Happy Birthday Melinda

Today is my sister Melinda's Birthday. She is OLDER then me:) This is the only picture I have of her because my computer crashed. Anyway I love you Melinda. I cherish your friendship and I am so happy we got over all that teenage stuff and came out ahead. Have a good day!!

***WARNING***

The post below is LONG!

Because one time is NEVER enough

This past Easter weekend we went to NYC. We LOVE it there. Chris had to teach on Long Island on Monday and Tuesday so we decided to take a few extra days and spend them in the city.
We only took the four younger kids because T had a field trip he did not want to miss. We left him with Deborah (we told her we would trade her an Easter Ham and a new purse for one kid) It was weird to leave him behind, but they are so much like family that we didn't think twice about it.
We went down to see the Statue of Liberty. The line was 2 hours to just get tickets to ride the ferry and then it would have been almost $50 for all of us.
We opted for the Staten Island Ferry which is FREE! It takes you right by the Statue Of Liberty and the kids LOVED that.
This is C who had been asking me all day to take out his treasures we got in Chinatown. I told him once we got on the ferry he could open anything he wanted.
It was a beautiful day with blue skies and bright sun. It was a little cool on the ferry, but perfect for being outside walking all day.
Here is the skyline from the ferry.
The kids loved seeing this. It was fun to watch them and hear them.
Here is E with no teeth. She saw this headband and fell in love. The lady tried to sell it to us for $15.00 we laughed and said no then she said she would make us a good deal and sell it to us for $10. By this time she had it on E's head and had the mirror out. We again said no and so she went down even more until we caved. She hasn't taken it off since.
The lady then saw Am and asked her which one she liked. She picked this one out and the lady said "for you it is a gift" She picked her up and showed her pictures of her daughter and showed her how beautiful she was with this head band on. Last year when we went she got a free pretzel from the street because the man fell in love with her. I wonder what we will get next:)

C really LOVED all the things you can buy in China town. He saw that "Horton Hears a Who" was for sell, but he didn't see the person getting arrested for selling it. I was going to take a picture, but decided against it. This was the first time I have had someone ask if I needed a drivers license or birth certificate.
The kids really enjoy the subway. They love to look out the dark window at who knows what. I think that they just love not having to be in a car seat.
Consulting the map.
They think it is so cool so stand up while it is moving even after mom and dad tell them to sit down overand over.
This is the hotel on Long Island. While Chris was at work on Monday we walked to Target then swam for a few hours and by the time we were done Chris was home. He said his Tuesday class was canceled so we would head back into the city on Tuesday and then home a day early. The kids were NOT happy.

The first stop on Tuesday was Toys-R-Us in Times Square. This is a wall of Lego's where you get to fill your own bag with whatever kind of pieces you want. So fun for the kids. So much money for the adults. We let C covet for only a second.
The girls of course love the Barbie house and all the Barbie things you can see and buy.
Ab found a Groovy Girl just her size.
These two decided that they wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel in the store instead of getting a small toy.
We sat in the Mr. Potato Head car. They loved it!!

The other two waited patiently for us on the second floor. Waving every time we went by.
This is M&M world which Am really loves. This was on her must do list. She wants so badly to buy M&M there, but again so fun for kids...so much money for adults. I told her we could stop at a store and I would buy her her own bag.
Waiting waiting waiting
She only spent two days in the city, but she already has that NYC face down perfect!
We parked by this church and couldn't resist the photo op. If you made it this far down I am impressed. Thanks for sticking with me. We really did have a great time and we can't wait to go back...this time with T.

New York City

I love New York City with a sick kind of obsession love. I love how fast paced and different than my life it is. I love walking, riding the subway, taxis, everything, but most of all I REALLY love Chinatown.
This isn't a very good picture and not even the best street (which would be Canal Street) but this is a street where we spent a lot of time and money.
I do NOT love all the fish and weird things you can buy from the markets on Canal Street. We saw the weirdest stuff. As we were going into an apartment for purses this is what we passed and I couldn't resist taking a picture. I am sure these are not for pets. YUCK!
Here is why I (we) love Canal Street. Truly it is so fun to shop for purses. I love everything about it. Here is the damage of 6 women in NYC for three days. Some are gifts, but most of them are just for us. How fun is that! :)

I HATE my camera

Tuesday was a pack meeting for Tyler and Cooper. Tyler earned three awards toward his Weblos which he should have by the end of the month and then he will be in Boy Scouts. We are very proud of him.
This is Cooper earning his Bobcat. His very FIRST scouting award. We are so proud of him. Wait, what's that you say.... this isn't Cooper? Right...it is me because my camera doesn't work very well. Chris tried to get it to focus so he could take the picture and he missed the whole thing. He then turned to me and said this stupid thing won't work see...and as he was pushing the button it finally took a picture. Won't this look good in Cooper's scrapbook!

Someday my Prince will come

Here is my funny 4 year old. I think I love this age because they say the funniest things.
This is her doing a photo shoot for me on her birthday (in July)
She is really into dress up and princesses and all things pink!
I wanted to share a cute story about this one. She is always making us laugh.
It is dated March 1st, 2007 in the journal I keep for her. I can't believe it was a whole year ago. She she was only 3 1/2.
It was after the kids were in bed and she came in and said to me, "Mom I never get to marry a prince like Cinderella. Her Prince is so handsome." Then she goes on to say, "In my heart I just want to marry a prince." I then said to her, "One day you will marry a prince." She looked up at me and said, "I will? Who will be my wicked step-mother"

Together Again

Like I have said before it had been over 8 years since we had all been together. The great thing about my brothers and sisters.....we all get along. We like each other. We like each other's spouses. This hasn't always been the case.
We girls have had our share of drama. We didn't always get along. Now? They are truly my best friends (along with my wonderful mom) If I ever moved back to Utah it would be because of them (and my mommy) I miss them terribly and loved every second that I got to spend with them. I am very blessed to have such wonderful sisters.
I am blessed all around because not only are my sisters great, but so are my brothers. Don't get me started on my wonderful parents. I truly am so blessed to belong to such a great family.
This is my favorite picture from this day together.

Mom and Dad I think this should go on the wall.