A jaunt to the city

Our little jaunt to the city lasted all of 22 hours, but we sure did make the most of it! 

It was off to dinner at Saigon 48 then straight to Times Square.

 I love how alive NY is at night with the bright lights and people milling the streets.

 Xander decided the 1.6 mile walk each way was worth it for dessert!

Poquito came along for the trip. He didn't get the whole bed though... 

The next day was bright and beautiful! This was the amazing view from our hotel room.

 The best views we've ever had. 

First stop the subway to go and visit the 9/11 memorial

 This was the kids and Paul's first visit to the memorial. I'm so glad we went. It is something to definitely see. I love the reverence that is shown at the site for all of those who lost their lives.
I attribute the feeling to sacred ground. 

Central park with Halal Guys for lunch! Mmmm!

 On the way out we found the waffle place that we were searching for last time we were here! Of course the kids had to try them!

A trip to NY is never complete without a picture of the kids in front of the fountains. 

Such a great 22 hours of much needed time away with the family! 

September Orgainzed Chaos

To say that the first 3 weeks of school have been stressful is an understatement! It's more my stress than the kids. I don't do well with the unknown. I like to have all my ducks in a row and then if necessary I can let my ducks run amuck and get a ride with someone else! I can handle chaos if it's organized!  So it really helped me when I was able to get all of the various schedules written down even if it made my calendar ever so colorful! That doesn't include all of the kids I am either picking up or dropping off or occasionally forgetting. Yes, I forgot to take one of Xander's friends home! I got halfway home and thankfully remembered! UGH! That was a really bad day! I beat myself up for that for several days!

Here is September-

So I am ever so grateful to be able to have some quiet time during the day, even if it is quiet cleaning or grocery shopping time, because once 2 o'clock hits I hit the ground running here there and basically everywhere! 

Alyssa is doing travel soccer and school soccer and physical therapy 2x a week. Xander is doing flag football, premiere soccer (practice squad- training only no Sunday games) and travel soccer. Oh and then there's school and homework and church and and and..........

This weekend after our Saturday soccer games we are heading off for some family time in NYC. I'm looking forward to getting away from the chaos even for just a day and a half. Paul has to work on Saturday night (if you call taking customers to a Metallica concert work) but Sunday is family day and I can't wait!

Prefootball early fall walk

This year we will only be able to take 1 prefootball game walk. So we invited Grandma Sandy to come up and join us for a day of football, soccer and soccer. It was such a great day!

It was a bit early for the beautiful fall colors, 

but not for a beautiful blue sky, crisp New England day!

Well I FINALLY finished my shutterfly book for Grandma's 100th birthday! Only 2 months later... Nothing like an expriring groupon to kick your butt in gear! 

Click here to view this photo book larger

Start your own Shutterfly Photo Book today.

Youth Temple trip 8-16-13

One of my favorite parts about being in Young Women is going on the temple trips with the kids!

When we got to the temple after a very stressful day I was so grateful to have some time to walk around the peaceful, sacred grounds with Alyssa. 

It is always just what I needed!

First day of 7th grade!

August 27. 2013
The first day of Seventh grade!

Can you just feel and see the excitement on Xander's face?!

Okay maybe just a little smile to please mom. 

Too bad I didn't take a picture of myself! I was grinning from ear to ear! Not that I wasn't going to miss them, I was, but that I got to be ALL BY MYSELF for the entire day! That didn't happen ONCE during the entire summer. SO my theme song for the day was:

All by myself... Just wanna be allll byyy myyyselfffff...

 Sing it with me now! 

I can't believe that my babies are so grown up and shortly I will have two teenagers! 

OSV 8-8-13

When Uncle Mike came to town we took a jaunt down the road to Old Sturbridge Village.

It was the first time we've seen Michael since Christmas.  Mike was surprised at how tall Xander is! 

Almost as tall as he is! 

Maybe by this Christmas visit he will be as tall or taller!

There was a wee bit o' silliness going on!

These pictures crack me up!!!

  SO grateful to live in an age where we don't have a FAMILY PRIVY! Seriously there are enough things shared and heard in this house! I don't find it necessary to all go to the bathroom together! EWW!

 The above two photos were taken by Lissy. Maybe photography is really in her future?

 Always fun to meet new animal friends. 

Even if they stick their tongues out at you!