New York City

I had to be in New York this week for work. Luckily, I was traveling with a friend/co-worker Deborah. We decided to go a couple of days early to get some sightseeing in. I've never been to NYC (never thought I'd really care for it much). Turns out, I really liked it! I'd definitely go back...hopefully with Jason next time! He was a good man to stay home and be Mr. Dad for 6 days/5 nights......not that he had much of a choice..ha.

Pics will probably be out of order for the way we did things, as some were from cell phone and some were camera...nonetheless, here's our trip!

The weather was usually in the 50's-60's and windy, but there was one day of around 80 degrees. It did rain a couple of days, but they were days we were having to work, so it worked out well!

This is where the twin towers were. It's just a large construction site now. We toured a little museum next door that showed what the memorial will look like when it's completed. It was a very sombering experience.

Night One: Times Square

Now this is a place to people watch!

We took a water taxi tour one day. It was a great way to see some of the sites without having to actually go to them (for example: The Statue of Liberty....I wanted to see her, but really didn't have a desire to spend half a day to do it). World Financial Center

After the water taxi, we decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was completed in the 1800's. You can't help but wonder "is this the day it's going to collapse?" when walking across! I had to google to find out, but it is only a little over 1/4 of a mile long. It sure feels longer than that! It's fairly steep.

At the ice rink - Rockefeller Center

(I've never had my picture made alone so many times! Awkward! But I also wanted proof I was there and not JUST scenery pics!)

We didn't see The Donald. He must have been sleeping. I'm sure had he known we were there, he totally would have come down to see us! Ha. We did visit the Trump Store (in the lobby) and the Starbucks on the 2nd floor.

Fun place!

I think I have a better picture of this, but I just wanted to show how enormous Central Park is (and this is about 1/4 of it). It's HUGE. It is crazy how there are all of these trees and grass and ponds in the middle of such craziness!

We decided to do "Top of the Rock" instead of the Empire State Bldg. Jason's cousin told me she's done both and preferred Top of the Rock. After reviewing some comparisons online, we decided to go with her suggestion and loved it! Absolutely worth the $20 for the tickets. You get a designated time and there are no lines when you return (as opposed to the 2-4 hour lines we heard of for the Empire State Bldg.). PLUS, you get pictures of the Empire State Bldg. in your photographs, which you obviously wouldn't get if you were inside of it!

We were able to see in both day and night. We had to hang out up there for quite a while, but we managed to do it! It's amazing how slowly the sun sets when you are waiting for it to set!

On our last night, we went to see Mary Poppins on Broadway. It was a great show! I've always had a soft spot for Mary, but I think it would be good even if you weren't already a fan!

All in all, we had a great trip (and yes, we managed to work too)!!!

While I had fun, I DESPERATELY missed Olivia and Jason. At least with Jason, I could speak to him and know that he knew I was for sure returning! Ha. I talked to Olivia daily, but I'd cry nearly every time we would hang up the phone! I swear my heart literally hurt! I missed her SO much and am so glad to be home and feel complete again!

Crazy Week

Jason's grandfather, Big Daddy, passed away early this week. He lived a long, fulfilling life and I'm sure is now planting some wonderful gardens for us all to see when we get to Heaven!

I learned a few things on our trip to Austin this week and thought I'd share them with you.

Things you should never forget to take with you when traveling

• 
  
  Your hanging clothes (You know, the ones you planned to wear to the funeral)


• 
  
  Your daughter's hanging clothes (The ones she was to wear to the viewing and to the funeral)


• 
  
  Shampoo & Conditioner (particularly important when the hotel has a "lovely" all-in-one version. My hair is mid-back. Conditioner is a MUST.


• 
  
  Face Wash (regular soap just doesn't cut it)


• 
  
  One more tip: when you go purchase shoes for your daughter last minute at Target, try and get the right size. Otherwise, you may find yourself 5 mintutes before leaving the hotel and realizing that you purchased a size too big....that may lead to another mental breakdown.

It's been a crazy week to say the least.

Rest in Peace Big Daddy! We'll miss you!

Texas Bluebonnets

My mom and I took Olivia to take her annual bluebonnet pictures today. It was a super windy day, but my next couple of weekends are really busy, and I didn't want the bluebonnets to leave without us taking pictures!

I apologize in advance for the picture O V E R L O A D!

This was her most of the time....refusing to look at the camera AT ALL!

This is really out of order, but when it was time to leave, Olivia picked up her Bumbo and started heading to the car. I guess she had had enough (is that the proper way to say that? had had? Doesn't seem right!)

The following is my favorite...she looks so genuinely happy.

Running to give me a flower.

Three years of bluebonnets....makes me a little sad!

Happy 70 Years!

On Sunday, we drove down to Austin for Me Mommy & Big Daddy's 70th wedding anniversary! 70 years? That's quite an accomplishment, especially during these days!

I'm SUPER mad that I didn't take more pictures. I didn't even get one of Me Mommy & Big Daddy! Hopefully someone else did!

On our way, my mother-in-law called to see if it would be ok if she bought Olivia a Mickey & Minnie. My first question was "Are they big"? She said "Oh, Noooo, they aren't big!"

I suppose "big" has various definitions! Ha.

My sweet girl

Olivia wanted to give Big Daddy a Dora fruit snack. I think everyone got to share in that "yummy" snack.

"Yummy" - another word that must have multiple definitions!

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time....

my 2 year old loved reading to her dog.

I walked in her room on Saturday to see what she was up to....

She was reading a Dora book to Bentley.

C'mon...how adorable is this girl?!?!

She steals my heart on a daily basis.

Once she realized I was in the room, she decided to start posing.

CHEESE!

Cheese again

It's crazy she was wearing sleeveless on Saturday and went to school with a jacket today. That's Texas weather for you!

March for Babies

I've raised money for March of Dimes - March for Babies for several years.

I've never once had trouble raising money or reaching my goal.

Maybe it's a sign of the economy, but how many times have you eaten out this week? Or how many times did you go thru the Starbucks drive-thru or buy a new shirt?

I work for corporate America, and our company is involved in numerous charities, but I've always been particularly drawn to March of Dimes, even before I had my own child. The money raised helps support programs that help moms have healthy, full term pregnancies. It also funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.

I don't like asking for money.

It's not fun.

I'm not in sales nor am I a great salesperson (hence the reason I'm not in sales)!

I even sell Thirty-One with no pressure.
(but feel free to click here and visit the website - spend $31 and get a purse 1/2 off thru end of March)

It's just not my style.

That being said, I'm not too proud to ask for the babies.

They can't ask for themselves.

So......

Are you willing to donate to this wonderful cause?

$2? $5? $10? $25? $1,000? (Ha).

Honestly, every bit helps.

JUST CLICK ON THE BADGE AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO MY PAGE WHERE YOU CAN SECURELY DONATE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Oh, and I'll be walking in Fort Worth on April 16, along with my husband and daughter. Join us!

Kissy Faces, Play-Doh & Cupcakes

Here's a post of pure randomness for you....but then again, that's probably the majority of my posts!

I've noticed recently that Olivia makes the kissy face/fish face a lot. I'm not really sure what she is doing, but she just randomly does it.

Here she is watching TV the other night.....with the face....

And again while playing with her Play-Doh...silly girl!

I brought the play-doh out the other day. Man, this girl loves her play-doh.


LOOK, Mama!

Trying to figure out those scissors

I think Jason and I play with the play-doh just as much as she does (maybe more).

Love her face in this one:

Intently learning from Daddy

O saw a box of cupcake mix in the pantry and was pretty insistant that we make them.

So we did, and tonight she at the last one.

I told her to enjoy it since it was the last one.

I'm pretty sure she did.

5th Wedding Anniversary

Jason and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on March 18. We are trying to save money for a trip we have planned in June, so we had a little staycation here in Fort Worth.

We decided to stay at the new Omni and had a fancy dinner at Bob's Steak & Chop House. This meant Olivia got to spend the night at her grandparents' house for the first time. It was actually my first night away from her ever! Yes, I'm aware she was 2 in January. And yes, we survived being apart!

During our staycation, we visited the Water Gardens. I've lived here for about 8 years, and I had never seen them.

Nothing spectacular.

Nothing to really write home about.

But I suppose they are worth writing about on the blog!

It is pretty neat that there are these bodies of water in the middle of downtown. It's fairly serene in a busy area of town. I could see where it may be a popular place for downtown residents to hang out on a Sunday afternoon.....but again, nothing spectacular.

The Quiet Pool
(I think that's what it was called)

In 2004, a father and three children died in this fountain. VERY sad. The Gardens were closed for a while, and my understanding is they still aren't what they used to be (for safety reasons), but it was a very somber moment staring at this pool.

If you look closely, you can see me & my hubby!


Do you see the rainbow???

Jason riding "Molly the Trolley". We totally played tourist!

Slightly annoyed at my picture taking.

Meet Molly....the Trolley
(it's kind of just a little bus...not sure it's exactly what most people think of as a trolley)

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERARY JASON! HERE'S TO 70 MORE!

WELL, MAYBE 60 MORE....I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO LIVE TO 101!