Visiting Aunt Amanda

My kids L.O.V.E. my sister (me too!) and we've missed her while she's been living in Thailand the last two years. Since she came home to visit for a month, we knew we just had to see her. My mom (Nana) really wanted the kids to surprise Amanda at the airport. She and my dad (Poppy) drove all the way to Utah on Saturday, spent Easter Sunday with us, then drove all 4 kids back to California. It's about 11-12 hours to my parents place, they are a little nuts but the kids had a blast.

The signs the kids made...

They got a little extra time with Aunt Amanda and I drove up that weekend to see her and bring them home. We went to a science museum, to the park, Bobs Big Boy, ate some home made Thai food (yum), and saw the Greats (grandparents). It was a good time. I hope it's not another two years before we see her again. We all had the best time.

 

Amanda taught the kids how to do fire dancing (without the fire of course) but she gave them a show the last night. Here's a video of her doing it, cool right?

We will miss you Aunt Amanda!

Happy Easter

Easter was a little crazy with us getting in late Saturday night (our flight was delayed 1 day) but it turned out to be a fun day. Nana and Poppy drove out from California to take the kids back with them to surprise Aunt Amanda (coming home from Thailand after two years). We did Church, Easter Egg hunts, then dinner at the Moodys. Then back home to wash all the kids clothes and pack for the week. Phew, a crazy day but completely worth it!  

♥ ♥ ♥

 

Happy Easter! 

NYC

For our 10th anniversary, we took a trip to NYC for 6 days/5 nights over my spring break. It was a fun trip and we were excited Scott and Jenny went with us!

We did a ton of sightseeing: the statue of liberty, The Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Empire State Building, etc. We even saw Yoko Ono coming out of her apartment.

We went to the MET, American Girl Store (for the girls), Lego Store (for the boys), FAO Swartz (the giant piano from "Big"), to touristy restaurants and out of NYC local hangouts. 

 Something I learned in NYC: I watch way too many crime NYC shows. I was a little nervous at times. Central Park and the subway were some of the places I was thinking were going to be scary but I conquered my fears (lol) and went to all of them. We rode the subway a bunch... not so scary. That and the tourist bus were how we got around and a whole lot of walking. For reals though I did hide my cellphone at times :) I didn't want to be robbed and left with no way to call the NYPD :) The best part of the subway was when we got to meet my Uncle Curt by where he worked in the Village. I ❤ that we got to visit and see him!

We didn't know you had to register 150 days in advance to get to see the World Trade Center Memorial (crazy right?) but our tour guide informed us active military gets a free pass. Lucky for us, Scott had his ID and we got to go right in. It was very surreal to see. The tree is the only tree that survived. I think it was called the survivor tree. Its a beautiful memorial.

Our favorite part of our NYC trip was definitely the shows. We bought tickets to Wicked in advance (which is amazing btw) but once we got there we heard about this place you go to to get day of Broadway tickets for half off. So we got to see Memphis too which was a great show, I definitely recommend it!

There were lots of fun memories made: "in just a couple blocks...", crazy bus tour guide who was quite scary, the Hudson river, etc etc. It was a great trip! Happy Anniversary Paul! By the way, Paul surprised me on our anniversary with an anniversary band for my wedding ring that I had mentioned I wanted 9 years ago. I couldn't believe he remembered! Best.Husband.Ever!

Paul's parents were amazing and watched all the kids for us and we were so grateful to them!