Straw Fix

Adam has had a fever off and on for a couple days with a headache and dizziness.  After church he felt hot again and asked for some water.  I looked around the corner and saw this crazy straw he built so he wouldn't have to sit up.  Is this lazy or inventive?

Time for Easter Pictures by the TV

We tried before church, but Riley said the batteries were too low.  Then he took this as the kids walked away.
After church we tried again.  Hair is not quite as done as before.  Kids being silly.
Riley trying to get everyone together.  Adam wasn't feeling well.
Finally all the kids together.  Happy Easter!

Chewy Crunchy Bread

No Need To Knead: A Simple Way To Bake Bread

Here is the link to the bread I tried today.  It is so easy to make and so yummy!  I started it yesterday afternoon and baked it this afternoon.  The easiest bread I've ever made!  You must try it!  I think it would be good dipped in a tomatoey sauce or dipped in olive oil and vinegar like at Macaroni Grill.  

My New York Trip

Sometime last year, a few ladies from our church started talking about a trip to NY.  All I needed was a babysitter, so after I talked Kathy into coming out in March, 4 of us were still on board.  I went with Debbie, Lenette and Heather.  We had this planned for months, so you can imagine how torn I was when I found out Riley would come home from Iraq while I was gone.  He came home late Friday night and got a chance to wait for me to come home instead.

I am so glad I got to go though.  New York was freezing and the timing wasn't the best, but still, it was New York!  I love the girls I went with and have so many things to laugh about as I remember our trip.  Here's how it started...

Wednesday, Debbie and I met at Lenette's house.  Heather just moved up to Maryland, so we drove to her house first.  On the way, we stopped at Subway.  I got a veggie sandwich with some kind of vinegar.  It tasted great.  I had been craving one for months.  Maybe the vinegar, maybe eating while driving, I don't know, but something made me sick.  I threw up in my Subway bag and Lenette made me leave it on the side of the road.  We made it to Heather's and got to bed.  We started out early the next day after a warm bagel breakfast.  

Thursday in New York

Thursday we drove the last half from Heather's.  We took her posh BMW with the seat warmers.  My queasy stomach from the night before got me a ticket for the front seat.  I'm so glad Heather was driving!  On the way, we passed right through Allentown, where we'll live next, so that was neat.  We made it to the hotel just before 3.We decided to walk around and found Central Park.  We went to the Metropolitan Museum and saw original Monets and Picassos.  No wonder people try to steal them!  
We got to go to a session at the Manhattan Temple which was beautiful and quiet and warm compared to the bustling city.
I wore a stupid dress for the weather, so we took a cab wherever we could that night.  For the rest of the time we took the Subway.  That's me in the front of the taxi.  The people were very nice and we never felt scared.
The girls in the back.
After the temple, we trekked to Serendipity, the cafe from the movie, "Serendipity".  It was so cool to be in all these places from movies and TV.  I felt bad that my friends had to see my grumpy side.  I do not remember being so cold as we were when we walked to this cafe.  I think I scared Lenette.  Sorry.

Friday in New York

Friday was our site seeing day.  First we had our favorite breakfast at a little bakery/catering place near our hotel called Butterfield Kitchen.  They had the creamiest, warmest oatmeal.  It really helped gear us up for the cold!  Next we found the DMV so Heather could renew her license.  That lead us to Garrett's popcorn shop which Lenette recognized right away from Oprah's favorite things.  She talked us into trying the mix and we were hooked.  We walked to Little Italy and China Town which was so cool to see one side of the street total chinese and the other italian.
We stopped in FAO Schwartz and played on the big piano.  
Went to the top of the Empire State Building.
Didn't make it to the statue of liberty.  Don't know why I have this picture in here, but we want to go see it during our trip next year.  Wink wink!
Made it just in time for Wicked after making Heather run through the city.  It was so cool.  My kids like the song "Popular" that I downloaded from iTunes after I got home.

After the show, we hit Times Square just to look around.  Here are the girls with their smokey eyes, compliments of Sephoria makeup artists.  Then home to bed.  Big day.  

Saturday in New York

Saturday was our shopping day.  After our yummy oatmeal breakfast, we got right to it.  I think everyone got to go where they wanted.  My favorite was Anthropologie which was right by Rockefeller Center.  I could have spent all day there.  But, we had to get our second helping of Garrett's popcorn before we left.  The mix of cheese and caramel doesn't sound good at all, but is actually very delicious.  We also ate at a Japanese restaurant that day.  Mmm.  Loved my sweet potato sushi.  The food on the whole trip was amazing!  So many different kinds all at your fingertips.  And of course, Sunday was our driving day, all day.  That was the longest time I have ever spent in the car.  We learned a lot about each other!

Nice Walk in the Nice Sunshine

The sun has been tricking us.  It was warm for a little, now it's cold again.  But we took advantage of the sunny day and went for a walk.  It was stressful without Riley.  There are many trails to choose from and I don't them all.  Sandy got chased by a big black dog and scared a runner running by.  I don't think I will do that by myself again.  

Stick Fight

Adam tried to cart around a long stick, or limb, and Sandy thought it was for her.  They both really like sticks.  Neither of them like to share.

More Castings

Mia Sara as my aunt Nell.   I've always thought they look SO similar. 
As a kid, I always thought my uncle Joel looked like the cowardly lion.  Not Bert Lahr, who plays the lion, but just the lion himself.

Casting Call

I got this idea from my friend, Lani.  You pick celebrities who would be cast in a movie about your family.  It's kind of fun.  Now I keep thinking about who everyone looks like.  I think these are pretty good matches.  I pick Sally Fields to play my mom.

Lindsay Lohan as my sister Brandalyn.  
Ethan Hawke as my brother-in-law, Gregory.
Sarah Chalke as my sister, Elise.
Vin Diesel as my husband, Riley.
And finally, Maggie Gyllenhall, as me.  Elise, help me out with Torye and Steve.  Maybe I'll try to do Riley's family and my kids later.

Basket Cake

Here's another look at the cake.  Not too close though.  It's not as good close up.  It's supposed to be a loaf of bread and an apple inside.  Must use imagination.  And cute Amy.

Crazy Amy

Here's Amy on the beach.  She was dancing around and singing and being silly.  No one usually sees her like this.  I'm glad I had the camera.

Amy's 5th Birthday Party

Amy asked for a Little Red Riding Hood party this year.  Here's what we did.The invitation
Blowing out the candles.  That's Sophia and Julia watching.
The girls each got a red hooded cape and we made food out of clay to put in their little baskets.  I think they had fun.  5 girls was just the right number.  There's Amy, Olivia, Carol, Sophia, Taryn, and Julia.

Duck Duck, Goose!

The only game Amy wanted to play at her party was duck duck, goose.  I almost forgot and was ready to send everyone home, when Amy said, "Mom!  Remember the game?!"  Only one injury to her friend, Julia, who slipped and ran into the piano bench.  Ouch!  Sorry Jessica!  But she got right back in the game, so I think she was OK. 

Basketball Game

Alright, the pictures got switched, but here's Adam at his game today.  He is #5.  Only 6 kids showed up, so Adam got to play the whole game.   It's more of a learning age, so they don't keep score and the referee explains each call.  Some of the kids are pretty good, some are not so good.  

Cold, cold January

We do not like the cold.  But, Sandy must go for a walk.  Here is a park we go to on our walks, but it is getting too cold to play for very long.  Somedays it's nice to get out, but this day was not fun.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

New Years Eve

Riley left on New Year's Eve, so after we dropped him off in the freezing cold, we went to the store and got goodies for the sleep out.  We picked jelly beans, popcorn, grape pop, and I made my favorite chex mix.  The kids were so excited to stay up till midnight and I had every intention of letting them, but as soon as they went to sleep, I was going to bed.  The girls made it to about 10:30.  I knew it wasn't long before Adam would go, but he was trying hard to fight it.  Around 11:00 he rolled over and was out.  I waited a little to be sure, but he was gone.  The next morning he was mad.  He claims he was not asleep, but he was.  Riley had been out in the cold the whole time waiting to get on the plane.  Sorry babe.

My favorite gift

Here's the clock all straightened out.  Thanks mom.  I did actually have it straight in my program, but it turned when it uploaded.