Day Six

Today Mom took off, so we had a nice breakfast together. She and Angel cooked bacon and pancakes!!! Then we went to a couple stores she wanted to show me, and of course found some fun things to get! We then stopped at a STARBUCKS and got our coffee fix for the day. Angel was having fun wearing her sunglasses and hat and saying "Cool!" When she does it, she points her finger in the air....so cute! Then we met Ann, Lexi and Olivia at the Richmond Metro Zoo. It was very nice and we saw LOTS of animals. Luckily, Angel wasn't scared and really liked the monkeys and the ducks. There was a giraffe there that you could feed and it puts its tongue all over you....but she was scared about that. Mom and Lexi and Olivia fed it though. It was about 80 degrees or more, so it was hot walking around (especially when you are carrying a baby in a front pack). I think the pollen here is really getting to me too, because ever since we landed in Richmond my throat and nose have been bothering me a lot!! Grammy bought treats and toys for the girls when we were done and we headed home, all a little tired and hot. For dinner tonight Mom just got this neat cooking grill rack that you put in the middle of a table and cook the food in front of you. We did red pepper, shrimp, beef, scallops, asparagus and mushrooms.....very yummy. She seasoned them and such the night before. Underneath it you melt different cheeses to put on potatoes....fun and different to do....we were all STUFFED!! Angel of course played outside some and in the boat with Grandpa and Mom and I went to Kohls so she could get some birthday gifts for Angel. Now we all hope we have a good night sleep!! (Check out the slide show for some neat pics of the animals....we got some good ones!! And too many good ones of the day to show here)

Day Five

Today we went in search of a coffee place in the morning and finally found one, but didn't compare to our WA favorites! Then we stopped by a store for a few items we needed and also picked up some Chick-Fil-A for lunch!!! I love that place and wish we could get them on the west coast. Then we went to Nannie's house again and the girls finally got to meet Grandmaw!! Aunt Chelle-Chelle (Michelle, Jason's sister) also came by to meet them. After visiting, Aunt Chelle-Chelle took Angelica with her to go pick up September from school. Then we met them at Kohls and Chelle-Chelle bought the girls some adorable outfits - thanks so much!! We headed back to the house and Angel played outside some, looking for the squirrels at the feeder. She and daddy and Grandpa went for a walk. Mom made a delicious pesto chicken dish (yes I will bring home recipes). Afterwards Angel ate more peanuts and played in the boat with Grandpa and then he gave her a fun bubble bath in the Big Tub. She loved it although did not want the jets on!! Having lots of fun and can't believe our trip here is halfway over!!

Day Four

Today we let the girls sleep in as long as they wanted....and they did!! Poor things were completely exhausted from all the travel and excitement. So we had a late start to the day and eventually headed over to Nannie's house. (Jason's maternal grandmother) Nannie was so happy to meet the girls and enjoyed playing with Angelica. She cooked us a big lunch and Angel must have had four plate helping of green beans!! She also tried teaching Angel how to bowl. Later on Jason's sister Kim and the kids, Lauren and Tyler came over. Lauren showed us all her gymnastics tricks which I got on video. Uncle Junior came home from work and we got to see him as well. On the way home, we stopped at Jason's sister Michelle's house and saw Uncle Chris and the kids, September-Connor-and Jacob. Angel had so much fun meeting all her cousins and having so many people to play with. We came home had dinner with Mom and Dad and then got kiddies bathed. Angel has decided that her favorite place to play is the garage....why? Because that is where Grandpa gives her unlimited amounts of peanuts and they play in the boat. Angel kept walking around tonight finding Grandpa and saying "boat!" One time we opened the door and found them fishing over the side!! Another time Angel was driving the boat and singing "Jesus Loves Me." She has been calling Grandpa "Paw-Paw", so we shall see what sticks! So fun! Wish it was warmer and we could actually ride in the boat!!

Day Three - Hello Richmond

We left NYC in a taxi-van from Meg's apartment around 930am and once we finally got thru security and walked a ways to the very last gate...were on our way to Richmond, VA. Becuase of the whole Delta or FAA child seat regulations....Jason and Angel ended up in the row in front of Emma and I. They had two seats to themselves and a lady sat next to me. It was a very small plane and luckily a short flight. The girls did perfectly once again. Angel loved watching the clouds and singing her Barney airplane song. In Richmond, it was pouring down rain and a little hard to walk down slippery wet stairs with a baby in a front pack and carrying luggage and none of the attendants offered to help!! I am sure we looked quite comical walking up the terminal stairs with a kid in each arm, carry on luggage and toting a stroller - and now drenched with rain!! Oh well, we just laughed and kept on going! Jason's sister Ann and her hubby generously loaned us on of their vans and two car seats for the girls to use while we are here. Mom and Dad picked us up and Mom had a yummy lunch for us when we got to the house. Then we got Angel and Emma down for naps. That night Jason's sister Ann and her family came over for dinner. Angel finally got to meet her cousins, Alexis (Lexi) and Olivia. It was fun to watch them all play and spend some time catching up with Ann and her husband Jason as well. The girls are so lucky to have so many cousins!! Dinner was yummy....I am going to bring home more recipes...and the dessert was so good...as you can tell from the pics of Angel eating it...it was an ice cream, chocolate peanut butter cake. That night we all crashed and Emma actually slept for 6 hours!! I think everyone is tired!! But good to be "home".

Day Three - Goodbye NYC

It was sad to leave Meg and Chris on Sunday, but we had a fantastic visit and so much fun!!! I was worried about the sleeping arrangements with the kiddies in such a small space, but it was perfect....we even had to wake the kids up they slept so well!! I have put a slideshow and video of their NYC apartment if anyone wanted to see....Things I will miss about NYC: all the fun parks for the kids, the ability to walk everywhere, the delicious-cheap-cultural foods, and of course my family! Things I won't miss: jay-walking, crazy taxi drivers, eating on the couch becuase there is no room for a table and having the power go out when we use the microwave because too many things are plugged in!! But it was all a fun adventure!!

Day Two - NYC

We allowed the little ones to sleep in some this morning and then we of course got STARBUCKS next door and Chris made us a yummy breakfast of eggs and we had fresh raspberries and cantaloupe...yummy!! After we got everyone all washed up we started out for our adventures. We had debated what to do today since the Pope was here. You had to have tickets to see him places, except the drive down 5th avenue....but people started lining up there about 6 am and so many thousands of people that we would not even be able to see him. Bummer bob!! There were lots of security everywhere and helocopters flying overhead...we had NYPD officers almost at every street corner around where Megs lives becuase the Pope has been around town today. While we couldn't see our Holy Father, it was very neat knowing he has been in the same place we have been all weekend. We also had to change our plans for the day about going to Central Park and the little zoo there because all the roads between here and there we closed down and shut off for the Pope and there were too many people and bus route changes etc. So we walked around town and went to another fun park called John Jay Park. Angel had fun watching all the kids, and finally decided to play in the huge sand box....yesterday she wouldn't go near it becuase she doesn't like to get her hands and feet dirty!! So as long as she could use her shovel and didn't have to touch the sand, she had a blast. Then we enjoyed some ice cream and she talked Uncle Chris into letting her play in the water fountain. It was a sweet moment today when we were sitting on the benches and she looked sad. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "Go airplane...see Marmee, Poppy, Alli!" So while she is having fun, she does miss home. We then took a long walk along the East River in the BEAUTIFUL weather to 60th Street. We wanted to go to Serendipity because I always hear about it on TV shows etc, especially about trying the frozen hot chocolate...but when we got there (tired and hot adn definetly wanting a treat) they wouldn't allow strollers inside and we couldn't stay with the kiddies.....I was bummed but will jus have to come back to try it....one day! So then we decided to take a taxi back home which was fun becase it was my very first taxi ride. I have to say that I had white knuckles watching this taxi driver zoom us in and out of streets, missing people and cars by a small margin! We ordered some lunch from a local diner here called the Green Kitchen. It is really neat how you can order anything from everywhere and have it delivered right to your door. Then Emma and Angel took a litle nap. We then walked to mass at St. Catherine of Siena's (Emma's patron saint) - it was a beautiful church. It was a bit windy tonight and Angel decided to stop and smell some flowers on the way home. Then Uncle Chris and Jason took Angel in a taxi finally to Central Park since all the festivities of the day were over. Angel had a lot of fun feeding ducks and even the squirrels, playing in the flower fields and even took a picture of where the Pope is staying. In the taxi on the way home, Angel was watching the TV and kept saying "I see Pope!" Megs and I stayed home with Emma and watched Pope coverage and had sisterly chats!! When Chris and Jason and Angel got back we couldn't believe it....the picture they just took of where the Pope is staying and the guards....we were watching on the TV that the Pope was returning there any minute. They said there were a lot of cops there and just thought they were guarding his residence. I can't believe they missed a possible opportunity!! Too bad we didn't know they were there and could have told them to stay put!! Oh well......we are now going to order some Italian pizza from their favorite place and possibly get the kiddies to bed early and watch a movie. So that is it for today and will hopefully be in touch tomorrow. (I have to remember to take pics of megs place too)the slideshow has lots more good pics.

Day One - NYC

After successfully landing in NYC at JFK airport, we awaited the driver Megs had arranged for us. After several attempts to find us, the blue van #656 gathered us and all the luggage up and delivered us safely to 1425 York Avenue....Meg's and Chris' small NYC apartment (pics and video to follow tomorrow). We hung out with Megs for awhile, then we ordered some yummy breakfast from a local diner. Emma took a nap and then Angel followed suit. Megs decided to run me around the local city to several of her stores and stops. I was trusting her with my life as I followed her around this bustling city and held my breath every time we crossed the street with all the crazy cars coming at us. JAY WALKING doesn't matter here!! Then I went with her to her doctor's appointment where she had her first ULTRASOUND of BABY STURHAHN!! Her HCG levels are still very low so all we could see was a little "bubble" where the sac is forming and the endometrium thickening up. She goes next week for another ultrasound and they hope to see the heart rate then. It was a special moment to share. Megs and I then decided that we needed to go get a pedicure so that our feet would look marvelous walking to the park in our flip flops in the warm weather (I now have blisters between my toes from walking in flip flops!). We saw where Meg's old apartment was and went to a local park named, Carl Schultz Park. Angel had a blast playing, sliding, seeing the dog park and getting some fresh air. We enjoyed our walk home and ordered some Turkish food for dinner...yummy!! I gave Megs her birthday present finally (a family holiday cookbook I made her), we watched some home movies and then baths and to bed!! What a fun day to spend together.....can't wait until tomorrow!! Had to post some good pics....but the slide show has ALL of them...too many good ones to list here....so check the slide show out!!

DELTA Disaster

Well, we are FINALLY here in NYC!! And right now sitting in my sister's very small but CUTE NY apartment...getting ready to go to the park. But....more info and pics to post about day one later...first let me tell you about our flight experience. When we headed out to the airport with all our luggage (and yes we have a lot....bad packers I guess) I knew we would have lots of fun stories to tell just by traveling for the first time with kids and two under two!! But what I DIDN'T expect was what we did experience. After a long line at security (where Angel was very confused why we had to take off her shoes), we made it onto the flight and settle onto a long red eye flight ahead....there wasn't an empty seat on the plane. About two hours into the flight (after changing pee pee outfits and diapers and getting kiddies to sleep)...the flight attendant came over to tell us that she was going to have to separate us because two small children could not sit next to each other on our laps due to lack of oxygen supply in case of emergency!! We couldn't believe it...to make a long story short and AFTER lots of stern questioning from my husband....we had to wake up our girls and others around us to be moved several rows up and separated in the aisle seats. I was tired and upset....was angry that this was even an issue after we had booked the tickets with them knowing this and they waited so long in the flight to move us. So after too much arguing and some tears...we decided to try and "rest" and just get through the flight.....a very long, warm and tiring flight....but we safely made it to NYC and to family and I guess that is the most important thing....right?? Although, I have a feeling DELTA will be hearing from my hubby.....I am not looking forward to the rest of our flights being "separated!"

Happy Birthday!

Today is our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, birthday!!! How blessed we are to have him in our country on his special day!! If you go to http://www.pope2008.com/ you can get all the latest news and pics from his visit...and you can watch LIVE the EWTN footage of the trip...which I just found out about!!! How exciting....unfortunately I have things like PACKING to do or I would be glued to the computer screen. I also can't believe we arrive at JFK airport 730am Friday and the Pope comes in two hours later!! If I had known months ago that we would be in the same city the same weekend as our Holy Father, I would have tried to get tickets to see him. It looks like he is going to drive down 5th avenue on Saturday to 72nd street (where my sister's apartment used to be) so we may try and see if we can catch a glimpse or a BLESSING from him....amazing man and leader...his words and messages are so powerful!! I believe it was also three years ago today that he found out he was chosen to be the leader of the church...prayers to Pope Benedict on his birthday!!