Utah Springbreak part 2

YAY.... the Brostroms come to visit. My boys have been so looking forward to them coming.  They were going to have their favorite friends and they were sleeping at our house!!!! could it get any better???  We lucked out on the weather, and it was super hot.  The hottest day of the year so far for us here.  Anyway -- a dump of pictures is expected and it's what you are getting..... enjoy!

 Such handsome boys!  Our boys have all been friends since birth.  They love each other like cousins.

 We spent the first day seeing museums while Jake and Luke were still in school.  Intrepid and Natural History museum... and a few subway rides.  We basically walked the kids for 9 hours that first day! 

 You can't tell that Carter is not feeling well in this picture, but he was coming down with walking pneumonia. He kept doing great during the day, but high fevers and coughs throughout the night.  Poor kid.  He was a trooper.

 After school on Friday, we hit the park for a few hours and then on to FAO Scwhartz and the big piano!  It was a fun full day.

Saturday, Jake Luke and Sam had singing practice for our Stake Conference the next day.

SIDE NOTE: It was so dang adorable to see and hear them sing.  I feel so lucky they were here to participate.  They basically carried the choir with the chinese version of I'm a child of God.  I was in tears.  Their singing director emailed me after to thank me personally for letting them come be apart.  We are certainly blessed when we serve.

 We met them at the church and got some "throw down" waffles from the waffles and dinges truck by the church.  Yummy way to start the day for sure!

 Off to the statue of liberty and some cool shots of the city (from Jake)... I think he took about 30, but I liked these best. :)

 The rest of the day was spent in the park relaxing and meeting with Nina's cousins.  I'll put in a picture when I can download it of the whole gang.

 Sunday we also spent a relaxing, sunny day at stake conference and then at the park.  We watched a marrionette puppet show that was pretty cool.  BIG SHOT  about a cow that makes it in the circus.

Below is the puppeteer showing us how the puppets work.  It's a super kid friendly theater and boys actually thought it was really neat.

 

One more picture of the set.

 Look at these handsome fellows!  I can't believe we are missing 2 (Cole and Graham)... what a sweet army of young men we are raising.  So glad to be doing it together.

 I love the street performers and convinced the boys to walk down "The Mall" with me in central park to see all the people.  The Bubble blower caught their eye.  Another WARM sunny day down in the books as a success.... but I think our favorite day was Monday.

 It started out bright and warm and early with the Today Show.  Very fun to go see them film, even though we didn't get to be on TV!!!  next time.

 We went to the "Top of the Rock" in the rockafeller center after walking around and looking for the city Easter Eggs and touring St. Patricks Cathedral.

 Nina was  a little nervous about the heights, but we all survived.  It was super pretty from the top. It's a full 360 degree view from this building.  The best empire state view you can get.

 The only picture Nina and I got together... not the greatest, but Jake said we had to squat so he could see the empire state building.  So it's a little awkward pose. haha  And, there's the belly bump!  Not so little any more.

 

and a few more pictures of the building... and being on the top....

We walked through time square and saw all the money maker characters and tried not to get too close with our picture taking as not to have to pay for every one!  But, Sam and Nate thought the minions were awesome and I had to get one quick photo at least!

We had lunch at Star Dust Diner... It has to be my favorite place.  It's loud and super kid friendly and they are entertained the whole time with all the singing going on by the servers.  Our waiter sang "under the sea" and let our table have some solos in the song!  So cute and fun.

 

Of course, we ended the day at the park playing soccer.  A couple hispanic boys/men joined the game and made it MUCH more fun for our 2 on 2 game going on.  They were very sweet to the boys and were teaching them some sweet foot work.

 AH.... what a fun 5 days.  We were SOOO sad to see them go.  It was such a great time seeing and just living with the Brostroms.  

So glad they are in our lives and so glad they were willing to use their spring break to come visit us!! Thanks Kyle for keeping the little boys while Nina brought the bigs.  We owe you! :)

Nato Patato is 4!!

This cute little guy had a birthday!  Nate was very concerned when Sam had is birthday in Utah, that he needed a birthday too.  I told him that when we moved to New York, he would turn 4.  So everyday for 3 months he has asked if he was 4 yet, because we lived in New York.  Smart Guy... Dumb Mom!!! 

 

Finally the day came and since Taylor was out of town on the 11th, we actually celebrated a day late.... but no need to let him in on that secret. :)

 He has been wanting a superman costume, so we just decided to do a whole SUPERMAN party.

 My Super Hero!  He takes this job seriously.

 Luckily for Nate, the Brostroms were in town to celebrate, so we had a great party for him with lots of people!!!  He was beyond thrilled that his birthday was finally here.

 I love this picture below, because it is of Nate blowing out his candles... don't you love that every kid there is thinking about blowing out the candles themselves? They all have their lips in position, but only Nate actually blew.  So cute.

 He got some presents.... his superman t-shirt and an avenger lunch box.... cards, money, and gifts  from grandparents......

 

.....and what he's been waiting for most, was this sweet costume.

  

We love our little Natie.  He is a complete joy and goofball to have around.  He really has been our baby and might be really hard for all of us to relinquish his title for the new little miss.  I can't tell you how many times he thanked me for his birthday and cake and presents.  

He is the best and we love him SO MUCH!

 

Utah Spring Break...

They could have chosen to go to warm, sunny, St. George with their cousins for their spring break, but instead they came here!!! My boys have been SOO excited for them to come.  We are lucky to have such great family.  It was too fast of a visit in my opinon.

 My boys are not much of tourists, so they loved that the Nadaulds wanted to rent bikes and ride around the park.  I forget how hilly the park is.  When you are running you just slow down, but I actually had to walk my bike up one hill... I'm a wimp!  We were going to take another fun picture by the park reservoir, but we realized Luke wasn't there.  He had gone ahead and we all turned off.  We thought he'd be a mess, but he was just waiting patiently by the hill that leads to our house until we caught up.  Whew... I was a little nervous!

 We were able to get tickets to the 9/11 memorial.  I can't wait for the museum to open in May.  It is a very cool place.  My boys made us come home and watch the whole 9/11 documentary after seeing the memorial.  It's good for them to see and understand and realize how devastating with was for the country.  It's hard to imagine when you've never seen the place.  So neat for all of us.

 I stole this picture from Stacy, because I thought it was cool they were on the Today Show.  Can you see Al Roker in the back?  So famous!

 Our First family Yankees game.  Besides being a blow out... it wasn't a disappointment.  Yummy treats and very entertaining fans.

 There was about 4 Oriols fans sitting right in the mix of the Yankee bleacher fans (right by us).  They were being VERY vocal when the O's did something great, and the security had to come up to protect them from the Yankees' fans.  Yankee surrounding fans started whole cheers to yell at the "enemy fans."  Not appropriate to repeat to anyone. :)  VERY ENTERTAINING.  Also, the couple behind us got engaged during the 5th inning.

 If you look closely above, you can see the guy in the white shirt... He was one of the 4 other guys and the security is talking to him... FUNNY.

Taylor said as we said goodbye that it was the first time he has felt home sick.  I know what he means!  We love our people!  It's been great, but it's hard being away too.  I didn't realize the visitors would make us more home sick..  ugh!

Cooking Class

I am so lucky to meet so many talented people here!  The Nelson's cooked for us at a ward party not long ago and a few of us begged him to teach us some skills.

We made home made noodles and alfredo sauce.  It was SOOOOO good.  I'm purchasing my noodle attachment for my kitchen aid as soon as I get back to Utah.  Yay.  I love learning new things.  Thanks Glen and Marcia for hosting and sharing your talents.  It was awesome!

They even sent me home with enough to feed Taylor and he loved it too.  I'm sure to make this again.  Surprisingly, it's not that hard.  Well, maybe when I do it on my own I'll think differently, but with their help - it was simple!  I also tried the best cherry balsamic vinegar I have EVER tasted.  Buying some more of that TODAY.  New York has just about any ingredient you will ever need and super great quality.  I am going to miss that when we go back.

Grandma's here!!

We were SOOOO excited to see grandma.  The boys stayed home from school so they could meet grandma at the entrance of the building.  I think my mom thought she might die on the taxi ride to our house, so she was admittedly as happy as we were to see her!  And of course, grandma was just as excited as the rest (maybe even more if - you haven't seen the video from the last post, you need to) for a baby girl.  She was wearing her pink shirt upon her arrival to give us good baby vibes.  It worked!

Here is a download of pictures of her week stay -- yes, a week.  My mom is referred to as the kangaroo grandma because she is constantly hopping in and out and doesn't stay for extended periods of time.  However, whenever I live out of state I get her for longer than any of my siblings and I love it!  She was probably sick of us, by the end of her stay... but we could keep her forever.   Just see how much fun we had with her through these pictures....

 Subway fun.... I thought Grandma needed a picture to document the subway, and she thought I needed a picture documenting my crazy boys!  This is how we roll in the stroller most days.

We ate dinner at the fun Star Dust diner the first night.  We were all waiting for about an hour and the big boys had to leave for scouts... so G-ma treated me and the little boys.  We are getting SPOILED with her here.  This diner I've posted before, but it's so fun with the singing servers.  It's like your own broadway show with food! :)

 Grandma took the 3 older boys to shows.... Sam picked The Lion King (Grandma LOVED this one).  It really is great.  The costumes are AMAZING!

 Jake and Luke picked Wicked... (Grandma also has heard lots of good things about this one, and liked it too).  The boys thought it was SUPER COOL.  They were singing the songs all weekend.

 Of course, when Grandma comes she has to treat the kids to a prize.  Since most my boys have birthdays while we are here, she let them all pick a toy at FAO Schwartz.  I love this store.  So fun!

 Taylor let my mom and me do a couple fun things on our own.  We went to a temple session and then out to eat at Serendipity to celebrate HER birthday coming up in a couple weeks.  We shared our main course and each got a dessert!  Hers was some pecan nutty chocolate fudge and chocolate ice cream heaven and mine was the famous frozen peanut butter Hot Chocolate.  YUM!!!!

 

The weather was actually quite annoying while she was here.  Freezing, and then raining and then Sunny on the day she left!  but we still got out and did a few touristy things.  

We went to Grand Central Station before the rain started and then walked through Rockafeller center on our way home.  Above is the picture of the Radio City Music hall where we were able to snag a falafal from the falafal guys and a pastrami sandwich from Carnegie Deli. 

 I have to say, we both liked the falafal a lot better! And it was $4 compared to $20.  Can you believe a sandwich is $20 anywhere?  We did eat at the Katz deli a couple weeks back and I liked it better than Carnegie as well. So if you are going to spend 20 bucks on a sandwich, make the trip downtown instead!

On the nice day, we spent it all out side!  While Sam was in school we hurried down to Ellis Island and saw Lady Liberty.  Unfortunately, the tours to the crown are all sold out until the end of July.  Who knew??? I'm bummed my boys won't get to do that this time.  I guess we should have done that in Jan. when there aren't any tourists.... I guess I should say as many tourists, cuz there are ALWAYS tourists in this awesome city!

Cool shot of the skyline of the city.

We visited the Met Museum, expecting to spend an hour or so, and then almost 3 hours later (and after an ice-cream break) we headed to the park.

My boys never tire of climbing....

The ponds/lakes have finally defrosted and the boys spent time skipping rocks in the water, while Sam searched for cool looking rocks for his collection.  I just love Central Park.  I think it's because my boys can actually be boys there and they can't get enough of it. 

Thanks mom for coming.  I keep telling Taylor that I'm ready to go home now.  It hasn't seemed long to me at all, but all of the sudden I am thinking 3 more months is a long time!  I hope the warmer weather comes fast, I'm afraid I'm loosing steam here in the cold.  I also think I had just looked forward to my mom coming.  We love you mom!  Thanks for a great week in NYC.