NYC

Last month we went to visit my sister Emily in NYC. She lives in Manhattan with her husband. But they are leaving soon, and we decided we needed to visit them before they leave.

My mom and dad came to stay with the kids - which was very nice of them. Thanks Mom and Dad.

It was a great trip - we did lots of things we'd never done before. I'd only been to NY once before and only for an afternoon. Dan goes all the time for business, but he's usually in a different part of the city. Here are some of the pics I took.

My dad and Henry

Twinners - my mom and me.

no burgers and shakes allowed!

We loved that there were so many details in the old buildings. This was in the lobby of Emily's apartment building.

We passed this Ray's Pizza - but I don't think it was the REAL Ray's.

The signs at the Lego Store at 30 Rockefeller Plaza ...

... were all made of mini figures.

detail of a doorway

Empire State Building

from the top of the Empire state building

inside the New York Public Library - it was SO cool!

The New York Public Library

We were too late to make it into the Guggenheim. Next time.

City of New York Central Substation

Times Square. I hated it there - it was stimulation overload. We didn't even walk through.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Don't go all kung fu on the train - or do. It's hard to tell.

Sorry for the lighting - Cy and Emily

sisters

I love me a Japanese garden - in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

nine

bluebells - Brooklyn Botanic Garden 

cherry blossoms - Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Brooklyn Bridge - we walked across from the Brooklyn side.

Purl Soho - had to stop in.

tile detail on a subway stair

We figured we walked about 20 miles the whole weekend, but if we weren't walking - we were taking the subway.

hex windows at the Cloisters

doorway at the Cloisters

courtyard at the Cloisters

heading home

To sum up: We had a great trip. We slept in every day, did whatever we wanted to, got to see a lot of cool stuff. I'm glad I don't live in NY - there are way too many people. This trip also helped me remember that I'm grateful to be a mom and get to stay home with my kids. 

Happy Easter (just a tad late)

moab 2012

I love going to Moab. I love that it's close, I love that there is lots to do, I love that the kids love it.

Here's what we did this time.

I saw this bug on the way in and thought it was awesome. Did you know me when I used to have a bug?

Henry learned how to walk down steps on this trip. He insisted on walking this whole trail. Luckily it was only a mile. (This was the first time we'd done the windows trail and it was fun and short with 3 arches).

The boys (and especially Charlie) were constantly asking me to take pictures of them on rocks. So here is the perfect seat for Charlie.

Luke learned a great new trick. He's all about efficiency.

This is one of the windows arches (I think North.) (Charlie refused to be photographed here.)

Here are the boys at the bottom of this arch. (I think South Window.) Can you see them?

Another arch we hadn't visited before. (I think it's Turret Arch).

Here is the entrance to Sand Dune Arch - our favorite.

This is part of the reason it's the favorite. Sand all over the place. Everyone could stay for hours (except Dan and me.) The other reason it's the favorite is because there is climbing all around it and you can sort of go on top of it (although you're not supposed to climb on the arches, ever.)

We went to Denny's. The first time we went to Moab we went to Denny's for dinner and it was terrible. The boys loved it and have been begging to go back ever since. Apparently they think there is only a Denny's in Moab. I figured we could go back if we got breakfast foods and it all turned out okay.

We also hiked Negro Bill Canyon. It was a 4.5 mile roundtrip hike with several stream crossings (which I think kept everyone going.) We were all beat by the end of it.

Luckily it ended up at this gorgeous bridge (Morning Glory Bridge).

We also did a lot of swimming in the pool, eating at good restaurants, and playing at this awesome park we found. It had all kinds of xylophones and really fun stuff to play on too. We'll definitely be back!

a few other things

Just some random stuff that we're up to around here.

Here is Henry excited to see me come home. He also gets excited when Dan comes home or when the brothers come home.

Here were Sam's efforts on marshmallow toothpick structures one day.

Here Luke asked me if that was a mole on his tortilla.

Here I got to go out to dinner with just Jack. He talked about video games the whole time.

And here is a little update on the band. We recently got a microphone. As soon as it was hooked it up - Charlie started singing We Built This City on Rock n Roll by Starship. He does not get sick of it. Maybe he'll be our lead singer.

Here is my view from the drums, but usually I can see Dan. We've been trying to practice more (since I have no idea whatsoever how to play the drums). And Dan has compiled a set list called "the set list.

The Set List

1. Mental Obsession by Tullycraft
2. Here Comes Your Man by the Pixies
3. 1st Things 1st by Phantom Planet

4. Boys Don't Cry by The Cure

5. Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying by Belle and Sebastian

6. Whenever You're Around by The Ocean Blue

7. Pure by Lightning Seeds

8. Confetti by The Lemonheads

We are actually getting okay at the Ocean Blue song and Here Comes Your Man. My fave on the list is 1st things 1st.

new for me

I have never enjoyed running. Ever. I've run one real 5k race and the only reason I wasn't last is because Dan let me hit the finish line right before him. The person who came in last had gotten an injury. Dan read the paper the whole time. It wasn't fun.

Recently I lost weight. I actually lost 40 pounds last year (I did have a baby right before that too). And after I lost the weight I decided that I wanted to become more active. A friend told me about an upcoming race and I started training that week. I signed up for the race with some friends and I've been training for 6 weeks now. Last Saturday I ran 5 miles. On most of my runs I push my 35 pound toddler in a crappy stroller.

Can you tell I'm proud of myself? I'm proud that I haven't missed a run in the whole 6 weeks. I'm proud that I've made it 6 weeks. I'm proud that I keep going even though it's snowy and windy and cold. I am not the most consistent person on the planet, but I know I am capable of being more consistent because I have done this.

This is the training program I'm doing. When I'm done with it - I'm going to start the half marathon training.

I also read this book while I was pregnant and I felt like bursting out the door to go running. Even if you don't enjoy running at all - it is the most interesting book I've ever read.

Also - favorite song on the ipod while running - Daft Punk is Playing at My House - LCD Soundsystem.

sweaters

Did you know my mom is a knitter? She's made us several sweaters in the past 10 years. This Christmas she made one for Henry and one for Luke. Aren't they gorgeous?

This one for Henry is the same pattern she made for Jack and Sam and several other grandkids. (I should dig up those photos ...) How many of these have you made Mom?

This one for Luke looks very bright red, but in real life it's a more normal red. Luke requested red when my mom asked him if he wanted one, but when he got this Christmas morning he refused to try it on. I had to bribe him with candy to take these photos and he hasn't put it on since. Hopefully it will get worn soon!

Thanks Mom! I love them!

did i tell you i'm addicted to instagram?

Well - I am. It's kind of like blogging except smaller and easier, since I just do it on my phone.

Even though I love instagram I'm going to make a better effort of documenting things on this blog. I'm sure you guys don't really care, but it is kind of like a journal for me. One I'd like to have for later.

I may be doing a bit of catch up - but for today I'm going to leave you with most of my instagram photos. If you're on instagram - come find me - I'm leedledeedle

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Henry talks

turkey games

A few years ago our family got together the morning of Thanksgiving and played some games. They were relay race games and everyone played. We divided into teams - the Pilgrims vs. the Indians (I know - not PC). It was a lot of fun - so we did it again this year. It was the day after Thanksgiving, but that's okay.

Here is everyone at the beginning. Already some tears - but they soon stopped.

One of the games we played was that one where you put your forehead on a bat and spin around, then walk somewhere so that we can all see how dizzy you are and then laugh at you.

Luke didn't quite get it and put the bat in his mouth and then spun around. We laughed at him the most.

It was VERY cold. So we bundled Henry up like a baby so he could stay warm. I mean, he is a baby, but you know - not a little baby who gets bundled up.

Sam won Chubby Turkey - the game where you have to stuff as many marshmallows in your mouth and still be able to speak. Sam definitely stuffed the most in his mouth. I think Charlie got one in his mouth.


This was the game where, as a team, each person makes a certain part of the turkey out of pipe cleaners. The kids actually liked this one and it was inside, so they warmed up a bit.

There were tears and crying, and some people quit early, but it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without that - would it?

I also wanted to let you guys know that another Amy friend of mine is having a giveaway for some earrings from my etsy shop - over at Diary of a Quilter. She's also offering a discount - just in case you're not done Christmas shopping yet.

Happy December!

I'm so excited it's December! I've been working a lot on Christmas presents and organizing my house, so I haven't had too much to blog about. Though I think I'll have to wait until after Christmas to post most of the presents - I will have some other fun stuff to show you soon :)

But I did hit a milestone on my etsy shop last week! After I announced that I was having a sale - I hit 100 orders sold! Yay!

And so - I'm doing a little giveaway over at my friend Amy's blog - Amy Lou Who.

Go over and take a look!