New York, New York

This year, I was supposed to go to Girls' Camp with the Young Women in our ward.  Then I got released and called to Relief Society.  Before this all happened, we'd made arrangements with Grandma Paula for her to come be with the kids while I went to camp.  Since she was still coming, Justin and I decided to celebrate our 10th Anniversary a little early (it happens next May, a time when Justin can't get away anyhow) and head to New York for a few days.  

We had a great time together, and ate out a lot because that is my favorite thing to do.  (I may or may not have planned our trips around restaurants, but whatever.)  Pay to go to the top of the Empire State Building? No thanks, I'll have some yummy breakfast.  In the end, our favorite food was toast and jam at the Clinton St. Baking Company.  Go figure.

We also saw the Symphony (Justin's request).  I enjoyed the first number, and had a hard time staying awake for the middle. But never fear, they played Star Wars as their encore, and I stayed awake for that.  The conductor was hilarious and made a point of noticing all those who entered late or clapped at the wrong time.  We also saw Newsies, but in the end I think I would have exchanged that for the ballet.  Next time we'll know.

Beyond that, some of our favorite time was spent in Central Park wandering around all by our lonesomes with nothing to do.  The simple things are great, that's for sure.

Serendipity:

Alice's Teacup:

The Met:

The Temple:

The High Line:

4th of July!

I love the 4th of July.  This year we did a parade. (Not as good as East Millcreek.  Lots of cars, and not very many floats or bands.  But they did throw candy, which made the kids happy.) Then we had a BBQ with some friends. (Thanks Moons and Wilsons for inviting us!)  And then, we crashed.... no fireworks for us.  Maybe someday we won't get so high on sugar and so low on energy that we just need to go to sleep at 8:00.  Justin and I watched the fireworks out our window while the kids snoozed.  (To my credit, I did try to wake Ellie up and invite her but she was so sound asleep that she didn't move when I shook her.)

Stop Growing Up!!!

Summer

Swimming:

A new bike from Grandma (without training wheels!)

Dane's Dairy:

Meg learns to tie her shoes:

 Spencer's Haircut:

Ellie writes a "Secret Kid" newspaper:

Some of us hide from the cold, wet pool:

Soccer Continued

Grant has continued to enjoy his soccer games.  Last year he stood in the middle of the field and watched, but this year he has enjoyed chasing the ball.  When we can convince him to run the right direction he is even able to score this year!  Meanwhile, the other kids are working on getting as many ticks as possible.  Okay, not really.  But really.

Family Photos

This Spring we finally got new family photos.  It had been 3 years since we'd had them done, and Spencer was always begging to see the pictures and then sad when we didn't say his name.  The photos were taken by a friend in our ward at http://kateelisabethphotography.com  We took them at an old tree that I love and the kids had a blast climbing on, but is looking pretty dead at this point and I'm not sure how long it will last.