Sunny California

From the east coast to the west coast; this time our vacation took us to southern California. Thanks to much effort and planning by my dad, Tonya and Tami our group consisting of 14 adults and children managed to pull off an awesome vacation to Sea World, San Diego Zoo, and Disneyland. Some drove, some flew but we all convened in San Diego where we began by chilling on the beach, swiming in the pool, and hanging out with local cousins, Tammy and David. Next, we spent a day seeing the various animals found at the San Diego Zoo but since I was 8 plus months pregnant and needed to stay off my feet as much as possible I had to rent one of those electric wheelchair vehicles to drive around. I was already embarrasssed about having to ride on of those things but it just got worse when I drove up to my family only to have it "beep, beep, beep" when I tried to back up for the first time. The following day found us racing around Sea World trying to take in all the aquatic life in one short day and we are all still laughing about Bennett and his excitement at seeing "Shampoo" the whale. After San Diego we headed up to Anaheim and "the happiest place on earth," Disneyland! I think Disneyland can be the happiest place on earth but only when you are there with family. We had a blast. One thing that worked out well was Bennett, who is 2 & 1/2 years old, and I could ride all the same rides so we pretty much stuck together the entire time. I had forgotten how much I love rides like, Alice in Wonderland, and Dumbo and next time I'll have to catch the "big kid" stuff like Space Mountain, and Tower of Terror. Disneyland was super fun but super exhausting and although we still didn't get to see and do everything there, after three days it was time to head home. I know it was crazy and there were some tense moments, like the political discussion at IHOP, or when Tonya got "left," but over all the trip was a big success and I was sad for it to end. I don't think there is anything I love more than spending quality time with my family. Thanks everyone, I love you!

Baby Jonathon

"Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rockabye sweet baby james
Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose
Wont you let me go down in my dreams
And rockabye sweet baby james"
- James Taylor







Eric and Sally's first try at having a baby resulted in one of my favorite people in the entire world, Bennett. So, of course I was thrilled 7 months ago when they announced that they were expecting another baby. It seems like it took forever but he's finally here. Born September 4th at 3:08 PM, 7lbs 6oz. We are so happy you're here baby Jonathan.

What a Wonderful Town

Once again Ben and I booked seats on the oh-so-uncomfortable red-eye to New York, but experience has taught us that the swollen feet, aching backs, and sleep deprivation caused by that flight would easily be worth it because we knew that once we arrived at our destination two of our favorite people, Andrea and Slade, would be there waiting for us. We love and enjoy every minute of our "Slandrea" time, their lifestyle is both energizing and exhausting. As always, this trip was over way too fast but I am truely grateful that they allow us to be part of their world for any amount of time.

Day 1 -

Lunch on the Hudson River...

followed by a little golf practice at Chelsea Piers. I knew it wouldn't be pretty but I took a few swings anyhow.


Next we met up with Andrea and chilled in Union Square where there was some interesting people watching to be done.

Then off to dinner and a show, Fuerzabruta. Andrea described it as Cirque du Soleil meets rave, she wasn't far off.

Day 2 -

We caught a train up to Historic Hudson Valley and got off at a quaint little place called Tarrytown where we enjoyed a delicious greek lunch (thanks Kathrine) and a nice little stroll (thanks again Kathrine, ha ha) into Sleepy Hollow...really. This the actual place Washington Irving wrote about in his classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

While being in Sleepy Hollow was fun the main reason we went up there was to take a tour of one of the Rockefeller estates, Kikuit. Because we had a little time to kill before our tour began we decided to head across the stream to the Corn Festival. Walking on stilts is a talent I'll bet many of you never knew I had, even with an altered center of gravity I was definitely the best at it.


Kykuit.

After we got home we were so hungry so Andrea and Slade took us to a great burger joint in the park, called the Shake Shack. I was so happy to be sitting down (my feet were killing me) and it was a perfect night to sit outside and visit. After dinner we walked acrosss the grass and lounged in front of the huge jumbotron where they were showing the U.S. Open... it would have been way too late for anything like that back home, I love NY!

Day 3 -

Ben and I rode the subway out to the bronx and, where else....? Yankee Stadium!! I need to be clear that Ben is NOT a Yankees fan but he does love baseball and since they are tearing down the stadium it was not considered a betrayal for him to be there, more like a historic event.

Once we got there we immediately understood why they were tearing the place down, I believe Ben's words were, "this place is a hole". But it was a perfect day for a baseball game and Ben was excited to get pictures of two homerun hits with our new camera, the one below is Jason Giambi. By the way, the Yanks lost (go figure).

Golf, baseball, what next? The US Open of course! After the baseball game we met up with Slandrea and headed out to Flushing Meadows in Queens to catch one women's match and one men's match, both played in Aurther Ashe Stadium. A perfect day for baseball led into a perfect night for tennis. On top of the excitement of just being there we were lucky enough see a super intense match between Cilic and Djokovic which went for four sets (almost 5), three of the four sets went to a tie-breaker, and didn't get over until almost 1 A.M. It was a blast!

Novak Djokovic


Day 4 - Labor Day

We were exhausted from the night before, so, thankfully we slept in and then got up and went to brunch in our p.j.'s. After that we rented bicycles and met up with Mary and Parker and then we all rode around Central Park. I love Central Park, it's so beautiful and there is always so much going on. It was a holiday and there were so many peoople there, running, walking, biking, swiming, playing, etc... That's one of my favorite things about Central Park is that even with all the people who come there, there is still plenty of room for everyone,

Later that night we finally made it to the famous Tom's Restaurant for shakes. You know...

Ya, that's the one from Seinfeld. Great shakes, crappy service.

Day 5 -

Finally some time to shop! Lunch with Slade, packing, and then a flight home.

Whew, what a weekend. Andrea and Slade, we love you guys so much!!! Thanks again for another memorable trip.

Viva Early Park!

Grandma Hall passed away almost a year and a half ago and I admit I was afraid that once she was gone the life-long (my life anyway) tradition of Early Park might dwindle and die. Thankfully, I was wrong. Spending 2 days hanging out, eating, visiting, playing, and more eating with my extended family was just as much fun as it has ever been. It seems to be a little more chaotic now that I am considered one of the adults and have to worry about helping with meals and keeping track of kids but being a grown-up didn't stop me or my siblings and cousins from digging shamelessly in the sawdust for candy and money. Thanks Uncle Gary, it was that ten dollar bill that got this pregnant lady out of her chair and into the mix. Mom, you and your siblings are awesome for keeping this tradition alive, I don't know what I would do without my annual dose of Early Park madness.

Aunt Tami and Tori enjoyed some quality time together, they were always together.

Early Park just wouldn't be the same without the old cabin to play in, of course the boys insist it's a fort while the girls argue it's a castle. Somehow they work it out.

Mom and dad at lunch, aren't they cute?

Sam and Bridger are inseparable they are always catching whatever wildlife is around, usually it's lots of big grasshoppers but Early Park just wouldn't be complete without someone catching a snake.

When it came time for Bridger to leave these two said one of the sweetest goodbyes I have ever seen.

No toys, no playground, no problem...I'll just hang out here on this railing.

Like I said, eating, eating, eating. Good times!!

Rain In Summer

How beautiful is the rain!
After the dust and heat,

In the broad and fiery street,

In the narrow lane,

How beautiful is the rain!

How it clatters along the roofs,

Like the tramp of hoofs!

How it gushes and struggles out

From the throat of the over-flowing spout!

Across the window pane

It pours and pours;

And swift and side,

With a muddy tide,

Like a river down the gutter roars

The rain, the welcome rain!

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow