I heart New York (day one & two)

Jared & I went without the kids to New York this past weekend. Partly a fun trip for us and partly for Jared to compete in the NYC triathlon.

The first night we got there it was a little late, so we wandered Central Park (holding hands & NOT pushing a stroller) and then onto 5th Ave for Jared to see the Apple flagship store.

On the second day we walked over Brooklyn Bridge. Amazing views and yummy pizza & ice cream on the other side as a reward!

The "tourist" shot on the bridge looking towards Brooklyn

Looking back at Manhattan while we ate ice cream in Brooklyn

I didn't get any pictures, but we went to the play The Screwtape Letters that evening. I love how much New York has to do. So much fun!

The next day was mostly shopping and getting prepped for the triathlon. We did meet up with our good friends Craig & Amanda for a yummy dinner at BLT Steak and gelato at Grom. Yum, yum, yum.

Waterworld

I have a lot of catch-up to do. I know you are all dying to get the NYC recap. ;) But I am a couple of weeks behind so you'll have to be patient.

Thanks to Jared's family we get to celebrate birthdays once a year at Waterworld. Best tradition ever! It was a blast this year--first time I haven't been pregnant or with a newborn. I spent every possible minute I could in the wave pool or on the rides. I'm such a kid!

Brooklynn & Elise

Helping Grey catching the waves

Ice Cream Time! (notice the drip down his hand)

Happy Ryan

And a sleepy boy. Didn't last out of the parking lot.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Happy Birthday to the sweetest baby girl!

I feel like a terrible mother not being with Elise on her first birthday--but Jared signed up for a triathlon in NYC on the same day. So we are eating lots, playing and sleeping (more to come on that soon). Oh and Jared is swimming, biking and running while I do nothing. Perfect!

This past year has been such a delight having Elise in our lives. But I am a much happier mother once the one-year mark hits. Apparently I get postpartum with each child from when they are about 6-11 months. This time was extra hard and I am glad to be out of it finally. Onto more exciting things... She really is the best baby I could ever hope for. She came with the sweetest personality and makes us smile constantly.

We will celebrate soon and get lots of pictures so she doesn't think I forgot about her.

Trains and trains

Day 2 of our weekend of family fun we drove up to Golden for Jared to do a training bike ride. I took the kids over to the Colo. Railroad Museum to pass the time. I have been wanting to take Grey there for oh-a couple years. He loved it of course. What boy wouldn't love running around a bunch of trains and climbing in and out of them. It was pretty fascinating to see everything. Sorry for the photo overload--I had a lot of fun too.

Okay, okay. No more trains. Here are the kiddos:

The end.

Garden of the Gods

4-day weekend = lots of family fun

Knowing that Jared had a 4-day weekend, I spent a couple days getting all of our household stuff done so we could do some of the things on our "family fun list." Friday we drove to Colorado Springs to wander Garden of the Gods. What a magnificent place. We took our little picnic lunch then walked the paths. On our walk back to the car we heard some trampling coming at us-fast. As we turned we saw a big deer run right next to us into the trees. I'm glad it didn't run us over--it was so close. Grey obviously doesn't understand how fun it is to see wildlife  because he asked if he could go pet it.

A great start to a long weekend of fun!

Casabonita

For FHE this week we thought it would be fun to go to Casabonita with Cindy & Brooklynn. I had not been there since high school and I barely remember it. The kids had a blast watching the divers, playing arcade games and watching kids hit a pinata for candy. As expected though, I was sick from the food for a couple of days. NASTY! The cheese enchiladas were literally a tortilla with canned cheese poured over it. Ugh--still sick thinking about it.

Baby bellies

For you pregnant mamas--Forever 21 has a (small but great!) maternity line now. Look how cheap you can buy some cute skinny jeans now. I am definitely getting some for the next time around--or they can be my Thanksgiving pants.