How Old Is Jack?

Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie Fourth Birthday tickers

How Old Is Amelia?

Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie Second Birthday tickers

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

My Trip to NY

I had the chance to travel to New York City with my parents and sister Tara for a few days in January!  What a treat!  I had never left home without my husband or kiddos for 4 days, so this was a big step and very much enjoyed. (And a thank you to Barrett & his parents for watching the kids while I was away!) The purpose for the trip was to attend the premiere of a video my brothers Aaron & Alex had made for a concert for Sufjan Stevens.
 We boarded the plane to NYC on Sunday afternoon.
 We met everyone (Aaron, Brynn, Brynn's parents, Alex & Jennifer) for dinner at Tom's Restaurant.  This was the diner that was used in the Seinfeld shows!
 After dinner we went to Alex & Jennifer's new apartment in Manhattan.  I loved getting to see where they live! Such a happy a joyful place to be.
 Monday morning we went to the 9/11 Memorial.  It's a beautiful memorial and quite a site seeing all the names of those that died. So many. The new tower is built now, another super tall one.
 A couple fire trucks pulled into the fire station right next to the memorial.  So crazy thinking of all they witnessed that day on 9/11 and those they lost.
 Lunch  - New York pizza!!!
 Shopping at the street vendors.  I enjoyed picking out some new hats to keep me warm in the 20 & 30 degree weather.
Shopping at FAO Schwartz Toy Store
 Aaron & Tara playing at the 'Design Your Own Muppet' puppet area of the toy store
 The Plaza Hotel

 Late Night Times Square Shopping
 I don't think I've ever taken so many selfies before :-)
 We got a hot soft pretzel to share on our walk back to the hotel. Love all this fun NY food!
 Mom & Dad bundled up to stay warm
 On Wednesday, Aaron took us to see their office.  Such a neat building!
 We stopped at a starbucks where I got a hot chocolate and a copy of the Wall Street Journal article that told about the concert and video my brothers made. They also had an article in the New York Times . So fun to have an article about their work in these big papers!
 Before the show  we stopped to see Aaron & Brynn's apartment in Brooklyn.  Once again, so nice to see where they also live. Very beautiful & spacious.
 Before the show - Alex & Jennifer
Aaron & Brynn
 Inside the Harvey Theater in NY.  The show played here all week long and was sold out most nights! Here is a Trailer to Movie that was played throughout the entire 1 1/2 hour long concert by Sufjan Stevens.
My Brothers Aaron & Alex Craig (who started a film production company We Are Films) at opening night of their Rodeo film!
 And with their wives
 Rockefeller Center
Wednesday morning (before hopping on the plane back home) we took another walk through the city to see some more sites.
 About time to head home after another trip to a pizza shop - this time for a calzone!
 Goodbye New York Subway!
 Good bye Big Apple (although I brought home these little apples as a souvenir/snack for the kids). Aren't they cute! 
What a fun and much needed trip away. Love the memories that were made!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Home Depot Birthday Party

This year we waited until mid January to have Jack's birthday party with his friends.  We had it at Home Depot.  It was our first birthday party outside the home that we have hosted.  It was a real treat to not need to worry about prepping the house and planning all the party activities.  Home Depot was wonderful! They offer FREE birthday parties!  All we needed to do was show up and bring food for our guests.  I highly recommend!

 Menu: Pizza, fruit, 2x4's (veggie straws), safety cones (bugles), and Nuts & Bolts (chex mix) 
 Jack requested a football cake.  Costco cakes are my favorite.
 Birthday banner with a bunch of pictures of Jack from this past year.
 The birthday boy in his apron Home Depot provided for all the kids.
 While waiting to begin, the kids built with wooden blocks in the "construction area".
 Our party Host took the kids on a tour of the store - through the lumber, past the mirrors, by appliances, walked through many of the doors in the door department,
 made a stop in the paint department where each child chose a paint chip color.  They then showed the kids how paint turns into the color you choose and made Jack a small jar of the color he chose  (purple) to take home.
 When we got to the front of the store on our tour, all the kids got a bag of popcorn and they sang Happy Birthday to Jack through the loud speaker.
 Group Picture!
 Lunch time
 Building time.  Everyone got a kit to build a tool box.
 Jack the builder
 Such focus painting his tool box
 Birthday cake. Maybe next year I'll even remember to bring candles for his cake.  Oops!
We ran out of time to open gifts at Home Depot so we got to celebrate at home even longer.
So thankful for so many family and friends that were able to celebrate Jack's birthday with us!

Happy 4th Birthday Jack!

Jack turned 4 the day after Christmas.
 He requested a pop tart with a candle in it for breakfast :-)
 Ready to open presents
 We had a great morning playing outside with some of his new birthday toys: a t-ball set,
 and rocket!
 For basically the past year Jack has been asking to go to Trail Dust for his birthday.  The day finally came for him!
 Dancing on the dance floor
 Non-stop rides down the big slide
 Lunch with family
 More rides down the slide
 Birthday cake for the 4 year old

 Amelia made sure to finish off Jacks cup of ice cream.
 Presents
 And of course, more trips down the slide.
After Trail Dust we went to a movie and ate popcorn...another favorite of Jacks.
Happy Birthday Jack!  We love you so much and are so thankful that God gave you to our family.  You make everyday special.