NYC Trip and Homecoming

I have procrastinated writing this post because I was trying to think of something really clever to say. Well, that wasn't happening so here goes nothing.

Last week, Cody was in NYC for the 9th Annual JIF Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest. I flew in early Friday morning to join him for a kids free weekend. Much thanks to my generous and willing mom who watched the kids for us. I freshened up at the hotel before heading to my old job to say hi to everyone. Next, I made it to my former school Hunter College to finally order my diploma. Better late then never. After all that fun, I headed over to Union Square and the studio where Cody and his coworkers were having the finale event. It was really fun to watch Cody at work and to see the results of all his hard work. Picture of Union Square from the balcony of the studio. Friday was really the most beautiful day. I felt so lucky to see the city on such a fabulous day.

The Empire State Building.

While Cody was still wrapping things up after the finale, I entertained myself with some shoe shopping at my favorite store. Then I picked myself up a tasty treat at Starbucks and found a seat at Madison Square Park with a great view of the Flatiron Building while I read a book.

It was just a perfect afternoon!

Saturday morning we left the hotel and headed over to the Upper West Side to drop our stuff off at our friends Kiasa and Brian's apt. They were super generous and let us stay with them Sat. and Sun. nights despite the fact they already have a full house with their own 3 kids. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

That afternoon we were lucky enough to go to a session at the Manhattan Temple where a good friend was going through for the first time. She and her family moved to Maryland before we left New York and she just happened to be coming back last weekend just for that purpose. We could not believe our luck because the session was like a Harlem 1st Ward temple trip. Such a special experience. We love you Elica and family!

(pic to be added back in tomorrow)

After the temple, we went to lunch with our good friends Ashley, Minde and Tyler (we missed you Bryan.) It was super yummy Mexican food and so fun to be able to catch up with everyone sans kids. Ashley, Minde and I all had our sons within a few months of each other, then all got pregnant with our daughters at the same time. Ashley and I even managed to have our girls only 2 minutes apart. We may live far apart now but we will always be connected. Thanks guys for spending time with us. It made our weekend.

Saturday night we headed back to Union Square to meet up with our fantastic friend, Morgen. We met up at Max Brenner's Chocolate By the Bald Man to enjoy some super yummy chocolate treats. Spending time chatting with Morgen is always a great time and was definitely over too quickly. The food was pretty awesome too!

Sunday morning we got to spend a lot of time hanging out with Kiasa and her two little boys, which was lots of fun. Especially when Oliver decided he loved Cody and the two became fast friends. I also got to hold baby Simon lots so that was fun too. Then, we headed up to Harlem to walk to church with Minde and the kids. Here is big boy Chase looking oh so cool in his Sunday best. Such a charmer!

Chase and Riley

It was so fun to visit our old ward and see everyone. The ward has changed a lot but was fun to see how all the kids have grown and say hello to old friends. We left church early to spend time with Ashley and the kids, Eliot and Eleanor, who have morning church with the Harlem 2nd ward. I somehow managed to not get any pictures of her adorable kids but we had a great time hearing all about Eliot's superheros and catching up.

That night Cameron and Nikki were nice enough to invite us over for a delicious Sunday dinner with them and their handsome boys. It is always a great time eating yummy food while catching up with old friends (Cameron and I went to Ricks College together way back in the late 90s so yes we are old, teehee.) Thanks again guys for a having us over!

We spent the rest of Sunday at Minde and Tyler's having dessert and catching up. Once again, I forgot to take pictures. We were having such a great time I completely forgot to take out the camera:)

Monday morning we woke up to a rainy, gloomy day in the city but still managed to get a cab pretty quickly and headed home. It was so fun to have a weekend away together and a huge thanks to everyone who made it possible.

Unfortunately, while we were having a fabulous footloose and fancy-free weekend everything was falling apart at home. My poor mom and the kids all got sick. My mom got a sinus infection, Morgan got strep and Pepper got some horrible rash on her face. They all had terrible coughs and were generally yucky. Sorry, sorry, sorry Mom. You deserve a fancy-free weekend yourself!

The weather was pretty yucky in NYC on Monday but was beautiful in Akron when we got home so we headed out to a playground and had a yummy picnic dinner thanks to Swensons.

Pepper's hair was in rare form with the static electricity.

She may have a red bumpy face but she is still the sweetest thing.

So that was our weekend. Can't wait to see everyone again next year!

I'm Back Again...With Lots of Pictures!

Sorry, I have not updated in a while. Things have been a bit hectic and then we all (minus Cody but plus my mom) went out of town for ten days. But we are back for the moment, except that Cody is in NYC and I will be heading there this Friday. So here is what you've missed.

Pepper has the cutest pigtails.

And scrunchy face smile.

And as of the beginning of March this is what our backyard still looked like. Very depressing but thankfully it does not look that way anymore. Now it is just brown and wet from a lot of rain. Got to love March.

A rare moment of catching Pepper sleeping at 23mos.

On March 2nd my mother flew in from Florida and on Friday the 4th she helped me drive down to Alabama to visit my sister Kim and family. It took us about 12 hrs with two hour or so stops. Thank goodness for dvd players built into vans nowadays and nice ladies at McDonald's who gave my kids free toys with their breakfast!

The first weekend we were there we were all celebrating my nephew Joshua's baptism. On Saturday my mom, sister Kim, and I did a lot baking for the after-party.

Pepper got away with having her binky all the time, since we were on vacation and I didn't feel like hearing her whine from lack of sleep.

Mikayla was such a great big cousin to Pepper and let her play with all her toys and constantly destroy her room.

My sister's big, new, beautiful home. I told her it looks like she's lived there for years while my house still looks like I just moved in. I need her to come help me decorate!

Unfortunately, the weather did not realize we were in the south and should be sunny and warm. It was pretty wet and cold most of the time. But luckily there was a lot of space and people to play with.

Jacob modeling the stairs for me.

Papa being a bad influence and putting on a movie on his laptop. Eventually all of the grandkids where sitting around him and he moved the movie to the big tv, much to the annoyance of my sister who is not a fan of the tv.

Mikayla, Pepper, Benny and Morgan getting ready for church and the baptism afterwards.

All of the kids in their Sunday finest.

Joshua 8, Mikayla 5, Ben 3, Jacob 9 and Nathan 12

Jester boys. Good looking bunch.

Jacob is also a great big cousin who loves little kids. Actually, all the kids were great with Morgan and Pepper and my kids had a fabulous time running around with everyone.

Morgan checking out the baptismal font. Pepper kept calling it a tub and tried to take her clothes off so she could go in. She was not happy when she realized that she was not going to get to join Joshua and Uncle Mike in the water.

It was a fantastic baptism with tons and tons of people there to support Joshua. They asked me to give a talk on baptism and my dad spoke on the Holy Ghost. It was great to be a part of Joshua's big day and to feel the Spirit so strong with my family.

Pepper and Nathan.

I need a 12 yr old around my house. So helpful having a built in babysitter and guardian of small children. Nathan was such a trooper helping out all the time.

Best buddies Ben and Morgan

Twice while we were there we got to see Nathan play ice hockey. The first night his team won and made it to the semi-finals. The next night they were not so fortunate but it was still a great game. I totally want Morgan to play hockey now!

Nathan in action.

The proud spectators.

One morning while most of the kids were in school, Kim took us and the little ones to a bouncy castle place.

We all got in on the action. Mainly because Pepper needed help and then just cause it was fun.

My not so graceful dismount.

Kim did a much better job.

Pepper watching Auntie Kim come down the slide.

Gramma taking a plunge.

And attempting to get over the mountain.

Wed. night the big boys went to boy scouts so we had a bath and movie night for the little ones.

Pepper loves popcorn!

Thursday afternoon Mikayla had a dance class at a big Baptist church. They have an awesome playplace/area for moms and kids to hang out while they're waiting for the kids in classes.

Too fun.

Mikayla the prettiest little ballerina.

Later that night we went to an open house at the brand-new, amazing Elementary school the kids get to go to.

Ben and Morgan sporting their new pirate jeans.

Friday night was girls night out for Kim, my mom and I. We all got pedicures and eyebrow waxes then went to a steakhouse for dinner. So fun. Thanks, Mike for being an awesome and willing babysitter.

Saturday morning the sun finally came out and we all went to a big playground and had a picnic before going to Jacob's soccer game. I got a bit of a sunburn but it was worth it to be outside. That night Kim, Mike, Nathan and Joshua went to a Predators/Avalanche hockey game in Nashville so Gramma and I watched the rest of the kids. Kim asked me to do Mikayla's hair before she went to a birthday party.

My braiding skills are a little rusty but I'm excited for Pepper's hair to grow more so I can do more than just pigtails.

Earlier that morning, Mike and Kim bought this air hockey table off of craigslist. They set it up in their front room that was currently the piano room. Needless to say we had a few neighborhood boys over to play that afternoon/evening.

It was a long but fun trip and we're so glad we were able to be their to celebrate Joshua's baptism and to see their new house. The kids keep asking about going to see their cousins so hopefully it won't be too long before we all get together again.

Also, a big, huge thanks to my mom for making the long drive both ways with me so that we could make this trip.

And another big thanks to Kim and Mike for letting us stay with them and help break in their beautiful home:)