Thanksgiving

Grammy C and Markee came for Thanksgiving this year.  Papa had the flu and didn't want to get the kids sick so we did some face time with him.  The kids loved all the extra snuggles and hugs!!

Riley's birthday

The day before Thanksgiving was Riley's birthday! We usually aren't interested in eating cake around his birthday because of Thanksgiving.  I was off the hook this year when he came home from work with this cake his staff bought him.  We had cake when he came home. Then we went on a dinner and a movie date while Grammy C and Markee babysat.  I sure am lucky to have this guy as my husband!!  I let Rhylan be in charge of the camera (phone) during the cake and candles.  She was so excited.  Here are some of the MANY pictures she took.

Gilbert Temple

Around the city

Here are just some random pictures from around the city that I liked! The next 3 are of the Empire State building. (I didn't go to the top--not enough time!)

China town was so weird, and smelly!!! But I liked it.

 New York Fire Station close to 9/11 Memorial.  I bet they were there that day!

Statue of Liberty

Another great adventure I had, was riding a ferry to Staten Island to wave at the Statue of Liberty!  The official tours for Liberty/Ellis Island and ferry wasn't a terrible price but it was supposed to take 3-5 hours to complete!!   When you only have 2 days and so much to do, you couldn't spend 5 hours on one activity.  So I almost gave up on a life long dream to see her in person.  But then my MIL said they have ridden a free ferry that goes near the statue, when they have come before!  It was perfect.  Plus if I was actually on the island with the statue I think all my pictures would be pointing up her nose... just say'n. I love checking things off my bucket list:)

Here is the view of the city as we were sailing away.

This is about the view you have from land, we had only been on the ferry a few minuets.  The statue looks so small compared to all the skyscrapers I have been walking around.

This is about the best view I was able to get in person. 

Thanks to zooming, computers, and cropping, her details can come alive.  Cameras are amazing things.

She is so pretty!!

View with the city behind her.

9/11 Memorial

One thing I really wanted to do was spend some time at the 9/11 Memorial.  It was so strange to be in a place to quite right in the heart of busy New York.  You could just feel a very special peace here.  Everyone was walking slowly and talking quietly.  It was a great memorial, I love what they did.  In the place where the Twin Towers were, there was a large hole with water falls on all sides.  Then in the middle there was another hole ans waterfall, I couldn't see the bottom (I think that was the point.)  Then all around each location, were the names of all who died, each name was listed.  It really hit home to see each name, there were so many.  I still remember that day back as a senior in high school, so vividly.  I was so glad I was able to see this.

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station was celebrating its 100 year!  It was a beautiful building.  I had never really been on a train before this trip.  It was amazing to see all the train schedules lit up on the walls and so many people buying tickets!  That just isn't something we see here in the west.

This was also where I rode my first subway!  It was so cheap, that's how we got from place to place when it was too far to walk.  I was pretty excited.  They really aren't scary at all.  But they are confusing, thank goodness Colette had done it before or I would probably still be there trying to figure it out.  I didn't even get too claustrophobic, and we only saw 1 crazy person the whole trip-- and she was CRAZY!!!

New York Trip!!!

I have a trillion pictures to post this week.  I went to NYC for 2 days and took almost 400 pics.  I had such a great time. 

One day Riley came up to me and said he had something to tell me.  I was nervous, he sounded serious.  I thought something went wrong at work or a relative was sick!  He said I was going to have to reschedule a photo shoot coming up.  I asked why, and he said because you will be in New York. It took a while before I actually believed him.  He told me the plan.  He had used some of his "frog money" he had earned and got me tickets to "Mamma Mia" on Broadway in New York.  He would stay here while I go with his mom-she had been several times before so she could show me around.  She works for Southwest Airlines and we flew free.  I flew out Thursday (Halloween), played around Friday and Saturday and traveled home on Sunday.  Two of the 4 days are Riley's days off and he arranged for my Grandma to come down from Mesa to watch the kids on Friday and Saturday.  He had planned to help the kids into costume on Halloween, go to Gracin's Halloween party, take them trick or treating, etc.  He had it all figured out!! I couldn't believe it!  I had a hard time sleeping the next week.

Once in New York we only sat down to eat and ride the subway.  The rest of the time we seemed to be speed walking to get it all in. I have so much to post!

San Diego trip

During Rhylan's fall break we met up with my family in Sand Diego for 3 days of fun!  We had a blast hanging with family, and seeing the sites.

Here is what they did with the little down time we had.

Goofy cousins!

Grammy and Papa and Carly watched all 5 grand-kids while we were able to head out for dates!  Riley found a Filipino restaurant and store for our date.  It's so nice to just hang out with my man!