October

Sanity Check -- NYC

Last week I went here . . . To get away from this . . .

but mostly to see . . .

I wandered through here . . .

and experienced this . . .

I walked across this . . .

On which I saw this . . .

And then the east coast and Dallas contingents of my family arrived and we had a great weekend together!

When Mark left for New York, we planned for me to visit him after he had been there for six weeks and it couldn't have been better planned in terms of my sanity preservation! The week before I left I was feeling pretty maxxed out so it was a wonderful break to fly off on my own with several books in my carry-on (all child snacks, dollar-store toys, coloring books and crayons, diapers, wipes, and binkies were confiscated before boarding -- old habits die hard :)) and join up with Mark. Words can't express how wonderful it was to see him again -- even though it was his busiest week of training (unfortunately we didn't know this when we planned my visit).

During the days before my family arrived, I walked the Brooklyn Bridge and tooled around the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood (never spent much time in Brooklyn before), walked around the city enjoying the nippiness of the Fall air, slept in, walked Mark to work, walked through Central Park (made me miss the girls terribly to pass by all the places we played last summer), saw Mary Poppins on Broadway (ok, but didn't really wow me), and went to dinner with Mark in the evenings. Mark was also given some complimentary tickets to the Metropolitan Opera from a ward member who is in the opera and so we had fun experiencing that (too bad that I had forgotten to bring my full-length chiffon and sequined evening gown and my fur stole).

After my mom, dad, and Dave arrived from D.C., Jennifer and Matt from Dallas, and Matt and Sara from Boston, we had a wonderful time visiting the special Van Gogh exhibit at the MOMA (a definite highlight!), visiting the Met, visiting Ground Zero, walking the Brooklyn Bridge at night and then eating at Grimaldi's famous pizzaria, watching Boston lose to the Rays (the losing part wasn't fun for those of us who are Red Sox fans and even though I sound like I'm in the know, it was mostly Mark watching and me talking) from Jennifer's and Matt's room in the Waldorf Astoria, and walking through SoHo and Greenwich Village.

Ground Zero

Waiting in the cold for pizza that was definitely worth the wait.

Enjoying Grimaldi's pizza

In order for a New York trip to be fully satisfying to my sister Jennifer, it must involve a celebrity sighting. To date, she has seen at least one celebrity during each of her visits. We were getting worried when, as of late Saturday afternoon, we had yet to encounter one. Then, as we were walking through SoHo, we stopped by a park to watch a little bit of a roller hockey game and even though we were all watching the game, Jennifer was the only one who noticed that the tall, gray-haired guy playing closest to us was none other than Tim Robbins (her ability really is uncanny). We were all rather amazed that she had recognized him and then my dad started to heckle him calling out things like: "More defense, Tim!" or "Way to go, Tim!" for which he earned a smile and a nod. Not wanting to feel like a celebrity-crazed paparazzo, I didn't initially take a picture, but since I was the only one who had a camera with her at the time, I finally took this blurry, distant, and through-the-chain-link fence shot while he was on the bench. One observation -- he's much taller than I would have thought.

A family picture after church.

Mommy turns ?
I wasn't really thinking much about my birthday this year, not expecting much, but had a wonderful day thanks to all of those who called or emailed, to Mark for sending me surprise flowers, and to amazing visiting teachers who brought me a yummy lunch. The girls and I had a fun night (so nice that it was also children's night!) going to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe to celebrate my and Abby's birthday.

Abby Turns 4!

I can't believe my little Abby is 4 years old! She is growing up so much! She has the best sense of humor. It is even better for the fact that it is completely under the radar. Most of the time she is so sweet and rather soft-spoken so that when she breaks out the funnies, they are really funny!

To celebrate her birthday, we had a pajama party, and she was so excited she just "couldn't wait". Every night she would ask what day it was going to be the next day in eager anticipation of blessed event. It was very low-key (still on my own), but we had a great time decorating pillow cases, having a treasure hunt and fishing pond, and playing some other fun party games. It made me so happy to see her so thrilled to have her friends there to celebrate with her! Upon going to bed, she said, "Thanks, Mom, foah the gweat powty! It was the best powty evow!"

Eagerly waiting for friends to arrive

Crowning Moment -- the revelers after a rousing game of Pin the Crown on Sleeping Beauty. Let it be noted that Mommy, herself, is not renowned for her artistic ability. Abby, however, did color Sleeping Beauty beautifully.

After blowing out the candles on her flower cake.

A little sisterly love during craft time.

Showing of the loot from the treasure hunt.

So much fun!

Checking out the birthday presents.

Tea Time

At the beginning of the month the girls were invited to a "tea party" and I thought these pictures were cute so I had to post them.

High society

Mademoiselle Millie

Miss Jane

Lady Abby