I Dreamed a Dream.

I have always dreamed about New York City. I have been fortunate to travel to enough places, but always hated that I had never been to New York. Maybe it's because I am quite sure that my real calling in life was to be on Broadway. Never mind the fact that I can't sing, I still think somehow I was born to see my name in lights. After a whirlwind trip with my friends, I am pretty sure that I did miss my calling. But I had the time of my life and can't wait to return.

I traveled to NY with some of my friends from Portland and Salt Lake. We met in the city bright and early and we didn't slow down until we returned back home. There are so many things to see and do and so many people to watch. It is a city full of stimulation. Maybe that's why we were able to go at it as hard as we did.

Anyway, some of my favorites memories were definitely: the food, Brooklyn Bridge, the pizza, Wicked, a minor mishap in the subway, searching for comfy shoes for our pregnant Jen, the food, the flowers at the Waldorf, the banana pudding at 1:00 a.m. from Magnolia's, the limo, church, the proud Puerto Ricans, Super Hero's, fights over our favorite celebs, the cute cabbie from Jersey (I should say nice,) the hustle and bustle, Soho, Greenwich Village, (next time more time here,) Diet Coke, Park Avenue, Ground Zero, the food and my friends.

Thanks, Ali, for helping me feel just like I was local and living the dream. And for showing us New York as it should be seen. Macy, thanks for the recommendations, I have never eaten so well in my life. I loved every minute of it (eating, that is.)Thanks, ladies, for a wonderful trip. I couldn't have asked for better company. And thanks to my parents and Bry for taking care of my baby so I could have this experience. Now when the Wicked auditions come around, you may need to be on call, again, but I don't think that will be for some time now, so rest easy.

Here are a few pics of what was the whirlwind in NYC.

Macy and I upon our arrival. Unfortunately, my eyes remained this puffy the entire trip.


We all stayed in our cozy room at the Waldorf Astoria. They were nice as can be...I'd definitely go back.

The famous frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity.


View from the Met. One of my favorite stops on the roof, overlooking Central Park.

The beautiful church we attended on the upper east side.

Wicked!


The Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest suspension bridge in the U.S. Still feels pretty sturdy. We walked over the bridge to the best pizza ever, Grimaldi's. This was such a highlight. Highly recommended.


The flowers at the Waldorf. The entire lobby smelled like these lilies. Beautiful.


Just walking around, we did that a lot!


Oh, I met the incocievable guy from Princess Bride. One of my favorite movies. As I was saying hello, the entire store stopped to listen. I surely made a fool of myself and my crimson face prooves it! He was nice.

These are a few of the picture I have. Nancy was the staff photographer and so I can't wait to see all that she captured.

What a trip.

Sure Signs of Spring. . .

. . .finally.

I can't get enough of the sweet smells and the barely buds on the trees in my backyard. It has been so fun to see things come to life. I think I have personally willed the green right out of the trees. Never have I been so anxious for spring. Every day I would walk outside in search of signs, even in the snow, and now that it has begun, it can't grow fast enough. Isn't it amazing that the plants and the grass just know that it's time to grow? What a miracle of life. So glad it's finally here.



Isn't there something magical about sprinklers?




This is Brooks' "happy face" as evidenced by the mix of dirt and chocolate around his chin.

By the way, are any of you familiar with the song "Wick" from Secret Garden? That is what's playing through my head right now as it write this post. If not, check it out on iTunes. I can't think of a more appropriate song for the season.

Did I Mention I Was Mooned?

One recent Sunday afternoon, I was driving on the interstate enjoying a conversation with my younger brother, when I was shocked to see a ginormous bottom sticking out the window of the car next to me.

Maybe an innocent High School prank,? I think not, I nearly drove off the road and something about the bottom seemed a little beyond those years. I was horrified and completely disgusted, literally sick to my stomach! Do kids still do that? I thought the world had moved way beyond mooning. So now that you all know what gets my goat, I hate to think of what's next?

My advice: keep those bottoms in their pants, where they belong!

Sorry no pics to accompany this post.

What Is He Watching?

Certainly captivating! Action packed perhaps. . .










Well, it's non other than the Barefoot Contessa herself and mom couldn't be prouder. Other than tractors or Mermaid, it's "cook-it" or BC. So in tribute to the amazing Ina Garten, here are a couple of recipes Brooks thought looked great and I think so too.

Enjoy!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ig/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9971_48009,00.html

Can You Dig It?

Well March came and went and I have no idea how it flew quite so fast, but we definitely kept busy, which certainly aided things along.

We had so much fun this past month. Two Grandpa's birthday (on the very same day.) Quite a few home projects. Easter. A lucheon with our friends from P-town and a sleepover with some of our most cherished people. Two dismal NCAA brackets. And we are still watching every tractor in town. Not to mention using every shovel in site. So here is a recap of the month that was March.

The Easter Egg Hunt.



The best family picture we could muster.


Our Easter prom.



Uhhh...Robin Eggs!


A few fun days with some favorite friends.


Brooks is growing up so fast. He is talking like crazy and I laugh so hard at him. He has grown into a such fun little friend. At lunch the other day, a lady nearby bent over to grab her purse. With her back to us, Brooks looked at me with big eyes, pointed to the ladies behind, and luckily, whispered, "bottom." He is curious as ever and very persistant, and we love him more and more every day.








As I think back on the last little while, I am reminded of the all fun we had and for some reason I can't stop thinking of all of our blessings. I am so happy to be feeling settled in our little house. And I am especially grateful for the blessing of my sweet family. I couldn't be happier and I certainly won't take that for granted.

Our New Hobby

So the other night Bryan and Brooks went downstairs to play with the trains or cars or other toys in the basement. After a while, I was surprised by the amount of time they had been down there and how quiet things were in the house. I went down to check in on my two boys.

It was darling to see Brooks sitting on his dad's lap completely enamored with whatever he was watching on the computer screen. Bry had brought up a bunch of videos on Youtube that were full of tractors 'getting the dirt.' Brooks loves it and it has become a staple every evening at our hosue. Not so much during the day, must be a male-bonding thing. Brooks asks me to leave the room most of the time. Anyway, here is a sneak peek for those of you, or your little ones that might be interested. Nearly hours of entertainment.



Ok, but last night, best of all, while searching for more backhoe video, Bry came across this one. We had put this on you tube for our families to see and I had completely forgotten. What a fun surprise. This is Brooks 1 1/2 years ago. I can't believe how time flies. Maybe this will bring a chuckle. Sure did for us.



We are off to enjoy the sunshine! Love to you all.

What a Day for a Daydream

Seems I am dreaming about lots of things these days. Dreaming of a warm place, alone with my husband, a new kitchen table, being settled and having everything in its place and dreaming of Spring to show it's beauty sooner than later. Maybe I am also dreaming of a few skirts, shorts and white pants. Did I mentions some cute flats? Anyway, enough dreaming. Back to reality, American Idol, that is. Have you guys seen this guy? I love him, a little Jack Johnson-ish. He's cute . . . I like.



Enjoy a little daydreaming on me. Love you all.