation, we began a pleasant walk along the Tidal Basin to see some of the memorials up close and personal. So far we had only seem then in the distance. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tBlbnND8gQ/T4uLhkMlDlI/AAAAAAAAEG8/7du1bQ4XYRQ/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tBlbnND8gQ/T4uLhkMlDlI/AAAAAAAAEG8/7du1bQ4XYRQ/s400/DSC_0163.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731828359527468626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Walking around Tidal Basin on our way to the Jefferson Memorial</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BpH3ntN9nAk/T4uLhNwuPAI/AAAAAAAAEGw/leqHDBO6JkI/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BpH3ntN9nAk/T4uLhNwuPAI/AAAAAAAAEGw/leqHDBO6JkI/s400/DSC_0160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731828353505049602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cherry Blossoms</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally we thought we were going to be able to see the cherry trees in full bloom, but not this year. With the warmer winter they bloomed about 2 weeks early this year. These were the only cherry blossoms left for us :). Some day we will time it just right. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pm0Bbz7fzwU/T4uLgjdm9nI/AAAAAAAAEGk/V8IZSIgBDqI/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pm0Bbz7fzwU/T4uLgjdm9nI/AAAAAAAAEGk/V8IZSIgBDqI/s400/DSC_0167.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731828342150592114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">John was a trooper - carrying Owen in his stroller up all the stairs at the memorials. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">What a Dad. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWCTSYzxP3s/T4uLgNhdmLI/AAAAAAAAEGY/0W_vP9iKZ98/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWCTSYzxP3s/T4uLgNhdmLI/AAAAAAAAEGY/0W_vP9iKZ98/s400/DSC_0170.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731828336261175474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jefferson Memorial</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia ... By these, as testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered." - Thomas Jefferson </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interesting that President of the United States was not one of the things that he listed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dIS8uhWWr-s/T4uLfx7hCiI/AAAAAAAAEGM/uL8Xpq9o_wk/s1600/DSC_0192.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dIS8uhWWr-s/T4uLfx7hCiI/AAAAAAAAEGM/uL8Xpq9o_wk/s400/DSC_0192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731828328854260258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We then walked around the other side of the Tidal Basin toward the Abraham Lincoln Memorial and passing through the Martin Luther King Memorial. </div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvhwZjNgfM4/T4uJ-_EaEiI/AAAAAAAAEGA/8XEB_NIZKes/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvhwZjNgfM4/T4uJ-_EaEiI/AAAAAAAAEGA/8XEB_NIZKes/s400/DSC_0195.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731826665933902370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Out of the mountain of despair, A stone of hope"</div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved the quote on the side of this huge stone with MLK carved into it. It was perfect. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QvFzEKfH1E/T4uJ-T6uPlI/AAAAAAAAEFw/ifI_o2fBO0k/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QvFzEKfH1E/T4uJ-T6uPlI/AAAAAAAAEFw/ifI_o2fBO0k/s400/DSC_0202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731826654350556754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Abraham Lincoln Memorial</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Saved the Union. Ended Slavery. What a man. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYSeWpPpPSY/T4uJ9zqbaaI/AAAAAAAAEFo/4TGnnl7gauM/s1600/DSC_0204.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYSeWpPpPSY/T4uJ9zqbaaI/AAAAAAAAEFo/4TGnnl7gauM/s400/DSC_0204.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731826645692279202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Two out of the four. Owen was sleeping and Abby was off reading the walls. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUeVZNxI8OM/T4uJ9dkwR4I/AAAAAAAAEFc/U9kpx3XVHN4/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EUeVZNxI8OM/T4uJ9dkwR4I/AAAAAAAAEFc/U9kpx3XVHN4/s400/DSC_0219.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731826639762900866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Last stop: The Vietnam Memorial</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found it interesting to learn that the park saves all of the notes, cards, and things left in honor of those that fought in this war. How special. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was especially neat to watch different people doing rubbings of family names. Sharing touching stories about the names on the wall. Really putting a person with the name. </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfsL2jUpXos/T4uJ8x9y7WI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/6Cd0Nq7V7iw/s1600/DSC_0221.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sfsL2jUpXos/T4uJ8x9y7WI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/6Cd0Nq7V7iw/s400/DSC_0221.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731826628056771938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Once again we walked home after a long, fun-filled day. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We all slept like babies. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Lights were out at 9pm ... for everyone. </div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-23872546672841442472012-04-12T18:24:00.004-07:002012-04-15T19:40:08.315-07:00Spring Break: Washington D.C. - Day 1<div style="text-align: center;">What a fabulous trip! Maybe I loved Washington D.C. so much because it was such a much needed break from New York City for me, but I loved this city. It was beautiful... and clean! It was amazing and inspiring to be surrounded by such history. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We caught the train from Penn Station early Thursday morning. We quickly figured out the new metro rail system in D.C. and within no time had our bags dropped off at our hotel and were off for a great day of exploring and sight-seeing. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuUYx5Z8iSk/T4t57-3-0qI/AAAAAAAAEFE/TZ4Eb30cYnA/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xuUYx5Z8iSk/T4t57-3-0qI/AAAAAAAAEFE/TZ4Eb30cYnA/s400/DSC_0002.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731809022156133026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">First shot just off the subway. Everyone was so excited to see the "big long nose." When John lived in Virginia as a boy he always referred to the Washington Monument as the "big long nose" and now our children do too. They think it is hilarious. I think Connor must have said "Look! It's the 'big long nose'!" at least 50 times. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First on the list of things to do... </div><div style="text-align: center;">National Air and Space Museum </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZLGGYkOuZE/T4t5Q4ZuzcI/AAAAAAAAEEw/ki-EBh7BOMg/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZLGGYkOuZE/T4t5Q4ZuzcI/AAAAAAAAEEw/ki-EBh7BOMg/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731808281684266434" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">It was amazing! So many amazing aircrafts and spaceships. The boys were in heaven. Favorites included the first plane to travel faster than the speed of sound, The Spirit of St. Louis, the IMAX theater, but I think our very favorite was the seeing the very first plane ever to fly built by the Wright brothers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uiDGvATyAE/T4t5QWS1sZI/AAAAAAAAEEo/Swa2ngzpBBw/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uiDGvATyAE/T4t5QWS1sZI/AAAAAAAAEEo/Swa2ngzpBBw/s400/DSC_0011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731808272528552338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you believe that is the actual plane that the Wright brothers built and flew?? Not a model!! The actual one! AMAZING!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WiSzd11_AjY/T4t5PN1PvYI/AAAAAAAAEEg/pn5ubdJwnzM/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WiSzd11_AjY/T4t5PN1PvYI/AAAAAAAAEEg/pn5ubdJwnzM/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731808253077077378" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Another highlight ... for the kids especially... the paper airplane contest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGm-xNikIcw/T4t5OroMy6I/AAAAAAAAEEM/D_MfTgajf0I/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGm-xNikIcw/T4t5OroMy6I/AAAAAAAAEEM/D_MfTgajf0I/s400/DSC_0014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731808243895552930" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ow9wF2xfZ_M/T4t5ORcN3XI/AAAAAAAAEEE/dYuyCBSNuC0/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ow9wF2xfZ_M/T4t5ORcN3XI/AAAAAAAAEEE/dYuyCBSNuC0/s400/DSC_0015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731808236865969522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Abigail wasn't too excited to take another picture... so here are two of our flyers. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(notice Connor's stance... Yes... he always needed to go!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2smq0rvk_Hk/T4t3Z_H8DFI/AAAAAAAAED0/oRUiMrOx1BE/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2smq0rvk_Hk/T4t3Z_H8DFI/AAAAAAAAED0/oRUiMrOx1BE/s400/DSC_0018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731806239084252242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Even this guy was a great traveler! Yeah for Owen!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After seeing a ton of planes, we headed to the gift shop to buy a kite. We found a great kite shaped just like a stealth bomber and made our way back to the Washington Monument for some family fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of John's favorite memories in D.C. - getting a kite from the gift shop at the Air and Space Museum and flying it on the hill at the base of the Washington Monument. He remembers the kite getting so high - it seemed to touch the top of the monument. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dallin was more than eager to follow in the footsteps of his father. He just couldn't wait to get the kite and fly it soooooo high! Of course we did buy the extra long spool of string just to see if we really could get our kite as high as the monument. Well... our string was only 500 ft long and the monument is 555 ft tall, but with our string all the way out it sure did look like it was touching the top of the monument. :) </div></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-fhbZP-5IU/T4t3ZTaJFcI/AAAAAAAAEDs/9pM00hKVqZk/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-fhbZP-5IU/T4t3ZTaJFcI/AAAAAAAAEDs/9pM00hKVqZk/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731806227349444034" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JoYkA9CDg0M/T4t3Y7agS8I/AAAAAAAAEDg/kobi2R5U4YA/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JoYkA9CDg0M/T4t3Y7agS8I/AAAAAAAAEDg/kobi2R5U4YA/s400/DSC_0056.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731806220908514242" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbqlqvTjQVk/T4t3YTzMU6I/AAAAAAAAEDU/3tNfc_CMMps/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbqlqvTjQVk/T4t3YTzMU6I/AAAAAAAAEDU/3tNfc_CMMps/s400/DSC_0051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731806210274644898" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cDaJ7dfVr0/T4t3X_Ed9VI/AAAAAAAAEDI/dGU3kGAnI9o/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cDaJ7dfVr0/T4t3X_Ed9VI/AAAAAAAAEDI/dGU3kGAnI9o/s400/DSC_0069.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731806204709958994" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_jV1FXT4TQ/T4t2La-IHBI/AAAAAAAAEC4/5jegCPQMG8c/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M_jV1FXT4TQ/T4t2La-IHBI/AAAAAAAAEC4/5jegCPQMG8c/s400/DSC_0119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731804889349626898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The weather was beautiful and the wind was perfect for flying a kite. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This was one of the highlights of our trip. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After relaxing at the monument, we headed back to the hotel by way of the White House. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXfYkZp0Y5w/T4t2K5LkmLI/AAAAAAAAECw/TDM1qQmNwLs/s1600/DSC_0123.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXfYkZp0Y5w/T4t2K5LkmLI/AAAAAAAAECw/TDM1qQmNwLs/s400/DSC_0123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731804880279214258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"White House" - backside</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CJIrVLCamNo/T4t2JWXLMnI/AAAAAAAAECk/bbbnX1cJgB4/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CJIrVLCamNo/T4t2JWXLMnI/AAAAAAAAECk/bbbnX1cJgB4/s400/DSC_0132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731804853752771186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Front side</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5aZA_XZo-WI/T4t2I_3dNTI/AAAAAAAAECY/doCw7_FBPrs/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5aZA_XZo-WI/T4t2I_3dNTI/AAAAAAAAECY/doCw7_FBPrs/s400/DSC_0136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731804847714153778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Such a beautiful building... </div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUtT68MSUmM/T4t2IYbk1MI/AAAAAAAAECM/ShxE0_9BN1Q/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUtT68MSUmM/T4t2IYbk1MI/AAAAAAAAECM/ShxE0_9BN1Q/s400/DSC_0130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731804837128230082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Such a beautiful city... </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such a beautiful walk back to the hotel... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a wonderful day. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-9232428973300558562012-04-08T07:33:00.000-07:002012-05-01T07:35:12.888-07:00Happy Easter!<div style="text-align: center;">
Our Daddy was away the week before Easter, so we tried to fill our time with fun Easter things to do... of course, that included sugar cookies. The kids had a great time frosting and sprinkling. I think their favorite was using the icing bag themselves. Mental note for next year... have an icing bag for each kid. After making, baking, and frosting the kids delivered their goodies to some of our neighbors in the building. They love delivering things. </div>
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Saturday the kids patiently waited for their Dad to return so that they could dye their Easter eggs. John was a good sport. Literally within minutes of being home he was rolling up his sleeves and helping contain the mess of Easter Egg dying :). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigail trying to show the boys that patience is the key.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dallin in awe of his blue "Robin" egg</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor was so eager. <br />Lucky for me Dad was able to give him the one on one attention he needed to save his cups from spilling over. <br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the results waiting for the Easter Bunny to come and add the magic touch. </td></tr>
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Easter Morning the kids were up early and ready to go. It took them all a little while to find their eggs. I think the Easter Bunny thinks they are better finders than they really are. Maybe we might have to do some practicing before next year. I think it took about 30 minutes before everyone had found their basket and the egg collecting could begin. :) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owen waited patiently in bed with Dad while the kids cleaned up the eggs off the floor. <br />A crawling baby and plastic eggs all over the floor = disaster for the older kids :) </td></tr>
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After we collected our candy and eggs, opened our baskets, and enjoyed hard boiled eggs for breakfast, we headed to Stake Conference for Church. It was a nice meeting and thankfully the kids were well behaved and we made it through :) After Church, we walked home by way of Central Park. I had to get an Easter picture with trees... not just buildings :). The kids were good sports. The walk was beautiful. It was a perfect Easter day... warm and sunny. Here are our best attempts at a kid picture. Not bad. Connor and Owen are still learning the art of posing for the camera :). </div>
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What a beautiful holiday when we can celebrate the birth, life and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am truly grateful for the knowledge we have that there is life after death and that we can be re-united with those that have passed on. </div>
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Happy Easter!</div>
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<br />Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-30003866145411967592012-03-24T08:02:00.000-07:002012-05-01T08:36:20.722-07:00Botanical Gardens: Orchid Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another Saturday Adventure at the Botanical Gardens. This time we decided to take the amtrak train from Grand Central instead of the subway. Let's just say... SO MUCH BETTER. We were so happy to be able to get on, have a seat, and get off right in front of the Gardens. </div>
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We were so excited to find so many trees in bloom. I love spring blossoms. </div>
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In front of the Conservatory where the Orchid Show began. Isn't it beautiful? </div>
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At first the Orchids started off slow. A few bunches here and there.</div>
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Abigail loved the "Dancing Ladies" Orchids. </div>
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After a couple of rooms, the bunches began to grow and grow. It was amazing. Orchids are beautiful. So intricate. So vibrant. So unique. </div>
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The boys taking a little break. I love these boys. So full of life and energy. </div>
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Poor Owen. He had been sick all week. We thought he was doing better when we left in the morning, but we were mistaken. Poor little guy started running a fever again half way through our outing. He was so sad. Poor baby. </div>
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Family Shot</div>
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Isn't that wall behind us amazing! SO full of orchids. </div>
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After the show (and the boys were just done looking at flowers... girl stuff), we headed back outside to enjoy the beauty of the park. We climbed some trees, ate some snacks, and took the tram ride around the park to see the different parts we still need to enjoy. The flowering trees were amazing! The gardens are huge and there are so many amazing, beautiful things to see. We can't wait to go again. But with a sick baby, our time was up for the day. </div>
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<br />Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-74974267736811628662012-02-14T10:05:00.000-08:002012-02-15T10:51:16.215-08:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div style="text-align: center;">What a day! It was a fun, love filled day. Not a down moment to spare :). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We started off the morning with "egg in a heart" for breakfast. We had just had pancakes for dinner last Sunday with the missionaries, so we decided to change things up a bit. The kids loved waking up to their surprises and valentines. I love watching their faces. First groggy and tired... then they realize... "Wait, it's Valentine's Day!" Those tired faces are quickly replaced with mounds and mounds of excitement and smiles beaming from ear to ear. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LM_sZojRXxA/Tzv2RqiqTCI/AAAAAAAADlU/K4azj_irixI/s1600/DSC_0142.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LM_sZojRXxA/Tzv2RqiqTCI/AAAAAAAADlU/K4azj_irixI/s400/DSC_0142.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709427735960112162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Abigail wasn't too thrilled that she had to go to school. She didn't know if they would be celebrating Valentine's Day or not (poor thing). But she still took her valentines in hand wearing her love shirt :). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aBhB3IEr3A/Tzv2PxkDa7I/AAAAAAAADlE/XdySBEAaRdE/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aBhB3IEr3A/Tzv2PxkDa7I/AAAAAAAADlE/XdySBEAaRdE/s400/DSC_0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709427703485262770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I think this was one of my favorite things I did for the kids this year. Who knew Christmas wrapping paper and coloring books could make such fun valentines. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't very good about taking pictures throughout the day. I really wish we would have gotten a couple more... oh well, maybe next year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After breakfast, Abby headed to school and Dad headed to work. The boys and I assembled legos and played for a bit, mixed together some sugar cookie dough, and we quickly got ready for the day and headed to one of our favorite bakeries - Two Little Red Hens. We were so happy to find a small line there (I was expecting a much bigger crowd - like I saw on Christmas Eve). After grabbing some cupcakes we headed for Midtown to surprise our Dad. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We definitely took the wrong bus - the local is MUCH slower than the express. Lesson learned. But we still made it just in time to have lunch with Dad. I felt really lucky. John doesn't always get lunch and to arrive at the exact time that they were just breaking for lunch... miracle :). So we enjoyed a yummy pizza/salad lunch at Patsy's. Yum. But the best was surprising our Dad and getting to spend time with him. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">John headed back to work with cupcakes to share in hand and the boys and I jumped on the subway (hoping that would be faster than the bus). When we walked in the door we had 35 minutes to bake a couple trays of cookies and make frosting before heading over to a friend's house for a little Valentine's Party. We made it - only 5 minutes late. The boys had a blast decorating cookies and eating frosting until their tummies hurt :). They weren't too happy when I told them we had to go. We were only there for about 45 mins, but we had to hurry to get Abigail from school. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">By this point in the day I began to question why I bought them candy and debated how much I should really let them eat in one day. Soon I gave up the fight and agreed to just about as many sweets as they wanted for the day. It's a holiday ... they're allowed... right??</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With homework, picking-up and reading done, we enjoyed some heart-shaped meatballs with spaghetti. But I think dessert was the most fun. Fondue. We love fondue. </div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jq8PM2K0rGA/Tzv2PZPj_EI/AAAAAAAADk4/4ad9SOezsRs/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jq8PM2K0rGA/Tzv2PZPj_EI/AAAAAAAADk4/4ad9SOezsRs/s400/DSC_0149.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709427696956865602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love all those chocolate faces? I do. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZy6_XPG2Nk/Tzv1GbFCcwI/AAAAAAAADko/_gVr7BI077A/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZy6_XPG2Nk/Tzv1GbFCcwI/AAAAAAAADko/_gVr7BI077A/s400/DSC_0161.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709426443319145218" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3_kEk4nKWc/Tzv1FndkGHI/AAAAAAAADkY/bXK1Su4k_UU/s1600/DSC_0152.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3_kEk4nKWc/Tzv1FndkGHI/AAAAAAAADkY/bXK1Su4k_UU/s400/DSC_0152.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709426429463369842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This little boy was covered with chocolate. He thought he was so funny. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNi829D4Ag0/Tzv1Fc2p7JI/AAAAAAAADkM/yrnpVRZCKos/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SNi829D4Ag0/Tzv1Fc2p7JI/AAAAAAAADkM/yrnpVRZCKos/s400/DSC_0157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709426426615819410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And even Owen enjoyed his 1st fondue experience. Chocolate covered bananas. Yum. </div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OH-wAZc70fs/Tzv1DMqjNgI/AAAAAAAADkE/RRIIngKsECY/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OH-wAZc70fs/Tzv1DMqjNgI/AAAAAAAADkE/RRIIngKsECY/s400/DSC_0160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709426387910342146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I think one of the best parts of the day for me, besides the smiles on my kids faces, was this sweet card from John. I love his cards. They are the kind you save forever. The kind you pull out of your sock drawer on "bad days" and read again.. and again.. and again. I truly love this man. And can you believe it? John bought roses this year!!! I was SO surprised :). </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVxQ8Os_Y7w/Tzv1CejaalI/AAAAAAAADj0/PKPpFLz5BjM/s1600/DSC_0164.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVxQ8Os_Y7w/Tzv1CejaalI/AAAAAAAADj0/PKPpFLz5BjM/s400/DSC_0164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709426375532374610" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you all had a great day filled with love from special people in your life. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A special thanks to all those that sent their love our way. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for thinking of us. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We truly love all of you. </div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-62933547184055683822012-01-07T15:56:00.000-08:002012-01-15T17:11:43.488-08:00Saturday Adventures: Botanical Gardens<div style="text-align: center;">Saturday is here again. As you have probably noticed, each Saturday we find some adventure to do as a family. Many are documented with photos, but many are not. Either way, when Saturday comes the kids know it is a day for fun. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This Saturday was no different. We had heard about a Holiday Train Show at the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx and decided to go. It was quite the event. Within the large greenhouse at the gardens, they had constructed a variety of structures (buildings, skyscrapers, bridges, stadiums, etc) that can be found in NYC. The amazing part was that each of these structures were made of natural materials - bark, sticks, acorns, nut shells, moss.. you get the idea. Some were only a foot tall, while others were close to 7 or 8 feet. I was amazed at the detail. The kids I think we more impressed with the model trains that ran throughout the exhibit - through roads and centers and across bridges. Connor (our train man) was in heaven. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHYh66gftII/TxNx1QmGyuI/AAAAAAAADjc/675caIz4eLU/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHYh66gftII/TxNx1QmGyuI/AAAAAAAADjc/675caIz4eLU/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698023113355610850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The gang waiting for the subway at our local subway stop - 96th </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6L5cH0QO1QQ/TxNx1OEYZGI/AAAAAAAADjM/QHQWJuikSx8/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6L5cH0QO1QQ/TxNx1OEYZGI/AAAAAAAADjM/QHQWJuikSx8/s400/DSC_0031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698023112677287010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"The Train Show"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkuRk0_4rtM/TxNxIwxG32I/AAAAAAAADjA/1LIJcLLZ6DI/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mkuRk0_4rtM/TxNxIwxG32I/AAAAAAAADjA/1LIJcLLZ6DI/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698022348897574754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Waiting for the crowd to get moving"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu8z8IJzQu8/TxNxIQbE9_I/AAAAAAAADi0/_XOZMAiUdRc/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu8z8IJzQu8/TxNxIQbE9_I/AAAAAAAADi0/_XOZMAiUdRc/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698022340215240690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A typical NYC crowd ... basically it is always crowded. You learn to push your way through the crowd with the best of them. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6EgKo2C97sk/TxNxH6ULZyI/AAAAAAAADio/DWc2VnRV4PA/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6EgKo2C97sk/TxNxH6ULZyI/AAAAAAAADio/DWc2VnRV4PA/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698022334280722210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Ellis Island" - the train show display</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNgttP3sOpE/TxNxHfjx8II/AAAAAAAADic/ZSkQxZnfltM/s1600/12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNgttP3sOpE/TxNxHfjx8II/AAAAAAAADic/ZSkQxZnfltM/s400/12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698022327098404994" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;">Real life Ellis Island... Can you see the resemblance? I think they did an amazing job.</div></i><div><i><br /></i><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wECCZkxyytg/TxNxG86G_RI/AAAAAAAADiQ/7a1LZwBOPIQ/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wECCZkxyytg/TxNxG86G_RI/AAAAAAAADiQ/7a1LZwBOPIQ/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698022317796818194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Abigail and Penn Station in the background</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO0aSNmWYPE/TxNv5NJlY6I/AAAAAAAADiE/4U5Irs37tIM/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO0aSNmWYPE/TxNv5NJlY6I/AAAAAAAADiE/4U5Irs37tIM/s400/DSC_0006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698020982126896034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>John trying to show the kids the details ... trying to help them appreciate :) </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtMN4VUCGbg/TxNv4GX8iPI/AAAAAAAADh8/v4mS57pQ9ac/s1600/DSC_0049.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OtMN4VUCGbg/TxNv4GX8iPI/AAAAAAAADh8/v4mS57pQ9ac/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698020963128215794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Brooklyn Bridge" </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6YA5ZNq-9I/TxNv3RqxuLI/AAAAAAAADhs/O8OxB8E7Xos/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6YA5ZNq-9I/TxNv3RqxuLI/AAAAAAAADhs/O8OxB8E7Xos/s400/IMG_0461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698020948980119730" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AQlkrbatC8/TxNv3PDixnI/AAAAAAAADhc/Ky2vwYEFV7c/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AQlkrbatC8/TxNv3PDixnI/AAAAAAAADhc/Ky2vwYEFV7c/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698020948278691442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Yankee Stadium"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8HjPYJgv1I/TxNv207qW8I/AAAAAAAADhU/eURwV1d-FTA/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8HjPYJgv1I/TxNv207qW8I/AAAAAAAADhU/eURwV1d-FTA/s400/DSC_0038.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698020941266312130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This was a fun one... the tallest building was probably about 8 feet tall. Can you tell which famous buildings are in this shot?? Rockefeller Center, Chrysler Building, Empire State Building...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It was always fun to come upon something that the kids recognized and could remember visiting... Many of the above were part of that remembering... as well as many sites from Central park and others. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzbDozjmNDo/TxNuVkIZ84I/AAAAAAAADhI/pCleDjR3Wxw/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzbDozjmNDo/TxNuVkIZ84I/AAAAAAAADhI/pCleDjR3Wxw/s400/IMG_0456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698019270309049218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Connor was SO much fun to watch. He LOVES trains! He was so excited whenever a train would pass by. Many times he would sit and wait for the next train to reappear. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the train show, we walked around the gardens and tried to enjoy some of the other facilities. After walking not too far we came upon the children's center. But I think the kids favorite part was climbing the rocks. More than anything, they were so excited to have space to run and play... things to climb on and ground to jump on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxODTyOgnew/TxNuVJ-0jKI/AAAAAAAADg8/c0lgDtCumVM/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xxODTyOgnew/TxNuVJ-0jKI/AAAAAAAADg8/c0lgDtCumVM/s400/IMG_0471.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698019263289527458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Enjoying the Rocks</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6CqapKbSx8/TxNuUDgKieI/AAAAAAAADgw/SElmifiVs-c/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6CqapKbSx8/TxNuUDgKieI/AAAAAAAADgw/SElmifiVs-c/s400/IMG_0469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698019244370463202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Even Owen was having fun</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_p72tJg6A0/TxNuULaICLI/AAAAAAAADgg/iII4fW4ODxs/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_p72tJg6A0/TxNuULaICLI/AAAAAAAADgg/iII4fW4ODxs/s400/IMG_0478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698019246492616882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Connor being a scientist</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jP4Qd1MpXuQ/TxNuT2I1qHI/AAAAAAAADgY/7XuW8uuqY34/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jP4Qd1MpXuQ/TxNuT2I1qHI/AAAAAAAADgY/7XuW8uuqY34/s400/IMG_0462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698019240782964850" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hooray for another Saturday of fun. We actually had such a great time we decided to put the cost of the days tickets toward a yearly membership. We can't wait to go back... especially in the spring. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Side Note: I was so bummed that I forgot to bring my longer lens for my camera. Especially after remembering that my regular lens is broken and is only in focus 50% of the time. Bummer. </div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-64283703532071763652011-12-29T05:56:00.000-08:002012-01-09T06:21:55.285-08:00Cabin Fun<div style="text-align: center;">We were all excited to spend some relaxing time at the cabin. It hadn't snowed as much as usual in Utah this winter, but we still managed to make it up there in the snowmobiles and there was plenty of snow for sledding (my favorite anyway). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Visiting the cabin always seems to have its fair share of challenges... I don't know if you remember the year before last when we found that all the pipes were frozen. This year was not as eventful, but when we got up to the cabin we found that we had no water! I was prepared to pack it back down the mountain and call it, but John and Mark were determined. They headed out to find the problem. After checking all the pipes around the cabin, they decided to see if they could find a neighbor that might be able to help. Come to find out, the main water pump wasn't working and we weren't the only ones without water. But our heros saved the day and worked (watched) to get the problem solved. We had water by midnight :). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We spend most of the time in our pajamas.. eating, sledding, snowmobiling, watching football and movies, and putting together puzzles. Fun times for all. It was a great way to spend part of our winter break... relaxing and enjoying family. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9GeAYzoJGNo/Twr1LY_kT7I/AAAAAAAADas/dST6jecX9FY/s1600/DSC_0713.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9GeAYzoJGNo/Twr1LY_kT7I/AAAAAAAADas/dST6jecX9FY/s400/DSC_0713.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695634254799851442" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ9DA9Ngoz0/Twr1K2BNt5I/AAAAAAAADag/UvQuJxbCBPk/s1600/DSC_0690.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ9DA9Ngoz0/Twr1K2BNt5I/AAAAAAAADag/UvQuJxbCBPk/s400/DSC_0690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695634245411518354" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDXkNpzuO4Q/Twr1Kj7u23I/AAAAAAAADaU/LJHtNmKoWI8/s1600/DSC_0681.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDXkNpzuO4Q/Twr1Kj7u23I/AAAAAAAADaU/LJHtNmKoWI8/s400/DSC_0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695634240556686194" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kXQcPWleWs/TwrzYx5ZyPI/AAAAAAAADaE/fI3wqnp244Q/s1600/DSC_0661.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kXQcPWleWs/TwrzYx5ZyPI/AAAAAAAADaE/fI3wqnp244Q/s400/DSC_0661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695632285799926002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Connor - always a bit nervous to go sledding, but still smiling.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGUWpUbtSr8/TwrzYMWbpKI/AAAAAAAADZ4/10BFO5KJC9E/s1600/DSC_0643.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGUWpUbtSr8/TwrzYMWbpKI/AAAAAAAADZ4/10BFO5KJC9E/s400/DSC_0643.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695632275721135266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dallin the Dare-Devil</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I don't think this kid is afraid of anything. He couldn't get his sled going fast enough :). </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhsTPKBUoiE/TwrzWRhgp9I/AAAAAAAADZs/oQdbhs8Qw3Y/s1600/DSC_0702.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhsTPKBUoiE/TwrzWRhgp9I/AAAAAAAADZs/oQdbhs8Qw3Y/s400/DSC_0702.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695632242750040018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the few shots of Abigail. She was usually playing with her "girl cousins" :). </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>She did have lots of fun sledding down the mountain and then getting picked up in the snowmobile. (the best kind of sledding if you ask me... long rides and an easy back to the top) </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3d084_xvbY/TwrzVs5M4eI/AAAAAAAADZg/iDD9ZiSZeq4/s1600/DSC_0655.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j3d084_xvbY/TwrzVs5M4eI/AAAAAAAADZg/iDD9ZiSZeq4/s400/DSC_0655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695632232917295586" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iE40v3VoBLg/TwrzVM8ZeZI/AAAAAAAADZU/XTj2bOjyErk/s1600/DSC_0641.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iE40v3VoBLg/TwrzVM8ZeZI/AAAAAAAADZU/XTj2bOjyErk/s400/DSC_0641.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695632224340769170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>John and two of his boys</i></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-74067160234193054122011-12-28T06:31:00.000-08:002012-01-09T06:54:49.968-08:00The Reason<div style="text-align: center;">The reason we traveled to Utah the day after Christmas... </div><div style="text-align: center;">To watch these two</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDOL7SXGcsw/Twr8HhS_mVI/AAAAAAAADcM/dSfFt31QTzg/s1600/392203_10150364524346423_667641422_8578511_893438953_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDOL7SXGcsw/Twr8HhS_mVI/AAAAAAAADcM/dSfFt31QTzg/s400/392203_10150364524346423_667641422_8578511_893438953_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695641884890732882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">get Sealed for Time and all Eternity. </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7DvVguNgkk/Twr8HZkAGEI/AAAAAAAADcA/_Ot82i91mHA/s1600/377910_10150451910401423_667641422_8890157_618368051_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7DvVguNgkk/Twr8HZkAGEI/AAAAAAAADcA/_Ot82i91mHA/s400/377910_10150451910401423_667641422_8890157_618368051_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695641882814584898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful couple... inside and out... Jake and Alexa Holland. </div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sealing was absolutely wonderful. They had the opportunity of having President Eyring seal them. His remarks were so heartfelt and inspirational. It really was one of the best sealings I have been to. The spirit was so powerful. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> You can't help but remember your own sealing as you watch the married couple experience a similar day. I still remember kneeling across the altar from John, my eyes filled with tears and his face filled with joy (he was giggling). But we both so happy. Each day since then we have grown more in love. I hope that we continue down that path holding true to the covenants we made that sacred day for us in temple almost 10 years ago. </div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dv_rdynVko/Twr8HWWM9iI/AAAAAAAADb4/ZScCYFvFDcw/s1600/DSC_0632.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dv_rdynVko/Twr8HWWM9iI/AAAAAAAADb4/ZScCYFvFDcw/s400/DSC_0632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695641881951401506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Everything about the day was beautiful. The temple. The sealing. The reception. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't take many pictures. But here are the few I did... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1dcxTcPg7k/Twr7VlfuDXI/AAAAAAAADbo/MXgPk_UC5_Q/s1600/DSC_0630.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1dcxTcPg7k/Twr7VlfuDXI/AAAAAAAADbo/MXgPk_UC5_Q/s400/DSC_0630.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695641027024391538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Beautiful Bride</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SA5emO03ys/Twr7U2sDQGI/AAAAAAAADbc/9-tsFMfp1kE/s1600/DSC_0627.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3SA5emO03ys/Twr7U2sDQGI/AAAAAAAADbc/9-tsFMfp1kE/s400/DSC_0627.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695641014459646050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dallin refusing to put on his boutonnière. "Flowers are for girls!" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the little kids on both sides (our four included) were able to be part of the wedding party. Little girls in beautiful cream dresses and little boys in navy with little blue bow ties. So adorable. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nntbu5HPRjM/Twr7Uku2Q2I/AAAAAAAADbQ/vUnizViKMYY/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nntbu5HPRjM/Twr7Uku2Q2I/AAAAAAAADbQ/vUnizViKMYY/s400/DSC_0631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695641009639539554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Two Little Princesses - Bella and Abigail</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" border="0" class="gl_align_center" /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAOtEqB6b_U/Twr7TkzRCwI/AAAAAAAADbE/i6xz6oE4G94/s1600/DSC_0638.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAOtEqB6b_U/Twr7TkzRCwI/AAAAAAAADbE/i6xz6oE4G94/s400/DSC_0638.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695640992478202626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Love these two silly kids</div></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iqEZxI0Kx4w/Twr7TRiMeHI/AAAAAAAADa4/I8GVt1OgFQM/s1600/DSC_0634.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iqEZxI0Kx4w/Twr7TRiMeHI/AAAAAAAADa4/I8GVt1OgFQM/s400/DSC_0634.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695640987306326130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">James Dowse (Catherine's youngest) and Owen Wirthlin</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cousins once removed - Born just weeks apart</div><div style="text-align: center;">6 months old</div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-46087142817366188972011-12-17T13:12:00.000-08:002012-01-09T13:58:40.725-08:00Gingerbread Houses<div style="text-align: center;">We really had fun heading down to Soho (would love to go back to this part of town and just walk around..preferably without kids) to this crazy candy store. Of course, it was a skinny store - like most everything in NYC... you feel like you are in a closet or hallway. But it was packed with candy (and people) - and not just the fancy NYC candy. We have been to a couple of those stores, too. This was old-school candy. The largest PEZ collection I have ever seen. Rock candy. Candy cigarettes (haven't seen those forever). Gummies. Hard candies. Pop Rocks. The list could go on and on. So we loaded up on all the best things we could find for our gingerbread houses and headed home to create our masterpieces. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are our creations... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axfCMF6_W0k/TwtagC5rlRI/AAAAAAAADds/j89rxiWJnks/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axfCMF6_W0k/TwtagC5rlRI/AAAAAAAADds/j89rxiWJnks/s400/DSC_0509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695745660321240338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dallin working hard. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5Zx1EBm0eU/Twtafzd5R2I/AAAAAAAADdg/bm8kCEZBLRM/s1600/DSC_0522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5Zx1EBm0eU/Twtafzd5R2I/AAAAAAAADdg/bm8kCEZBLRM/s400/DSC_0522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695745656178165602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Owen hanging out in the kitchen watching the fun and enjoying some sweets too. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lF5Ft1sZbA/TwtZwJlF8QI/AAAAAAAADdM/L5HGG1tekBU/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lF5Ft1sZbA/TwtZwJlF8QI/AAAAAAAADdM/L5HGG1tekBU/s400/DSC_0533.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695744837480214786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dad helping get the frosting in just the right spot. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mylQFeJP664/TwtZvtZvYLI/AAAAAAAADdA/2nQgKq_dwsU/s1600/DSC_0543.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mylQFeJP664/TwtZvtZvYLI/AAAAAAAADdA/2nQgKq_dwsU/s400/DSC_0543.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695744829916405938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Connor couldn't wait to eat some of his treasures.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzkkt8zc470/TwtZt1Vk77I/AAAAAAAADc4/_CvGIEdcDSw/s1600/DSC_0532.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzkkt8zc470/TwtZt1Vk77I/AAAAAAAADc4/_CvGIEdcDSw/s400/DSC_0532.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695744797686689714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dallin's Masterpiece</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiTvSVqDw4A/TwtZtL4GI0I/AAAAAAAADco/3v6d4oei138/s1600/DSC_0536.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiTvSVqDw4A/TwtZtL4GI0I/AAAAAAAADco/3v6d4oei138/s400/DSC_0536.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695744786557182786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Connor won "Most Candy." This picture is missing his lemon drop yard. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAsALhodfIg/TwtZskYcC_I/AAAAAAAADcc/xSSGWGI55V4/s1600/DSC_0539.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAsALhodfIg/TwtZskYcC_I/AAAAAAAADcc/xSSGWGI55V4/s400/DSC_0539.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695744775955418098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Abigail and her creation. She couldn't stop making silly faces...maybe all that sugar was getting to her :). She was awarded "Most Meticulous"</i></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-74588801646031964992011-12-08T19:44:00.000-08:002012-01-09T20:05:45.732-08:00Santa's Winter Wonderland<div style="text-align: center;">We had to take the kids to the famous Macy's Winter Wonderland to see Santa. I was a bit hesitant.. knowing the crowds were just going to be ridiculous. But these are the things that we do for our children, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We decided we might have a better chance during the week than going on the weekend. So the kids and I met John just off the subway at 33rd and walked over to Macy's around 6pm. It was perfect!!! I was anticipating having to wait at least an hour before we even entered the Wonderland, but when we arrived they said there was no line! No line?!?!?! I was more than excited. We walked right onto the little train and entered the Winter Wonderland. It does take about 20 minutes to wind your way through all of the little exhibits and displays in the wonderland., but we all loved it. From sledding penguins and dancing bears, to a Santa sleigh full of toys and tin soldiers ... the wonderland had it all. Connor was especially enthralled with the toy train that wound its way around a Christmas tree and then down again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYA9ALw1LyE/Twu1nzdBMHI/AAAAAAAADe0/SmMaseaelps/s1600/DSC_0417.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYA9ALw1LyE/Twu1nzdBMHI/AAAAAAAADe0/SmMaseaelps/s400/DSC_0417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695845849171570802" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTz4wdLcYJQ/Twu1nnBZDnI/AAAAAAAADeo/N41cWyCf6JY/s1600/DSC_0416.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTz4wdLcYJQ/Twu1nnBZDnI/AAAAAAAADeo/N41cWyCf6JY/s400/DSC_0416.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695845845834468978" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hu08UjskmPs/Twu1mdSKeeI/AAAAAAAADeg/6CSFJXnvHHE/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hu08UjskmPs/Twu1mdSKeeI/AAAAAAAADeg/6CSFJXnvHHE/s400/DSC_0411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695845826040592866" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ECkarvYj8U/Twu1lZ0gtqI/AAAAAAAADeQ/c3QpXwQDX8M/s1600/DSC_0414.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ECkarvYj8U/Twu1lZ0gtqI/AAAAAAAADeQ/c3QpXwQDX8M/s400/DSC_0414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695845807931045538" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qu3HnqsxS3g/Twu1lCLNAmI/AAAAAAAADeE/Nc93O5ttYr8/s1600/DSC_0427.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qu3HnqsxS3g/Twu1lCLNAmI/AAAAAAAADeE/Nc93O5ttYr8/s400/DSC_0427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695845801583772258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It was fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The Santa wouldn't smile. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> But I still had a good night and so did the kids. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> And that is all that matters. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And we were still home in time for bed... perfect!</div><div><br /></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-80063671478524713812011-12-05T17:41:00.000-08:002012-01-03T17:45:50.930-08:00Action Shot<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">John in action.... tying in a splint. </div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RD5gabiP68/TwOuZvILOCI/AAAAAAAADXw/QmSc_Hi5Qes/s1600/image.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RD5gabiP68/TwOuZvILOCI/AAAAAAAADXw/QmSc_Hi5Qes/s400/image.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693586111097157666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Love this shot. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love seeing what my guy is<img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" border="0" class="gl_align_center" /> doing all day... or at least part of the day. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-78857503230788020992011-12-02T20:09:00.000-08:002012-01-09T20:33:48.398-08:00'Tis the Season<div style="text-align: center;">Months ago, one of John's coworkers informed us that we HAD to get tickets to the Christmas Spectacular. She insisted that it was "the" show to see at Christmas time in NYC. So after a little debating, we bought our tickets and crossed our fingers that the kids were going to be entertained the entire time and Owen wasn't going to cry through the entire thing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crisp Morning + Donuts = A Great Start</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0jPCWgwg6g/Twu7zVuRPwI/AAAAAAAADgM/Usj2OIfi794/s1600/DSC_0345.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0jPCWgwg6g/Twu7zVuRPwI/AAAAAAAADgM/Usj2OIfi794/s400/DSC_0345.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695852644419059458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--N4WwiLDgs4/Twu7ywgzApI/AAAAAAAADgA/kY7DIspXFK0/s1600/DSC_0346.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--N4WwiLDgs4/Twu7ywgzApI/AAAAAAAADgA/kY7DIspXFK0/s400/DSC_0346.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695852634430440082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting in line at Radio City Hall...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NQdCOz56kU/Twu7MNdDApI/AAAAAAAADfw/tD90M_ck7uc/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4NQdCOz56kU/Twu7MNdDApI/AAAAAAAADfw/tD90M_ck7uc/s400/DSC_0359.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695851972184441490" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the theater had been decorated floor to ceiling for the holiday. It was spectacular. I think my favorite piece was the <i>Christmas Tree Chandelier</i> that hung in the front lobby. It was gorgeous. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2NDqDZCLIw/Twu7KHjTYCI/AAAAAAAADfk/ZSRtnC18mec/s1600/DSC_0347.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2NDqDZCLIw/Twu7KHjTYCI/AAAAAAAADfk/ZSRtnC18mec/s400/DSC_0347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695851936240328738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Family shot from the balcony. You can see part of the chandelier. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">We really enjoyed the show. The Rockettes were fabulous! The kids loved all the lights.. the dancing... the storyline.. the 3D parts ... especially getting to wear the fun glasses... and the live nativity. I must admit the live animals were a great touch. Our seats were great - Everyone could see (thank goodness). And Owen was happy through the entire show. It was a miracle! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the show we walked down the sidewalk to see, for ourselves, the massive Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. Amazing!!! It is HUGE!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXubEYpyDLs/Twu7JP3iyYI/AAAAAAAADfY/C0fEsRgizY0/s1600/DSC_0348.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXubEYpyDLs/Twu7JP3iyYI/AAAAAAAADfY/C0fEsRgizY0/s400/DSC_0348.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695851921292839298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Family shot minus the photographer... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cDFrPsUxXd4/Twu7ID_Y8sI/AAAAAAAADfM/F7c4hbwNPYM/s1600/DSC_0349.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cDFrPsUxXd4/Twu7ID_Y8sI/AAAAAAAADfM/F7c4hbwNPYM/s400/DSC_0349.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695851900924654274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A nice man offered to take a picture of our entire family. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poor Owen always has the back of his head in all these pictures. I need to remember to pull him out of that carrier. </div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiFdZ-z4Lwo/Twu7H1N7g9I/AAAAAAAADfA/6PuTG74Om80/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JiFdZ-z4Lwo/Twu7H1N7g9I/AAAAAAAADfA/6PuTG74Om80/s400/DSC_0350.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695851896959108050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This photo is one of my favorites from the day. Love this boy. </div></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-9043333069516795992011-12-01T06:54:00.000-08:002012-01-04T06:58:44.552-08:00Shoes<div style="text-align: center;">Yes... we are doing a lot of walking. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bought these shoes for Dallin right before we left SLC around Sept 15th. Here they are 2 months later, worn completely through at the heels and toes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Axc0QeYISLY/TwRobF880LI/AAAAAAAADYI/5h6UuHBQSBY/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Axc0QeYISLY/TwRobF880LI/AAAAAAAADYI/5h6UuHBQSBY/s400/IMG_0286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693790643566727346" /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">I used to be able to buy Target shoes for my kids and by the time they outgrew them, the shoes were ready to be replaced too. Not anymore. Target shoes aren't going to cut it. </div><div><br /></div><div></div></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-19902231232591264982011-10-15T18:32:00.000-07:002011-10-18T19:35:58.660-07:00Happy Birthday Connor!!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u98R687ZEl0/Tp4xYmOsoiI/AAAAAAAADHI/pZ97GECJEAU/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u98R687ZEl0/Tp4xYmOsoiI/AAAAAAAADHI/pZ97GECJEAU/s400/DSC_0001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019679927476770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Can you believe it? This little man is 3! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Connor has been waiting for his birthday to come... and finally it was his turn for a special day - all his own. Decorations for him... a birthday chair for him... presents for him... and cake for him... he was in heaven. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Originally Connor told me he wanted pancakes and smoothies for his special birthday breakfast, but once he woke up that morning .. he changed his mind. No pancakes... "I want breakfast." Breakfast to Connor = cereal. So the menu changed. Abigail and Dallin weren't too thrilled with the change, but Connor reassured them... "We still get smoothies." So.. birthday breakfast... "Dog Food (Cracklin' Oat Bran)" and Smoothies. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After breakfast we opened a few presents .. played with them for a bit ... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NhZse2Quzjk/Tp4xNQZiVkI/AAAAAAAADG8/QWIe8zoRdsI/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NhZse2Quzjk/Tp4xNQZiVkI/AAAAAAAADG8/QWIe8zoRdsI/s400/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019485088798274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we packed up and headed to the largest urban zoo in the nation... The Bronx Zoo. I think Connor had just as much fun on the subway as he did at the zoo. He LOVES riding the subway. We had a fun filled day with lots of walking and lots of animals. Some of our favorites included the Asia Monorail and the Gorilla Refuge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUszSjDFAAM/Tp4xNDuyzYI/AAAAAAAADGw/Z13C8PWZpRc/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUszSjDFAAM/Tp4xNDuyzYI/AAAAAAAADGw/Z13C8PWZpRc/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019481688296834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>One of our favorite animals of the day... the TIGER.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzUCTckNblA/Tp4xMBVq0WI/AAAAAAAADGo/JVEvIO3kxRo/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzUCTckNblA/Tp4xMBVq0WI/AAAAAAAADGo/JVEvIO3kxRo/s400/DSC_0056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019463866175842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Asia Monorail... so neat!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ylm0oJ2qDo0/Tp4xLhme-cI/AAAAAAAADGY/Yc3CfwM_okg/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ylm0oJ2qDo0/Tp4xLhme-cI/AAAAAAAADGY/Yc3CfwM_okg/s400/DSC_0078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019455346768322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Waiting in line for the Dora and Diego 4D movie. </i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not sure Owen enjoyed the water splashing in his face. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxtLJzKWcIQ/Tp4xLZiSOSI/AAAAAAAADGM/6_DWrIxCblc/s1600/DSC_0112.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxtLJzKWcIQ/Tp4xLZiSOSI/AAAAAAAADGM/6_DWrIxCblc/s400/DSC_0112.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665019453181671714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"The Bug Carousel"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWURPOzWUyo/Tp4vw726GqI/AAAAAAAADGA/NF6zquMTkCA/s1600/DSC_0083.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yWURPOzWUyo/Tp4vw726GqI/AAAAAAAADGA/NF6zquMTkCA/s400/DSC_0083.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665017899026881186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We sat down to watch a short film about the gorillas... and this is what happened to Connor. Poor kid... he was all tuckered out. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02_PzE1Auyo/Tp4vvkE3QNI/AAAAAAAADF4/ryw1GZ_EzHI/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02_PzE1Auyo/Tp4vvkE3QNI/AAAAAAAADF4/ryw1GZ_EzHI/s400/DSC_0105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665017875463094482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Part of our cute little family</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwT66FO-hpM/Tp4vu_zSrhI/AAAAAAAADFo/D1azpvr0CIY/s1600/DSC_0142.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rwT66FO-hpM/Tp4vu_zSrhI/AAAAAAAADFo/D1azpvr0CIY/s400/DSC_0142.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665017865725718034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Heading home after a fabulous day at the zoo. </i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmkGcQ2OzdY/Tp4vuRMe6jI/AAAAAAAADFc/CqEKfj6Tz2I/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmkGcQ2OzdY/Tp4vuRMe6jI/AAAAAAAADFc/CqEKfj6Tz2I/s400/DSC_0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665017853214911026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">One the way home we stopped for some dinner and headed to Crumbs Bakery for some NYC cupcakes. We ended up with quite a variety. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Connor was pretty excited about his cupcakes and candles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQia_nM6rHA/Tp4vuHyhb0I/AAAAAAAADFQ/7jkeV9h4f6g/s1600/DSC_0155.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQia_nM6rHA/Tp4vuHyhb0I/AAAAAAAADFQ/7jkeV9h4f6g/s400/DSC_0155.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665017850690105154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Connor!</span></b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We hope all your birthday wishes come true!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a great day. Fun for all. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I still can't believe our Connor is 3 years old! He is such a fun and spirited little guy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We love you Connor. </div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-37690425374838123052011-10-13T19:53:00.000-07:002011-10-18T19:58:15.848-07:00The 3 Amigos<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0mjq1Rga1U/Tp48J6iCjsI/AAAAAAAADH8/wzFUXSbMmQc/s1600/DSC_0383.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0mjq1Rga1U/Tp48J6iCjsI/AAAAAAAADH8/wzFUXSbMmQc/s400/DSC_0383.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665031522307182274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everyone is enjoying "Tummy-Time" at our house (apartment). </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp_6KBCkXTc/Tp48Jg2itQI/AAAAAAAADHs/xSxflYS5g7c/s1600/DSC_0388.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp_6KBCkXTc/Tp48Jg2itQI/AAAAAAAADHs/xSxflYS5g7c/s400/DSC_0388.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665031515413853442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Owen</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">4 months old </div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-7326627834184339742011-10-13T19:40:00.000-07:002011-10-18T19:52:58.173-07:00Firsts...<div style="text-align: center;">Hooray for Owen! He is finally on his way to a wonderful world full of amazing tastes and the joy that comes from those tastes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">First attempt at rice cereal:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-q6HOc4bm8/Tp45qJZU7VI/AAAAAAAADHk/Z1mEOdE8TAA/s1600/DSC_0378.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-q6HOc4bm8/Tp45qJZU7VI/AAAAAAAADHk/Z1mEOdE8TAA/s400/DSC_0378.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665028777518099794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Getting excited.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqitAgMGSEo/Tp45p1uX4nI/AAAAAAAADHU/z_14PSvX8D4/s1600/DSC_0380.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqitAgMGSEo/Tp45p1uX4nI/AAAAAAAADHU/z_14PSvX8D4/s400/DSC_0380.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665028772237664882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Not really sure ... maybe this isn't what he had in mind. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Owen struggles a bit with keeping the cereal in his mouth. But with some practice .. hopefully.. he will get better. We know he is ready for something more than just breast milk. He has sucked cucumbers and apples and couldn't get enough of both. </div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-61046095839360121132011-10-08T20:10:00.000-07:002011-10-18T21:06:52.055-07:00Happy Birthday Dallin!<div style="text-align: center;">Dallin was SOOOOO EXCITED to have a birthday. Lucky for him he got two days of celebration. When your birthday is on Sunday, there is a fun activity day and a birthday day. So... to celebrate Dallin's day we headed to the Natural History Museum. WOW! What a museum! This place is huge! We will definitely be going back (I am sure a lot when it is snowing). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qP75Ay5py28/Tp5GNJ7oAeI/AAAAAAAADKQ/tORjn9UpELY/s1600/DSC_0340.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qP75Ay5py28/Tp5GNJ7oAeI/AAAAAAAADKQ/tORjn9UpELY/s400/DSC_0340.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665042573096911330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We spent most of our time on the 4th floor. The floor of DINOSAURS. The boys were so excited. Actually, I think John and I love museums more than anyone. :) I was really impressed that the museum had an app that you could download that allowed you to take a variety of personal tours throughout the museum. We decided to take a medium length tour to catch some of the major highlights. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZJ3DPCflC8/Tp5GMghJ4qI/AAAAAAAADKI/FEj66XSMzk4/s1600/DSC_0339.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZJ3DPCflC8/Tp5GMghJ4qI/AAAAAAAADKI/FEj66XSMzk4/s400/DSC_0339.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665042561980031650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fX51m-z38Nw/Tp5GMb9_1oI/AAAAAAAADJ8/zyYTCHLk6w8/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fX51m-z38Nw/Tp5GMb9_1oI/AAAAAAAADJ8/zyYTCHLk6w8/s400/DSC_0355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665042560758830722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Along the way... we met up with these guys.. MaryAnn and Stephen! We were so excited to have visitors. Stephen was here in NYC interviewing for Med school. We can't wait to see where he ends up. And yes... this picture is out of place. This was actually taken on Sunday, but they did meet up with us at the museum :). </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIov0wYYQj8/Tp5FQU68w9I/AAAAAAAADJ0/pzhelV_g-yM/s1600/DSC_0343.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aIov0wYYQj8/Tp5FQU68w9I/AAAAAAAADJ0/pzhelV_g-yM/s400/DSC_0343.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665041528074847186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It was fun to watch the kids remember the movie "Night at the Museum" and find the various characters amongst the exhibits. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the Museum, we headed through Central Park to find some lunch. Lucky for us there is a Shake Shack not too far from the museum. Yum! Yes .. they really are that good. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After some serious discussion, we convinced Stephen and MaryAnn to check out of their hotel (in New Jersey.. way too far from the city) and come stay with us. While they were off getting their suitcases, we took Dallin for one final birthday stop. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vsFZpJ9qg44/Tp5FQJ0JFTI/AAAAAAAADJk/9YWTXeeT_mw/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vsFZpJ9qg44/Tp5FQJ0JFTI/AAAAAAAADJk/9YWTXeeT_mw/s400/DSC_0348.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665041525093504306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dallin LOVES legos and he was more than excited to pick out his present. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVKld9vR6TU/Tp5FPUSgMQI/AAAAAAAADJc/8ALxKe2ZWJk/s1600/DSC_0349.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVKld9vR6TU/Tp5FPUSgMQI/AAAAAAAADJc/8ALxKe2ZWJk/s400/DSC_0349.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665041510725333250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday (Dallin's real Birthday) we awoke early. Church starts at 9am... so this mom had to crawl out of bed at 6am to get the birthday breakfast started... Gorilla Bread. Good thing he loved it and was so grateful. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aNRa3TCg8vw/Tp5FPL2sFjI/AAAAAAAADJM/CC9_orx4CvE/s1600/DSC_0352.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aNRa3TCg8vw/Tp5FPL2sFjI/AAAAAAAADJM/CC9_orx4CvE/s400/DSC_0352.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665041508461188658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After church it was present time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oerPaGx0LN4/Tp5FO68V1BI/AAAAAAAADJA/tGHg23b8GHI/s1600/DSC_0354.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oerPaGx0LN4/Tp5FO68V1BI/AAAAAAAADJA/tGHg23b8GHI/s400/DSC_0354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665041503921493010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In some ways Sunday birthdays are the best. It is nice to have the time to just sit and enjoy each other. Here are the boys (John, Dallin, and Connor) putting together some lego masterpieces together. I love Father-Son time. So cute. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eDmMObo7EE/Tp5AsppEb8I/AAAAAAAADI0/THi1xEgrW-A/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eDmMObo7EE/Tp5AsppEb8I/AAAAAAAADI0/THi1xEgrW-A/s400/DSC_0355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665036517115195330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After opening presents, we took MaryAnn and Stephen down to the Staten Island Ferry to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. (We really did have fun with these two)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMZn5ty4fRs/Tp5Ars_PbnI/AAAAAAAADIs/LDzrq-eyi8w/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMZn5ty4fRs/Tp5Ars_PbnI/AAAAAAAADIs/LDzrq-eyi8w/s400/DSC_0356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665036500833627762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dallin was just thrilled to be able to carry his candy along for the ride (thank you MaryAnn and Stephen). While riding along we met another women visiting NYC with her daughter who also was having a birthday this month. She was so sweet. She learned it was Dallin's birthday and gathered her kids around to sing to him.... soon there was quite a group singing and wishing Dallin a happy birthday. I think his favorite part was when she whipped out $5 and said "Happy Birthday!" He was grinning from ear to ear! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fJzscDPw-QE/Tp5Aq5WvdQI/AAAAAAAADIc/zpRWC6YMc4w/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fJzscDPw-QE/Tp5Aq5WvdQI/AAAAAAAADIc/zpRWC6YMc4w/s400/DSC_0363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665036486973551874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That evening we blew out the candles, cut and devoured the most delicious chocolate cake ever. So glad Dallin wanted the Black out Cake. It was fabulous. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Too bad I took the cake out of the fridge too soon... some of the frosting had begun to melt down the side of the cake. At least we knew it was really made out of butter :). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EdK4EcrCKq0/Tp5AqrkDx-I/AAAAAAAADIM/7wsch2vqQTo/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EdK4EcrCKq0/Tp5AqrkDx-I/AAAAAAAADIM/7wsch2vqQTo/s400/DSC_0367.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665036483271313378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys7mgROICUo/Tp5AqqPzOcI/AAAAAAAADIE/zcNYteSwRmo/s1600/DSC_0374.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ys7mgROICUo/Tp5AqqPzOcI/AAAAAAAADIE/zcNYteSwRmo/s400/DSC_0374.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665036482917906882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dallin is such a sweet, fun loving boy. We love his happy-go-lucky attitude. He is always thinking of others. He may give me a heart-attack on a daily basis (always trying something crazy- he climbs on anything and everything)... but I sure do love this little guy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 5th Birthday Dallin! </div><div style="text-align: center;">We love you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-87158778327068344772011-10-07T19:58:00.000-07:002012-01-02T20:35:29.850-08:00Brooklyn Bridge<div style="text-align: center;">We started with a great plan. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> The kids and I would ride the subway downtown ... meet John after work at 6pm ... walk across the Brooklyn Bridge ... and enjoy Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn ... walk back across and head home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Plans don't always work out the way you plan. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poor John didn't get off of work when he planned. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids and I were anxiously waiting and walking around the block for John to arrive. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Luckily I had packed some trail mix in the bag. The kids were starving. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We finally started across the Brooklyn Bridge around 7pm (an hour past our meeting time).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bridge was amazing. Cars traveling underneath you. Pedestrians and bikes on top. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love history and learning about the place where you live. This bridge is truly amazing. It took 13 years to build and was finally completed in 1883. It is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It is amazing to see the workmanship that has lasted more than 125 years. </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAxYNE0A94s/TwJ-CDuQADI/AAAAAAAADTc/Vxg1fBRY8TM/s1600/DSC_0311.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VAxYNE0A94s/TwJ-CDuQADI/AAAAAAAADTc/Vxg1fBRY8TM/s400/DSC_0311.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693251452773859378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not the best picture I have ever taken, but you get the idea. I still need to learn how to take better shots at night. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pid46Z6ND3c/TwJ-BkenxII/AAAAAAAADTM/C452mn0z0yw/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pid46Z6ND3c/TwJ-BkenxII/AAAAAAAADTM/C452mn0z0yw/s400/DSC_0313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693251444386808962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>View of Manhattan from the bridge. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TorbLtZ4wrE/TwJ-AvAp-CI/AAAAAAAADTA/H1IAxprL8Wg/s1600/DSC_0314.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TorbLtZ4wrE/TwJ-AvAp-CI/AAAAAAAADTA/H1IAxprL8Wg/s400/DSC_0314.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693251430034044962" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJP1KntEV0E/TwJ-Abs0StI/AAAAAAAADS0/PQMBvqhc168/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJP1KntEV0E/TwJ-Abs0StI/AAAAAAAADS0/PQMBvqhc168/s400/DSC_0332.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693251424850561746" /></a><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center; ">Family Shot</div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">It doesn't take long to cross the bridge .. only about 20 mins. But it really is a must-do when you come to NYC. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">Once on the other side we found our way to Grimaldi's, which is really just under the Bridge on the Brooklyn side. Grimaldi's is known (very well known) for its authentic NYC pizza. When we got there the line for a table was down the sidewalk. We kept trying to figure out how long the wait would be, but the gentleman at the door wouldn't say. "Some people eat slow, some people eat fast." So ... we figured we had come this far and everyone was starving... so we would wait it out. After about an hour we were able to squeeze into a table meant for four. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">[Side note: in NYC restaurants seating is tight! Very tight! When I say table for four.. I mean a table with four place settings. You are touching elbows with the people sitting next to you in your party and the people sitting next to you not in your party. :) We were just crossing our fingers the kids could sit in their seats well enough not to disturb everyone else in the restaurant. ]</div><div style="text-align: center; ">By this time it was way past bedtime and Connor was long gone. He had fallen asleep in John's arms. So there we were sitting at this small table... John holding sleeping Connor and me holding sleeping Owen. But when the food finally arrived at our table around 9:15pm we were thrilled. It was that good. The ingredients were so fresh. The kids weren't as excited about the authentic ingredients as mom and dad, but they sleepily finished their plates :). </div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">When we finally left the restaurant it was close to 10pm. We were planning to walk back across the bridge, but with one heavy sleeping child in arms and two others ready to crash, we decided it was best to take a taxi home. The kids were SO excited. They love taxis. </div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Even though the night didn't go exactly as planned, it was still a night to remember. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">We loved walking the bridge.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">We loved the pizza. </div><div style="text-align: center; ">And we loved spending time together. </div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-7923932430492204122011-10-01T07:00:00.000-07:002012-01-04T07:40:10.595-08:00General Conference<div style="text-align: center;">I was shocked when I realized that General Conference starts at 11am on the East Coast. WOW... that is late! So after a lazy morning, we decided to pack a lunch and head to a public park not too far from home (on 115th street.. that's about 18 blocks from home). The best part about the park, besides the playground and turf soccer field, was the Wi-fi connection. We ate our picnic and listened on the computer to conference. It was great! Mouths were full... so they had to listen :). After they were done eating we turned them loose in the playground and John and I were actually able to listen to the rest of Conference. SO nice. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ehLgAEIDxo/TwRq3yFEDrI/AAAAAAAADZI/doxHkF3MKek/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ehLgAEIDxo/TwRq3yFEDrI/AAAAAAAADZI/doxHkF3MKek/s400/DSC_0298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693793335471509170" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>John taking a break to play some ball with Connor. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHwH8ef9tFQ/TwRq28br6uI/AAAAAAAADY4/ENMw4sVbNa4/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHwH8ef9tFQ/TwRq28br6uI/AAAAAAAADY4/ENMw4sVbNa4/s400/DSC_0302.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693793321070881506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Owen fast asleep in his stroller, while being blocked from the wind. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYKBuRLFkr8/TwRq2tZSqpI/AAAAAAAADYs/EjRlTR8dTFA/s1600/DSC_0306.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYKBuRLFkr8/TwRq2tZSqpI/AAAAAAAADYs/EjRlTR8dTFA/s400/DSC_0306.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693793317034306194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The troops</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35h4HA6fnBo/TwRq1u5KSdI/AAAAAAAADYg/cS8Jt3jAXFs/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35h4HA6fnBo/TwRq1u5KSdI/AAAAAAAADYg/cS8Jt3jAXFs/s400/IMG_0156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693793300256541138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday we watched Conference at home, but took a field trip between sessions to visit the Temple on the West side of town. It was really interesting to see such a place of peace in the midst of all the craziness that NYC sidewalks and shopping bring. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1eZ2IKFvVY/TwRq1WH28eI/AAAAAAAADYU/7iY5MIX4W7w/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1eZ2IKFvVY/TwRq1WH28eI/AAAAAAAADYU/7iY5MIX4W7w/s400/IMG_0158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693793293607301602" /></a><br /></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-71225471788613114062011-09-29T19:35:00.000-07:002012-01-02T19:52:01.165-08:00Central Park<div style="text-align: center;">After a couple days of rain, it was nice to get out and play in the sunshine. The kids were all prepared with their soccer socks, cleats, and soccer balls to scrimmage and play together, but when we arrived at the park we learned that after it rains they close the big fields. Bummer. Oh well, we still had our picnic lunch and lots of granite rocks for climbing. I think the kids were still happy just to get out. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAAeBS1nWfA/TwJ5KyVAphI/AAAAAAAADSg/CUg1UfTx_HA/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAAeBS1nWfA/TwJ5KyVAphI/AAAAAAAADSg/CUg1UfTx_HA/s400/DSC_0273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693246105165276690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Posing for Mom on top of a big granite rock where we ate lunch. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6Ytxas9Zz8/TwJ5KXx3IaI/AAAAAAAADSU/y2Np6MzhZ-o/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6Ytxas9Zz8/TwJ5KXx3IaI/AAAAAAAADSU/y2Np6MzhZ-o/s400/DSC_0278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693246098038530466" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Happy Owen. We love his smiles. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_jZl_MsNME/TwJ5JhpzuOI/AAAAAAAADSI/PSJLf7UzHRY/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_jZl_MsNME/TwJ5JhpzuOI/AAAAAAAADSI/PSJLf7UzHRY/s400/DSC_0286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693246083509237986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Playing in the rocks. You can't go wrong with rocks and sticks. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd5BMAb5eFo/TwJ5I9V2XVI/AAAAAAAADR8/NbA12hV3iZc/s1600/DSC_0290.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dd5BMAb5eFo/TwJ5I9V2XVI/AAAAAAAADR8/NbA12hV3iZc/s400/DSC_0290.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693246073761848658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the way home we stopped at the playground on 96th in Central Park. The kids love the tire swings here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnsHvu1u0wo/TwJ5IiJkTsI/AAAAAAAADRw/lfmDfX2MTOo/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnsHvu1u0wo/TwJ5IiJkTsI/AAAAAAAADRw/lfmDfX2MTOo/s400/DSC_0295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693246066462576322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the last week before Abigail started school. We are going to miss having her helpful, happy, smiling face around. But she is really excited to be going to school again this year. Mom and Dad are a little nervous, but we are trying to be positive about this new experience for Abby. An inner-city school will be a new experience for us all. </div><div><br /></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-58037061721655238662011-09-26T18:52:00.000-07:002012-01-02T19:28:27.960-08:00Out On Our Own<div style="text-align: center;">The kids and I decided to be brave and venture out on our own. We packed our lunch, loaded up and jumped on the subway heading downtown towards the Central Park Zoo. I am still horrible at figuring out where I am when I come up from the subway stop. And yes, this time was no different. Because I couldn't tell which way to go at first, the kids and I took about an 8 block detour before getting in the right direction. Oh well.. we are learning. Needless to say the kids were very hungry when we finally reached the park. So we enjoyed our lunch while watching the sea lions :). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cwMNXdeQAgA/TwJvhgGMyRI/AAAAAAAADRk/WsdnZ_OVG_A/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cwMNXdeQAgA/TwJvhgGMyRI/AAAAAAAADRk/WsdnZ_OVG_A/s400/DSC_0229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693235500292032786" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ_HB4c1KjI/TwJvhI5mUYI/AAAAAAAADRY/hKe7TFkq1xU/s1600/DSC_0239.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ_HB4c1KjI/TwJvhI5mUYI/AAAAAAAADRY/hKe7TFkq1xU/s400/DSC_0239.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693235494065164674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Central Park Zoo was nice, but small... very small. It didn't take us long to see the entire zoo (I think top to bottom including lunch we were there about an hour). We did love the polar bear, who put on quite the show - swimming back and forth, back and forth along his pool, and the sea lion show was a winner. We even had front row seats ... perfect for the kiddos. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just down the walkway from the main zoo is a children's zoo. Again... small, but enjoyable. Along the way you pass under this clock tower. The kids were in awe as the chimes began and the animals began circling the tower to music. Both Abby and Dallin said it was their favorite thing of the day. It really is quite a neat sight. </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zw6fcYV8ow/TwJu3JvMd-I/AAAAAAAADRM/UNyo0fE-lXw/s1600/DSC_0243.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zw6fcYV8ow/TwJu3JvMd-I/AAAAAAAADRM/UNyo0fE-lXw/s400/DSC_0243.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693234772735457250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Inside the Children's Zoo the kids had fun climbing on everything and anything they could find. </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpcIRWrWA3s/TwJu20VzVoI/AAAAAAAADRA/ylxspKxiwdU/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpcIRWrWA3s/TwJu20VzVoI/AAAAAAAADRA/ylxspKxiwdU/s400/DSC_0247.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693234766991808130" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_0kTC3kVIA/TwJu2CpYBhI/AAAAAAAADQ0/vRf0hPDrf7U/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_0kTC3kVIA/TwJu2CpYBhI/AAAAAAAADQ0/vRf0hPDrf7U/s400/DSC_0251.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693234753652131346" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lucky for all of us this little man was a great traveler. Sleeping most of the time. I love a sleeping baby. </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmWA1zywr_Y/TwJu1mx6p2I/AAAAAAAADQo/Kwg5J8ZUeaU/s1600/DSC_0256.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmWA1zywr_Y/TwJu1mx6p2I/AAAAAAAADQo/Kwg5J8ZUeaU/s400/DSC_0256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693234746171762530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Connor thought it would be fun to have a stare down with an alpaca. Even though I kept trying to tell him... "That animal will spit at you if he gets mad.... watch out." But that did not deter him. He stayed right there .. staring. </div></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQpFaMA-rUk/TwJu1b9OC9I/AAAAAAAADQc/XS0FzUWeMVI/s1600/DSC_0258.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQpFaMA-rUk/TwJu1b9OC9I/AAAAAAAADQc/XS0FzUWeMVI/s400/DSC_0258.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693234743266380754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After a fun afternoon at the zoo... we decided to head home. I didn't think that Central Park could be that big and we had come up some from where the subway stop was... I decided we would walk. The kids weren't too happy about the plan, but they agreed when I promised we would stop at one of the parks along the way. </div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let me tell you ... Central Park is that big! :) We walked from 59th Street up to 97th Street and then over about 4 more blocks until we reached home. It only took us about an hour and a half with a short park stop in the mix. It was nice to walk through the park. It is beautiful. I am still amazed at how many people there are though. I have always associated nature with fewer people... not here in NYC.. there are people everywhere :). </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And Yes... in case you are wondering.. We do look funny in NYC. Anyone with four kids is bound to draw some attention and get some interesting looks :). </div><div><br /></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7358395086722657932.post-67532590507056177242011-09-23T18:06:00.000-07:002012-01-02T18:43:52.140-08:00Intro to NYC<div style="text-align: center;">Our first weekend outing ... A "Big Taxi Tour."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not only had John set up the house (unloading boxes and arranging furniture), but now he was determined to help his little family know a little bit more about this "foreign" land we now call home. We set out toward Rockefeller Center, jumped on our tour bus and immediately were blown away by all the sights and sounds of NYC. It was nice to be able to see the main attractions/sights of downtown in one sweep. Part of me was more confused than ever ... the other part of me just in shock... "Did I really move my family here?" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4FZfEZ1kFw/TwJnQfk25WI/AAAAAAAADQQ/pw02bB4rJ4M/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4FZfEZ1kFw/TwJnQfk25WI/AAAAAAAADQQ/pw02bB4rJ4M/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693226412001387874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddRLY_Ab3SE/TwJnPLKcDHI/AAAAAAAADQE/Bi9Hgciag1k/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddRLY_Ab3SE/TwJnPLKcDHI/AAAAAAAADQE/Bi9Hgciag1k/s400/DSC_0151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693226389341998194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-av2q1MVg16A/TwJnO5DIl3I/AAAAAAAADP4/XKScCLXo56k/s1600/DSC_0159.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-av2q1MVg16A/TwJnO5DIl3I/AAAAAAAADP4/XKScCLXo56k/s400/DSC_0159.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693226384479524722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ea1sbsvUME/TwJmSrRNBeI/AAAAAAAADPs/TglotD9DaoY/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ea1sbsvUME/TwJmSrRNBeI/AAAAAAAADPs/TglotD9DaoY/s400/DSC_0161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693225349988287970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Once reaching Battery Park, we decided to get off the bus tour and venture out on our own for a bit. The boys were anxious to use some of their never ending energy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTKFGHiknVE/TwJmRl0tmyI/AAAAAAAADPg/jMW1kjF0Kv8/s1600/DSC_0178.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTKFGHiknVE/TwJmRl0tmyI/AAAAAAAADPg/jMW1kjF0Kv8/s400/DSC_0178.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693225331346742050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Battery Park has a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty. I love this picture of John with his little ones and the Statue in the background. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3PglTX3F0I/TwJmRSmc5lI/AAAAAAAADPU/DOJOB7w1juc/s1600/DSC_0184.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3PglTX3F0I/TwJmRSmc5lI/AAAAAAAADPU/DOJOB7w1juc/s400/DSC_0184.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693225326186653266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">From Battery Park you can catch the Staten Island Ferry for an even better view of "Lady Liberty." The kids were so excited to get on the orange ferry. I was so grateful John is extremely good at navigating large crowds of people. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7if3g6zjlDA/TwJmQ91GsYI/AAAAAAAADPI/o3A_iPmRPao/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7if3g6zjlDA/TwJmQ91GsYI/AAAAAAAADPI/o3A_iPmRPao/s400/DSC_0209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693225320610967938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwo6ma-_4KA/TwJmQl7uJAI/AAAAAAAADO8/3di6nN3S5ho/s1600/DSC_0193.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwo6ma-_4KA/TwJmQl7uJAI/AAAAAAAADO8/3di6nN3S5ho/s400/DSC_0193.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693225314196268034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">View of Manhattan leaving the ferry docks. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zt6QR2VGDiY/TwJkztC-ZbI/AAAAAAAADOs/V0LdgGoXTIc/s1600/DSC_0187.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zt6QR2VGDiY/TwJkztC-ZbI/AAAAAAAADOs/V0LdgGoXTIc/s400/DSC_0187.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693223718377907634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Connor wasn't too sure about standing in a boat. He preferred a comfy seat against the wall, while the other two loved watching the sights and sounds from the balcony of the ferry. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkf0c_iNfT0/TwJkze4pPvI/AAAAAAAADOg/rpJQmqsxN3c/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkf0c_iNfT0/TwJkze4pPvI/AAAAAAAADOg/rpJQmqsxN3c/s400/DSC_0202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693223714576482034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyXT1HFvQd8/TwJkzLMWkbI/AAAAAAAADOY/6jq_Al4kFSo/s1600/DSC_0200.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IyXT1HFvQd8/TwJkzLMWkbI/AAAAAAAADOY/6jq_Al4kFSo/s400/DSC_0200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693223709290434994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our last stop for the night... Times Square. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">WOW!!!! I think Abigail's reaction was the best ... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As we came out of the subway and began to take in all the lights, shops, and people... Abigail turned to John and I and said, "This is paradise!" Not exactly my thoughts, but I am really grateful that our kids are enjoying everything NYC has to offer. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKAZDpIuAFc/TwJkx2Dl9-I/AAAAAAAADOM/IJvEg2-mRs0/s1600/DSC_0223.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKAZDpIuAFc/TwJkx2Dl9-I/AAAAAAAADOM/IJvEg2-mRs0/s400/DSC_0223.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693223686436681698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the kids favorite places in Times Square... the M&M store. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So many colors... so much fun :). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzXqYjqGsok/TwJkxqh2vAI/AAAAAAAADOA/EA_Jvym2x_4/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzXqYjqGsok/TwJkxqh2vAI/AAAAAAAADOA/EA_Jvym2x_4/s400/DSC_0227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693223683342384130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a full day. </div><div style="text-align: center;">John was an excellent tour guide. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't say I feel settled, but I am excited to see more of the city we now call home. </div></div>Ellicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15911697132137033812noreply@blogger.com0