Turtle Back Zoo

I am fresh out of titles. Monday was our last day with the Weiss'. Well, my last day. Allen had to work. Sucker. We headed to the local zoo which I absolutely fell in love with...and will post a million pictures of, so that you too may feel you were fully a part, naturally. I am not lying.

I really dug (hehe) the prairie dogs. So cute.

Go Cougars (I seriously can't help myself).
Linley was obsessed with the Aflac duck. Obsessed!

That would be a Chinese chicken, just in case you aren't fully educated in your chickens.
A Golden Pheasant.
The kids loved this little train ride.

The end. Thank you Damian and Sarah for taking the time to come visit us. We had so much fun and you guys were the most gracious guests ever. We can't wait to play again.

As I receive pictures from them, I may just have to post more. Consider yourselves warned.

Before and After

Don't get excited. It's not of the house. I am not ready for that yet.
Of me and the family, of course.

Here we are with the view of downtown Manhattan in the background, Labor Day 2006

And the same view, April 12, 2008.

We get so big so fast :)

Park It

Saturday was another gorgeous day, so we loaded up in our cars and drove to Liberty State Park. We had a nice little picnic, played some croquet (okay, only the boys did that), let the kids run wild at the park, then enjoyed a nice little stroll to get a better view of Ellis Island and Lady Liberty (better known as the Green Statue in this house).

I don't have any good shots of the Weiss' in front of the city or the statue (hint, hint folks).

Got Rent?

After completely exhausting ourselves the previous day, I elected to keep all the kids at home while the adults (obviously other than myself) headed back into the city, this time to enjoy downtown. Allen took the day off to play tour guide, showing Damian and Sarah his stomping grounds, eating at his favorite food joint, Ground Zero, the NYSE, etc.
That evening we got a sitter and all the adults (this time I was allowed) went back into the City to grab a bite and watch a show.

We ate at Ruby Foo's. My pad Thai was absolutely delicious, and I do consider myself to be a pad Thai connoisseur. The sushi was mediocre but the ambiance was wonderful. It was a perfect start to our night!!

We watched Rent, which was a little risque, but the music was absolutely phenomenal. I really loved it!


A Starbucks and a good walk in the rain later and we were on our way home.
Such a fabulous evening with friends!

You've got a Friend

Okay, well I don't really know if you have a friend, but I have some great ones. Some of our college faves came up for a visit this past weekend and we had so much fun playing with them. We met the Weiss' when we moved into Monaco Court our last year at BYU. They are still living in Utah and have two little boys, Camerin and Carter, that are the same age as our monkeys. It was so fun to watch them play (READ: fight) together.
Thursday was a gorgeous day here on the East Coast, so we decided to take the train into the city and slowly meander our way to Central Park, checking out the sites as we walked. Emphasis on slowly and walk (as in over 30 blocks worth with 4 children under 4).

We of course visited Times Square, and while there, had to take a visit into the gigantic Toys 'R Us so that we could have a ride on the Ferris Wheel.

After lunching at Friday's and walking many more blocks, we arrived at Central Park and relaxed.

Daddy met us at the park, much to Linley's delight.
The Weiss' on the train heading home.

Chaotic!

My parents stopped in for a visit over Conference weekend. The girls shopped (okay, well mostly I got us lost in the car for hours, but during the in between time we shopped...don't remove the GPS from the female driver's vehicle), and the boys worked their hineys off. It was such a wonderful weekend. Grandma and Linley bonded between foot massages and manis and pedis. Ryder and Grandpa and Allen kept the testosterone brewing as they framed out the new wall, framed and sheet rocked the ceiling, and installed recessed lighting. What manly men I have in my family. Geniuses, all of them.
So Billy, when are you coming back to finish taping and mudding?? You don't really expect us to finish this ourselves do you??

Seriously though, you were awesome. I know you exhausted yourself and we get to reap the rewards. You're the best daddy in the whole wide world (except you Allen, of course)!!

Bliss

My sister Megan and her hubby Adam had their sweet little baby boy last night!! I am so completely proud of her and love her so much and so insanely jealous that she just got to go through labor and that she gets to hold this precious being that was growing inside of her for 9 months. The whole process is so miraculous. I love it all and am so happy that she got to experience the beauty of it herself. And would you look at little Carson James? Have you ever seen a more perfect, cherubic baby??
Way to go Meggie and Adam!! You guys are going to be phenomenal parents!! I can't wait to meet him.

Love you!!

Absent

Have company in town until Monday evening. Will update sometime around then. Miss me!

Fine!

I am obviously not pregnant. I cannot even lie successfully over the internet. Dangit!

What the (insert expletive of choice)???

This is unexpected.