Day 3--The Girls Hit Manhattan!

Ok, back up a little...

Mom and I, soo ready to head off on the train into NYC, trying not to embarrass Ashli too much! 

Here we are in Penn Station!  Ready for the city!

Ashli was our fearless guide.  So  fun to get the tour from someone who loves NYC as much as she does!

Just had to take a pic of the streets!  Lovin' it. 

The Statue of Liberty is smaller than I thought...

The Empire State Building, we were careful to watch for traffic as we crossed the street--didn't want to get hit by a car and be crippled for life. (Do you like my "Affair to Remember" reference?)

Cool to be here with you, Ash!

This picture cracks me up--nobody dares look at her...  What I love most though, is that Jeff took a similar picture on his mission--20 years ago in Taiwan.

Hopping into a taxi to see Ground Zero.  We're getting the full experience, baby!

After Ground Zero, we headed out to a ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty--the real one this time!  Awesome! 

We were probably a little over-zealous, trying to get too many things in one day.  We took a subway from the ferry, then hopped onto the express and out onto the street where we had to run/walk several blocks to get to Wicked in time!  We were a little late, but loved the show!  Soo much fun! 

Since we were hungry by then...we went to Uncle Nick's and had...

...Flaming Cheese (I didn't get my phone out in time to get the cheese actually flamming, but you get the idea, imagine flames--wooo-hoo!)  Yummo!

Some of our waiters. 

Ash and I in Times square!  Can't believe I was there!

We tried to stay out of trouble....aren't these guys the typical NYPD?

The Hershey Store in Times Square.
Now that's the size we need to see in our stores!  Just the smell of that place!  Me like-y!

Times Square--sweet!  If I remember correctly, right about now we were looking for a Cold Stone Ice-cream store.

Riding the subway--it looks like I'm having a hard time containing the excitement--I know, I am!  I had such a great time!  Thanks, ladies!

Into the City!

Day 2

Ashli was soo brave to drive us into the city!  She'd never done it before, but she did a great job!  Super navigation skills--it was way cool to be in the middle of stop-and-go traffic in NYC!  

We went to the Museum of Natural History.  It was cool to think of "Night of the Museum" as we drove past the front doors--right across the street from Central Park.

Cool picture of the kids in front of the indian.   

"Dumb, Dumb, Me want gum-gum!"

Crossing the street to Central Park.

I couldn't help thinking of "Enchanted" when I saw this bridge in Central Park.

How cool that this is a bathroom in Central Park?  I know, I'm a nerdy tourist if I'm taking pictures of a bathroom. 

In front of Belvedere's Castle.  Ashli and I took a little stroll into the park while Grandma kept the kids at a playground (donated by Diana Ross--I know surreal!).  We thought we knew where we were going, but got a little turned around.  A great place to get lost in though...

Thank goodness for the maps!  Isn't Ashli cute?  It was soo fun to be with her again.

On our way home, we drove past the LDS Temple!  Way cool. 

Right across the street from the temple is Julliard! 

Hanging out at home after an awesome day of exploring the city. 

NYC, baby!

I can't believe I'm in New York City!  Amazing!

Ok, I should back up a little, I got a little ahead of myself...  My mother-in-law, Tyra, said one day how much she was missing her grandkids in New Jersey, and that she was thinking of planning a trip to visit them with her sister.  I said that sounded fun and I'd be her travel buddy if I had the money... Cut to two weeks later and I got a call one morning telling to pack my bags!  What!?!?!  Joan couldn't go, so I was in--and I didn't even know I was in the running!  We had soo much fun!  Here's pics from our first night.   These guys were so gracious to put us up in their home (Ethan gave up his bedroom!), feed and entertain us!  They're the best.

Ashli and Randall and their awesome kids--Ethan, Anna, Kate and Jane at the Summit Diner on our first evening in Summit, NJ.  Legend has it, Ernest Hemmingway ate at this diner and included it in one of his books!

Their cute, cute downtown just a couple blocks from their home. 

Another shot of the picturesque town.  Love it!

Birthday Party Friends

Lindsay had a Princess Party and these pictures turned out darling of her "Royal Guests."

Princess Millie Mason

Princess Devry Henderson

Princess Hayley Brimhall

Princess Addy Geary

Princess Emily Lindsey 

And Prince Drew or should I say "Charming"?  Isn't it great to have friends?

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

Lindsay is 5!  She was soo excited to turn five!  She knows that now she can go to kindergarten!  Now we get to count down the days until school starts!   That's the funnest part about being young--always something to look forward to!

This is the cutest little charm bracelet!  What a fun gift!

A long awaited dream come true for Lindsay was getting a Pillow Pet!  She asks for a Pillow Pet once a week, at least!  This cute little guy is already a favorite friend!  Grandpa and Grandma Clarke gave her money and she chose a little kitten that purrs and opens and closes it's eyes and wiggles.  Grandpa and Grandma Barrett brought her a dolly that sings and coo's along with several outfits.  She's soo lucky!  

Nothing says Happy Birthday like an Ariel cake!  Awesome!

That's one happy girl!  We love you Lindsay!  Thanks for keeping us young!

Lauren's Sweet 16!

Lauren waiting at the DMV for her driver's license!  She got to miss school to do it.  Luckily her birthday is always on the last week of school when NOTHING happens.  She also finally got a cell phone as her gift!  Woo-hoo!

We came home from the DMV just in time for a big group of friends to come to a B-Day Lunch!  Lauren had to play in the Orchestra for SHS Graduation that night, so this was the best option for a party.  It was a big hit!  Thank goodness for Costco Pizza!  What a fun group of friends! 

While Lauren was at Graduation, some sweet friends (Lauren Bird and Lexie Ball) had some fun decorating her room!  

Nice job girls!  It was a fun surprise! Happy Birthday to a sweet 16 year-old!  We love you Lauren!

Alli for 8th Grade Secretary

Alli wanted to run for office at the end of the school year.  She worked really hard on her campaign.  They had to make a poster, and a 30 second video to show the entire school the day of the vote.  Alli thought it would be fun to use Justin Bieber in her video.  It turned out to be pretty cute and creative.  She ended up losing, and that was tragic for about half the day, until her good friend, Tori from across the street, came over to cheer her up.  (I was so grateful for her and that sweet act of kindness, that I cried!) Thank goodness for good friends.  True to Alli's positive nature, she was quickly pointing out reasons why she's glad she didn't make it after all.